Lindsey Davis' popular Marcus Didius Falco series continues with a classic noir tale of gangsters, gladiators, and romance. For Falco, an attempt at relaxing while visiting his wife Helena's relatives in Britain turns serious when a murder is discovered. King Togidubnus, the renegade henchman of Rome's vital ally, has been stuffed head-first down a barroom well-leading to a tricky diplomatic situation which Falco must defuse. Making matters worse, the town has become a magnet for criminals from Rome...and one murder leads to others. With the army turning a blind eye, Falco and his partner Petronius must lead the hunt for gangsters intent on taking over the city. From the wharves beside the River Thamesis to the old haunts of organized crime back home in Italy, Falco and Petronius face danger and death in every corner. Will they be able to return order to the city before they lose everything they hold dear?