The Barnes & Noble Review
A direct sequel to her Body in the Bathhouse, this 14th installment in Lindsey Davis's ancient Rome–based mystery series finds Roman private eye Marcus Didius Falco in Britannia, where he has just wrapped up a murder investigation at the command of his emperor. Though he finds Britannia dreary, he had gladly accepted the assignment, using it as a good excuse to spirit his sister out of Rome and away from a vengeful ex-suitor.

Now, bogged down (almost literally) in the muddy streets of Londinium, where his uncle by marriage holds a government post, Falco is faced with yet another murder when the disgraced henchman of an important local ally is shoved headfirst into a well. Of course, everyone assumes Falco will be delighted to solve the case before leaving Britannia. But as he starts investigating, he quickly discovers that Roman gangsters -- exactly the sort that he'd tackled before and had hoped never to confront again -- are moving to dismal-but-profitable Londinium and making their presence known.

Davis's witty, wonderful, award-winning series provides a richly detailed glimpse of the ancient world. It also showcases truly first-rate mystery stories! Sue Stone