Empress Of Pompeii

About the Book

68 AD. A madman rules Rome’s empire while its empress, born in Pompeii, tries desperately to restrain him as he plummets out of control. This is her story. A woman of strength and character, her personality is complex. Endearing and generous, she could also be cruel and calculating.

In Pompeii, vicious gladiatorial riots explode. A serial poisoner is at work in the shadows, as Rome burns and Christians are used as flaming human torches to light the palace gardens.

‘Empress of Pompeii’ reveals a rich tapestry of life, from the splendour of Rome’s royal palace and Nero’s golden house to Pompeii’s sordid, murderous laneways, the extravagant villas of the wealthy and the eruption of Vesuvius.

Nero rules Rome in a time of fear and turmoil. Desperately, the empress, Poppaea, attempts to protect Pompeii and save her young son’s life. Nero’s praetorian prefect, Tigellinus, cradles her head in his arms as she lies dying in a pool of blood on the marble palace floor, murdered by Nero in a fit of rage. After her death he orders the murder of her son and the boy’s life hangs in the balance. He was later found dead. Or was he? Does the answer lie in Pompeii?

2022 Edition

About the Author

Lorraine Blundell (Dance) was born in Brisbane, Australia. She lives in Melbourne and has a daughter, Jenni, and a son, Steve. Lorraine graduated from the University of Queensland with a Bachelor of Arts Degree majoring in English and History. She holds a teaching qualification in Drama from Trinity College, London. She trained as a classical singer at the Queensland State Conservatorium of Music, Brisbane. During that period, she sang professionally on television as a solo vocalist, regularly performing for six years on channels BTQ7 and QTQ9 Brisbane as well as nationally on HSV7 Melbourne.

Lorraine is an experienced performer in musical theatre productions. Her interests are singing, ancient history and archaeology.