September 314 AD and once more death strikes the sprawling streets of Imperial Rome. When two prostitutes are found murdered – their bodies ripped open and their right eyes gouged out – it’s feared a notorious killer, the Nefandus, has returned. Rumoured to be an imperial officer, he once waged bloody murder amongst Rome’s prostitutes but vanished before his identity could be discovered. Has he reappeared, or is someone working in his guise? Desperate to retain order, the Empress Helena turns to her most trusted agent, Claudia. Helena commands her to discover the truth behind the Nefandus, before Rome descends further into chaos and confusion.
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Reviews
Praise for Paul Doherty and his other novels: 'Resurrectionist magic
The best of its kind since the death of Ellis Peters
I really like these medieval whodunnits
Historically informative, excellently plotted and, as ever, superbly entertaining
This rich tale ... seeps authenticity and is written with wonderfully efficient style. A gem of an historical thriller
The maestro of medieval mystery
Doherty dazzles with his story-telling