Jane Finnis – författare

The spring of AD 98 is a time of optimism in the turbulent frontier province of Britannia. Business is brisk at the mansio (inn) that Aurelia Marcella runs with her twin brother, Lucius, on the road to York. Then, a wagon arrives bearing a local farmer who is dying of a grievous sword wound. The twins head for the coast to return the man to his family and to check out a shipwreck bearing valuable official cargo. A band of outlawed sea-raiders led by a Gaul are suspected of stealing it, along with killing the farmer. It all adds to the feuding that has erupted between the colonists and the natives, which has seen both sides resorting to terrorist tactics: burning, kidnapping, and even murder. Counselors, citizens, chiefs, and slaves mix in; but a subtle, personal agenda is at work as well, for one or more of the combatants may have hired the Gauls to orchestrate the violence.

In this historical mystery series debut, when murder almost occurs at her doorstep, a young innkeeper in ancient Roman Britain must find who’s responsible.

Roman Britain in 91 AD is a raw frontier province, part of the mighty Empire ruled by Domitian Caesar. Though it is almost fifty years since the legions invaded, many native tribes still hate their conquerors and seize any chance to harass the Roman settlers who are flocking in to colonize the new province. Tension is especially high in the north, where Aurelia Marcella, a young innkeeper from Italy, runs the Oak Tree Inn on the road to York.

A string of savage murders disrupts her peaceful life, and she and her Roman friends find themselves under attack from a secret native war-band whose aim is to drive all Romans out. When a traveler, Quintus, is nearly killed close to the inn, he and Aurelia must track down the rebel warriors and identify their mysterious masked leader, the Shadow of Death. Can they find and destroy him before his campaign of terror turns into open rebellion?

Praise for Shadows in the Night

“Jane Finnis’ gripping story of terrorism in Roman Britain is relevant and real for us today.” —Rhys Bowen, New York Times–bestselling author

“Thoroughly plausible. Warmly recommended.” —Historical Novel Society

Some of the Latest and Best from the Whodunnit Genre

“...simply the best short mystery and crime fiction of the year and a real treat for crime-fiction fans.” ―Leonard Carpenter, author of the Conan the Barbarian books and Lusitania Lost

The Book of Extraordinary Impossible Crimes and Puzzling Deaths is the latest collection from legendary murder mystery editor and writer Maxim Jakubowski. Filled with impossible murders and puzzling plot twists that keep your eyes on the page and brain on the mysteries until the last page.

Clever fictional crime stories. Some of mystery fiction''s most inventive talents from the USA and UK offer a series of brand-new ingenious murder stories that will have you scratching your brow until the very last minute and delighting in Machiavellian solutions. Enjoy the third volume in Mango''s innovative collections of the best crime stories fiction has to offer.

Enigmas and puzzling plot twists. Crime mystery fiction can be full of impenetrable conundrums and endless question marks when the story itself becomes a reality-defying puzzle for the sleuth to solve. A murder has been committed but how could it have happened? Was the room locked from the inside? Why does the body show no sign of violence? Where is the murder weapon?

Fresh innovative murder stories. Maxim Jakubowski’s latest book features never before seen stories by some of the most renowned American and British crime and thriller authors of today, including British Science Fiction Award winner Eric Brown, Derringer Award winner O''Neil de Noux, and multiple CWA Dagger Award winners and nominees.

A fan of Maxim Jakubowski’s The Book of Extraordinary Historical Mystery Stories and The Book of Extraordinary Amateur Sleuth and Private Eye Stories? Reader of books such as Best American Mystery Stories 2018, Her Body and Other Parties, or The Big Book of Female Detectives? A movie goer who liked Clue or Knives Out? Jakubowski’s latest book is for you.