Time To Depart

New York: Mysterious Press, 1995. CV5 - A first American edition hardcover book SIGNED by author on the title page in very good condition in very good dust jacket. Dust jacket has light shelf wear. Book has very light discoloration and light shelf wear. A Marcus Didius Falco Mystery Novel. Although not marked in any way, this copy comes from the personal collection of Otto Penzler, legendary editor and founder of the Mysterious Press, an award-winning icon in the genre. 8.5"x6", 400 pages. Satisfaction Guaranteed. Balbinus Plus, the dirtiest underworld organizer in Emperor Vespasian's Rome, has been convicted of a capital crime at last, thanks to public servant Petronius Longus, better known to Marcus Didius Falco as his old army buddy Petro. A quirk of Roman law, however, allows every citizen condemned to death "time to depart". In other words, he has a chance to skip town. Taking full advantage of the law, Balbinus embarks on a ship fit for a king, accompanied by his loyal factotums. From the wharf, Falco and Petro watch Balbinus sail off to exile instead of Hades. And the race is on among his competitors to take over his old operations. It begins with a colossal heist at the Emporium, a major trading center. As Falco tries to stem the escalating crime wave, he faces another task almost as daunting: find a new apartment for him and the woman he loves, a senator's daughter forbidden by Roman law to a man of Falco's rank. To make matters even more dangerous, Helen believes she's pregnant. Falco's head- along with other body parts- could be on the chopping block if her condition becomes public. Then the corruption reaches a breaking point. From the notorious brothel, the Bower of Venus, to the sacrosanct Forum, vias run red with the blood of innocent ang guilty alike. As for Balbinus, all roads lead to Rome. If he returns, his hatred of Falco and Petro could mark them for death…. Signed by Author. First American Edition. Hardcover. Very Good/Very Good. 8vo - over 7¾" - 9¾" tall.