Blood and Shadows
(2022)(The third book in the Lucius Sestius Mystery series)
A novel by Fiona Forsyth
‘In a Rome packed with larger than life figures, one man stands tall: Lucius Sestius. Haunted survivor, witness of conscience, true Roman.’ Jacquie Rogers, author of The Governor’s Man.
The Battle of Philippi is over. Octavian and Mark Antony have defeated the Republic. A cause and a generation of young noblemen have been lost.
Lucius Sestius, a lawyer embroiled in the Ides of March, has been driven from Rome by his allegiance to Caesar’s murderers. He has seen his commanders die on the battlefield, and now he and his friends must rebuild their lives, burdened by defeat and grief.
In exile on Sicily, Lucius investigates the mysterious murder of a soldier, just as peace negotiations between Antony, Octavian and the rebel Sextus Pompey are being planned.
When another murder threatens the negotiations, Lucius is ordered to make enquiries and provide a convenient explanation. Realising this is his only path to freedom, he returns to Rome knowing that a murderer has gone free.
Back home, the murder of the veteran centurion Crastinus leads Lucius to the terrible suspicion that one of his friends is responsible, and that he himself has allowed this to happen.
Lucius must confront the man whom he fought beside at Philippi.
Murder and the truth will out, but at what price?
Recommended for fans of Steven Saylor, Lindsey Davis and Peter Tonkin.
Fiona Forsyth studied Classics at Oxford before teaching the subject for 25 years.
Praise for Fiona Forsyth:
'Tightly-written, well-researched, fast-moving, and showing an excellent eye and ear for character and dialogue. A joy to read.' David Wishart.
'Beautifully written and utterly absorbing, Forsyth has created a stunning depiction of the end of the republic and birth of the Roman Empire.' Jemahl Evans.
‘Forsyth weaves fact and fiction to produce a page-turning mystery and insight into the end of the Republic.’ Richard Foreman.
Genre: Historical Mystery
The Battle of Philippi is over. Octavian and Mark Antony have defeated the Republic. A cause and a generation of young noblemen have been lost.
Lucius Sestius, a lawyer embroiled in the Ides of March, has been driven from Rome by his allegiance to Caesar’s murderers. He has seen his commanders die on the battlefield, and now he and his friends must rebuild their lives, burdened by defeat and grief.
In exile on Sicily, Lucius investigates the mysterious murder of a soldier, just as peace negotiations between Antony, Octavian and the rebel Sextus Pompey are being planned.
When another murder threatens the negotiations, Lucius is ordered to make enquiries and provide a convenient explanation. Realising this is his only path to freedom, he returns to Rome knowing that a murderer has gone free.
Back home, the murder of the veteran centurion Crastinus leads Lucius to the terrible suspicion that one of his friends is responsible, and that he himself has allowed this to happen.
Lucius must confront the man whom he fought beside at Philippi.
Murder and the truth will out, but at what price?
Recommended for fans of Steven Saylor, Lindsey Davis and Peter Tonkin.
Fiona Forsyth studied Classics at Oxford before teaching the subject for 25 years.
Praise for Fiona Forsyth:
'Tightly-written, well-researched, fast-moving, and showing an excellent eye and ear for character and dialogue. A joy to read.' David Wishart.
'Beautifully written and utterly absorbing, Forsyth has created a stunning depiction of the end of the republic and birth of the Roman Empire.' Jemahl Evans.
‘Forsyth weaves fact and fiction to produce a page-turning mystery and insight into the end of the Republic.’ Richard Foreman.
Genre: Historical Mystery
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