Dream Boat

Marilyn Todd. Severn House Publishers, $26.99 (256pp) ISBN 978-0-7278-5818-4

The acid-tongued Roman diva Claudia Seferius, wealthy widow and heroine of 0-7278-5818-1, is seriously ticked off when her bratty teenage stepdaughter is kidnapped on the eve of a huge festival not only does it cut into her quality frolicking time, but Claudia is now broke and can't afford to pay the ransom. The ancient Roman detail clashes hilariously with the catfighting and hunk-worshipping in Marilyn Todd's latest Seferius mystery (after Virgin Territory) as Claudia chases after the mysterious kidnappers.

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