Books

Fighting for truth in North Africa

Two for the Lions

Falco series, book 10

Still reluctantly seeking the perfect work companion, in the central book of the ‘Partners’ trilogy Falco has submitted to his Ma’s machinations and taken on Anacrites (moonlighting while on sick leave from the Palace). The Chief Spy is thrilled. Falco is depressed. The author is nervous. Will her readers accept a story in which Falco & Partner become hardworking government tax auditors? Will her editor allow a corpse that isn’t human? Will animal lovers riot? Is there any mileage in a missing plant hunt? Will plant lovers protest? Will the Anacrites fanclub allow Falco to exact revenge? If serial killing is hard to do tastefully, what about gladiating? How to avoid the cliché of threatening little Julia with Carthaginian child sacrifice? Will the Sacred Geese of Juno survive the poisoned corn, and will they come good for our boy?…
This is the one with the VAT and tax inspection jokes.

Research Notes: Thanks to Helen for wanting to go to Libya, John Dore for not getting tired of being asked about the First Century, and Barbara Levick for finding that it wasn’t Drop the Dead Donkey but Let Sleeping Dogs Lie. The dog was researched at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe. No, I haven’t seen silphium, but in Libya I met two men who have.

Reader Favourite

‘Someone was going to get killed. One glance at the narrow eyes of the leopardess told me she had decided it would not be her.’ Chosen by readers, Rosina and George Harter