Davis, Lindsey. Alexandria (New York: Minotaur Books, 2009) 338 p.

An informer for the Roman Emperor solves a murder while on holiday in Alexandria. The victim is the Librarian of the great library.

His name was Theon. He looked acceptable on the surface but his clothes were a fortnight overdue at the laundry. They had never been stylish. His workaday tunic hung on a thin frame as if he never ate properly and his beard was sparse and straggly. Either he was too poorly paid to live up to his honourable position, or he was a natural slob. (p. 21).

The politics of selecting a replacement for Theon may ring bells for some academic librarians. Also the cataloging system and weeding policy of the library are discussed.