[LLS]∎ Libro Free Terra Incognita A Novel of the Roman Empire Ruth Downie Simon Vance 9781400156672 Books

Terra Incognita A Novel of the Roman Empire Ruth Downie Simon Vance 9781400156672 Books

Download As PDF : Terra Incognita A Novel of the Roman Empire Ruth Downie Simon Vance 9781400156672 Books

Terra Incognita A Novel of the Roman Empire Ruth Downie Simon Vance 9781400156672 Books

"Army doctor Gaius Petreius Ruso strikes out for the uncivilized borders of Roman Britain..But the edge of the Roman Empire is a volatile place; the independent tribes of the North dwell near its borders. These hinterlands are the homeland of Ruso's slave, Tilla, who has scores of her own to settle "

This book finished the series for me..thanks Ruth Downie for the recent sale! Waiting for the next in the series,hopefully.

I do love the Roman Britain timeframe, or really many ancient eras with some known history. I took Latin in HS for 4 years so appreciate what glimpses we do have. The juxtaposition of the Twentieth Legion with the Tenth Batavians, and how little they each knew about the other's culture. is hilarious as well as thought provoking.

Also wonderfully written about is the different tribes who lived in, ,and are the reason for "Hadrian's Wall". This outpost seems to me to have been created as realistically as we have historical evidence to document. As Downie's excellent author's note tells us: There is "serious trouble in Britannia at this time under Hadrian, with little details; The Batavian's and other unit's were heavy consumers of beer and wine; little is known about the cultures of the tribes along that border.

The characters are quite vivid and move forward in their lives, as evidence by how the relationship between Ruso and Tilla is at the beginning and end of the tale. I should have read in order to understand more about Tilla's capture and becoming a slave, but will reread in the future.

I just love this series and recommend to anyone who enjoys historical mysteries from ancient times.


Tags : Terra Incognita: A Novel of the Roman Empire [Ruth Downie, Simon Vance] on Amazon.com. *FREE* shipping on qualifying offers. It is spring in the year 118, and Hadrian has been emperor of Rome for less than a year. After his long and reluctant investigation of the murders of a handful of local prostitutes,Ruth Downie, Simon Vance,Terra Incognita: A Novel of the Roman Empire,Tantor Audio,140015667X,Mystery & Detective - Historical,Audiobooks.,Rome;History;Hadrian, 117-138;Fiction.,AUDIO,Audiobooks,Crime & mystery,ENGLISH HISTORICAL FICTION,ENGLISH MYSTERY & SUSPENSE FICTION,FICTION General,FICTION Historical General,FICTION Mystery & Detective General,FICTION Mystery & Detective Historical,Fiction,General Adult,Great BritainBritish Isles,Hadrian, 117-138,Historical - General,History,Monograph Series, any,MysterySuspense,Rome,Unabridged Audio - FictionGeneral,United States

Terra Incognita A Novel of the Roman Empire Ruth Downie Simon Vance 9781400156672 Books Reviews

Another fun installment in the Ruso series. Ruso has transferred to northern borderland in Britannia. He and Tilla are a couple now, but there are complications. First, a solder/trumpeter named Felix has been murdered and - ugh - his head is missing. Second, this is Tilla's home and she still has family and friends here. She develops an annoying tendency to vanish for long periods at a time without telling Ruso where she's going. Third, the chief suspect in Felix's murder is Tilla's former boyfriend. Needless to say, Ruso is not happy about THAT. Fourth, Ruso's predecessor, Thessalus, appears to be insane or drug addicted or both, and keeps confessing to Felix's murder. Finally, someone known only as the Stagman is stirring up trouble between the Romans and the natives.

Ruth Downie does an excellent job with this mystery. We get a look at Tilla's family, including her uncle (a collaborator who's "more Roman than the Romans")and her empty-headed, self-absorbed cousin. We also learn just how Tilla ended up in slavery and who was responsible for it. Downie's trademark humor is still present, such as an "old friend" selling "Doctor Ruso’s Special Love Potion." This is a very fun series and one I really enjoy reading. I haven't been this fond of a series since the Cadfael books by Ellis Peters. Very recommended.
Gaius Petreus Ruso, Medicus to the 20th and his slave, Tilla find themselves in the far reaches of the Roman Empire--up near Hadrian's Wall in Brittanica. It is the homeland of Tilla and she has returned after many years --several spent as the slave to a neighboring warlord who kidnapped her and the last year or so as Gaius' slave. The wives of Tresla, who first enslaved her, were jealous and sold her to an intinerant peddler who, in book 1, gladly sold off this outspoken woman who could not seem to conduct herself with the proper subservient demeanor.
Now, back home, where she is not allowed into the fort where Gaius is serving as temporary relief to the present medicus or doctor, Tilla reconnects with her remaining family and neighbors of her youth. She and Gaius have arrived just as the Romans are in the throes of determining who killed Felix, the trumpeter. The resident doctor has confessed but he seems to be out of his mind--talking about his triangles that don't meet and the fish he requires to wrap round his head. Gaius is required to perform the autopsy on a corpse which is mysteriously missing its head--which cannot be found.
As if these aren't plots enough, we find that a barbarian god in the form of a Stag has caused a wagon accident that injured many and killed a carpenter whose wife Tilla has just delivered of a newborn girl. Who is this Stag Man who rides into the community but vanishes like the air and what is his purpose.
Lastly, will Tilla marry Gaius eventually--he has asked but she has refused. He is relieved to not have been accepted and is glad he did not need to withdraw the offer since these barbarians require a payment of five cows for a negated proposal. Gaius does not have the cows nor the wherewithal to purchase them. It seems Felix may have lost his head under just the same circumstances. Gaius' pal Valens, who appears on the scene trying to escape the Second Spear, father to his girlfriend finds that it is better to just marry her and be done with it, when she appears in his wake.
All is solved in the end, though, as usual, Gaius' contributions are neither recognized nor rewarded by his superiors. Indeed, others, again as usual, take credit for his work. So, with murder solved, all other problems put to rest, Gaius and Tilla again head south to Deva,where he will take Valens place as medicus.
On to Book 3 to see how our Roman medical officer and his native housekeeper, slave and lover fare on their return.
"Army doctor Gaius Petreius Ruso strikes out for the uncivilized borders of Roman Britain..But the edge of the Roman Empire is a volatile place; the independent tribes of the North dwell near its borders. These hinterlands are the homeland of Ruso's slave, Tilla, who has scores of her own to settle "

This book finished the series for me..thanks Ruth Downie for the recent sale! Waiting for the next in the series,hopefully.

I do love the Roman Britain timeframe, or really many ancient eras with some known history. I took Latin in HS for 4 years so appreciate what glimpses we do have. The juxtaposition of the Twentieth Legion with the Tenth Batavians, and how little they each knew about the other's culture. is hilarious as well as thought provoking.

Also wonderfully written about is the different tribes who lived in, ,and are the reason for "Hadrian's Wall". This outpost seems to me to have been created as realistically as we have historical evidence to document. As Downie's excellent author's note tells us There is "serious trouble in Britannia at this time under Hadrian, with little details; The Batavian's and other unit's were heavy consumers of beer and wine; little is known about the cultures of the tribes along that border.

The characters are quite vivid and move forward in their lives, as evidence by how the relationship between Ruso and Tilla is at the beginning and end of the tale. I should have read in order to understand more about Tilla's capture and becoming a slave, but will reread in the future.

I just love this series and recommend to anyone who enjoys historical mysteries from ancient times.