Counting the Stars - Helen Dunmore

IN THE STICKY SUMMER HEAT UNRULY DESIRES STIR THE BLOOD . . .

For Catullus, the brilliantly witty and outrageous young poet, and Clodia, his older, married lover, a borrowed villa in Tome is a secret, illicit meeting-place. When they are apart, Catullus burns with desire for 'his girl' whole Clodia goes her own way amount his rivals.

Other passions simmer in the heat: the streets threaten to erupt in political violence, hearts sour and contemplate murder, and love and hate are dangerously entwined. Catullus' jealousy grows as toxic as hellebore or hemlock. Poisoning is a Roman art, and there is poison everywhere . . .