Accused of murdering a Roman officer? Welcome to the arena—faster than you can declare, 'Not Guilty!' Thanar, a shady merchant and disgraced son of a Germanic chieftain, is implicated in the murder of a Roman officer. Before he can even try to prove his innocence, he himself almost gets killed by an assassin on a nocturnal street. The trail leads to a well-known slave trader in whose villa the rich and powerful indulge in luxury—with lavish food, rich wines, and the most beautiful girls in the province. Soon, further respected citizens of Vindobona start losing their lives ... Will the arena’s roaring lions be the next stop for Thanar or can he solve this lethal puzzle in time? Layla, an astute and strikingly cunning slave girl, could be his only hope … Fans of Lindsey Davis, Rosemary Rowe or Simon Scarrow will love this gripping mystery series set in the ancient Roman Empire!