“Historical crime writing that virtually reinvents the genre. Ancient Athens is recreated with a masterly touch . . . Philocles is the perfect protagonist.” —Financial Times 443 BC, and, after decades of war with Persia, peace has finally come to Athens. The city is being rebuilt, and commerce and culture are flourishing. Aspiring playwright Philocles has come home to find a man with his throat cut slumped against his front gate. Is it just a robbery gone wrong? But, if so, why didn't the thieves take the dead man’s valuables? With the play that could make his name just days away, he must find out who this man is, why he has been murdered—and why the corpse was left in his doorway. But Philocles soon realises he has been caught up in something far bigger, and there are those who don't want him looking any further . . . “Historical writing at its best. Riveting.” —Manda Scott, author of the Boudica series “Superb . . . A fabulous read.” —The Irish Times “If you like C. J. Sansom’s Tudor sleuth Matthew Shardlake, you’ll love this.” —James Wilde, author of Hereward and Pendragon “Great sense of place, terrific characters and a cracking plot.” —Joanne Harris, The New York Times–bestselling author of Chocolat “As vivid and lively as a Greek wedding--but with rather more blood!” —Val McDermid, author of the Kate Brannigan Mysteries “It's about time someone did for ancient Athens what Lindsey Davis’ Falco novels do for Ancient Rome.” —Jack Grimwood, author of Moskva “An enjoyable debut with a strong historical setting.” —The Times
