Another engrossing historical mystery bringing Ancient Rome to life in all its gruesome glory from the pen of multimillion-copy bestselling author Lindsey Davis. Fans of S. J. Parris, Donna Leon, Steven Saylor and C. J. Sansom will not be disappointed…____________________________________’Uniquely entertaining’ — Time Out’Bizarre, funny and satisfying!’ — Irish Times’As always, Davis wears her research lightly, bringing Ancient Rome to vivid life in a series of delicious vignettes’ — Val Mc Dermid’Exciting and gripping’ — ***** Reader review’I love this book. What an amazing author and what an amazing series!!’ — ***** Reader review’Another excellent Falco book that is impossible to put down’ — ***** Reader review’Well written, humourous, interesting and a great read!’ — ***** Reader review_________________________________A SERIAL KILLER STALKS THE GAMES’The fountain was not working. Nothing unusual in that…’Marcus Didius Falco and his laddish friend Petronius find their local fountain has been blocked — by a gruesomely severed human hand.Soon other body parts are being found in the aqueducts and sewers.Public panic overcomes official indifference, and the Aventine partners are commissioned to investigate. Women are being abducted during festivals, with the next Games only days away.As the heat rises in the Circus Maximus, they face a race against time and a strong test of their friendship. They know the sadistic killer lurks somewhere on the festive streets of Rome — preparing to strike again…