The Crime Warp

Have you ever compiled a fantasy dinner list? Top of mine would be Flavia Albia, the indomitable informer who uncovers all sorts of nefarious ongoings in Ancient Rome. Coming from Britain, she has the objectivity and observational skills of an outsider and having experienced real suffering as a child, she is under no illusions about human nature. Smart and perceptive, she is at home in all walks of life – which is just as well as in this case her investigations take her to a dangerous neighbourhood.

The third book in the Flavia Albia series takes us into the heart of a local election campaign in ancient Rome. Words like political intrigue, corruption, backstabbing and ruthles s ness   spring to mind. In fact are there enough closets in Rome to fit all the skeletons?    In her profession as informer   our protagonist Flavia Albia, the adopted British daughter of Falco and his wife Helena, has to find out not only who the dead body is that surfaces in a   strong box in her father’s auction, but   also   the identity of   the murderer. Complicated Roman family politics overlap with   local politics   (the list of characters in the front of the book is   very   useful) .   If you have ever been disillusioned with   current politics ,   read this book - it makes   our politicians   look like models of rectitude.   Aided by the dishy Manlius Faustus, magistrate and campaign manager for his frie...