Audiobook, excellently read by Steven Pacey.

A well told, engaging story threaded through the events of 79CE. The maguffin of hanging everything off the Aqua Augusta aqueduct works very well. Expertly researched period details (as far as I can tell). I very much liked the affectionate portrait of Pliny the Elder.

The characters are all a bit one-dimensional and clichéd - the evil baddie, the heroic and honorable protagonist, the beautiful & young love interest, feebly self-serving politicians, etc.

Loses a further ½* for the Hollywood ending and the unnecessary cheap shot at anthropogenic climate change.