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In a sweltering week in late August 79AD, where better to enjoy the last days of summer than on the beautiful Bay of Naples? But as Rome's richest citizens relax in their villas in Pompeii and Herculaneum, there are ominous warnings that something is going wrong. Wells and springs are failing, a man has disappeared, and now the greatest aqueduct in the world - Aqua Augusta- has ceased to flow.

Marcus Attilius Primus, who is aquarius or water-engineer for the entirety of this Roman Costa del Crime, where a horde of pimps and prostitutes, felons and fraudsters, dubious merchants and bent politicians are situated. Attilius's only concern, however, is the great aqueduct and why it has suddenly run dry. But he also has to deal with a troublesome workforce, an adolescent girl, a corrupt millionaire and an elderly scientist.

There is inevitable degree of predictability here. I cannot imagine that anyone will not know that sooner or later, Vesuvius will erupt and an awful lot of people will get killed. However, predictability doesn't always mean cliché.

There isn't an awful lot of character development on show here but it doesn't really seem to matter an awful lot. It soon becomes obvious that Harris has done his research and colourfully evokes the sights and sounds of this ancient world where being a slave is absolutely awful and being a free-man isn't exactly a bag of roses either. Where being a woman means being little more than a chattel to be used as your master sees fit. Harris appears genuinely in awe of Roman engineering and his admiration is infectious.

As with a lot of historical fiction you have to your imagination loose, because despite the historical research that has gone into the setting there will also be quite a few leaps of faith with the plot and that is certainly the case here. However, the plot is fast paced and I found it easy to get caught up in it. On the whole I found this a fast paced and enjoyable read that had me gripped right up until the end.