The Third Nero, by Lindsey Davis

Struck by lightning on their wedding day, informer Flavia Albia’s new husband is dazed and confused. Fortunately she has all her wits about her to deal with the latest plot against the Emperor Domitian. The emperor might be unpopular and paranoid, but civil war in the Roman Empire is not an attractive alternative. Dealing with palace intrigues can be very bad for one’s long term survival, but Albia has intelligence, determination and a husband to nurse back to health. Slightly less engaging than previous Flavia Albia novels, this one is nevertheless the usual nice blend of history and detective story that sheds new light on the activities of imperial Rome and imperial Romans.