# Ovid 3: Written in Blood  
### Getting closer…  
  
[Fiona Forsyth](https://substack.com/@fionaforsyth1)  
Feb 06, 2026  
This excerpt from my forthcoming book, _Written in Blood_, describes a scene that is attested in Cassius Dio’s account of the funeral of the emperor Augustus (Dio 56.42). I was pleased at how straightforward it was to insert a short recording into this Substack, though as is usual my own voice sounds weird.  
The third Publius Ovidius mystery is due to be published on Friday 13th February - yes, I know, auspicious! - and while I’m trying to be sensible and grown-up about it, I can’t help being excited. I don’t have the cover yet, and can’t wait - I love the moment when you can see for the first time, what your book will look like.  
  
I opened the novel with Livia because I’ve grown fond of her as one of the characters who keeps Ovid’s links to Rome open. I had intended her to be a hostile presence in the background throughout the series and to my surprise she turned out to be both sympathetic (well, slightly) towards Ovid and very important in driving a major piece of the action. In this novel therefore, it seemed only right that she should have the honour of the opening scene.  
  
The thing about Livia is that while the start of her marriage to Augustus was scandalous, she turned out to be very good at being married to Rome’s first Emperor. Fifty years plus is quite the achievement for an upper class Roman marriage, at a time when it was common to divorce and remarry several times over the course of one’s life. There was also the toll taken on marriage by the dangers of childbirth and disease. It is significant that Suetonius who never resists a juicy bit of gossip if he can help it, paints a rather touching picture of Augustus’ end, putting Livia at her husband’s side as he tells her, “Farewell, and remember our marriage”. These were his last words: his final action was to kiss her.  
Later addition: if you want to see my reflections after the publication, go to:  
[**Reflection on “Written in Blood”**](https://fionaforsyth.substack.com/p/reflection-on-written-in-blood)  
Thanks for reading Roman Skullduggery by Fiona Forsyth!