Death On The Tiber

In Lindsey Davis' Death On The Tiber (#1,243) Flavia Albia is settling nicely into her life with her second husband.  In fact, she's strolling the Tiber waterfront with Tiberius Manlius Faustus as he searches for the perfect marble column for a temple he's refurbishing.  But nothing is ever simple in their family.  Tiberius is recognized as a former city magistrate and is called over to inspect what a river dredger has brought up.  It's the body of a woman.  So why are the Emperor's Special Units interested?  They don't seem to care about the woman herself, but rather the man she was allegedly seeking in Rome.  But when it turns out the woman was from Britannia, Albia takes a personal interest.  Especially when she discovers that the man in question is a long-ago enemy of hers.

Gang warfare is about to break out again in Rome after the funeral of one of its long-time leaders.  Turf wars over territory, leadership and horse racing are a daily occurrence with the fearsome special imperial troops stationed within the city take a role in suppressing activities with their own violence.  Suddenly, Rome isn't safe for anyone...

I just love this mystery series set in the reign of Domitian.  Flavia Albia is independent, snarky and determined to face up to her ancient adversary as the men in her life do their utmost to keep her safe.  I really wish I could see Albia's mongrel Barley dancing on the back of their household donkey Mercury!  It apparently stops the foot traffic in the Roman markets!