Another instalment in the adventures of Caroline Lawrence's famed Roman mystery series. It is easy to see why these books have become so popular with children and young people - the mysteries are intriguing, with very believable characters and set in a dramatic period of history.

Caroline possesses the ability to bring the period vividly alive so that you feel as though you are really there. This volume is set in AD81 and the four detectives are now in Halicarnassus in the Roman province of Asia. False information about their activities has left them in the Emperor's bad books, making them 'wanted' characters.  Fleeing for their lives, they are trying to rescue some missing children.

Along the way they meet up with a miscellany of prophets who heal the sick and cure the lame - but are they just tricksters?  It is a book full of historical insights, and leaves you wondering just what is going to become of these four detectives whose hopes are constantly being raised then dashed.  The pace is fast, and the plotline is strong. It just keeps getting better.