‘This lively sequel to Medicus and Terra Incognita continues Downie’s delightful historical series.
This is solid entertainment, nicely done.’ – Publishers’ Weekly American cover The plotting is clever and suspenseful, with subtle clues and lots of action, while the setting and supporting cast are vividly drawn. ‘Downie’s Roman Empire series… continues in gripping fashion. “Enormous fun: another lively winner from a newly established mistress of the genre.” – Kirkus, starred review. Then the family’s chief creditor winds up dead, and the real trouble begins… In the midst of the crisis, his sisters are demanding dowries and his stepmother is busy organising dinner parties to which Tilla isn’t invited.
Altogether, I assessed the book as “delightful” and immediately checked out the next installment.In which Ruso takes Tilla home to southern Gaul, only to find that his brother in law has disappeared and his family is on the brink of bankruptcy. What she ascertained about ancient medical practices was especially illuminating and rewarding to learn.Įvaluation: I didn’t like the curmudgeonly Ruso much at first, but found, like Tilla did, that he kind of grows on you after awhile.
Meanwhile, Ruso manages to solve the murders, locate (sort of by accident) the culprit, and figure out what to do about Tilla.Īn Afterword by the author explains that she didn’t have much historical data to go on, but availed herself of what research she could, and applied her imagination for the rest of it. But Ruso, who tries to civilize her in a “My Fair Lady” way, also grows accustomed to her face. Far from being grateful, Tilla is way more assertive than a slave should be, and vexing to no end. The girl speaks only some Latin, and won’t give Ruso her name, so he ends up calling her Tilla. As a doctor and a humanist he couldn’t let that stand. She was a slave who was injured, and it was clear her owner had no intent of getting her healed. Ruso ends up taking on one of these Brigantes (or “natives” as the Romans call them) as a housemaid after he impulsively buys her. It was built as part of the Roman army’s advance north against the Brigantes, Celtic Britons who in pre-Roman times controlled the largest section of what would become Northern England. Roman Army medic Gaius Petreius Ruso has just been stationed in Deva in Britannia and immediately finds himself involved, albeit very reluctantly, with investigating the matter of some young girls who have been murdered.ĭeva historically was a legionary fortress and town in the Roman province of Britannia on the site of the modern city of Chester. I was looking for a new historical crime fiction series and was pleased to discover this one set in the Ancient Roman Empire.
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