It is the Roman Holiday of Saturnalia. Marcus Didius Falco and Helena have returned from Greece, only to find that Helenas brother Justinus marital problems have exploded.. Justinus first love Veleda, a tribal leader and prophetess from Germania, has been brought to Rome and put under under house arrest pending a ritual sacrifice at her capturors Triumph. Justinus is love struck once more and his wife, the tempramental Claudia, is enraged. Then Veleda escapes leaving behind a corpse, Justinus disappears too and it is up to Falco and the Chief Spy Anacrites to try to find the missing couple all against the backdrop of the orgiastic holiday period when literally anything goes...