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Murder in Purple and Gold 2026
Murder in Purple and Gold is a 2026 historical crime novel written by British author Lindsey Davis. It stands as the fourteenth entry in her Flavia Albia series. The book released in the United Kingdom on 2 April 2026 through Hodder & Stoughton (), while the United States saw its release on 7 July 2026 via Severn House (). An audiobook version, read by Jane Collingwood, appeared under Hodder & Stoughton.
The novel unfolds in Rome, focusing on the perilous and captivating realm of charioteers. The narrative begins when Flavia discovers the corpse of deceased charioteer Lepos near the Circus Maximus. The first line reads: "A murderer needs to know that any body he is dumping will probably be found by a dog-walker."
The initial UK hardback edition's cover features a knife with a bloodstained curved blade placed upon bloodstained purple fabric, possibly atop a large pot or shard. The text clarifies this represents a small falx, a type of knife charioteers used as a "safety knife" to free themselves from reins if their chariot overturned. The first US hardback edition cover depicts a golden model of a chariot and its rider against a backdrop of purple fabric.
The UK first printing includes an "Author's Preface" by Davis, who states: "This novel was written by a human being with no use of AI. ... If it makes you laugh, if it makes you think, if it makes you glad we have communicated, then what we used to know as humanity will remain alive."
A quotation from Pliny the Younger regarding loyalty to charioteers' racing colors opens the book. The story occurs within the context of Rome's "Factions" competing in chariot races: traditional colors include blue, green, red and white along with two factions supported by Domitian—purple and gold.
The events transpire in Rome between 25 April and 3 May 90AD, commencing during the Robigalia festival. Character listings begin with Flavia Albia and her spouse Tiberius Manlius Faustus, labeled "a heroic couple." The cast includes numerous figures such as their relatives (including Albia's parents Falco and Helena) and household members, six chariot racing factions, and various other individuals like "Costus: a thwarted home invader" and "Servata, a motherly auntie: running a bar."
A reviewer for Shots: Crme and Thriller e-Zine, who noted that "Davis is widely regarded as our foremost Ancient Rome author," wrote:
Details
- Publisher
- Hodder & Stoughton
- ISBN
- 9781399747981
- Series
- Flavia Albia
