The ninth Marcus Corvinus mystery from the leading Roman crime writer in the industry.
If there is one thing Marcus Corvinus hates more than doing the household accounts, it is politics. So when he is interrupted in the former to get involved in the latter, he is not best pleased. His brief is to conduct an unofficial investigation into an attack on the Parthian Prince Phraates, a task that taxes his (none too) diplomatic skills to the utmost. The byzantine twists and turns of the case give Corvinus a headache worse than his customary hangover, and it takes a violent threat to Perilla before he begins to get a grip on what is involved. Along the way he learns a lot about the spice trade - and a new way with lampreys.
Ancient Rome's shrewdest and most sardonic detective . . . the best balance of mystery and history yet. - Kirkus Reviews (US)
more twists and turns than a roller coaster . . . fast-paced and professional . . . one of his strongest entries to date. - Historical Novels Review
piles intrigue upon intrigue in a highly satisfying manner. - Sherlock
David Wishart studied Classics at Edinburgh University. He then taught Latin and Greek in school for four years and after this retrained as a teacher of EFL. He lived and worked abroad for eleven years, working in Kuwait, Greece and Saudi Arabia, and now lives with his wife and family in Scotland.