“Superb ... For fans of steven saylor and conn iggulden.” Richard Foreman ROME. 42 BC. Rome and its empire are in turmoil. Severed heads fill the Forum. Cicero’s remains among them, more than two months after his death. Power lies with Antony and Caesar’s adopted son and heir Octavianus. Their reign of terror continues but too many of their proscribed enemies are escaping their clutches. And Brutus and Cassius still oppose them. Their fleets are blockading the Triumvirate's ports as they build their armies in the East. Antony turns to his most trusted secret agent, Artemidorus. He is tasked with delivering a message to the only person with a navy powerful enough to help – Cleopatra. But the road to Alexandria is a dangerous one. Artemidorus and his companions must journey through treacherous countryside and past cities ravaged by Brutus’ rapacious legions and tax collectors. Before the Queen can help Antony, Cleopatra must rely on Artemidorus to find a way to stop Cassius from invading Egypt – and to bring grain to her starving people before they rise in revolt against her. Artemidorus’ mission becomes ever more dangerous and desperate as friends turn into enemies and lovers into traitors. Recommended for fans of Steven Saylor, Robert Harris and Ben Kane. Peter Tonkin was born in Ulster, Northern Ireland and was raised in the UK, Holland, Germany, and the Persian Gulf. The son of an RAF officer, Tonkin spent much of his youth travelling the world from one posting to another. "A breathless, brutal tale which weaves together historical fact and creativity." Mystery People Magazine