Year of the Fox is the third volume in the continuing saga of Justin and Sophie Cataphlates, a very unlikely husband and wife crime-fighting team. Set in the year 1018, Justin continues as the Treasurer of the Roman Empire (which we now call Byzantine), while Sophie is the chief lady-in-waiting to Princess Zoe, the oldest daughter of Emperor Constantine, one of the two reigning emperors.

While carrying out their duties and raising their daughter and son, the couple has to deal with the death of a senator, the forging of gold coins, and the theft of a priceless relic. Then, the fun begins, as they accompany Zoe on a hazardous trip to Rome, the long-ago abandoned capital of the empire where the papacy itself is in danger! As before, the Fatimid Caliph of Egypt is lurking in the wings!