Finally Gaius Petreius Ruso, doctor to the Legions, is to return home to Gaul. Little does he realize the letter summoning him back has been forged, and that the sunny Mediterranean lifestyle conceals dark threats. His family are in terrible debt to dangerous men and when the principal creditor, Severus, is poisoned in the Ruso home, they become the primary suspects in his murder.
But the crimes go far deeper. What role did Severus play in the deliberate sinking of a cargo ship? Who are the brutal investigators sent by Rome? And how worrying is the outbreak of the new religion, Christianity, in the neighbourhood?
When Ruso takes a job stitching up gladiators in the local amphitheatre, matters come to a head. Even Tilla, his loyal companion, may not be able to save him from the clutches of a most devious killer…
The third novel in the bestselling Gaius Petreius Ruso series. Formerly published as Ruso and the Root of All Evils.
Praise for Ruth Downie:
“This lively sequel to Medicus and Terra Incognita continues Downie’s delightful historical series. Her characters are wonderfully memorable, particularly the dry and acerbic Ruso, whose internal dialog provides some genuinely funny laugh-out-loud moments despite shipwrecks, ex-wives, gruesome gladiatorial games, unruly children, family discord, and, of course, mayhem and murder. Highly recommended” – Library Journal, starred review
“The plot is engrossing and clever and aside from its central mystery, one of the best things about this novel is its humour. It looks set to complete a hat-trick of hits for Downie” – News of the World
“Ruso's sullen wit is dependably delightful… Enormous fun: another lively winner from a newly established mistress of the genre” – Kirkus Reviews, starred review
“The plotting is clever and suspenseful, with subtle clues and lots of action, while the setting and supporting cast are vividly drawn. This is solid entertainment, nicely done” – Publishers Weekly
“Downie brings a great tale to the fore with wonderful prose, some great twists and above all characters that just step off the page into the readers imagination like almost as if they’re friends that you’d like to invite round for a drink in the forum. Add to the mix realistic dialogue and you’ve really got a gem to enjoy even if you haven’t read the other titles within the series” – Falcata Times
“…wonderfully written, refreshingly natural and laced with humour. Accurate historical details interwoven within the narrative lend to an overall air of authenticity and credibility which can so often be so lacking in this genre… will continue to delight those fans already enamoured with the dry humoured medic, and will doubtless achieve success within a new audience – it certainly deserves to do so” – Jonny Mardling - HistoryDirect.co.uk/historytimes.com
“A series that is well-worth spending time reading” – Eurocrime website: Paul Blackburn, Scotland
Ruth is the author of the New York Times bestseller MEDICUS, a further seven full-length novels and one novella in the Gaius Petreius Ruso series. She lives in the south-west of England with a husband, two cats and an unknown number of badgers down a hole in the garden. When she's not writing many of her happiest moments are spent wielding an archaeological trowel. www.ruthdownie.com
