One man’s secret is another man’s weapon; and Loreticus, spymaster to an emperor, considers himself well armed.

Secrets are Loreticus’ business; spies and sources his colleagues. But when the new emperor goes missing, he suddenly finds himself isolated and uncertain who to trust. His search for the young emperor reveals an underworld of coups, assassinations, ambition and infidelity that make him doubt how much he ever really knew about the power behind the throne.

As he struggles to deliver the young emperor safely and reunite the country, he finds himself torn between his old-fashioned principles and a new political reality.

In Loreticus, J.B. Lucas has created a remarkable historical world that has parallels in both ancient Rome and modern diplomacy.