Who wrote the novel Pandora’s Box, the 1998 first book in the Roman Mysteries series?

Caroline Lawrence wrote Pandora’s Box, the 1998 first book in The Roman Mysteries series.

The Roman Mysteries is a historical children’s fiction series set mainly in the Roman Empire. Its recurring young characters investigate crimes, solve mysteries, and encounter historical people and places. Pandora’s Box introduces the series and establishes its ancient-world setting.

Lawrence was born in the United States and studied classics, and her series is known for combining adventure with details about Roman society, religion, travel, and daily life. Although the title references the Greek myth, the novel is a historical mystery rather than a retelling of Hesiod’s creation story.

The series title can also cause confusion with unrelated works called Pandora’s Box, including films, novels, and computer games. Identifying the publication as the first Roman Mysteries book makes the intended work and answer specific.