***The Sunday Times Crime Club Star Pick***

''Lighthearted, witty and effortlessly clever, just like its wonderful heroine, this is a window into ancient Rome, and a tonic and a joy to read'' The Observer

Saturnalia, the Romans'' mid-December feast, nominally to celebrate the sun''s rebirth but invariably a drunken riot. Flavia Albia needs a case to investigate, but all work is paused.

The Aventine is full of fracturing families. Wives plot to leave their husbands, husbands plot to spend more time with their mistresses. Masters must endure slaves taking obscene liberties, while aggressive slaves are learning to ape dangerous masters. But no one wants to hire an investigator during the holiday.

Albia is lumped with her own domestic stress: overexcited children and bilious guests, too many practical jokes, and her magistrate husband Tiberius preoccupied with local strife. He fears a Nut War. Nuts are both the snack and missile of choice of tipsy celebrants, so there is a fortune to be made. This year a hustling gang from the past is horning in on the action.

As the deadly menace strikes even close to home, and with law and order paused for partying, Albia and Tiberius must go it alone. The Emperor has promised the people a spectacular entertainment - but Domitian himself is a target for the old criminals'' new schemes. Can the Undying Sun survive the winter solstice, or will criminal darkness descend upon Rome?

Praise for Lindsey Davis and the Flavia Albia series

''For a totally exhilarating romp through Ancient Rome, Lindsey Davis'' latest Flavia Alba novel won''t be beaten and offers an immersive experience of a vibrant world full of real, recognisable characters'' Shotsmag

''In this witty novel by the mistress of Roman crime, the reader is transported behind the scenes of a Triumph into a fascinating world of actors, costumiers and animal trainers, all united in their hatred of the murdered man'' Sunday Express Magazine

''Davis does her usual brilliant job of integrating the history of the period, warts and all, with a fast-paced and fair whodunit'' Publishers Weekly