When Hannah announces quite suddenly one evening that she’s taking her family on a trip to Rome, nine-year-old Lawrence and his little sister are thrilled. Not forgetting to pack all their essentials - Jemima’s dolls’ house and Lawrence’s hamster - they drive through the night in a car filled to bursting, propelled by Hannah’s memories of Italy, but also by her sense of unease.

Rome is unquestionably an adventure, especially for a boy fascinated by stories of emeperors and popes. But will the mystery that has brought them all to italy ever leave them in peace?