Product Description
It’s freezing in late December, 95 A.D. Roman settlers in Britannia are preparing to celebrate Saturnalia. Innkeeper Aurelia Marcella, who runs a mansio near Eboracum (modern York) in consort with her (mostly absent) brother and her younger sister, Albia, finds her plans for a peaceful holiday shattered when her brother makes a surprise midnight appearance. His news? An enemy in Rome is trying to destroy the family by spreading rumors they are plotting against Caesar. Lucius has, through an unwise affair, lost his job as a government investigator.
To add to Aurelia’s woes, the mansion is threatened by a sort of protection racket, and a party of rich, demanding travelers related to the provincial governor rolls up at the door. Their quarrels, verging on the murderous, and their quest for a rebellious heir, the elder son, spill over into Aurelia’s household.
And then, at the Saturnalia feast, one of the party dies and Albia becomes the chief suspect. An outraged Aurelia is forced to contend with conspirators—and threats—of all stripes in a story that moves from the quiet countryside to a busy garrison town.
To add to Aurelia’s woes, the mansion is threatened by a sort of protection racket, and a party of rich, demanding travelers related to the provincial governor rolls up at the door. Their quarrels, verging on the murderous, and their quest for a rebellious heir, the elder son, spill over into Aurelia’s household.
And then, at the Saturnalia feast, one of the party dies and Albia becomes the chief suspect. An outraged Aurelia is forced to contend with conspirators—and threats—of all stripes in a story that moves from the quiet countryside to a busy garrison town.
Synopsis
In late December, 95 AD, Roman settlers in Britannia are preparing to celebrate Saturnalia. Innkeeper, Aurelia Marcella's plans for a peaceful holiday are shattered when her brother brings bad news. An enemy in Rome is trying to destroy her family by spreading rumours that they are plotting against Caesar. Her brother has lost his job as a government investigator, the mansion is menaced by a gang of native criminals, and, when a party of rich, demanding travellers arrive to stay, their quarrels and violence spill over into Aurelia's household. Then the Saturnalia banquet, highlight of the festival, culminates in tragic death. Aurelia's sister, Albia is one of the chief suspects. This second book in the series takes Aurelia from the quiet countryside to the busy new garrison town of York where she must contend with traitors and crooks, and face personal danger to protect her sister and help her brother. If she fails, her family will lose not just their mansion, but their lives.
