The Secrets of Vesuvius / Caroline Lawrence / 173 pages

This is the second book in the Roman Mysteries series featuring Flavia, Jonathan, and Lupus.  In this book, they travel to the Bay of Naples to visit Flavia's uncle who lives near Pompeii.  Attending a Roman festival at Herculaneum, they are directly in the path of one of the worst natural disasters of all times - the eruption of Mount Vesuvius.  Excellent historical facts and references to Jewish and Christian lifestyles in A.D. 79 lend authenticity and spice to an engaging mystery.