‘Poetic and haunting: Forsyth provides a captivating glimpse into the life of one of Ancient Rome's greatest writers.’ Steven Veerapen, author of the Simon Danforth Mysteries

9 CE.

Rome’s celebrated love poet Ovid finds himself in exile, courtesy of an irate Emperor, in the far-flung town of Tomis.

Appalled at being banished to a barbarous region at the very edge of the Empire, Ovid soon discovers that he has a far more urgent - and potentially perilous - issue to address. A killer is at large in Tomis.

Somebody is slaughtering animals in a parody of ritual, and the Governor’s advisor Marcus Avitius is under pressure to apprehend the perpetrator.

Romans are held in low esteem by the local populace, however, and assistance is hard to come by. When the killer progresses from animal to human victims, Avitius reluctantly allies himself to the mercurial, tipsy Ovid.

It seems that Ovid has an inexplicable link to the murderer too, with his poetry providing the timetable by which the killer works.

After a secret visit from the elite Praetorian Guard, Ovid realises he is in mortal danger in Tomis. If he doesn’t follow the Emperor’s line, more than just his freedom is at risk.

With Avitius distracted by the demands of the Governor, Ovid becomes a target for dark forces at work in Tomis - and in Rome.

Recommended for fans of Steven Saylor, Lindsey Davis and Simon Scarrow.

Fiona Forsyth studied Classics at Oxford before teaching the subject for 25 years. Fiona is also the author of the Lucius Sestius Mysteries.

Praise for Fiona Forsyth:

‘Fiona Forsyth weaves together the various strands of this gripping tale with an expert hand. The result is an impressively authentic historical setting full of utterly believable ancient Roman characters involved in an increasingly tense mystery. Brilliantly done.’ Peter Tonkin

'Tightly-written, well-researched, fast-moving, and showing an excellent eye and ear for character and dialogue. A joy to read.' David Wishart

'Beautifully written and utterly absorbing, Forsyth has created a stunning depiction of the end of the republic and birth of the Roman Empire.' Jemahl Evans

‘Forsyth weaves fact and fiction to produce a page-turning mystery and insight into the end of the Republic.’ Richard Foreman

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