American Anthropologist Penelope Spring and British Archaeologist Tobias Glendower are traveling the Mediterranean. One day in a Greek amphitheatre, Penny comes upon the corpse of a beautiful young movie actress. And Toby discover a body there too, that of a black actor decked out as a Roman gladiator. Investigating among the cast and crew filming "Travels of Telemachus," they encounter enough plausible suspects to confound themselves and the Turkish police. At steadily increasing risk to their lives, to be sure.

This first beguiling mystery in Margot Arnold's series exhibits all the distinctive qualities of those to follow: Sharp wit, cunning plotting, exotic settings and steady suspense.