"A finely nuanced historical...with a plot of great subtlety....Those who appreciate strong historical backgrounds and solid plotting will get their money's worth." -Publishers Weekly"Stocking their novels with period arcana, palace intrigue and more than a few curious complications...Reed and Mayer have created a distinctive historical series that has yet to disappoint." -January MagazineIt's 539 AD, and John the Lord Chamberlain finds his investigations hampered by squabbling courtiers, servants with social ambitions, an eccentric host, and an egotistic inventor-not to mention a herd of prophesying goats and a protective whale. The Mithran Anatolius and the excubitor captain Felix only add to John's worries when they fall under the spell of two ambitious women. Can the trio avoid Theodora's wrath as they work to protect a child and stop a heartless killer? Does the solution lie within the villa where all have assembled, back in Constantinople, or in some other world altogether?The acclaimed historical series featuring John, Lord Chamberlain to the Emperor Justinian, has brought husband and wife team Mary Reed and Eric Mayer much praise and several awards. In 2003, Booklist Magazine named the novels one of its four Best Little Known Series.home.epix.net/~maywrite