In the first century AD during Domitians reign Flavia Albia is ready for a short break from her family So despite the oppressive July heat she returns to Rome leaving them at their place on the coast Albia daughter of Marcus Didius Falco the famed private informer now retired has taken up her fathers former profession and its time to get back to work The first order of business however is the corpse that was found in a chest sent as part of a large lot to be sold by the Falco family auction house As the senior family representative in Rome it falls upon Albia to identify the corpse find out why he was killed who killed him and most important how did it end up in the chest At the same time her potential young man Faustus comes looking for help with his friend Sextuss political campaign Between the auction business and Roman politics its not quite clear which one is the more underhanded and duplicitous Both however are tied together by the mysterious body in the chest and if Albia isnt able to solve that mystery it wont be the only body to drop.
