First published 2016
Flavia Albia works as an informer in first century Rome, following her father Marcus Didius Falco into the profession. She typically handles mundane cases involving unfaithful spouses and petty theft. Her life takes a complicated turn when her partner Manlius Faustus moves in and insists they plan an elaborate wedding ceremony. His construction crew discovers human bones while renovating The Garden of the Hesperides, a seedy tavern. Local gossip has long suggested the former owner murdered a barmaid. Albia prefers investigating potential homicide to organizing wedding festivities. The excavation reveals additional remains, indicating multiple victims died at the establishment. Her inquiry into the buried corpses draws dangerous attention from unknown enemies. Albia realizes the threat to her safety might provide the perfect excuse to escape both the wedding preparations and her well-meaning but intrusive relatives.
Genres: historical-fiction, mystery, crime, thriller
Vibes: atmospheric, suspenseful, thought-provoking
Tropes: amateur-detective, reluctant-hero
Setting: Rome, The Garden of the Hesperides
Period: First Century
403 pages · Paperback · Hodder