![]() The connection between power and greed comes out in a hundred subtle ways: the official traveller who bullies the innkeeper into giving him a horse he isn’t entitled to the tax collector who demands that payments in wheat be delivered so far away that it’s impossible to avoid paying him exorbitant fees to transport them the town councillor who tries to vote for a contract knowing one of his relatives will rake in the profit that follows. The use of religion to whip up violence goes back at least as far as the Druids. ![]() The sale of people into the sex trade isn’t new – it’s something Hadrian tried to restrict. All, in some way, connected to the attempts of Ruso and Tilla to forge a life together.Įven in times of relative peace, there was plenty of drama going on in Roman Britain without me having to make it up. What drives the first half-dozen books is the tension between Roman and Briton, occupier and occupied-all the clashes, compromises and misunderstandings that ensue when foreign boots land on native soil. Anything was better than admitting, “I don’t dare, because other writers do Rome so well.” Besides, there was plenty to write about here. “Are Ruso and Tilla going to Rome?” the editor would ask from time to time, and I would keep very quiet. ![]() Most of the stories in the series are set in those “remotest regions:” the Wild West of the Roman empire. Medicus, the first book in the series that features legionary medic Ruso and his British partner Tilla, has this printed at the front:įor the remotest regions of the Earth-Britain. But that can all wait for now while I let Ruth inform and entertain you in her own words. As you may be aware, I’m currently reviewing the whole series of Ruth’s books, which will continue this week with Semper Fidelis, followed by Tabula Rasa and then the new book. Here’s the button to add it to your Goodreads shelf:Ĭaveat Emptor was originally published in the UK as Ruso and the River of Darkness.I am fortunate indeed today to play host to a guest post by the marvellous Ruth Downie as part of her Blog Tour, celebrating the release of her latest masterpiece ‘Vita Brevis’. “Downie sure-footedly makes the the whole story very plausible and constantly intriguing.” – Alt Hist “Superb… Downie excels in bringing the ancient world to life.” – Publishers Weekly – starred review … Downie remains a peerless storyteller and a master entertainer.” – Kirkus reviews “Downie’s wonderful historical mystery series… cruises along in high gear in this entertaining fourth instalment. “A great read.” – Manda Scott, author of the ‘Boudica’ series and ‘Rome – the Emperor’s Spy’ “BBC’s Masterpiece should take a long look at this series. Despite our hero’s best efforts to get himself fired from the job of investigator, he and Tilla find themselves trapped at the heart of an increasingly treacherous conspiracy. ![]() Compelled to delve deeper when Asper is found murdered, Ruso discovers that the good townsfolk may not be as loyal to Rome as they like to appear. And the Council of the town of Verulamium is bickering over what’s become of it. Of course there’s something else missing – money. Tilla wants a home for the wedding presents and Ruso wants to work as a medic, but instead the pair find themselves embroiled in the hunt for missing tax man Julius Asper. As promised, his friend Valens has found him a job, but it isn’t quite what he was expecting. Ruso has arrived back in Britannia with his new wife Tilla and a trunk full of wedding crockery. A novel featuring death, taxes and angry barbarians. ![]()
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