Marcus Didius Falco & his friend Petronius find their local fountain has been blocked - by a severed human hand. Soon other body parts are being found in the aqueducts & sewers. The Aventine partners are commissioned to investigate.

It is the Roman holiday of Saturnalia. The days are short, the nights are for wild parties. A general has captured a famous enemy of Rome, and brings her home to adorn his Triumph as a ritual sacrifice. However, the logistics go wrong.

'I was the new boy, so they saddled me with the worst jobs.? Rome, AD 71. Against his better judgement, Falco secretly disposes of a decayed corpse for the Emperor Vespasian, then heads for the beautiful Bay of Naples with his best friend Petronius. He conveniently forgets to mention to his companion that this will be no holiday. They have been sent to investigate the murderous members of a failed coup, now sunning themselves in luxurious villas and...

In the high summer of 77AD, Roman informer Marcus Didius Falco is beset by personal problems. A middle-aged couple who supplied statues to his father, Geminus, have disappeared in mysterious circumstances.