These books are quick reads due to the fast-moving plots. This time our hero (Decius Caecilius Metellus the Younger) travels to Alexandria, Egypt, in the time of Pharaoh Ptolemy (the "flute player") and his young daughter, Cleopatra.

A murder occurs and Decius is called in to investigate. As usual, he has many things on his mind during his hunt for the killer. Not least of these is how he can promote his own political career that seems to have slowed to a halt.

My favorite part of the book is when Decius is enthralled by statues of the nine muses. He describes the lifelike color and delicacy used by the sculptor when he created the statues. And I thought Decius was just a normal Roman "tough guy"!

Be sure to read this series in order or key events and characters will become confusing.