This time Falco and his witty wife, Helena, are involved in the worlds of publishing and banking in first century Rome. Falco’s poetical talents are recognized at last. He is invited to a public reading of his works hosted by one of the city’s prominent citizens who just happens to think he has literary talent. Whether he does or not Falco is suspicious of a public reading for several reasons. One since he has no money to contribute to the event he knows he will have very little allotted time and two he must be extremely cautious in his selections since he also has no money to defend himself against libel suits or the possibility of offending the Emperor and his minions. He also wants to stay out of prison or wind up as lion fodder like his deceased brother-in-law.

Needless to say the public reading attracts all sorts of uninvited guests among them a group of writers who soon find themselves suspects when their publisher is discovered murdered in a very gruesome manner. Falco investigates the case and hears first century versions of “writer’s block” and excuses for advances on as yet to be written literature and learns far more about banking methods than he ever knew (and with his prospects will ever be in a position to utilize).

The deceased was a Greek with a scheming first wife and much too pretty second wife, (Helena definitely sees the latter as up to something.) The publishing world seems little changed over the centuries only the subject matter and printing methods vary. The body is found in the library in a classic “locked room” situation so our erstwhile detective calls in all the suspects for the final comedown complete with a trap set for the culprit.

Meanwhile Falco’s father is distraught with grief; his mother stands to lose her life savings; his new house is still not remodeled and both his sworn enemy and best friend are courting his recently widowed sister! Add to that the Emperor’s decree that no cantina or café can serve hot food until further notice and there’s trouble in the Eternal City. His tongue-in-cheek ruminations and self-deprecations are up to the usual standard making it even harder to stop reading and do the mundane chores in life, like laundry and paying bills

. Marcus Didius Falco and Helena Justina are always great fun to read. Ms. Davis does a wonderful job of recreating the first century whether it’s Rome, Palestine, or Britain and this book is no exception. I’m hooked, I think you will be too.

--Jane Davis