Death Among the Ruins

Christie’s diverting second Arabella Beaumont mystery (after 2013’s Death and the Courtesan) takes the wealthy Regency London courtesan to the ruined Roman city of Herculaneum on a treasure hunt. After seeing a sketch of a bronze statue of the god Pan “in an amorous attitude,” recently unearthed at Herculaneum, Arabella becomes determined to find the original. Unfortunately, the murder of the antiques dealer who was to procure the piece for her forces her to go to Italy to fetch it herself. What ensues in this “mad scheme” involves disguised clergy, knowing street urchins, and a mysterious professor. Naturally, as one devoted to art of love, Arabella cannot help indulging in a dalliance or two while in Italy. Fluid prose, peppered with the occasional anachronism, speeds the plot along. Neither standard Regency fare nor Jane Austen wannabe, this romp will appeal to those who don’t take their historicals too seriously. Agent: Michele Rubin, Writers House. (Mar.)