Marcus Didius Falco, Imperial Rome's most hard done by investigator, ends up in jail after an accounting error Sprung from jail, he ends up helping a family of nouveaux riches freed slaves fend off a professional bride, but this seemingly perfect case soon turns up two poisonings amid the dangerous world of rent racketeers Odd characters beset Falco he is trying to persuade his girlfriend to join him in a new apartment and all this amid the worry of how to cook Titus Caesar's giant turbot without a proper fishkettle