Death at Pompeia's Wedding

November 10, 2008
A setup Agatha Christie fans would appreciate forms the framework for Rowe’s fine 10th mystery set in second-century Roman-occupied Britain (after 2007’s A Coin for the Ferryman
). Series sleuth Libertus, a mosaic maker by trade, agrees to stand in at a wedding for his patron, Marcus Septimus, who has to travel to Rome, in the town of Glevum (modern Gloucester). When someone poisons Honorius Didius Fustis, a town councilor and the bride’s father, on the wedding day, the prospective bridegroom, Gracchus, who’s still eager to cash in on the dowry, hires Libertus to prove that the bride-to-be, Pompeia, isn’t responsible for parricide, despite her apparent confession. With his standing with the Roman authorities uncertain, the investigator doggedly pursues suspects both inside and outside the dead man’s family. Rowe does her usual excellent job of integrating the details of everyday life into the plot.

November 15, 2008
Libertus proves a clumsy spy, but redeems himself when murder mars a lavish wedding.

Roman Britain, 189 CE. Freeman sleuth Libertus is wary at the chummy greeting he receives from his patron Marcus Aurelius Septimus, who has abruptly summoned him. The patrician Marcus, after explaining that he 's planning an imminent trip, "asks " Libertus to take his place at the wedding of Pompeia Didia, daughter of the ostentatiously wealthy town councillor Honorius. Marcus wants Libertus to keep an eye on Antoninus Seulonius, a merchant with political ambitions whom Marcus suspects of dishonesty. From his arrival at Honorius ' elaborate estate, Libertus finds the atmosphere strange. The painfully plain bride looks unhappy in her gaudy gown —perhaps because Gracchus, the groom her father has chosen, is twice her age —and Libertus has a hard time gaining access, despite an expensive gift and the efforts of his silver-tongued slave Minimus. Before the ceremony can take place, Honorius is poisoned, and the family begins turning on one another. Grieving young widow Livia and Honorius ' imperious mother Helena Domna duel for control of the household while Gracchus laments the potential loss of Pompeia 's dowry, earmarked to pay off his massive debts. His curiosity piqued, Libertus begins asking questions and forming his own list of suspects. Given Marcus ' charge, Antoninus should top the list, but his murder complicates the case. A valuable statue may be the key to solving the mystery.

Libertus ' tenth (A Coin for the Ferryman, 2007, etc.) is a crisp and skillfully plotted whodunit full of deft period detail.

(COPYRIGHT (2008) KIRKUS REVIEWS/NIELSEN BUSINESS MEDIA, INC. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.)

January 15, 2009
In second-century Roman Britain, Libertus ("A Roman Ransom") represents his patron at a wedding. When two people are murdered, Libertus must quickly solve a puzzle that turns out to be his most challenging case. Sure to appeal to fans of John Maddox Roberts. [See Prepub Mystery, "LJ" 9/1/08.]

Copyright 2009 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

December 1, 2008
The latest entry in Rowes popular Libertus Mystery of Roman Britain series is cleverly plotted and chock-full of authentic period details and surprising twists, with an unexpected but satisfying ending. Libertus reluctantly agrees to attend the wedding of Pompeia, daughter of an important official, in place of his patron, Marcus Septimus. Then the brides father is poisoned, and the bride confesses to the murder. The bridegroom promises a generous reward if Libertus can prove Pompeias innocence. Can he find the real killer before shes thrown to the lions? Entertaining fare for fans of crime fiction set in the ancient world.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2008, American Library Association.)