It`s 76 during the reign of Vespasian and the Roman festival of Saturnalia is getting underway. The days are short; the nights are for wild parties. But not for informer Marcus Didius Falco. His job is to uncover unwelcome truths and deal with sensitive situations, frequently at the behest of the imperial government. So when a general`s famous female conquest escapes from house arrest--leaving a horrendous murder in her wake--Falco is on the case. If finding a fugitive isn`t enough of a Zeus-like headache, Falco`s wife Helena Justina`s brother has also gone missing. Against the riotous backdrop of the season of misrule and merriment, the search seems impossible. And Falco seems to be the only one who notices that some dark agency is bringing death to the city