"A frightened child approaches Roman informer Marcus Didius Falco, pleading for help. Nobody believes Gaia's story that a relation wants to kill her - and neither does he. Beset by his own family troubles, by his new responsibility as Procurator of the Sacred Poultry, and by the continuing search for a new partner, he turns her away. Immediately he regrets it, Gaia has been selected as the new Vestal Virgin, and when she disappears Falco is officially asked to investigate. Finding Gaia is then a race against time, ending in Falco's most terrifying exploit yet..."

I've heard a bit about this series and I think I might read them one day - if Mt TBR ever permits! - but this one is intended for BCer *!-"$)($" as part of a Not So Secret Valentine Surprise package!

Was left by the railings of a church that we passed on our release walk