Virginia City in 1862 is a mining camp sitting above a rich vein of silver in America's Wild West. It's a dangerous place, full of gamblers, hurdy girls and gunmen - all of them on the make. When 12-year-old P.K. Pinkerton arrives there, homeless, penniless and hunted, things don't look good.

The first in Caroline Lawrence's internationally bestselling Roman Mysteries series, re-issued with a fantastic new cover look.

Flavia Gemina is a natural at solving mysteries. The daughter of a ship's captain living in Ostia, the port of Rome, in AD79, she and her three friends, Jonathan, a Jewish boy (and secretly a Christian); Nubia, an African slave girl; and Lupus, a mute beggar boy, must work together to discover who is beheading the watchdogs that guard people's homes, and why.
A talented storyteller, Caroline Lawrence has created a delightfully readable and accessible series...

It's the summer of AD 79 and Flavia Gemina and her friends, Jonathan, Nubia and Lupus, set sail for the Bay of Naples where they are going to stay with Flavia's uncle near Pompeii. Once they arrive, they are soon absorbed in a quest to solve a riddle that may lead to treasure. But then tragedy strikes: Mount Vesuvius erupts and the friends must flee for their lives
Not just a mystery - this is an absolutely thrilling action adventure that brings history to life

It is AD 79 and Mount Vesuvius has erupted, destroying Pompeii. Among the thousands of people huddled in refugee camps along the bay of Naples are Flavia Gemina and her friends, Jonathan the Jewish boy, Nubia the African slave-girl, and Lupus the mute beggar boy. When the friends discover that children are being kidnapped from the camps, they start to investigate and soon solve the mystery of the pirates of Pompeii.
A terrifically exciting and dramatic story packed with superb historical detail.

It's October AD 79. The arrival of a ragged man at the Geminus household sets in motion a series of events which take Flavia and her three friends to an opulent villa by the sea at Laurentum, a few miles south of Ostia. Just off the coast is a sunken wreck full of treasure which could be the answer to all their problems. But someone else is after the treasure, too. As the four children try to recover it, they solve the terrible mystery of Lupus's past.

Mystery and adventure for four young detectives in Ancient Roman times . . .

Flavia is suspicious of the new woman in her father's life, Cartilia Poplica. She's certain that Cartilia has an ulterior motive, but to find out the truth Flavia must perform twelve tasks - like the Greek hero Hercules.

So begins a thrilling journey, but what will Flavia learn at the end of her quest?

March AD 80. In Rome, the Emperor Titus has announced that there will be a hundred days of games to open his new amphitheatre (now known as the Colosseum). Flavia, Nubia and Lupus take this opportunity to go to Rome and search for their missing friend, Jonathan. Their search leads the young detectives straight to the games, where they must face wild beasts and gladiators to accomplish their mission.

Anxious to solve the mystery of whether his mother is still alive, and keen to follow his uncle's dying wish, Lupus and his friends sail to the island of Rhodes, site of one of the seven wonders of the ancient world - and base of a criminal mastermind

Jonathan's father, Doctor Mordecai, is summoned to Rome to help the plague victims. The four young detectives are wanted too, as the Emperor Titus believes that they can find the mysterious enemy who seeks Rome's destruction.
Can the friends prevent disaster? And what is Jonathan's secret mission?

Mystery and adventure in Ancient Roman times for Flavia Gemina and her friends . . .
Sacred chickens, a jellyfish and a Roman mystery set in Britannia - this collection of mini-mysteries is the perfect recipe for a gripping read
Includes an exclusive interview with Caroline Lawrence on the secrets of writing mystery stories