Excerpt: What Remains by Erryn Lee
- Archaeolibrarian
- 2 hours ago
- 3 min read
Book details:
Book Title: What Remains
Series: n/a
Author Name: Erryn Lee
Publication Date: September 13th, 2025
Publisher: Historium Press
Pages: 392
Genre: Historical Fiction / Dual Timeline / Forensic Mystery
Any Triggers: abuse (physical, emotional, sexual), violence, sexual assault, death (including character death), and graphic content (including blood, gore, or medical descriptions) reference to war and the exhumation of remains from mass graves.
@erryn.lee.author @thecoffeepotbookclub
@erryn.lee @thecoffeepotbookclub
What Remains is a haunting dual-timeline mystery that bridges centuries-and secrets-between ancient Rome and the modern world.
Forensic anthropologist Tori Benino has just landed the opportunity of a lifetime: leading a dig at a long-buried Roman village lost to the eruption of Vesuvius. But when she uncovers the remains of a Praetorian guard hidden in an ancient latrine-clearly murdered-Tori realizes she's stumbled onto something far more sinister than a routine excavation. As she digs deeper into the past, her own carefully ordered life begins to fall apart.
Nearly two thousand years earlier, Thalia, the daughter of a wealthy merchant, is desperate to escape an arranged marriage to a brutal and politically powerful senator. Her only hope lies with a Praetorian soldier assigned to guard her-but trusting him could cost her everything.
As past and present collide, What Remains asks: When history is buried, what truths refuse to stay hidden?
Perfect for fans of Kathy Reichs and Kate Quinn, this novel is inspired by true events and delivers a compelling blend of suspense, history, and heart.
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She let her gaze linger on the Praetorian as the flow of humanity pressed between them. ‘Why are you here? Surely a man with your talent would be better guarding Messalinus?’
He looked at her, brow furrowed. ‘Your husband wants you protected.’
She sniffed. ‘Protection for me is the last thing on Messalinus’ mind.’
She began to walk again, after a moment he kept pace.
‘Perhaps your husband felt he was better served by having me carry your shopping.’
‘Do it then.’
His stride faltered. ‘Do what?’
She turned towards the slave boy and plucked the awkward bundle of scrolls from his arms, holding them out to the Praetorian. ‘Carry my shopping.’ She pushed them at him and he had little choice but to grab them or allow them to fall. ‘I am sure if someone attacks me you can beat them to death as easily with a scroll as you could bloody them with your sword.’
She raised an eyebrow challengingly. Behind her the slave boy surreptitiously stretched his arms, arching his neck, relieved to have been unburdened.
He glared at her murderously but he did not let them fall.
‘Come, Praetorian, we have much left to do.’
Erryn Lee has spent most of her life between the covers of books, her love for historical fiction drew her to a career as an English and History teacher, where she enjoys sharing her passion for both language and the past with young adults (at least until she needs to give it up to write full time).
When not teaching or writing she is deeply immersed in research and studying her Masters in History. Erryn lives with her husband, a fluctuating number of horses and three bossy cavoodles on a horse farm in the picturesque central west of NSW, Australia.
Author Links:
Website: www.errynlee.com
Twitter / X: https://x.com/erryn_lee
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/erryn.lee/
Amazon Author Page: https://www.amazon.com/stores/Erryn-Lee/author/B0FKH5VCTG
Tour hosted by: The Coffee Pot Book Club
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