MARILYN TODD

En la víspera de las festividades romanas, lo último que cabría esperar es que Claudia Seferio se marchara de la ciudad. Sin embargo, incluso una viuda joven y hermosa tiene que anteponer los negocios al placer cuando un incendiario amenaza sus viñedos. Pero Claudia esta a punto de ser victima de un juego aun mas cruel, ya que en la extraña casa donde pernocta, un desconocido aparecera en la puerta de su habitacion... con un puñal clavado en el vientre. Una divertida reconstruccion historica de la antigua Roma, de la mano de una protagonista inefable.

On the eve of the Roman festivities, the last thing youd expect Claudia Seferius to be doing is heading out of the city. Unfortunately, even hedonistic young widows have to put business before pleasure when their vineyards are threatened with arson. Taking a shortcut through the Umbrian countryside, she is forced off the road, and her beloved cat goes missing in the skirmish. Refusing to leave without her, Claudia accepts the hospitality of Sergius Pictor and the menagerie of wild animals he is training for the Games. Then a stranger knocks at her bedroom door, with a knife sticking out of his belly. And Claudia finds herself being framed for murder...

A killer is stalking the backstreets of Rome. Newborn babies are being snatched at night. A small boy is abandoned.Five slave women have been murdered on Market Day. With insurrection bubbling, the authorities dont have the resources (or the inclination) to follow up.In the back alleys of the capital city, close to one of the rippers victims, Claudia finds an abandoned boy and takes him home with her. Claudia feels responsible for the boy and soon discovers the victims all have something in common: they possess a tattoo marking them as the "children of Arbil."And it is Claudia who discovers that Arbil the Babylonian is not a loving father. Not at all.

What pairs best with a chardonnay or a Pinot Noir? Murder!You dont have to be a literary sommelier to know that a short story by Marilyn Todd is the perfect accompaniment to a glass of fermented grapes at the end of a long day. The dark, red stain of a Cabernet Sauvignon on your lips translates perfectly to the blood stains of the victims within the pages of the crime stories in this collection.With themes ranging from theft to murder via double cross, with a menu of weapons from poison to arson and beyond, who will get away with their crimes and who will be served justice?Grab your glass, curl up in your favorite reading nook and discover why Ellery Queen proclaims Marilyn Todd to be "one of the best short story mystery writers of her generation."

A deadly contagion may have sent many of Romes wealthier citizens fleeing to the country, but for Claudia Seferius a plague is the least of her worries.For she has "temporarily borrowed" 3,000 sesterces from local millionaire Sabbio Tullus. OK, so shed had to break into his depository to get at it, but did he really need to set the army after her? Desperate to escape arrest, she seeks refuge in the beautiful spa resort of Atlantis.Once there she meets the charming Cal, and a little flirting in tranquil surroundings seems an ideal way to pass the time. Except, within hours, Cal is dead. And hes not the only one.Pretty soon Claudia begins to wonder whether Atlantis isnt far more dangerous than the disease-ridden streets she left behind

Claudia Seferius is broke. Skint. Cleaned out. Bust. When her teenage stepdaughter Flavia is abducted, Claudia cant just throw money at the problem. The cash simply isnt there since her husband died, his fellow businessmen have banded together to freeze her out of trade. The frustratingly delectable Orbilio cant help hes been placed under strict house arrest after a skeleton was found walled up in the house thats been in his family for three generations. With the Games of Apollo due to start in two days (a series of festivals, frolics, feasting and tomfoolery), Claudia has saddled herself with the job of playing tag with the kidnapper. Meanwhile, mysterious Egyptian cult Brothers of Horus is growing in popularity with Roman citizens. The only problem is, several of its young female members are beginning to experience strange disturbances

First in the Claudia Seferius mystery series, set in 13 B. C.! Claudia Seferius has successfully flattered her way into marriage with a wealthy Roman wine merchant. But when her secret gambling debts spiral, she hits on another resourceful way to make money - offering her "personal services" to high-ranking Roman Citizens. Unfortunately her clients are now turning up dead - the victims of a sadisitc serial killer. When Marcus Cornelius Orbilio, the handsome investigating officer, starts digging deep for clues, Claudia realizes she must track down the murderer herself - before her husband discovers what shes been up to. CRITICAL ACCLAIM FOR I, CLAUDIA: A timeless heroine for todayyoull be hooked.Company The Roman detail is deft, the pace as fast as a champion gladiator, and the heroine, Claudia, an arrogant superbitch who keeps us all on the edge where she loves to live.Sunday Express A wonderful fictional creationa bawdy superbitch with a talent for sleuthingan enormous triumph.Ms London An endearing adventuress who regards mortal danger as just another bawdy challenge.She If youre looking for a romp through the streets of Rome in 13 BC then this is the book to buy!Books Magazine Terrific readIt is written in a contemporary, fast style, and is a thoroughly entertaining mystery romp.The Bookseller