Böcker av Lindsey Davis

The next book in the gripping Flavia Albia series, by acclaimed author Lindsey Davis.

Afflicted by classic paranoia, the self-styled Master and God sees enemies everywhere. As he vents his suspicions, no one is safe. A reluctant hero, Gaius Vinius Clodianus is hand-picked for high rank in the Praetorian Guard a brave man striving for decency in a world of corruption and deceit. Flavia Lucilla, tending the privileged women at court, hears the intimate secrets of a ruler who plays with the lives of his subjects as if he were indeed a careless god. In the dark shadow of Domitian's reign, Clodianus and Lucilla play out their own complex tale of resilience, friendship and love. Unwilling witnesses to Domitian's descent into insanity, these ordinary people must choose between their sworn duty to protect the Emperor and an act of courage that will change the future of Rome.

'He has no money, no reputation and no famous ancestors.'The love story of the Emperor Vespasian, who brought peace to Rome after years of strife, and his mistress, the freed slave woman Caenis, this book recreates Ancient Rome's most turbulent period - the reigns of Tiberius, Caligula, Claudius and Nero and Vespasian's rise to power.

Set against the terrible struggle of the English Civil War and the dark plots of the Commonwealth, Rebels and Traitors tells of soldiers, adventurers, aristocrats and kings, tradesmen, politicians, radicals and scavengers - and the hopes and dreams that carried them through one of the most turbulent eras of English history.

'All the problems I know about are family ones.'A frightened child approaches Roman informer Falco pleading for help. Beset by his own family troubles, by his new responsibilities as Procurator of the Sacred Poultry, and by the continuing search for a new partner, Falco turns her away. Immediately he regrets it.

'There's nothing wrong with Britain ... that is if you leave out the mammoth travelling distance from one's dear Roman heritage!'AD 75. he wants someone to investigate. Falco has a new baby, a new house, and he hates Britain.

she acquires a mystery illness - then a young man is horrendously murdered and she escapes from house arrest. Falco is pitted against his old rival, the Chief Spy Anacrites, in a race to find the fugitive before her presence angers the public and makes the government look stupid.

'Nobody was poisoned at the dinner for the Society of Olive Oil Producers of Baetica, though in retrospect this was quite a surprise.'Inimitable sleuth Falco is back with a vengeance. Soon he is plunged into the fiercely competitive world of olive oil production.

'"I still can't believe I've put the bastard away for good!" Petro muttered.'Petronius Longus, captain of the Aventine watch and Falco's oldest friend, has finally nailed one of Rome's top criminals. One dark and gloomy dawn, Petro and Falco put the evil Balbinus aboard a ship.

'I was just a freelance hero doing his best in a hard world.'The spirit of adventure calls Falco on a new spying mission for the Emperor Vespasian to the untamed East.

Worse still, the only client Falco can get is his mother - who wants him to clear the family name. Then just as Falco thinks things can only get better, fate takes a turn for the worse.