Set in ancient Rome, the mysteries of Lindsey Davis featuring sleuth Marcus Didius Falco are "one of the best historical series," says the Detroit Free Press, filled with "the wisecracking humor, scathing social commentary, and rollicking adventure that are Davis's trademarks." Now, in a new novel, the intrepid Falco lands a case in Rome's squalid port of Ostia and enters a most dark and dangerous place...

SCANDAL TAKES A HOLIDAY

Infamia-a pseudonym for the sleazy rascal who writes the gossip column for Rome's Daily Gazette-has vanished while claiming to be visiting an "aunt" in Ostia. With no juicy scandal to print, his employers want him found. It's a perfect job for private eye Marcus Didius Falco.

Falco's best friend, L. Petronius Longus, is already in Ostia on duty with the local vigiles and Falco expects to enjoy some good company and tolerable vino as well. Alas, not only is the wine wretched and the vigiles rowdy, but Petro-deep in amor with Falco's sister Maia-is discovering that the problem with love is the Falco family in-laws who come with it. On the bright side, Falco soon has a lead in Infamia's disappearance.

Following a trail that begins with a little boy whose mother "won't wake up" and a gardener about to be decapitated with some hedge sheers, Falco finds that his inquiries will put him on a perilous road. Even as his patrician wife and partner, Helena Justina, feels the icy hand of terror, Falco stumbles into something more deadly than a missing person's case. In fact, what lies beneath Infamia's disappearance is an underworld of cutthroat villains and chilling deeds. Now, with his wit and courage tested, Falco may be going to vitam impendere vero (stake one's life for the truth), for, like life, this case may end in the cold chambers of the grave...