Caveat Emptor

Starred review from October 25, 2010
When tax collector Julius Asper goes missing, physician Gaius Petreius Ruso, who'd rather get medical work, reluctantly investigates in Downie's superb fourth historical set in second-century Roman Britain (after Persona Non Grata). Since Asper's brother and assistant, Julius Bericus, has also disappeared, some suspect the two men have run off with the emperor's tax money, but Ruso considers it more likely that robbers attacked the brothers on the road from the provincial town of Veralamium to Londinium. When the body of a man who fits Asper's description turns up in a Londinium alley, Ruso has a murder case on his hands, and must journey to Veralamium for answers. Downie excels in bringing the ancient world to life as well as making the attitudes and customs of its inhabitants accessible to a modern audience. She also succeeds at leavening the whodunit plot with flashes of humor, many stemming from her hero's British wife, Tilla.

January 1, 2011

Downie's wonderful historical mystery series (Persona Non Grata, 2009, etc.) set in 2nd-century CE Roman-occupied Britain cruises along in high gear in this entertaining fourth installment.

Serial physician (medicus) and de facto detective Gaius Petreius Ruso is assigned to investigate the suspicious disappearance of both tax collector Julius Asper and money owed to the coffers of Emperor Hadrian. Ruso traces a path between the Roman command center in Londinium and the northern metropolis (Verulamium) whence Asper and his brother (also "missing") have presumably fled. When it appears both fugitives were murdered, Asper's pregnant common-law wife begins hurling accusations. Ruso's former servant and present wife Tilla does what she usually does, helping out, investigating on her own and attracting the threatening attentions of assorted suspects. The latter include multiple high-living magistrates, a sinister security chief, an even more menacing captain of Verulamium's security forces, a craven finance officer, a housekeeper who knows perhaps too many secrets for her own good—oh, and there's also a three-legged dog named (what else?) Cerberus. The intriguingly tricky plot—arguably marred by too many otherwise brisk scenes which do little more than move Ruso from one locale to another—turns on a clever forgery scheme; and, as always, Downie displays a virtuoso's command of pertinent period detail. Along the way, the body count rises rather alarmingly and it seems that as many innocent as guilty parties are severely punished. The subplot concerning Tilla's frustrated yearning to conceive a child takes a poignant new turn, while opening a clear path toward another sequel. Fortunately, when in Britannia, Downie remains a peerless storyteller and a master entertainer.

BBC's Masterpiece should take a long look at this series. It's a winner.

(COPYRIGHT (2011) KIRKUS REVIEWS/NIELSEN BUSINESS MEDIA, INC. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.)

November 1, 2010

Immediately following the events of Persona Non Grata, Ruso and his barbarian wife, Tilla, have returned to the Roman outpost in Britain. No sooner do they arrive in Londinium hoping to resume their normal lives then Ruso is called upon, once again, to solve a mystery; this time involving a pregnant woman whose murdered lover was rumored to have absconded with several thousand denarii in taxes. Unfortunately, the unusually convoluted plot involving forgery, theft, murder, and attempted murder obscures the more delightful aspects of Downie's usual writing style, which has charmed her many fans. Ruso's customary acerbic wit seems lackluster, and his charmingly contentious relationship with Tilla takes an unfortunate backseat to the criminal investigation. VERDICT After an ending that leaves the characters at a crossroads and the reader with unanswered questions, one hopes that Downie will continue this series with a return to the personalities and distinctive historical perspective on Roman Britain that we have come to know and love. Recommended where the series is popular.--Jane Henriksen Baird, Anchorage P.L., AK

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