Flavia and her friends are on a quest for the Emperor Titus - to steal a
valuable gemstone known as 'Nero's Eye'. The Delphic Oracle prophesied
that whoever owns the gem will rule Rome - so Titus is determined to
claim it for himself. Their travels take them across the Roman province
of Mauretania, from Sabratha (in modern Libya) to Volubilis (Morocco).
As they travel on a caravan across the desert they encounter
slave-traders, pantomime actors and a wild animal stampede. The
detectives must consider another quest: what has happened to Uncle
Gaius? Meanwhile, Flavia faces some tough decisions about her future.