Fascinated by the past since childhood explorations of Roman roads, Jane Finnis brings a deep connection to history into her writing. After studying history and a period as a BBC Radio broadcaster, she now immerses herself in researching and crafting narratives set in the Roman Empire. Her work explores this ancient world, offering readers a vivid glimpse into its realities.
This is a collection of mystery short stories, a variety of traditional whodunnits, all with an Ancient Roman background. The tales take us to the turbulent frontier province of Britannia, the showy luxury of Rome itself, and right inside the glittering and dangerous court of Nero.
Second book in the captivating crime series set in 1st century York, starring young Roman innkeeper Aurelia Marcella.
First in an absorbing crime series set in 1st century York, featuring young Roman innkeeper Aurelia Marcella.
A fine summer in 100 AD and good government under Trajan Caesar promise well for the Roman settlers in the frontier province of Britannia. Aurelia Marcella runs a mansion on a busy road to York. June is always busy, but one day two unusual events occur: a soldier is murdered in his bed at the inn, and a letter arrives from Isurium, a small fort north of the city. It is from a cousin, Jovina, inviting Aurelia to a midsummer birthday party. But the missive also reads as a plea for help, referring to “danger in the wind.” The murdered soldier also bore a message, locked in Aurelia’s strongbox, indicating violence would erupt at the very same fort on the day of the party. At Isurium, Aurelia finds Jovina and her drunken husband and unruly children caught in a tangled web of greed, love, intrigue, and death. When violence engulfs the district, Aurelia suddenly finds herself in peril from enemies engaged in an anti- Roman plot and from family members bent on misguided or evil agendas of their own. This is the 4th in a series.