The Thieves of Ostia

Synopsis

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 that children will want to read time and time again.

Summary

Chapter 1:

* Introduction: Introduces the ancient Roman port of Ostia, its bustling markets, and its thriving criminal underworld.
* Real Example: A stolen statue of the god Mercury, hidden in the ruins of an abandoned warehouse.

Chapter 2:

* The Thieves' Guild: Describes the organization of the Ostian thieves, their strict code of honor, and their ruthless tactics.
* Real Example: A young pickpocket named Lucius, who uses his cunning to steal purses from wealthy merchants.

Chapter 3:

* A Roman Mystery: A wealthy senator reports the theft of a priceless emerald necklace. Two investigators, Marcus and Livia, begin their investigation.
* Real Example: The discovery of a footprint in the senator's garden, suggesting an insider may be involved.

Chapter 4:

* The Market of Shadows: Marcus and Livia delve into Ostia's criminal underworld, seeking information about the stolen necklace.
* Real Example: A meeting with an underworld contact named Fulvius, who provides them with leads but demands a high price.

Chapter 5:

* A Web of Suspects: The investigators identify several potential suspects, including a rival senator, a jealous lover, and a group of pirates.
* Real Example: A surveillance operation on a group of thieves known to have connections to the pirate band.

Chapter 6:

* The Pirate's Lair: Marcus and Livia infiltrate a pirate lair on a remote island. They discover the stolen necklace and confront the pirates.
* Real Example: A fierce swordfight in the pirate's hidden treasure vault.

Chapter 7:

* Unmasking the Thief: The investigators return to Ostia and expose the real mastermind behind the theft, who turns out to be the senator's own loyal servant.
* Real Example: A confession that reveals the servant's motive for stealing the necklace and framing the senator's rivals.

Chapter 8:

* Justice Served: The stolen necklace is recovered and returned to its rightful owner. Marcus and Livia are hailed as heroes.
* Real Example: A victory celebration in the streets of Ostia, where the thieves are driven out and the city is made safe once more.