I, Claudia

Marilyn Todd

Claudia Seferius has successfully inveigled her way into marriage with a wealthy Roman wine merchant. But when her secret gambling debts spiral, she hits on another resourceful way to make money - offering her 'personal services' to high-ranking Citizens.

Unfortunately her clients are now turning up dead - the victims of a sadisitc serial killer...

When Marcus Cornelius Orbilio, the handsome investigating officer, starts digging deep for clues, Claudia realises she must track down the murderer herself - before her husband discovers what she's been up to.

'An arrogant super-bitch who keeps us all on the edge where she loves to live.'

Sunday Express

'An endearing adventuress who regards mortal danger as just another bawdy challenge.'

She

'Terrific read... a thoroughly entertaining mystery romp.'

The Bookseller

Review by Chrissi (310701) Rating (8/10)

Review by Chrissi
Claudia is an ex-exotic dancer who has managed to marry a wealthy man, and in ancient Rome this has not been an easy task. She has claimed that her family was wiped out by plague far away, and she has no other relatives, so when her gambling activities threaten to get out of hand, she sets about trying to earn money in a rather unsavory manner, until someone starts bumping off her clients.

Rather than have her own secrets brought out, in which case she would lose everything, she sets about investigating the crimes. The men that are being bumped off are also, like her husband, of the upper classes of Rome's citizens, and this causes an investigation by the roman authorities, namely Marcus Orbilio, a distinguished ex-soldier with an eye on political advancement.

They pit their wits against each other, and while Claudia tries to brazen out the situation in the face of his investigation, Orbilio becomes rather besotted with her.

Written with great detail, Claudia is a thoroughly modern woman, taking responsibility for her own actions and situation, she is a character that you could empathise with, while sometimes you want to shake her and tell her that she is being headstrong.

Great holiday reading, for definite.
Chrissi (31st July 2001)