This digital box set contains the first, second, third, and fourth Argolicus mysteries: The Roman Heir: Argolicus begins a journey home to retire from politics. As a personal favor he delivers a book to a young scholar. But the young man’s father is murdered hours before and Argolicus is tasked to find the killer among the patricians in an unfamiliar town where he knows no one.  The Used Virgin: The governor holds a family friend prisoner. When Argolicus visits to investigate, he unearths a greedy plot to tarnish a good man’s name. To expose the plot, he must challenge the governor’s venal power to reveal a scheme. The Vellum Scribe: When Argolicus’ uncle finds a dead body, it starts a chain of treacherous alliances based on greed and envy based on old friendships. But then an ambush attack produces a clue.   The Peach Widow: A simple request from his mother, sends Argolicus to settle a legal question in a family at odds. Perplexed by subterfuge and greed motivating each family member, he finds no clues until the farm dog starts to play.  What readers are saying: ★★★★★ 'A story well told. A ‘world’ worth settling into!' ★★★★★ 'Transport you to that ancient time, so you can meet their people and see their lives.' ★★★★★ 'Absolutely wonderful.' ★★★★★ 'A rich tapestry of interactions that serve to draw the reader deeper in..' ★★★★★ 'Highlights some of the most basic of emotions: anger, possession, hurt, sympathy, loss and guilt and, of course, greed..' ★★★★★ 'No telephones, no computers, no scientific method as we understand it, no mysterious villains with international organizations - and it works. .'

Civil unrest and murder. Can a Roman patrician quell unrest and find a killer before politicians knife him in the back? Italy, 512 C.E. Argolicus would rather bury his nose in a book. But, when he leaves his peaceful country villa to open his long-shuttered town home he dies into town politics and meets a potential bride.  He refuses to stand by when her family’s livelihood is threatened and her merchant father slain. With the grain supply dwindling and Argolicus fighting incompetent officials, he uncovers a list of high-placed suspects and attracts the attention of a shadowy rival bent on his destruction. And as the citizenry grows increasingly desperate to put food on their plates, he’ll have to risk his reputation and life to hunt down the killer before violence erupts. Can Argolicus find a hidden killer before he takes a knife in his back? The Grain Merchant is the engaging fifth book in the Argolicus Mysteries historical mystery series. Fans of Ruth Downie, Steven Saylor, and Lindsey Davis, jump forward in time to meet your new detective. If you like intelligent heroes, picturesque Italian settings, and immersive ancient worlds, then you’ll love Zara Altair’s engrossing mystery. Buy The Grain Merchant to explore the streets of antiquity today! 5 Stars Complicated strands coming together into a final solution that is ingenious and satisfying. ay!