Sarcasm, murder and international intrigue relentlessly cling to SOMA from its beginnings in a Roman cafe until its end under the streets of modern Alexandria. On the way, Dr. John Monsieur finds himself the partner of a notorious snitch, the Earwig. He also becomes attached to a pestering newswoman who insists on helping him. He dodges a bloated, ruthless collector, and uncovers two dead Greeks, a strange cult, and a Persian who agrees to spare his life if he takes him in as a partner. Before it's all over 5 people are dead, nobody is what they appear to be, and in such a group of distrust the most surprising discovery is made in an ancient marble tomb.