I was optimistic about this one, looked interesting and had a few good reviews. Perhaps I should have looked a bit deeper, many of the reviews are reviewers who have only ever reviewed one book, this one, and that normally makes me treat them with caution. Anyway, I bought the book so let's move on. The Emperor's Spy is set within Nero's time and relates to a spy Nero has investigating a prophecy about the fall of Rome. The spy has just come back wounded from Britain and has his own agenda, which includes protecting cc a young lad involved with a chariot team favoured by Nero. Can the spy blend his hidden agenda with Nero's task and avoid the wrath of Nero if his dual purpose is discovered? I normally like this kind of stuff but this was hard work at times. The narrative was stilted and on many occasions the story was not clear enough. There were numerous occasions where I had to re-read bits to try to figure out what was going on, and this interrupted the flow. The plot was too complex and not engaging enough and while the characters do grow on you - it does take a long while for you to care. The author knows her stuff and captures the time and place well, it's the rest that let's this down. So I'm going with a three stars on this one although the bottom end of three I have to confess. Often the proof of the pudding is whether you will buy the next one in the series, and sadly I probably won't.

Laura, Good luck if you look elsewhere. In a recession my advice would be to chase the money even if you don't like the work, when it eases off you may then choose to do something closer to your heart's desire…. Now, sadly I have to do a lot of interviewing so (without trying to be too boring) you do need your cv up to date (it will also remind you of your achievements) and you need to think hard about yourself and feel good about yourself and what you have to offer, what make's you special and why you instead of someone else. When your head is in the right space, you will find your confidence will be high for the interview…..