Livia’s marriage to Gaius is compromised when she learns that she can’t bear him any children.

Gaius’ illness causes a political crisis and reveals the weakness of Livia’s position without him, a problem she must solve.

Livia has no choice but to eliminate Marcellus, who plans to kill her sons and exile her when he assumes Gaius’ position.

As Gaius’ rivals taste blood in the water, Livia must outwit both them and her husband if the family is to be kept together.

Eleven years on, Livia is married to the powerful Gaius, and is pregnant again. Yet, she does not feel entirely secure.

There is a new kind of killer haunting the Oxford twilight. Endeavour and Thursday find the city’s dreaming spires giving way to waking nightmare.