Along the Mediterranean coast, the Roman empire's richest citizens are relaxing in their villas, enjoying the last days of summer. But the gorgeous weather belies impending doom, and only one man is worried. The young engineer Marcus Attilius has taken charge of the Aqua Augusta, the enormous aqueduct that brings fresh water to the people around the Bay of Naples. There is a crisis on Augusta's main line--somewhere north of Pompeii, on the slopes of MOunt Vesuvius. Attilius must repair the aqueduct before the reservoir runs dry. His plan is to organize an expedition in Pompeii, then head out to the place where he believes the fault lies. But Pompeii proves to be a corrupt and violent town, and Attilius soon discovers that there are powerful forces at work--natural and otherwise--threatening to destroy him.

羅伯特·哈裏斯，英國最重量級暢銷小說，一九五七年齣生於英國諾丁漢，畢業於劍橋大學。他曾擔任英國廣播公司（BBC）記者、《觀察者報》編輯、《星期日泰晤士報》和《每日電訊報》專欄作傢。二00三年曾獲得英國新聞奬，英國新聞奬被公認為英語新聞業的奧斯卡，是英國新聞業者的最高榮譽。 他自一九九三年開始小說創作，作品包括長篇小說《祖國》、《謎》、《大天使》、《龐貝》和《帝國》以及五部非小說著作。其中《大天使》、《謎》都曾被改拍成電影，他本人也曾參與多部電影的編劇及製作。著名導演羅曼·波蘭斯基對他的作品推崇備至。