One Virgin Too Many, Lindsey Davis

A frightened child approaches Roman informer Marcus Didius Falco, pleading for help.  Nobody believes Gaia's story that a relation wants to kill her - and neither does he.  Beset by his own family troubles, by his new responsibilities as Procurator of the Sacred Poultry, and by the continuing search for a partner, he turns her away.  Immediately he regrets it.  Gaia has been selected as the new Vestal Virgin, and when she disappears Falco is officially asked to investigate.  Finding Gaia is then a race against time, ending in Falco's most terrifying exploit yet. . .