Falco remains the Roman detective to beat but Britannia's Antonius is an acceptable runner-up. Despite eldritch horror, druid warfare, and the rare opportunity to see the English playing the underdogs in a story, the true bright spark is Rubria and her Vestal Virgins. They operate as an elite political faction with a dash of magic. Seeing Rubria go toe-to-toe with a delightfully-disgusting Nero, Roman misogyny, and basic human decency to pull strings for their chosen champion 'detectioner' in the field is a treat.

If book two has more of the Virgins and the same brilliantly-detailed art, I can overlook an unremarkable protagonist and heavy male gaze. Less BBC Sherlock style deduction would be a benefit though - at one point Antonius (correctly!) concludes that someone must have erectile dysfunction because he looks tired.