There Will Be Bodies

There Will Be Bodies by Lindsey Davis, published by Hodder & Stoughton on October 9, 2025, is a historical fiction novel set in the aftermath of the eruption of Vesuvius. This edition spans 400 pages and is presented in English. The narrative follows Flavia Albia and her husband Tiberius Manlius as they undertake the restoration of a villa in the devastated countryside, where they uncover unsettling remnants of the past.
As they delve into their task, they discover the remains of Publius Primus, the villa’s previous owner, who appears to have been left behind during the eruption. This revelation raises critical questions about his fate, prompting Flavia Albia to investigate whether he was murdered and the motives behind such an act. The story intricately weaves elements of mystery and crime, exploring the historical context of the ancient world while engaging readers in a compelling detective narrative.
Official synopsis Publisher
Ten years after the eruption of Vesuvius, the surrounding countryside lies buried and barren. But the destroyed cities and luxury villas on the Bay of Naples are not utterly lost.
Flavia Albia and her husband Tiberius Manlius are tasked with restoring one villa and identifying any surviving remains.
What they unearth is beyond disturbing. When the volcano erupted some people were left to their fate here, unable to escape. They included the previous owner, Publius Primus – laid out carefully and covered by falling ash.
Was Primus murdered? And, if so, why? Can Flavia Albia solve the mystery?
There Will Be Bodies looks beyond the well-known tragic events to what must have happened afterwards. It is the most intriguing crime novel of Lindsey Davis’s long and celebrated career.
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