Classics professor Sophie Chase barely escapes with her life when a young gunman storms the University of Texas campus. Traumatized, she decides to join an expedition to recover ancient papyrus manuscripts charred and buried in the eruption of Mt. Vesuvius in 79 A.D. Beneath the searing Italian sun, Sophie decodes the scrolls, which narrate the gripping story of a Roman slave girl--a tale rich in intrigue, mystical rites, and murder. But Sophie is not the only one with an interest in ancient texts: a shadowy cabal of powerful conspirators has set its sights on the scrolls, and will stop at nothing to recover them.

"Random house reader's circle"--Cover. "A Ballantine Books trade paperback original"--T.p. verso. Includes a reader's guide.