Italy, 512 C.E. Argolicus would rather bury his nose in a book. But, when he leaves his peaceful country villa to open the long-shuttered town home, family obligations demand he meets the wealthy bride his mother has arranged for him to marry.

Though they decide not to wed, their friendship blossoms and Argolicus refuses to stand by when her family's livelihood is threatened and her merchant father slain.

With the grain supply now dwindling and Argolicus fighting incompetent officials, he uncovers a long list of high-placed suspects and attracts the attention of a shadowy rival bent on his destruction. And as the citizenry grows increasingly desperate to put food on their plates, he'll have to risk his reputation and life to hunt down the killer before violence erupts.

Can Argolicus save the starving populace before he takes a knife in his back?

The Grain Merchant is the engaging fifth book in the Argolicus Mysteries historical fiction series. If you like intelligent heroes, picturesque Italian settings, and immersive ancient worlds, then you'll love Zara Altair's engrossing mystery.