Description

A tragic accident . . . or was it?

Emperor Domitian has been awarded (or rather, has demanded) yet another Triumph to celebrate two so-called victories. Preparations are going smoothly until one of the men overseeing arrangements for the celebration accidentally falls to his death from a cliff on the symbolic Capitoline Hill.

But Flavia Albia suspects there’s more to the incident than meets the eye, as there are plenty of people who would have been delighted to be rid of the overseer. He was an abusive swine who couldn’t organise a booze-up in a winery and was caught up in a number of scams, including one surrounding the supply of imperial purple dye and a family of shellfish-boilers.

As Flavia finds herself drawn into a theatrical world of carnival floats, musicians, incense and sacrificial beasts, can she see to the heart of the matter and catch those responsible for the unpopular man’s untimely death?

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Praise for Lindsey Davis and the Flavia Albia series

‘Lindsey Davis has seen off all her competitors to become the unassailable market leader in the ‘crime in Ancient Rome’ genre . . . Davis’s squalid, vibrant Rome is as pleasurable as ever’ – Guardian

‘Davis’s prose is a lively joy, and Flavia’s Rome is sinister and gloriously real’ – The Times on Sunday

‘For fans of crime fiction set in the ancient world, this one is not to be missed’ – Booklist

‘Davis’s books crackle with wit and knowledge . . . She has the happy knack of making the reader feel entirely immersed in Rome’ – The Times

Publisher Review

Fashioning modern methods of investigation as well as other 21st century conventions into acceptable practices in the daily life of ancient Rome may sound like an insurmountable task, but author Davis does it with aplomb. * New York Journal of Books * Remarkably fresh... Author Lindsey Davis balances grit and frivolity with ease. Flavia feels like the love child of Philip Marlowe and Carrie Bradshaw-she's on the case, observing and reporting with care, but keeps a running line of saucy commentary on everyone throughout. * BookPage * Davis does her usual brilliant job of integrating the history of the period, warts and all, with a fast-paced and fair whodunit. * Publishers Weekly * Davis is the absolute mistress of making the reader feel entirely immersed in her tale. For the aficionados, this is another absolute winner. For those who haven't met the familia Falco before, Flavia Albia is prettier than Poirot and smarter than Sherlock! If you don't tread in her elegantly sandalled steps, you've missed a genuine detective treat. * Crime Review * In this witty novel by the mistress of Roman crime, the reader is transported behind the scenes of a Triumph into a fascinating world of actors, costumiers and animal trainers, all united in their hatred of the murdered man. * Sunday Express Magazine * Praise for A Capitol Death: Davis's prose is a lively joy, and Flavia's Rome is sinister and gloriously real * The Times on Saturday * This excellent Roman mystery, enriched by Davis's characteristic wit and thorough understanding of the period, takes a darker turn as Flavia delves into Rome's poorest streets, rife with prostitution, exploitation, thuggery and murder * Sunday Express, S Magazine * Davis's books crackle with wit and knowledge. She has the happy knack of making the reader feel entirely immersed in Rome * The Times * Lindsey Davis has seen off all her competitors to become the unassailable market leader in the 'crime in Ancient Rome' genre . . . Davis's squalid, vibrant Rome is as pleasurable as ever * Guardian * For fans of crime fiction set in the ancient world, this one is not to be missed * Booklist * Praise for Lindsey Davis and the Flavia Albia series: