'Nobody was poisoned at the dinner for the Society of Olive Oil Producers of Baetica, though in retrospect this was quite a surprise.'

Inimitable sleuth Falco is back with a vengeance. On one night, a man is killed and Rome's Chief Spy left for dead. This leaves no one except Falco to conduct the investigation.

Soon he is plunged into the fiercely competitive world of olive oil production. Political intrigue, an exotic Spanish dancer and impending fatherhood all add to Falco's troubles.