Jennifer Malin Books

An invitation to translate ancient inscriptions near Pompeii over the summer is a dream come true for college classics professor Winnie Price. Although the dig is for a cheesy TV archaeology program instead of a scholarly project, it's a way to carry on the legacy of her archaeologist father, who passed away on their last trip to Italy.

Then her department chair horns his way in on the gig. The show host is more sensationalist than scientist. Her cocky young British assistant Chaz keeps flirting with her--and getting harder to resist. A looter’s hole appears at the excavation site. Worst of all, it turns out someone forged the referral letter that got her on the show, and the prime suspect is her--or Chaz.

Add to the mix a reenactment of pagan rites spiced up with a psychoactive home-brewed beer, and Winnie has a lot more to interpret than Latin.

Fans of Jess Walter, Graeme Simsion and Dan Brown will appreciate the smart characters and academic mystery in this romantic comedy with a vibrant Italian setting and an international archaeological plot.