Roma,
the fourth book in Conn Hallinan's Middle Empire Series, takes Centurion Marcus Favonius, commander of the VII Legion, and his loyal comrades Flavius and Demaratus back to the center of the Empire, where the action is propelled by the women in their lives--Aelia Dasumi, the wealthiest woman in Hispania and Marcus's consort, Rachel Levi, the former slave who was adopted by Aelia following their captivity in Mauretania and beloved by the Optio Flavius, and Coventina, a Celt from Hispania's north and the consort of the Legion's Signifier, Demaratus. Marcus and the others will confront the powerful Praetorian Guard, his lover's murderous brother, and a host of assassins as they try to navigate their way through the perils of Roman politics. All this while the Goths are storming the northern borders and a vast conspiracy is being hatched that will split the Empire in two.