How to read Murder in Purple and Gold online from anywhere

With friends like the Emperor Domitian, you don't need enemies

by · TechRadar

News By Aatif Sulleyman published 10 April 2026

(Image credit: Murder in Purple and Gold)

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Murder in Purple and Gold – the 14th entry in Lindsey Davis' beloved Flavia Albia series of historical crime novels – is out now in some countries... but not others.

The book was was released on Thursday, April 2 in the UK, Canada and Australia. However, it won't be available in the US until Tuesday, July 7.

Stuck abroad? Can't access your usual ebook store? Don't sweat - we'll show you how to read Murder in Purple and Gold now with the right VPN...

Where to read Murder in Purple and Gold online now

In the UK, Lindsey Davis' historical crime novel is available as an e-book from Bookshop for £12.99, from Hachette for £22, from Indigo for CA$22.99, and from Booktopia for AU$15.99.

It's also available in both e-book and audiobook formats from Amazon for £12.99/CA$21.99/AU$15.99.

Can't access it? If you're spending time away from home, a good VPN will let you access digital versions of Murder in Purple and Gold now. NordVPN is our recommended provider as it's best for unblocking websites, stores and streaming services.

How to read Murder in Purple and Gold using a VPN

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What is Murder in Purple and Gold about?

If you thought sportswashing was a modern concept, Murder in Purple and Gold, the 14th entry in Lindsey Davis' beloved Flavia Albia series of historical crime novels, shows how leisure, just as much as religion and even arm-in-arm with it, has long been deployed as an opiate for the masses.

You'd have thought we'd grow out of pinning our allegiances to team colors over the athletes themselves, but not so. When the body of Lepo, a young charioteer with a big future, is uncovered near Rome's Circus Maximus, the motive and prime suspect are clear to all. Lepo had rode in purple, and shared a fierce rivalry with Agathon, who wore gold.

Flavia Albia, however, suspects that the case isn't quite as clear-cut as it would appear. Lepo's team had the financial backing – and scrutiny – of the Emperor Domitian, an insecure dictator whose reign was characterized by violent expansionism, shameless propaganda and censorship of any and all dissent. Spoiler: it would all end in tears, none of them shed for the man himself.

That culture has a nasty habit of trickling down and poisoning everything it touches, which leads Flavia Albia to turn her attentions towards the inner workings of the purple faction.

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Disclaimer

We test and review VPN services in the context of legal recreational uses. For example: 1. Accessing a service from another country (subject to the terms and conditions of that service). 2. Protecting your online security and strengthening your online privacy when abroad. We do not support or condone the illegal or malicious use of VPN services. Consuming pirated content that is paid-for is neither endorsed nor approved by Future Publishing.

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