Caroline Lawrence is the author of a series of detective novels set in ancient Ostia, Rome, and Pompeii. The novels were written for children, but are also great fun to read for adults. The heroes in the novels are four children: Flavia Gemina, the sea captain's daughter; Nubia, the African slave-girl; Lupus, the mute beggar boy; and Jonathan, the Jewish boy.
- More information can be found on the author's website: www.romanmysteries.com.
Rosario Magrì wrote detective novels situated in Ostia. A neurologist at the Hospital of San Carlo di Milano, Rosario Magrì divided his time between medical and literary careers. Mr. Magrì passed away in 2005.
- Indagine sulla morte di uno schiavo (Milano: Arnoldo Mondadori Editore, Collezione Omnibus, 1991) ('Pontius Epaphroditus, head of the fire-brigade / police investigates the death of a slave').
- Il sale in bocca (Milano: Arnoldo Mondadori Editore, Collezione Omnibus, 1990) ('Pontius Epaphroditus, head of the fire-brigade / police investigates the death of an anonymous beggar. But soon it appears that people of great political importance are involved'). English translation.
- La Statua d'Oro - Claudio Galeno alla corte dell'imperatore (Milano: Arnoldo Mondadori Editore, Collezione Omnibus, 1984) ('Pontius Epaphroditus, head of the fire-brigade / police, investigates the theft of a golden statue, the present of the Emperor to the famous doctor Galenus').
- For more information about murder mysteries set in ancient Rome see The Detective and the Toga.