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MURDER IN THE FORUM
When Perennis Felix, favorite of the Roman Emperor and. would-be enemy of all, heralds his arrival in Glevurn (modern Gloucester) with the arbitrary execution of a, slave, there are few who dare question his actions. Indeed, a feast in the Roman's honour is universally approved in the cause of self-preservation Libertus, freedman arid mosaicist -- and, therefore, an expert in puzzles and patterns and his patron, Marcus Septimus, are among the reluctant citizens at the evening celebration. Libertus, who is a freed Celtic slave, and thus an outsider to the brutalities of the conquerors, is thankful for his lowly status as he is sequestered to the back of the room while more esteemed guests, his patron among them, are: subjected to the trials of Felix's misplaced humour. But the festivities come to a sudden and disturbing end when the Roman appears to choke on a nut and dies in front of a stunned gathering. And it is not long before the ever- vigilant Libertus notices the mysterious disappearance of two guests - one of whom he has very good reason to suspect is not all he seems to be