Publisher Description

313 AD. Under the rule of Emperor Constantine, Rome finally appears to be emerging from its turbulent past. In order to consolidate his control and under the guidance of his mother Helena, Constantine plans to harness the power of the increasingly influential Christian Church. But his loyalties are brought into question when three courtesans from the Guild of Aphrodite - a guild Constantine himself frequents - are found dead. All three bodies have crosses etched on their foreheads and each cheek. Aiming to protect her son's future, Helena calls upon the service of an 'agente in rebus politicis' - or spy. Claudia is the niece of a tavern-owner and is placed as a wine-server in Constantine's household. But Claudia has secret motives of her own...

Notes

A gripping novel of political intrigue set in Ancient Rome.

Author Biography

Paul Doherty was born in Middlesbrough. He studied History at Liverpool and Oxford Universities and obtained a doctorate for his thesis on Edward II and Queen Isabella. He is now headmaster of a school in north-east London and lives with his family in Essex.

Review

Praise for Paul Doherty's other novels: 'I really like these medieval whodunnits * Bookseller *
A romping good read * Time Out *
Historically informative, excellently plotted and, as ever, superbly entertaining * CADS 20 *
This rich tale ... seeps authenticity and is written with wonderfully efficient style. A gem of an historical thriller * Huddersfield Daily Examiner *

Promotional

The gripping first novel of political intrigue in the series set in Ancient Rome and featuring the imperial spy Claudia

Kirkus UK Review

Paul Doherty's wide-ranging series of historical novels take readers back to civilizations from Ancient Egypt and Rome to 14th-century England. Based on a lifetime's comprehensive knowledge, enthusiasm and creativity, they're written in an easy, colloquial style which keeps the stories racing along, and the characters are lively and recognizable. This one is set in early fourth-century Rome, a period of great turbulence, plotting, suspicion and change. By AD 312 Christianity was challenging the old state religion and Rome was divided uneasily into two parts, each with its own Emperor. In the east Licinius ruled; in the west Constantine, whose dream was to oust Licinius and become sole Emperor. Inevitably intrigue was rife, and spies and informers kept the two Courts more or less abreast of what was going on behind their backs. Our heroine, Claudia, is a palace servant, ex-actress - and spy. She is also small, plain and unobtrusive, known to her mistress, Constantine's ruthless mother Helena, as 'little mouse', which belies her true character. Soon after the story begins three courtesans are found murdered, their faces disfigured by three crosses cut into their cheeks and brows. Quite apart from her job as informer, Claudia has good reason to seek out their murderer. Not long before their deaths her younger brother Felix had been brutally murdered and she herself attacked while they were innocently searching for 'treasures' in the mud of the Tiber. She has but one clue: her brother's killer had a purple chalice tattooed on his left wrist: a sign of someone who follows the Mithras cult. As she pursues his murderer through the murky byways of the imperial court, danger threatens her from every side. This is a great read, fast moving and full of local colour. (Kirkus UK)

Long Description

313 AD. Under the rule of Emperor Constantine, Rome finally appears to be emerging from its turbulent past. In order to consolidate his control and under the guidance of his mother Helena, Constantine plans to harness the power of the increasingly influential Christian Church. But his loyalties are brought into question when three courtesans from the Guild of Aphrodite - a guild Constantine himself frequents - are found dead. All three bodies have crosses etched on their foreheads and each cheek. Aiming to protect her son's future, Helena calls upon the service of an 'agente in rebus politicis' - or spy. Claudia is the niece of a tavern-owner and is placed as a wine-server in Constantine's household. But Claudia has secret motives of her own...

Review Quote

Praise for Paul Doherty's other novels: 'I really like these medieval whodunnits

Promotional "Headline"

The gripping first novel of political intrigue in the series set in Ancient Rome and featuring the imperial spy Claudia

Description for Sales People

Paul Doherty's novels are translated into eight languages, including German, Spanish, French, Italian, and Korean

Details