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Gaius Petreius Ruso #1
Medicus
Gaius Petrius Ruso is a divorced and down-on his luck army doctor who has made the rash decision to seek his fortune in an inclement outpost of the Roman Empire, namely Britannia. His arrival in Deva (more commonly known as Chester, England) does little to improve his mood, and after a straight thirty six hour shift at the army hospital, he succumbs to a moment of weakness and rescues an injured slave girl, Tilla, from the hands of her abusive owner.
Now he has a new problem: a slave who won't talk and can't cook, and drags trouble in her wake. Before he knows it, Ruso is caught in the middle of an investigation into the deaths of prostitutes working out of the local bar. A few years earlier, after he rescued Emperor Trajan from an earthquake in Antioch, Ruso seemed headed for glory: now he's living among heathens in a vermin-infested bachelor pad and must summon all his forensic knowledge to find a killer who may be after him next.
Who are the true barbarians, the conquered or the conquerors? It's up to Ruso—certainly the most likeable sleuth to come out of the Roman Empire—to discover the truth. With a gift for comic timing and historic detail, Ruth Downie has conjured an ancient world as raucous and real as our own.
Now he has a new problem: a slave who won't talk and can't cook, and drags trouble in her wake. Before he knows it, Ruso is caught in the middle of an investigation into the deaths of prostitutes working out of the local bar. A few years earlier, after he rescued Emperor Trajan from an earthquake in Antioch, Ruso seemed headed for glory: now he's living among heathens in a vermin-infested bachelor pad and must summon all his forensic knowledge to find a killer who may be after him next.
Who are the true barbarians, the conquered or the conquerors? It's up to Ruso—certainly the most likeable sleuth to come out of the Roman Empire—to discover the truth. With a gift for comic timing and historic detail, Ruth Downie has conjured an ancient world as raucous and real as our own.
Published in the UK as Medicus (Ruso) and the Disappearing Dancing Girls.
400 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2006
794 people are currently reading
7169 people want to read
About the author
Ruth Downie
17 books755 followersRuth is the author of nine mysteries* featuring Roman Army medic Gaius Petreius Ruso and his British partner Tilla. The latest is a novella, PRIMA FACIE. She lives in Devon, England. A combination of nosiness and a childish fascination with mud means she is never happier than when wielding an archaeological trowel.
She is sometimes called R.S. Downie, but she isn't the person with the same name who writes medical textbooks, and recommends that readers should never, ever take health advice from a two thousand year old man who prescribes mouse droppings.
*The first four books have all had two titles. Ruth is still wondering how this ever seemed like a good idea. Since she is unable to wind back time, British readers may find it useful to know that:
Medicus was Ruso and the Disappearing Dancing Girls,
Terra Incognita was Ruso and the Demented Doctor,
Persona Non Grata was Ruso and the Root of All Evils,
Caveat Emptor was Ruso and the River of Darkness -
but SEMPER FIDELIS, TABULA RASA, VITA BREVIS, MEMENTO MORI and PRIMA FACIE only have one title each - hooray!
She is sometimes called R.S. Downie, but she isn't the person with the same name who writes medical textbooks, and recommends that readers should never, ever take health advice from a two thousand year old man who prescribes mouse droppings.
*The first four books have all had two titles. Ruth is still wondering how this ever seemed like a good idea. Since she is unable to wind back time, British readers may find it useful to know that:
Medicus was Ruso and the Disappearing Dancing Girls,
Terra Incognita was Ruso and the Demented Doctor,
Persona Non Grata was Ruso and the Root of All Evils,
Caveat Emptor was Ruso and the River of Darkness -
but SEMPER FIDELIS, TABULA RASA, VITA BREVIS, MEMENTO MORI and PRIMA FACIE only have one title each - hooray!
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 1,073 reviews
March 29, 2009
Medicus is what I call a 'popcorn' book: a book to pick up and settle in with for an evening's cozy reading. Entertainment value: 5 stars, but several months from now I'll have a hard time remembering much beyond the main characters: Gaius Petrius Ruso, a physician stationed in Brittania with the Roman army, and Tilla, the slave girl he reluctantly purchases from an abusive master. Ruso, long suffering, wry, and a humanist doomed to be forever caught up in other people's suffering despite his attempts at pragmatism, is the main entertainment here. Downie does a decent job at bringing her world to life, but the plot and various plot threads are fairly predictable.
Inevitably, I've also got to compare Medicus to Lindsay Davis's very fun and entertaining Falco series, also a detective series set in ancient Rome. I do feel that Downie has a better feel for writing from the male perspective, but Davis's Rome is more finely wrought, her plots better developed. Both series have a nice element of humor, although readers who prefer to smile rather than laugh out loud with their mysteries might be more comfortable with Downie's more character-driven style.
Inevitably, I've also got to compare Medicus to Lindsay Davis's very fun and entertaining Falco series, also a detective series set in ancient Rome. I do feel that Downie has a better feel for writing from the male perspective, but Davis's Rome is more finely wrought, her plots better developed. Both series have a nice element of humor, although readers who prefer to smile rather than laugh out loud with their mysteries might be more comfortable with Downie's more character-driven style.
April 5, 2018
The novel is an ideal holiday read. Set in Britain under Roman rule, it tells a story of a Roman doctor-cum-detective character, Gaius Ruso. Quite enjoyable if you are in the mood for some light reading.
July 1, 2011
Reading Medicus I’m put in mind of Colin Cotterill's Siri Paiboun series. In both two men more devoted to their jobs than anything else find themselves reluctantly involved in murder investigations. In both we have a comedic more than tragic writing style that still manages to inject notes of seriousness along the way – in Medicus, it’s a reflection on slavery and sex trafficking.
Medicus is not a “heavy” read, however. It’s a very nicely written, moderately complex murder mystery set in the Romano-British town of Deva (modern day Chester) at the beginning of Hadrian’s reign (AD 117). Our put-upon protagonist is Gaius Petreius Ruso, a doctor in the XX Legion, whose marriage has failed (because he was too devoted to his craft and not devoted enough to advancing his career), whose family is drowning in debt and in danger of losing their Gaulish farm, and whose first “mistake” is rescuing a British slave girl from her slimy owner.
The mystery isn’t all that complex or hard to figure out. I enjoyed reading the book because I enjoyed following Ruso as he stumbles along, inadvertently uncovering the clues . Our hero is by no means stupid, he’s a rather good doctor, in fact, but he is often blind to his environment, awkward socially and politically inept*. Ruso is a man I can identify with and Downie’s writing is engaging and “user friendly” if you’re looking for a diverting, not-too-serious reading experience.
I’d enjoy seeing PBS or BBC adapt this into a series like Brother Cadfael ; it practically cries out for it.
I’m going to head down to the library this weekend and get some more entries in this series – I’ve been reading too many depressing things lately.
* Downie makes Ruso the “mysterious stranger” who rescued the Emperor Trajan from a collapsing building during an earthquake in Antioch but – much to his wife’s disgust – Ruso never parlays it into anything advantageous.
Medicus is not a “heavy” read, however. It’s a very nicely written, moderately complex murder mystery set in the Romano-British town of Deva (modern day Chester) at the beginning of Hadrian’s reign (AD 117). Our put-upon protagonist is Gaius Petreius Ruso, a doctor in the XX Legion, whose marriage has failed (because he was too devoted to his craft and not devoted enough to advancing his career), whose family is drowning in debt and in danger of losing their Gaulish farm, and whose first “mistake” is rescuing a British slave girl from her slimy owner.
The mystery isn’t all that complex or hard to figure out. I enjoyed reading the book because I enjoyed following Ruso as he stumbles along, inadvertently uncovering the clues . Our hero is by no means stupid, he’s a rather good doctor, in fact, but he is often blind to his environment, awkward socially and politically inept*. Ruso is a man I can identify with and Downie’s writing is engaging and “user friendly” if you’re looking for a diverting, not-too-serious reading experience.
I’d enjoy seeing PBS or BBC adapt this into a series like Brother Cadfael ; it practically cries out for it.
I’m going to head down to the library this weekend and get some more entries in this series – I’ve been reading too many depressing things lately.
* Downie makes Ruso the “mysterious stranger” who rescued the Emperor Trajan from a collapsing building during an earthquake in Antioch but – much to his wife’s disgust – Ruso never parlays it into anything advantageous.
June 10, 2024
Ruso is a divorced doctor in the Roman army, recently relocated to occupied Britain. He hates Britain, and misses Africa, his previous posting. He is committed to his job, which he conducts with compassion, dedication and skill; his compassion leads to his getting involved in solving the murders of several prostitutes, a role he highly resents, and from which he constantly tries to distance himself. It also leads to him buying an injured slave, which leads to a sub plot...
Ruso is a curmudgeon with a wry, sarcastic humour, and a workaholic. He sounds adorable, does he not? 🤔
This is a gentle read, the characters are reasonably developed, it is well written, and I did enjoy it. I am not going to read the next instalment straight away, but I will certainly keep it in mind for when I need another gentle read, and to see where the series goes next.
Ruso is a curmudgeon with a wry, sarcastic humour, and a workaholic. He sounds adorable, does he not? 🤔
This is a gentle read, the characters are reasonably developed, it is well written, and I did enjoy it. I am not going to read the next instalment straight away, but I will certainly keep it in mind for when I need another gentle read, and to see where the series goes next.
March 25, 2009
Five stars, five, and again five! Hurray for Medicus: it's the page-turner I've been looking for for a long time. I read it in an entire day because I couldn't put it down.
Set in Roman Empire-era Brittania, this is the story of reluctant hero , Gaius Petrius Ruso, a doctor in the local army hospital, who turns detective very much against his will. Humorous, lighthearted, colorful... This is Downie's first novel, and I hope she's planning a whole series of Ruso mysteries!
Set in Roman Empire-era Brittania, this is the story of reluctant hero , Gaius Petrius Ruso, a doctor in the local army hospital, who turns detective very much against his will. Humorous, lighthearted, colorful... This is Downie's first novel, and I hope she's planning a whole series of Ruso mysteries!
September 1, 2019
Army doctor Ruso is serving in Roman-occupied Britain under very trying circumstances. He faces near poverty, a micro-managing Chief Administrative Officer, the loss of his household servants, mysterious deaths of prostitutes from the local bar, a killer, and the unexpected purchase of a beautiful British slave girl, with whom he is trying not to fall in love.
How not to buy a slave with a broken arm
"If you don't get help for her soon, this slave is going to die. I'll take her off your hands."
"She's a good strong girl, sir. She'll perk up in a day or two. I'll knock a bit off the price for that arm."
"What price? You told me she was lazy and useless."
"Useless at cleaning, sir, but an excellent cook. And what's more . . ."—
Innocens raised his free arm to steady the girl as he leaned forward in a haze of fish sauce and bellowed over more hammering "just the thing for a healthy young man like yourself, sir! Ripe as a peach and never been touched!"
"I'm not interested in touching her!" shouted Ruso, just as the noise stopped.
Innocens was smiling again. Ruso suppressed an urge to grab him by the neck and shake him.
"What would you like to offer, sir?"
Ruso hesitated. "I'll give you fifty denarii," he muttered.
Innocens's jowls collapsed in disappointment. He shrugged the shoulder not being used to prop up his merchandise. "I wish I could, sir. I can hardly afford to feed her. But the debt I took her for was four thousand."
It was a ridiculous lie. Even if it wasn't, Ruso didn't have four thousand denarii. He didn't even have four hundred. It had been an expensive summer.
"Fifty's more than she's worth, and you know it," he insisted. "Look at her."
"Fifty-five!" offered a voice from the scaffolding.
"What?" put in his companion. "You heard the man, she's a virgin. Fifty-six!"
Innocens scowled at them. "One thousand and she's yours, sir."
"Fifty or nothing."
The trader shook his head, unable to believe that any fool would offer all his money at the first bid. Ruso, remembering with a jolt that payday was still three weeks away, was barely able to believe it himself.
"Two hundred, sir. I can't go below two hundred. You'll ruin me."
"Go on!" urged the chorus from the scaffolding. "Two hundred for this lovely lady!"
Ruso looked up at the workmen. "Buy her yourselves if you like. I only came out for a bottle of bath oil."
At that moment the girl's body jerked. A feeble cough emerged from her lips. Her eyelids drifted shut. A slow silver drool emerged from her mouth and came to rest in shining bubbles on the sodden wool of her tunic. Claudius Innocens cleared his throat.
"Will that fifty be cash, then, sir?"
image:
Greek philosophy
Ruso lay on the borrowed bed and stared into the gloom that hid the cracks in the ceiling plaster, reflecting that Socrates was a wise man. Surveying the goods on a market stall, the great one was said to have remarked, "What a lot of things a man doesn't need!"
What a lot of things a man doesn't need. That thought had comforted Ruso over the last few months. The more you own, he had told himself, the more you have to worry about. Possessions are a burden.
The kind of possessions which needed to be regularly fed were a double burden. They were only worth having if they earned their keep by doing the laundry, or barking at burglars, or catching mice, or carrying you somewhere, or chirping in a way that your ex-wife used to find entertaining. It was a pity Socrates hadn't thought to add, Which is why I never shop after drinking on an empty stomach.
Learning to appreciate British beer
Ruso took the dripping cup of beer and wondered whether to clear up the dishes, or whether to wait and see how long it would be before Valens did.
Valens squinted into his own beer, rescued something with a forefinger, and flicked it over his shoulder. A rush of inquisitive puppies followed its course.
"How long have you been a beer drinker?"
"I'm not. Some native gave it to me as a thank-you for treating one of his children."
Ruso frowned into his drink. "Are you sure he was grateful?"
"Smells like goat's piss, I know. But you'll get used to it."
Ruso tried another mouthful and wondered how long getting used to it would take.
"Visit Sunny Britannia"
Valens's letters had made Britannia sound entertaining. The islands, apparently, were bursting with six-foot warrior women and droopy-mustached, poetry-spouting fanatics who roamed the misty mountains stirring up quarrelsome tribesmen in the guise of religion.
His own observation of Britannia now led Ruso to suspect that Valens had deliberately lured him here to relieve the boredom.
An open air market
"Fresh fish, sir?" A woman who was out of breath from pushing a cart up the slope lifted a cloth to display glistening silver bodies. She grinned, showing a gap where her front teeth should have been. "Just caught in time for dinner!"
Ruso shook his head.
In the space of a hundred paces he also declined a bucket of mussels, a jar of pepper, a delivery of coal, a set of tableware, an amphora of wine, a bolt of cloth to make the finest bedspread in Deva, some indefinable things in the shape of small sausages, and an introduction to an exotic dancer. Stepping onto the quay, he dodged a trolley being pushed by a small boy who couldn't see over it. Behind him a voice shouted, "Tray of plums, sir?"
It was comforting to know that he still had the appearance of a man with money to spend.
Hospital administration and how to save money
"Where's the clean linen kept?"
"Third door on the left, sir." The orderly disappeared into a side corridor.
Ruso flipped the latch and collided with the door, which had failed to open as expected. He rattled it to no avail, then realized there was a keyhole. When the orderly reappeared with an empty tray he said.
"Where's the key?"
"Officer Priscus will have it, sir."
"He took the key to the linen closet?"
"Officer Priscus is in charge of all the keys, sir."
"That's ridiculous!"
Ruso contemplated the silent, locked door of the linen closet. He had yet to meet Officer Priscus, but already he hated him. The man seemed to have turned hospital administration into an art form—something incomprehensible, overpriced, and useless. In the meantime, a sick girl was huddled in a corner of the changing room, facing a pile of wet towels.
Ruso stood back, contemplated the latch for a moment, and moved. A splintering crash echoed down the deserted corridor. He helped himself before anyone could arrive to see who had just bypassed the hospital administration with a military boot.
First rule with women: Get their name right
"By the way, I dropped in on your Tilla just now. Since you were too busy."
Ruso frowned. "My what?"
"Tilla," repeated Valens. When there was no reply he shook his head sadly. "Gods above, Ruso, you are hopeless. What have I told you? First rule with women: Get the name right. Anyway, it looks as though you've got away with that arm. Too early to say whether it'll be of any use, of course."
"Are you sure she's called Tilla?" persisted Ruso. "It doesn't look anything like that on the note of sale."
Valens shrugged. "She said that's what you called her."
"I didn't call her anything. I can't pronounce her name. It's got about fifteen syllables stuffed with g's and h's in odd places."
"She seems to think you told her she'd be Tilla from now on. She seemed quite cheerful about it."
"Did she?" There was no justice in the ways of the world. Ruso, who had saved the girl's life, was rewarded with weeping and "Let me die." Valens, who would have fixed her broken arm with a sharp saw, was granted a pleasant chat.
How Tilla got her name
"Utilis, said Ruso suddenly. "Useful. Her Latin's a bit shaky. She got into a bit of a state last night. Thought she was never going to get better and wanted to be off with the ancestors, or something. I told her she'd be utilis to me."
Tilla!
The joys of house hunting
Several would-be landlords had chalked up advertisements on the amphitheater walls.
The smell of urine and old cabbage stew, which hit Ruso as soon as the first door opened, failed to mask the personal odor of the toothless crone who announced,
"He an't here, I dunno where he is, and he an't done nothing."
"I'll keep looking," said Ruso.
"Did have," said the next one. "We did have a room. Somebody should have rubbed the notice off."
The third room was still having its walls plastered, but the owner's wife promised it would be ready by nightfall.
"How much?"
She told him. Ruso laughed and walked away, and she let him go.
The servants always know
"Somebody ought to ask the servants what happened to her," ventured the plump woman, dabbling her fingers in the bowl held by a patient slave and drying them on the towel over his arm. "Servants always know everything, you know. It's amazing."
As Ruso dipped his hands into the warm water, he glanced at the face of the slave holding the bowl. The man's expression gave nothing away.
A most persistent clerk
It was with neither joy nor enthusiasm that he opened the front door to urgent knocking shortly after dawn and found his clerk calling to ask whether there was anything he wanted done.
"What I want done," explained Ruso, summoning all the patience he could muster and wondering what sort of a clerk could fail to understand a staff rotation, "is for you to push off and not bother me until I tell you to. Is that clear?"
"Yes, sir."
"Dismissed."
"Yes, sir," replied the man, saluting, but instead of pushing off as ordered he remained on the doorstep.
"I said, dismissed."
"Yes, sir."
"So?"
"Are you ordering me not to come, sir?"
"Of course I'm ordering you not to come! Is there something the matter with your hearing?"
"No, sir."
Ruso leaned against the door frame and yawned. "Albanus," he said, "are you deliberately trying to annoy me?"
The man looked shocked. "Oh no, sir."
"Do you want to be charged with insubordination?"
"Oh no, sir!"
"Then what is the matter with you?"
Albanus's shoulders seemed to shrink as he glanced around to make sure there was no one listening in the street. "Officer Priscus's orders, sir."
"Officer Priscus," explained Ruso, "has seconded you to me. So you do what I tell you."
"Yes, sir."
"So what's the problem?"
"Sir, he's my superior. So when he tells me to report to you in the morning, I have to do it."
Ruso sighed. "He only meant the first morning."
Albanus shook his head. "No, sir. He told me again yesterday."
Ruso ran a hand through his hair. "I'll talk to him. Now get lost."
Albanus nodded eagerly. "Shall I get lost anywhere in particular, sir?"
image:
Take delight in a community full of interwoven relationships between army doctors, soldiers, slave girls, and hairy locals - all trying to live on the edge of the Roman empire.
Enjoy!
How not to buy a slave with a broken arm
"If you don't get help for her soon, this slave is going to die. I'll take her off your hands."
"She's a good strong girl, sir. She'll perk up in a day or two. I'll knock a bit off the price for that arm."
"What price? You told me she was lazy and useless."
"Useless at cleaning, sir, but an excellent cook. And what's more . . ."—
Innocens raised his free arm to steady the girl as he leaned forward in a haze of fish sauce and bellowed over more hammering "just the thing for a healthy young man like yourself, sir! Ripe as a peach and never been touched!"
"I'm not interested in touching her!" shouted Ruso, just as the noise stopped.
Innocens was smiling again. Ruso suppressed an urge to grab him by the neck and shake him.
"What would you like to offer, sir?"
Ruso hesitated. "I'll give you fifty denarii," he muttered.
Innocens's jowls collapsed in disappointment. He shrugged the shoulder not being used to prop up his merchandise. "I wish I could, sir. I can hardly afford to feed her. But the debt I took her for was four thousand."
It was a ridiculous lie. Even if it wasn't, Ruso didn't have four thousand denarii. He didn't even have four hundred. It had been an expensive summer.
"Fifty's more than she's worth, and you know it," he insisted. "Look at her."
"Fifty-five!" offered a voice from the scaffolding.
"What?" put in his companion. "You heard the man, she's a virgin. Fifty-six!"
Innocens scowled at them. "One thousand and she's yours, sir."
"Fifty or nothing."
The trader shook his head, unable to believe that any fool would offer all his money at the first bid. Ruso, remembering with a jolt that payday was still three weeks away, was barely able to believe it himself.
"Two hundred, sir. I can't go below two hundred. You'll ruin me."
"Go on!" urged the chorus from the scaffolding. "Two hundred for this lovely lady!"
Ruso looked up at the workmen. "Buy her yourselves if you like. I only came out for a bottle of bath oil."
At that moment the girl's body jerked. A feeble cough emerged from her lips. Her eyelids drifted shut. A slow silver drool emerged from her mouth and came to rest in shining bubbles on the sodden wool of her tunic. Claudius Innocens cleared his throat.
"Will that fifty be cash, then, sir?"
image:
Greek philosophy
Ruso lay on the borrowed bed and stared into the gloom that hid the cracks in the ceiling plaster, reflecting that Socrates was a wise man. Surveying the goods on a market stall, the great one was said to have remarked, "What a lot of things a man doesn't need!"
What a lot of things a man doesn't need. That thought had comforted Ruso over the last few months. The more you own, he had told himself, the more you have to worry about. Possessions are a burden.
The kind of possessions which needed to be regularly fed were a double burden. They were only worth having if they earned their keep by doing the laundry, or barking at burglars, or catching mice, or carrying you somewhere, or chirping in a way that your ex-wife used to find entertaining. It was a pity Socrates hadn't thought to add, Which is why I never shop after drinking on an empty stomach.
Learning to appreciate British beer
Ruso took the dripping cup of beer and wondered whether to clear up the dishes, or whether to wait and see how long it would be before Valens did.
Valens squinted into his own beer, rescued something with a forefinger, and flicked it over his shoulder. A rush of inquisitive puppies followed its course.
"How long have you been a beer drinker?"
"I'm not. Some native gave it to me as a thank-you for treating one of his children."
Ruso frowned into his drink. "Are you sure he was grateful?"
"Smells like goat's piss, I know. But you'll get used to it."
Ruso tried another mouthful and wondered how long getting used to it would take.
"Visit Sunny Britannia"
Valens's letters had made Britannia sound entertaining. The islands, apparently, were bursting with six-foot warrior women and droopy-mustached, poetry-spouting fanatics who roamed the misty mountains stirring up quarrelsome tribesmen in the guise of religion.
His own observation of Britannia now led Ruso to suspect that Valens had deliberately lured him here to relieve the boredom.
An open air market
"Fresh fish, sir?" A woman who was out of breath from pushing a cart up the slope lifted a cloth to display glistening silver bodies. She grinned, showing a gap where her front teeth should have been. "Just caught in time for dinner!"
Ruso shook his head.
In the space of a hundred paces he also declined a bucket of mussels, a jar of pepper, a delivery of coal, a set of tableware, an amphora of wine, a bolt of cloth to make the finest bedspread in Deva, some indefinable things in the shape of small sausages, and an introduction to an exotic dancer. Stepping onto the quay, he dodged a trolley being pushed by a small boy who couldn't see over it. Behind him a voice shouted, "Tray of plums, sir?"
It was comforting to know that he still had the appearance of a man with money to spend.
Hospital administration and how to save money
"Where's the clean linen kept?"
"Third door on the left, sir." The orderly disappeared into a side corridor.
Ruso flipped the latch and collided with the door, which had failed to open as expected. He rattled it to no avail, then realized there was a keyhole. When the orderly reappeared with an empty tray he said.
"Where's the key?"
"Officer Priscus will have it, sir."
"He took the key to the linen closet?"
"Officer Priscus is in charge of all the keys, sir."
"That's ridiculous!"
Ruso contemplated the silent, locked door of the linen closet. He had yet to meet Officer Priscus, but already he hated him. The man seemed to have turned hospital administration into an art form—something incomprehensible, overpriced, and useless. In the meantime, a sick girl was huddled in a corner of the changing room, facing a pile of wet towels.
Ruso stood back, contemplated the latch for a moment, and moved. A splintering crash echoed down the deserted corridor. He helped himself before anyone could arrive to see who had just bypassed the hospital administration with a military boot.
First rule with women: Get their name right
"By the way, I dropped in on your Tilla just now. Since you were too busy."
Ruso frowned. "My what?"
"Tilla," repeated Valens. When there was no reply he shook his head sadly. "Gods above, Ruso, you are hopeless. What have I told you? First rule with women: Get the name right. Anyway, it looks as though you've got away with that arm. Too early to say whether it'll be of any use, of course."
"Are you sure she's called Tilla?" persisted Ruso. "It doesn't look anything like that on the note of sale."
Valens shrugged. "She said that's what you called her."
"I didn't call her anything. I can't pronounce her name. It's got about fifteen syllables stuffed with g's and h's in odd places."
"She seems to think you told her she'd be Tilla from now on. She seemed quite cheerful about it."
"Did she?" There was no justice in the ways of the world. Ruso, who had saved the girl's life, was rewarded with weeping and "Let me die." Valens, who would have fixed her broken arm with a sharp saw, was granted a pleasant chat.
How Tilla got her name
"Utilis, said Ruso suddenly. "Useful. Her Latin's a bit shaky. She got into a bit of a state last night. Thought she was never going to get better and wanted to be off with the ancestors, or something. I told her she'd be utilis to me."
Tilla!
The joys of house hunting
Several would-be landlords had chalked up advertisements on the amphitheater walls.
The smell of urine and old cabbage stew, which hit Ruso as soon as the first door opened, failed to mask the personal odor of the toothless crone who announced,
"He an't here, I dunno where he is, and he an't done nothing."
"I'll keep looking," said Ruso.
"Did have," said the next one. "We did have a room. Somebody should have rubbed the notice off."
The third room was still having its walls plastered, but the owner's wife promised it would be ready by nightfall.
"How much?"
She told him. Ruso laughed and walked away, and she let him go.
The servants always know
"Somebody ought to ask the servants what happened to her," ventured the plump woman, dabbling her fingers in the bowl held by a patient slave and drying them on the towel over his arm. "Servants always know everything, you know. It's amazing."
As Ruso dipped his hands into the warm water, he glanced at the face of the slave holding the bowl. The man's expression gave nothing away.
A most persistent clerk
It was with neither joy nor enthusiasm that he opened the front door to urgent knocking shortly after dawn and found his clerk calling to ask whether there was anything he wanted done.
"What I want done," explained Ruso, summoning all the patience he could muster and wondering what sort of a clerk could fail to understand a staff rotation, "is for you to push off and not bother me until I tell you to. Is that clear?"
"Yes, sir."
"Dismissed."
"Yes, sir," replied the man, saluting, but instead of pushing off as ordered he remained on the doorstep.
"I said, dismissed."
"Yes, sir."
"So?"
"Are you ordering me not to come, sir?"
"Of course I'm ordering you not to come! Is there something the matter with your hearing?"
"No, sir."
Ruso leaned against the door frame and yawned. "Albanus," he said, "are you deliberately trying to annoy me?"
The man looked shocked. "Oh no, sir."
"Do you want to be charged with insubordination?"
"Oh no, sir!"
"Then what is the matter with you?"
Albanus's shoulders seemed to shrink as he glanced around to make sure there was no one listening in the street. "Officer Priscus's orders, sir."
"Officer Priscus," explained Ruso, "has seconded you to me. So you do what I tell you."
"Yes, sir."
"So what's the problem?"
"Sir, he's my superior. So when he tells me to report to you in the morning, I have to do it."
Ruso sighed. "He only meant the first morning."
Albanus shook his head. "No, sir. He told me again yesterday."
Ruso ran a hand through his hair. "I'll talk to him. Now get lost."
Albanus nodded eagerly. "Shall I get lost anywhere in particular, sir?"
image:
Take delight in a community full of interwoven relationships between army doctors, soldiers, slave girls, and hairy locals - all trying to live on the edge of the Roman empire.
Enjoy!
August 31, 2024
Actually 2.5 .
It took me forever to finish it and I wouldn't read the other books in the series even if I was paid to do so!
The plot on the back cover was promising and together the length of the book ( 400 pages ) made one think of a masterfully conceived mystery full of historical details.
___ PLOT ___ (Britannia, the era in which Hadrian had just succeeded Trajan as emperor, the writer does not say it, but we are in 117 AD)
A serial killer is on the loose in Roman-occupied Britain, and Gaius Petreius Ruso is out to catch him... if he isn't killed first.
The Gods are not smiling on army doctor Gaius Petreius Ruso in his new posting in Britannia. He has vast debts, long shifts, and an overbearing hospital administrator to deal with . . .
After the news of a woman's body fished from the river and after having saved a slave from the mistreatment of her master, Ruso, the doctor of the XX Legion finds himself, despite himself, wanting to shed light on the events.
__________________
This could have been an enjoyable read of a cozy mystery (or an enjoyable historical fiction to read, if well detailed historically speaking) set among the Roman legionaries in Britain.
Instead it's a cozy mystery (nothing bad, I love them, but at least they're shorter, quicker reads) stretched out with "thin air", no historical details except the name of the emperor at the time and maybe the name of the place (Deva), where the investigation is only a couple of questions up to 75% of the book, where the author inserts any idle talk except to focus on the mystery.
I think : if you don't know how to write a mystery, write something else, if you don't know historical notions and if you don't do some research before writing a historical novel, then write a contemporary one!
I really liked the main character, the Medicus Ruso and his friend/colleague Valens, unfortunately the story is a continuous digression on useless details that serve no purpose in the story; repetitive speeches about our "hero's" past, entire chapters in which the main character repeats the same question and the narrator continues to say that it is not answered; a modern dialogue among Romans that goes beyond the limit of the acceptable, catapulting the reader onto a 1920s cozy mystery book and sometimes on a Victorian movie set, certainly jarring in the Roman Empire era!
---> WHAT I LIKED ABOUT THE MAIN CHARACTER :
- Gaius Petreius Ruso : I liked him as a character, because he is not the classic hero of flawless books, he is a good person, full of troubles to solve who would like to live in peace without finding more problems.
The beautiful part of his way of being is that he cannot ignore his conscience, his profession is what it should be even nowadays: a vocation and a mission.
He knows perfectly well that by meddling in other people's business he will find trouble, he doesn't want to do that, but his good heart doesn't allow him to ignore all the bad things around him.
While other negative reviews have described him as boring, I say that he is not at all: it's true, the brilliant way he behaves in society and the always ready joke belong to his nice and handsome colleague Valens, but Ruso, in his way of acting calm, serious and sometimes gruff, he throws his ironic jokes (or thinks them) with great mastery.
This cute character is the only reason I rounded the rating up to 3 stars.
---> WHAT I DIDEN'T LIKE ABOUT WRITING STYLE, DIALOGUES and MYSTERY :
- WRITING STYLE : I usually like descriptions that give an idea of the place, the time in which the story takes place, the type of life the characters lead and their way of being.
I know that this is the first book in a series and I also know that the writer had never been a writer before, but the publisher and other people should have realized that it's like too much of a good thing ( How do they say ? "Less is more" !!! )
Throughout the first half of the book the author continues to repeat about Ruso's debts inherited from his father, every 3 sentences the author inserts Ruso's thoughts on what his hateful ex-wife would have said.
In each small scene, the narrator continually talks about visual details (such as a badly decorated wall, mice in the house, shouting and shouting in the street) which are too many, not relevant to the mystery and lengthen the same scene by pages and pages... they become not only useless but also irritating.
This was the trick I used at school, when the essay I wrote was too short and I didn't know what else to write.
Dear author, have you done the same thing? Disappointing and annoying !
- DIALOGUES : It is clear that a novel set in ancient times, to be read easily by readers, must have a non-archaic writing style and dialogues close to today's way of speaking.
But now I ask : since when did Roman legionaries talk to each other using words like "chaps" and expressions like "Right-oh" (British slang that I only found in modern cozy mysteries set around the 1920s)???
And the following sentence: "Hey, mister! Got a penny, mister?"
... A PENNY ???????????????
Since when did the Romans have pennies in their coins??
I won't add any further comments on the matter, better not.
I accept the modernity of language which makes reading the book lighter and more entertaining for me, but I think that an author must set limits and check whether the type of language is suitable for that era and that people or if it clashes with the whole context, just like a jarring note!
Another thing that seemed out of place to me was the continuous knocking on the door and opening the doorknob, in one scene the slave comes back with her candle in her hand, knocks on the door and stops on the threshold. Well, it looks to me like a scene with a maid in the Victorian era.
The first historical evidence of the use of actual candles dates back to the 8th century ( Wikipedia ) and I have never seen films and TV series set in the first century AD where people walked around with candles in their hands... they are usually seen torches on the walls and people walking around with torches.
- MYSTERY AND INVESTIGATION: Almost non-existent.
We have the first suspicious death at the beginning of the book, but even if Ruso is immediately hesitant about the fact that it is an accident and puts forward the hypothesis that it is murder, in fact he only asks a couple of questions around and the whole story is a continuation of patient visits by Ruso. Except for one, none of these patients are relevant to the mystery, they are just part of Ruso's daily life.
Well it's nice to know the character's daily routine, but here we have his life described minute by minute, day after day, from breakfast, to the nights, from all chats with his friend, to the questions he asks himself on his mind and to a thousand other silly things. ..
A book full of thin air!
Only 70% of the way through the story do we have more questions and only in the last chapters do we see a little movement in the story and then the solution (nothing sensational).
- HISTORICAL DETAILS : Same thing as before, i.e. almost non-existent.
Just a mention of the death of Emperor Trajan and the succession of Hadrian.
There is also mention of the Roman baths (that is, the slaves of a bar/brothel go to the baths, nothing else).
______________________
Maybe the following books in the series are better documented, but I think the writing style remains the same and it's not for me, I absolutely don't feel like going on with the series.
I will try other mysteries with the same setting, but by other authors.
So far, the truly well-documented and compelling historical fictions are those of the Italian writer Valerio Massimo Manfredi.
Thank you for reading my opinion and please forgive my English, it's not my native language, I am from Italy (and I live in a town founded by Romans! :-) )
It took me forever to finish it and I wouldn't read the other books in the series even if I was paid to do so!
The plot on the back cover was promising and together the length of the book ( 400 pages ) made one think of a masterfully conceived mystery full of historical details.
___ PLOT ___ (Britannia, the era in which Hadrian had just succeeded Trajan as emperor, the writer does not say it, but we are in 117 AD)
A serial killer is on the loose in Roman-occupied Britain, and Gaius Petreius Ruso is out to catch him... if he isn't killed first.
The Gods are not smiling on army doctor Gaius Petreius Ruso in his new posting in Britannia. He has vast debts, long shifts, and an overbearing hospital administrator to deal with . . .
After the news of a woman's body fished from the river and after having saved a slave from the mistreatment of her master, Ruso, the doctor of the XX Legion finds himself, despite himself, wanting to shed light on the events.
__________________
This could have been an enjoyable read of a cozy mystery (or an enjoyable historical fiction to read, if well detailed historically speaking) set among the Roman legionaries in Britain.
Instead it's a cozy mystery (nothing bad, I love them, but at least they're shorter, quicker reads) stretched out with "thin air", no historical details except the name of the emperor at the time and maybe the name of the place (Deva), where the investigation is only a couple of questions up to 75% of the book, where the author inserts any idle talk except to focus on the mystery.
I think : if you don't know how to write a mystery, write something else, if you don't know historical notions and if you don't do some research before writing a historical novel, then write a contemporary one!
I really liked the main character, the Medicus Ruso and his friend/colleague Valens, unfortunately the story is a continuous digression on useless details that serve no purpose in the story; repetitive speeches about our "hero's" past, entire chapters in which the main character repeats the same question and the narrator continues to say that it is not answered; a modern dialogue among Romans that goes beyond the limit of the acceptable, catapulting the reader onto a 1920s cozy mystery book and sometimes on a Victorian movie set, certainly jarring in the Roman Empire era!
---> WHAT I LIKED ABOUT THE MAIN CHARACTER :
- Gaius Petreius Ruso : I liked him as a character, because he is not the classic hero of flawless books, he is a good person, full of troubles to solve who would like to live in peace without finding more problems.
The beautiful part of his way of being is that he cannot ignore his conscience, his profession is what it should be even nowadays: a vocation and a mission.
He knows perfectly well that by meddling in other people's business he will find trouble, he doesn't want to do that, but his good heart doesn't allow him to ignore all the bad things around him.
While other negative reviews have described him as boring, I say that he is not at all: it's true, the brilliant way he behaves in society and the always ready joke belong to his nice and handsome colleague Valens, but Ruso, in his way of acting calm, serious and sometimes gruff, he throws his ironic jokes (or thinks them) with great mastery.
This cute character is the only reason I rounded the rating up to 3 stars.
---> WHAT I DIDEN'T LIKE ABOUT WRITING STYLE, DIALOGUES and MYSTERY :
- WRITING STYLE : I usually like descriptions that give an idea of the place, the time in which the story takes place, the type of life the characters lead and their way of being.
I know that this is the first book in a series and I also know that the writer had never been a writer before, but the publisher and other people should have realized that it's like too much of a good thing ( How do they say ? "Less is more" !!! )
Throughout the first half of the book the author continues to repeat about Ruso's debts inherited from his father, every 3 sentences the author inserts Ruso's thoughts on what his hateful ex-wife would have said.
In each small scene, the narrator continually talks about visual details (such as a badly decorated wall, mice in the house, shouting and shouting in the street) which are too many, not relevant to the mystery and lengthen the same scene by pages and pages... they become not only useless but also irritating.
This was the trick I used at school, when the essay I wrote was too short and I didn't know what else to write.
Dear author, have you done the same thing? Disappointing and annoying !
- DIALOGUES : It is clear that a novel set in ancient times, to be read easily by readers, must have a non-archaic writing style and dialogues close to today's way of speaking.
But now I ask : since when did Roman legionaries talk to each other using words like "chaps" and expressions like "Right-oh" (British slang that I only found in modern cozy mysteries set around the 1920s)???
And the following sentence: "Hey, mister! Got a penny, mister?"
... A PENNY ???????????????
Since when did the Romans have pennies in their coins??
I won't add any further comments on the matter, better not.
I accept the modernity of language which makes reading the book lighter and more entertaining for me, but I think that an author must set limits and check whether the type of language is suitable for that era and that people or if it clashes with the whole context, just like a jarring note!
Another thing that seemed out of place to me was the continuous knocking on the door and opening the doorknob, in one scene the slave comes back with her candle in her hand, knocks on the door and stops on the threshold. Well, it looks to me like a scene with a maid in the Victorian era.
The first historical evidence of the use of actual candles dates back to the 8th century ( Wikipedia ) and I have never seen films and TV series set in the first century AD where people walked around with candles in their hands... they are usually seen torches on the walls and people walking around with torches.
- MYSTERY AND INVESTIGATION: Almost non-existent.
We have the first suspicious death at the beginning of the book, but even if Ruso is immediately hesitant about the fact that it is an accident and puts forward the hypothesis that it is murder, in fact he only asks a couple of questions around and the whole story is a continuation of patient visits by Ruso. Except for one, none of these patients are relevant to the mystery, they are just part of Ruso's daily life.
Well it's nice to know the character's daily routine, but here we have his life described minute by minute, day after day, from breakfast, to the nights, from all chats with his friend, to the questions he asks himself on his mind and to a thousand other silly things. ..
A book full of thin air!
Only 70% of the way through the story do we have more questions and only in the last chapters do we see a little movement in the story and then the solution (nothing sensational).
- HISTORICAL DETAILS : Same thing as before, i.e. almost non-existent.
Just a mention of the death of Emperor Trajan and the succession of Hadrian.
There is also mention of the Roman baths (that is, the slaves of a bar/brothel go to the baths, nothing else).
______________________
Maybe the following books in the series are better documented, but I think the writing style remains the same and it's not for me, I absolutely don't feel like going on with the series.
I will try other mysteries with the same setting, but by other authors.
So far, the truly well-documented and compelling historical fictions are those of the Italian writer Valerio Massimo Manfredi.
Thank you for reading my opinion and please forgive my English, it's not my native language, I am from Italy (and I live in a town founded by Romans! :-) )
April 25, 2023
Not sure how I feel about this one, it's the first in a series of eight and is about a Roman doctor serving in the Roman Army stationed in Britain. Ruso is his name and he has an utterly miserable life, newly arrived from a posting in Africa, Britain is a great culture shock, then there's his quarters. He shares with another doctor called Valens who is a right slob (and that's putting it kindly) Ruso has.no money or possessions due to some serious family issues, he actually has to take.out loans and advances in his.pay in order to send money home. His work is his only solace and that can be pretty depressing, medicine in the Roman times was not very advanced and outposts in the edge of the empire were not the best equipped. Then we have Tilla, she is a slave rescued from certain death by Ruso she is a native of the Briggantes tribe and after her home was attacked she was taken prisoner and sold as a slave. When Ruso runs across her she is lying almost dead in the street, Ruso argues with himself not to get involved but ends up buying her and then sneaking her into.one of the hospital beds while he tries to heal her, Tilla and her adapting to Ruso and his home are The best bits of The book for me. The crux of the story is this Ruso is just trying to get through his time in the army as easily as he can but the fates have other ideas. There's a dead girl.found in the river and the body is brought to the hospital.where Ruso examines her, he's only trying to find someway to identify her. Then he hears talk of another girl who disappeared months before. Next thing he's got soldiers coming up to him asking if he's the one investigating the deaths, despite his denials word spreads, some people think he should keep.his nose out of things that don't concern him others that he's trying to cause trouble. Ruso just wants to be left alone to do his job, worry about how.to help.his.impoverished family, and what he's going to do.with a slave.........who everyone wants to help him sell................I said at the beginning I'm not sure about this book, it is well written the story flows well but it is quite depressing and dreary i can't think of one bright spot in the book and some of the reviews described it as humerous, (which was one of its selling points for me) . Amazon were doing one of their deals.so.I got the whole series for a really good price so will read book two before I make a final decision. In summary good story just a bit too despondent.............
January 10, 2018
I'm a bit of a Roman detective nut (shocking, I know), and have read several such series. I usually jump from one series to the next, interspersing with Urban Fantasy or non-fiction reading. I read this whole series front-to-back without pause, which should give you an indication of how much I loved it.
My reviews tend to focus on setting readers' expectations rather than rehashing blurbs or plot summaries. I hope this is useful to you.
You can see my review for the whole series here.
What to Expect
Ruso is a physician, serving as a medic in Rome's Legio XX stationed in Britannia at the start of Hadrian's reign. Ruso is reluctantly (he's a doctor, dammit, not an investigator!) dragged to solve a murder no one else wants to take a close look at. Things naturally become much more complicated than anyone expects, and Ruso is both aided and frustrated by his native housekeeper Tilla.
What I liked
The absolute charm of the writing. All characters are fully fleshed, believable, with their own motivations. The writing is witty, the setting is rich, the plot thought-out, and the mysteries engaging.
These are the kind of books where you care for the characters. Downie has a knack to depict the world-views of the characters realistically, switching viewpoints from a Roman medical officer to a British peasant woman. It is clear that each character - from main to support cast - is a fully realised person, with their own agendas and biases.
The plot of the stories grips you till can't put the book down. Downie is masterfully weaving the investigations through sub-plots, distractions, daily lives, grand events - till you just have to know what happens next. Ruso may be a reluctant investigator, but he has that nagging voice in his head when things don't quite fit well, and it keeps him following and digging for the truth. Tilla has her own sense of fairness, and views on what makes the world tick.
Downie locates each book in a different town, mostly around Roman Britain - this one set in Deva (Chester), and future volumes in other places. Downie has clearly done her research, and each location comes alive with the latest modern archaeological understanding of life there seeping through her writing.
What to be aware of
These aren't the noir mysteries I normally read and recommend. While there are certainly some gruesome bits (did I mention combat medic?), these aren't your typical first-person hard-boiled detective. Rather, the stories are told in a lighter vein, in third person perspective from either Ruso or Tilla's POV (only a few scenes in the early novels, with more Tilla-time as the series progresses)
Ms Downie has experience with archaeology and Latin history, and it shows in her writing. She has elected to translate most Latin terms into modern English (e.g. calling a master 'my lord' rather then 'domine', or using 'doctor' for physician), which may sound a tad weird to those used to Latin terms from similar series.
Be aware that while it's not strictly necessary to read the books in order, it certainly helps. This is the perfect place to start reading.
Summary
I absolutely love this series. I have no idea why it took me so long to get back to it, but I am glad I did. I devoured most of the books over my holidays. which made for a very enjoyable immersive 'trip' to ancient Roman Britain.
The only 'problem' I have with giving this book its much-deserved five-stars, is that the series gets even better!
--
Assaph Mehr, author of Murder In Absentia: A story of Togas, Daggers, and Magic - for lovers of Ancient Rome, Murder Mysteries, and Urban Fantasy.
My reviews tend to focus on setting readers' expectations rather than rehashing blurbs or plot summaries. I hope this is useful to you.
You can see my review for the whole series here.
What to Expect
Ruso is a physician, serving as a medic in Rome's Legio XX stationed in Britannia at the start of Hadrian's reign. Ruso is reluctantly (he's a doctor, dammit, not an investigator!) dragged to solve a murder no one else wants to take a close look at. Things naturally become much more complicated than anyone expects, and Ruso is both aided and frustrated by his native housekeeper Tilla.
What I liked
The absolute charm of the writing. All characters are fully fleshed, believable, with their own motivations. The writing is witty, the setting is rich, the plot thought-out, and the mysteries engaging.
These are the kind of books where you care for the characters. Downie has a knack to depict the world-views of the characters realistically, switching viewpoints from a Roman medical officer to a British peasant woman. It is clear that each character - from main to support cast - is a fully realised person, with their own agendas and biases.
The plot of the stories grips you till can't put the book down. Downie is masterfully weaving the investigations through sub-plots, distractions, daily lives, grand events - till you just have to know what happens next. Ruso may be a reluctant investigator, but he has that nagging voice in his head when things don't quite fit well, and it keeps him following and digging for the truth. Tilla has her own sense of fairness, and views on what makes the world tick.
Downie locates each book in a different town, mostly around Roman Britain - this one set in Deva (Chester), and future volumes in other places. Downie has clearly done her research, and each location comes alive with the latest modern archaeological understanding of life there seeping through her writing.
What to be aware of
These aren't the noir mysteries I normally read and recommend. While there are certainly some gruesome bits (did I mention combat medic?), these aren't your typical first-person hard-boiled detective. Rather, the stories are told in a lighter vein, in third person perspective from either Ruso or Tilla's POV (only a few scenes in the early novels, with more Tilla-time as the series progresses)
Ms Downie has experience with archaeology and Latin history, and it shows in her writing. She has elected to translate most Latin terms into modern English (e.g. calling a master 'my lord' rather then 'domine', or using 'doctor' for physician), which may sound a tad weird to those used to Latin terms from similar series.
Be aware that while it's not strictly necessary to read the books in order, it certainly helps. This is the perfect place to start reading.
Summary
I absolutely love this series. I have no idea why it took me so long to get back to it, but I am glad I did. I devoured most of the books over my holidays. which made for a very enjoyable immersive 'trip' to ancient Roman Britain.
The only 'problem' I have with giving this book its much-deserved five-stars, is that the series gets even better!
--
Assaph Mehr, author of Murder In Absentia: A story of Togas, Daggers, and Magic - for lovers of Ancient Rome, Murder Mysteries, and Urban Fantasy.
August 9, 2014
The mysteries in this series are all set in the time of Trajan/Hadrian, in Roman Britain (Britannia). I loved the characters of Ruso, the overworked, compassionate Roman military doctor and Tilla, his British housekeeper. Some of the dry humor is laugh-out-loud; this book is a fast read, but bears rereading to wallow in the characters' interplay. I loved Ruso's interior thoughts. The mystery was a perhaps secondary, but necessary plot device.
Ruso's personality seems to me like a cross between the personalities of Arthur Dent and Eeyore, if such a thing is possible. Valens, Ruso's devious (but basically good-hearted) doctor roommate and friend reminds me so much of M*A*S*H's Hawkeye Pierce. The beer barrel in the kitchen -- from one of Valens's grateful British patients perhaps? -- brought to mind the liquor still in the 'Swamp', Hawkeye's tent quarters. I've read and own the other 4 books in the series and am eagerly awaiting #5.
In January 2013 I received #5 in the series, Semper Fidelis; it's just as delightful as the previous 4. Semper Fidelis
In August 2014 I received and read #6, Tabula Rasa. This is one of Downie's best yet [except for the ghastly cover!]
The contents inside were what interested me, though.
Ruso's personality seems to me like a cross between the personalities of Arthur Dent and Eeyore, if such a thing is possible. Valens, Ruso's devious (but basically good-hearted) doctor roommate and friend reminds me so much of M*A*S*H's Hawkeye Pierce. The beer barrel in the kitchen -- from one of Valens's grateful British patients perhaps? -- brought to mind the liquor still in the 'Swamp', Hawkeye's tent quarters. I've read and own the other 4 books in the series and am eagerly awaiting #5.
In January 2013 I received #5 in the series, Semper Fidelis; it's just as delightful as the previous 4. Semper Fidelis
In August 2014 I received and read #6, Tabula Rasa. This is one of Downie's best yet [except for the ghastly cover!]
The contents inside were what interested me, though.
January 26, 2022
Medicus and the Disappearing Dancing Girls is the first book in a Roman-era gently comical historical mystery series about an army doctor posted to Brittania and his stroppy slave girl Tilla. It was originally published in 2007; I picked it up from a book fair in 2013 and it’s been sitting on my “to-read” bookcase ever since. This year I’m trying to read more treebooks, so picked it somewhat at random. I was interested in learning more about the medical treatments of the time, but this focussed more on the hero’s domestic, financial and career dramas and a rather jumbled murder investigation.
Gaius Petrius Ruso is a recently divorced army surgeon whose charming but lazy friend has persuaded to move to Deva (=Chester) to work with him at the 20th legion’s base hospital and share his house. After drinking a little too much wine post night shift, he intervenes to stop a slave trader beating a skinny young British woman with a broken arm - and ends up buying her. Unable to keep her at the hospital, he persuades a local madam to lodge her in a brothel, and learns that two employees have recently gone missing - and is one found dead in the river. Also Ruso wants is to write the textbook that will make him rich and find something decent to eat for dinner, but with a never ending queue of patients, an uptight hospital administrator watching his every move and all the locals convinced he’s the man to solve the murder, he’s going to be kept very busy indeed…
This had a great premise but suffered from a slow pace, too many boring details about irrelevant things, not enough medicine for a book about a doctor, and cheesy dialogue that sounded like an episode of Eastenders. I liked the snippets of information about Roman army life and what they were doing in Britain, but the mystery wasn’t that interesting, and I didn’t really care about either main character. There are some dark elements - rape of a minor & forced sexual slavery are referred to obliquely and a dog is killed “off-camera” but there’s also plenty of wry humour. Repeatedly hearing about Ruso’s financial woes got tedious, and we learn little about Tilla’s background or how she ended up becoming a slave. I believe this was the author’s first novel, so might consider reading another if I find one going cheap, as there are seven more in the series - so I presume they must improve.
Gaius Petrius Ruso is a recently divorced army surgeon whose charming but lazy friend has persuaded to move to Deva (=Chester) to work with him at the 20th legion’s base hospital and share his house. After drinking a little too much wine post night shift, he intervenes to stop a slave trader beating a skinny young British woman with a broken arm - and ends up buying her. Unable to keep her at the hospital, he persuades a local madam to lodge her in a brothel, and learns that two employees have recently gone missing - and is one found dead in the river. Also Ruso wants is to write the textbook that will make him rich and find something decent to eat for dinner, but with a never ending queue of patients, an uptight hospital administrator watching his every move and all the locals convinced he’s the man to solve the murder, he’s going to be kept very busy indeed…
This had a great premise but suffered from a slow pace, too many boring details about irrelevant things, not enough medicine for a book about a doctor, and cheesy dialogue that sounded like an episode of Eastenders. I liked the snippets of information about Roman army life and what they were doing in Britain, but the mystery wasn’t that interesting, and I didn’t really care about either main character. There are some dark elements - rape of a minor & forced sexual slavery are referred to obliquely and a dog is killed “off-camera” but there’s also plenty of wry humour. Repeatedly hearing about Ruso’s financial woes got tedious, and we learn little about Tilla’s background or how she ended up becoming a slave. I believe this was the author’s first novel, so might consider reading another if I find one going cheap, as there are seven more in the series - so I presume they must improve.
February 12, 2009
...The back cover made it sound so interesting and original - like a historical fiction mystery with men in short tunics with great senses of humor. It's really about a lonely, rather boring medicus (doctor) for the Roman Empire stationed overseas who stumbles upon a whorehouse, a couple of missing girls, and some bad oysters. Of course in the mix there is a beautiful, resilient, implausible slave girl - who was possibly once royalty or a healer or ???. Did I mention the doctor is in debt trying to save the family farm which conveniently lends itself to extortion?
The first 100 pages had me nearly comatose as our characters were painfully developed. Then the plot kicked in and had me guessing for a few minutes, until the introduction of a newish character who, to me,was clearly killer. I spent the last 50 pages waiting for the happy ending because well, everything else ended up neatly so why not the doc and the slave girl?
In the end it was tolerable but not something I'd recommend.
The first 100 pages had me nearly comatose as our characters were painfully developed. Then the plot kicked in and had me guessing for a few minutes, until the introduction of a newish character who, to me,was clearly killer. I spent the last 50 pages waiting for the happy ending because well, everything else ended up neatly so why not the doc and the slave girl?
In the end it was tolerable but not something I'd recommend.
February 6, 2010
I loved this book! Our hero, Medicus, a doctor in ancient Roman-occupied Britain, is a fascinating and totally lovable guy. The book jacket compares him to young Harrison Ford, and I think that's perfect--surly, oblivious to his own charm, professional, and totally adorable underneath a mildly prickly exterior. The writing somehow makes it easy to imagine living in Deva, Brittania (an area in a period I know nothing about) and all the characters are well-written and very engaging. I am really looking forward to the sequel, Terra Incognita, and any further adventures of Gaius Petreius Ruso.
January 19, 2011
What's a doc to do?
Father has died leaving debts. Brother has a very fertile wife. Stepmother is a bit of a over shopper. The less said about the ex-wife the better. And now, here he is at the end of the world.
Okay, Roman Britian.
But they dress werid.
Oh, and dead girls seem to like him.
Is this the best mystery I've ever read? No. But it's not the worst either. There are some wonderful touches of humor and the world feels real. It's a nice diverting read.
Father has died leaving debts. Brother has a very fertile wife. Stepmother is a bit of a over shopper. The less said about the ex-wife the better. And now, here he is at the end of the world.
Okay, Roman Britian.
But they dress werid.
Oh, and dead girls seem to like him.
Is this the best mystery I've ever read? No. But it's not the worst either. There are some wonderful touches of humor and the world feels real. It's a nice diverting read.
July 15, 2017
Fantastic mystery about a Roman army Medic (Ruso) that just can let things rest when he sees a problem, injustice or human cruelty. Loved this and am glad that there are 6 more in the series to read.
February 27, 2017
A while back, I tried to get into the much-acclaimed Marcus Didius Falco series, and just couldn't. So, when I saw this book on sale as an Audible Daily Deal, I thought for a couple of bucks, why not? Turned out a wise move.
I bonded with "Medicus" (Doctor) Gaius Ruso as a character right away, nice guy in the wrong place at the wrong time. Downie does an excellent job of showing that everything old is new again, at one point having Ruso go through the frustration of getting the hospital administrator to approve payment for a patient's eye operation by a London specialist. The mystery angle pretty much stayed in the background until the end of the book, with the focus on life in Roman Britain. Though it was a long book, things never felt bogged down; the comedic aspect were never over-the-top either.
Simon Vance's narration was a perfect fit for the material - can't wait to listen to the sequel!
I bonded with "Medicus" (Doctor) Gaius Ruso as a character right away, nice guy in the wrong place at the wrong time. Downie does an excellent job of showing that everything old is new again, at one point having Ruso go through the frustration of getting the hospital administrator to approve payment for a patient's eye operation by a London specialist. The mystery angle pretty much stayed in the background until the end of the book, with the focus on life in Roman Britain. Though it was a long book, things never felt bogged down; the comedic aspect were never over-the-top either.
Simon Vance's narration was a perfect fit for the material - can't wait to listen to the sequel!
August 15, 2017
To da su povijesni romani jedan od mojih omiljenih žanrova već (više-manje) svi znate, ali ipak ću to ponoviti i to kako bih naglasila da sam upravo zbog toga što ih često čitam poprilično izbirljiva kad se radi o istima. Često se dogodi da se „provjereni“ autori povijesnih romana previše „zaigraju“ pa umjesto na povijesne događaje, naglasak romana stave na romantiku i ljubavnu priču.. E to ne volim i u tom slučaju često i prestajem s čitanjem.
Mislim, nemam ja ništa protiv romantike i ljubavnih priča „in general“, ali smatram da u povijesnim romanima naglasak ne treba biti na tom aspektu..(osim, naravno, ako se ne radi o povijesnim ljubićima, ali to je opet priča za sebe 💘 ).
S autoricom Ruth Downie prvi puta sam se susrela upravo sada, čitajući „Medicusa“ pa nisam znala što očekivati i na koji će način ona pristupiti pripovijedanju povijesnih događaja.
I odmah vam mogu reći da je žena to odlično izvela! U izvrsno opisani povijesni kontekst uplela je kriminalističku priču s elementima ljubavne, ali s time da niti jedna niti druga nisu u prvom planu. Odlično! Iako radnja počinje s obdukcijom ubijene žene (mislim da će mnogima, kao što je to bilo i meni biti jako zanimljivo čitati kako su se obdukcije vršile u ta davna vremena budući da su „moderne“ obdukcije, u zadnje, toliko prisutne i u knjigama i u filmovima da bi ih, maltene mogli sami izvesti 😉 ) ovdje nad autorica lagano uvodi u priču, stranicu po stranicu, tako da nam roman postaje sve zanimljiviji što ga više čitamo (za razliku od onih romana koji već na prvih par stranica imaju neki bombastični događaj koji „povuče“ na čitanje).
Ovdje je ritam umjereniji, ali nikako ne usporen ili nezanimljiv jer se u tim počecima upoznajemo s likovima, na čelu s glavnim junakom, Gajem Petrijem Rusom- Medicusom i atmosferom jedne od najudaljenijih i najmanje razvijenih rimskih kolonija- Britannijom.
Da, da…radi se upravo o današnjoj Velikoj Britaniji koju pamtimo kao najveću kolonijalnu silu, ali, eto, godinama prije nego što su Britanci kolonizirali „pola svijeta“ i oni su bili kolonija što im, naravno, nije lako padalo, a to kako su doživljavali Rimljane ( i Rimljani „domoroce“) također je jako dobro prikazano u romanu.
Već sam spomenula „ta davna vremena“ no da preciziram, radnja se odvija u gradići imena Deva (današnji Chester), anno Domini 117. u doba cara Trajana tj. Hadrijana koji ga nasljeđuje nakon smrti. Uglavnom, tada „naš“ Medicus dolazi na dužnost u taj „najneciviliziraniji“ dio Rimskog carstva, a on je jedan lik, pa, moglo bi se reći prilično „ispred svog vremena“; naime, sav je pravičan, pun empatije (ok, liječnik je, ali ipak..), ne može okrenuti glavu od nepravde ma koliko to (ponekad) i sam želio, iako bi trebao liječiti samo legionare, on priskače u pomoć i civilima pa čak i lokalnom stanovništvu (što je tada bilo, onako, nezamislivo..).
I upravo zbog ovih nabrojanih karakteristika, već pri samom početku radnje, Medicus kupuje ozlijeđenu robinju (koju namjerava izliječiti i prodati), a koja će se pokazati kako jedno vrlo svojeglavo i interesantno stvorenje. Istodobno iz lokalne gostionice/javne kuće počinju nestajati djevojke pa naš glavni junak, uprkos savjetima svih oko sebe, počinje i to istraživati tako da se tim njegovim aktivnostima bavi onaj „krimi“ dio romana. A položaj robinja, kao i inače, bio je jako te��ak, pogotovo onih prisiljenih na prostituciju: „Ni zakonodavstvo ni vojska nisu pružali nadu odbjeglim robinjama čiji su vlasnici očekivali od njih da rade kao prostitutke. Imale su samo tri mogućnosti: suradnju, samoubojstvo i bijeg. A, ako bi bijeg kobno završio, činio se da gotovo nitko nije mario.“ (osim, naravno, našeg Medicusa :) ). Svašta će se nešto otkriti tijekom njegovih istraživanja nestanka djevojaka, cijelo klupko organiziranog kriminala i prostitucije, ali ja vam to sad sigurno neću prepričavati (i „spojlati“).
Mislim da ste (više-manje) shvatili o čemu se radi u knjizi ( i o kakvoj se knjizi radi 😉 ) pa ću ja još samo istaknuti nešto što mi se posebno svidjelo, a to je opis likova. Likovi su tako super prikazani, čak i oni koji imaju totalno sporedne uloge i pojavljuju se možda jednom ili dva puta tijekom radnje. 🔝Autorica odlično izvede tu karakterizaciju, bilo da se radi samo o rečenici-dvije opisa lika, ili nekoj njegovoj izjavi popraćenoj kratkim komentarom, čitatelj odmah točno shvaća o kakvoj je osobi riječ i, nerijetko si tu osobu može vizualno predočiti (to, pretpostavljam, mnogi radimo tijekom čitanja). Time likovi vrlo brzo „ožive“ što, barem meni, čini daljnje praćenje radnje još boljim i ugodnijim.
„Medicus“ je prva knjiga iz serijala o Gaju Petriju Rusu, ali može se bez problema samostalno čitati jer ima svoj početak i kraj i niti jedno pitanje ne ostaje bez odgovora. Da nisam to kasnije vidjela ili čula, ne bih niti pretpostavila da se radi o serijalu, iako, naravno, uvijek možemo pratiti daljnje događaje određenih likova. A likovi koje sam ovdje upoznala, baš bih rado dalje pratila tako da se veselim i sljedećim knjigama koje su, kažu iz Lumena, u planu za izdavanje.
Od mene toliko, a da li ćete se i vi družiti s „Medicusom“ i ekipom oko njega- odluka je na vama.
Mislim, nemam ja ništa protiv romantike i ljubavnih priča „in general“, ali smatram da u povijesnim romanima naglasak ne treba biti na tom aspektu..(osim, naravno, ako se ne radi o povijesnim ljubićima, ali to je opet priča za sebe 💘 ).
S autoricom Ruth Downie prvi puta sam se susrela upravo sada, čitajući „Medicusa“ pa nisam znala što očekivati i na koji će način ona pristupiti pripovijedanju povijesnih događaja.
I odmah vam mogu reći da je žena to odlično izvela! U izvrsno opisani povijesni kontekst uplela je kriminalističku priču s elementima ljubavne, ali s time da niti jedna niti druga nisu u prvom planu. Odlično! Iako radnja počinje s obdukcijom ubijene žene (mislim da će mnogima, kao što je to bilo i meni biti jako zanimljivo čitati kako su se obdukcije vršile u ta davna vremena budući da su „moderne“ obdukcije, u zadnje, toliko prisutne i u knjigama i u filmovima da bi ih, maltene mogli sami izvesti 😉 ) ovdje nad autorica lagano uvodi u priču, stranicu po stranicu, tako da nam roman postaje sve zanimljiviji što ga više čitamo (za razliku od onih romana koji već na prvih par stranica imaju neki bombastični događaj koji „povuče“ na čitanje).
Ovdje je ritam umjereniji, ali nikako ne usporen ili nezanimljiv jer se u tim počecima upoznajemo s likovima, na čelu s glavnim junakom, Gajem Petrijem Rusom- Medicusom i atmosferom jedne od najudaljenijih i najmanje razvijenih rimskih kolonija- Britannijom.
Da, da…radi se upravo o današnjoj Velikoj Britaniji koju pamtimo kao najveću kolonijalnu silu, ali, eto, godinama prije nego što su Britanci kolonizirali „pola svijeta“ i oni su bili kolonija što im, naravno, nije lako padalo, a to kako su doživljavali Rimljane ( i Rimljani „domoroce“) također je jako dobro prikazano u romanu.
Već sam spomenula „ta davna vremena“ no da preciziram, radnja se odvija u gradići imena Deva (današnji Chester), anno Domini 117. u doba cara Trajana tj. Hadrijana koji ga nasljeđuje nakon smrti. Uglavnom, tada „naš“ Medicus dolazi na dužnost u taj „najneciviliziraniji“ dio Rimskog carstva, a on je jedan lik, pa, moglo bi se reći prilično „ispred svog vremena“; naime, sav je pravičan, pun empatije (ok, liječnik je, ali ipak..), ne može okrenuti glavu od nepravde ma koliko to (ponekad) i sam želio, iako bi trebao liječiti samo legionare, on priskače u pomoć i civilima pa čak i lokalnom stanovništvu (što je tada bilo, onako, nezamislivo..).
I upravo zbog ovih nabrojanih karakteristika, već pri samom početku radnje, Medicus kupuje ozlijeđenu robinju (koju namjerava izliječiti i prodati), a koja će se pokazati kako jedno vrlo svojeglavo i interesantno stvorenje. Istodobno iz lokalne gostionice/javne kuće počinju nestajati djevojke pa naš glavni junak, uprkos savjetima svih oko sebe, počinje i to istraživati tako da se tim njegovim aktivnostima bavi onaj „krimi“ dio romana. A položaj robinja, kao i inače, bio je jako te��ak, pogotovo onih prisiljenih na prostituciju: „Ni zakonodavstvo ni vojska nisu pružali nadu odbjeglim robinjama čiji su vlasnici očekivali od njih da rade kao prostitutke. Imale su samo tri mogućnosti: suradnju, samoubojstvo i bijeg. A, ako bi bijeg kobno završio, činio se da gotovo nitko nije mario.“ (osim, naravno, našeg Medicusa :) ). Svašta će se nešto otkriti tijekom njegovih istraživanja nestanka djevojaka, cijelo klupko organiziranog kriminala i prostitucije, ali ja vam to sad sigurno neću prepričavati (i „spojlati“).
Mislim da ste (više-manje) shvatili o čemu se radi u knjizi ( i o kakvoj se knjizi radi 😉 ) pa ću ja još samo istaknuti nešto što mi se posebno svidjelo, a to je opis likova. Likovi su tako super prikazani, čak i oni koji imaju totalno sporedne uloge i pojavljuju se možda jednom ili dva puta tijekom radnje. 🔝Autorica odlično izvede tu karakterizaciju, bilo da se radi samo o rečenici-dvije opisa lika, ili nekoj njegovoj izjavi popraćenoj kratkim komentarom, čitatelj odmah točno shvaća o kakvoj je osobi riječ i, nerijetko si tu osobu može vizualno predočiti (to, pretpostavljam, mnogi radimo tijekom čitanja). Time likovi vrlo brzo „ožive“ što, barem meni, čini daljnje praćenje radnje još boljim i ugodnijim.
„Medicus“ je prva knjiga iz serijala o Gaju Petriju Rusu, ali može se bez problema samostalno čitati jer ima svoj početak i kraj i niti jedno pitanje ne ostaje bez odgovora. Da nisam to kasnije vidjela ili čula, ne bih niti pretpostavila da se radi o serijalu, iako, naravno, uvijek možemo pratiti daljnje događaje određenih likova. A likovi koje sam ovdje upoznala, baš bih rado dalje pratila tako da se veselim i sljedećim knjigama koje su, kažu iz Lumena, u planu za izdavanje.
Od mene toliko, a da li ćete se i vi družiti s „Medicusom“ i ekipom oko njega- odluka je na vama.
September 8, 2010
I was really thrilled when I finished this, because I was all like, “Yay! FINALLY ONE I DON’T HAVE TO KEEP!” Don’t get me wrong–this is an entertaining mystery, but it’s not one that I need to have in my collection, which means that I don’t have to pack it! OH JOY!
But I digress.
Ruso, a Roman military doctor, is stationed in Britain after a nasty divorce and the death of his feckless father. He’s burdened by debt (dad lived it up and paid on credit) and bummed out by the bad weather (he was stationed in Africa before, and now he’s stuck with British fog). Basically, he is strapped for cash and in a foul mood, but when he sees a slave owner mistreating a slave girl with an obviously-broken arm, he snaps and uses the rest of his cash to buy her at a bargain and then nurse her back to health. Which is altruistic and all, but since he doesn’t have the money to keep her, he “comes to his senses” and decides to sell her the second she can use her arm again.
Awww. How touching.
In the meantime, though, the town whores–who are also slaves–are going missing under mysterious and kinda gross circumstances. People tell Ruso not to investigate, but of course he investigates. And his slave, Tilla, starts making inquiries of her own.
I liked this for the simple reason that usually when I read books about Rome, they don’t really concentrate on what it would have been like to be an ordinary slave. People are often like, “Well, Roman slavery wasn’t that bad–you could eventually free yourself or even become a prominent member of society while still enslaved!” But those were the exceptions, not the rule. Downie does a good job of showing the full horror of what being owned by another human being entailed: not having the right to so much as leave the house unless given permission, being forced to work whether you were well or sick, being forced into prostitution if it suited your “master’s” purposes, and having no say in your future–a future dictated by the financial well-being and goodwill of your owner, not by anything you might do or say. I mean, all of those things are a big fat “duh,” but when writing about the Roman Empire, a lot of authors gloss them over.
Slavery differs from place to place and from time to time, but one fact never changes: as a slave, you’re subject to the whims and foibles of another, very fallible human being. And that never doesn’t suck.
Recommended for: If you like gritty mysteries, you’ll probably enjoy this.
But I digress.
Ruso, a Roman military doctor, is stationed in Britain after a nasty divorce and the death of his feckless father. He’s burdened by debt (dad lived it up and paid on credit) and bummed out by the bad weather (he was stationed in Africa before, and now he’s stuck with British fog). Basically, he is strapped for cash and in a foul mood, but when he sees a slave owner mistreating a slave girl with an obviously-broken arm, he snaps and uses the rest of his cash to buy her at a bargain and then nurse her back to health. Which is altruistic and all, but since he doesn’t have the money to keep her, he “comes to his senses” and decides to sell her the second she can use her arm again.
Awww. How touching.
In the meantime, though, the town whores–who are also slaves–are going missing under mysterious and kinda gross circumstances. People tell Ruso not to investigate, but of course he investigates. And his slave, Tilla, starts making inquiries of her own.
I liked this for the simple reason that usually when I read books about Rome, they don’t really concentrate on what it would have been like to be an ordinary slave. People are often like, “Well, Roman slavery wasn’t that bad–you could eventually free yourself or even become a prominent member of society while still enslaved!” But those were the exceptions, not the rule. Downie does a good job of showing the full horror of what being owned by another human being entailed: not having the right to so much as leave the house unless given permission, being forced to work whether you were well or sick, being forced into prostitution if it suited your “master’s” purposes, and having no say in your future–a future dictated by the financial well-being and goodwill of your owner, not by anything you might do or say. I mean, all of those things are a big fat “duh,” but when writing about the Roman Empire, a lot of authors gloss them over.
Slavery differs from place to place and from time to time, but one fact never changes: as a slave, you’re subject to the whims and foibles of another, very fallible human being. And that never doesn’t suck.
Recommended for: If you like gritty mysteries, you’ll probably enjoy this.
December 26, 2016
A highly enjoyable and very fast read in this first book of the Gaius Petreius Ruso series. Loved Medicus, and look forward to the rest of the books in the series. A supremely fast read of a book about 385 pages long with 79 chapters - so you can see the story really moves along and it was a real page turner for me.
This is a mystery series set in Roman times, with the hero being Ruso who is a doctor that is stationed in Great Britain for this book. He stumbles across a young slave girl being beaten in the town square and who obviously is unconscious and whom also has a fractured arm. He eventually buys the girl, and because he cannot communicate with her gives her the name Tilla. He also is involved with some corpses that are brought to his hospital and so he gets personally involved in trying to figure out who were the dead people and who killed them.
Love the authenticity of the book, and the author does a super job of detailing the hospital, the town and fort where it is located and the local customs of Britain and the way the Romans felt about the Brits and vice versa. Just an enjoyable read with a very satisfactory ending, and an ending that will keep me coming back for more!
This is a mystery series set in Roman times, with the hero being Ruso who is a doctor that is stationed in Great Britain for this book. He stumbles across a young slave girl being beaten in the town square and who obviously is unconscious and whom also has a fractured arm. He eventually buys the girl, and because he cannot communicate with her gives her the name Tilla. He also is involved with some corpses that are brought to his hospital and so he gets personally involved in trying to figure out who were the dead people and who killed them.
Love the authenticity of the book, and the author does a super job of detailing the hospital, the town and fort where it is located and the local customs of Britain and the way the Romans felt about the Brits and vice versa. Just an enjoyable read with a very satisfactory ending, and an ending that will keep me coming back for more!
May 10, 2014
Gaius Petreius Ruso has recently arrived in a cold and rainy Britannia. He is recently divorced and has suffered bad news about the death of his father, which has left him with a great deal of debt and an extended family to support. However, despite his new good intentions to obtain promotion and, hopefully, some wealthy paying patients, things do not seem to be starting well. Although he has pledged to live frugally, he somehow ends up buying a young slave girl, whose arm is badly injured and who is being brutally mistreated. As he is staying with his friend, and fellow doctor, Valens, this leaves him with a problem of where she can sleep and, eventually, he opts for the rather dubious location of Merula’s – a bar which seems to have rather carelessly lost two of its dancing girls, one of whom was recently hauled out of the river. To add to his problems, Ruso ends up making an enemy of the rather pedantic hospital administrator Optio Priscus and be rumoured to be investigating the death of Saufeia, even though he doesn’t really want to be involved.
This is the first mystery in the series and there is a lot of introducing the characters and setting. Ruso is a likeable enough lead character, who tries his best to make things right. It is fair to say that the authorities are not particularly eager, or worried, about the death of two dancing girls – but Ruso feels there is more to the mystery than he first realised. Why did one of the dancing girls run off, when she was supposedly in love with a soldier at the garrison? Why was another, surprisingly able to read and write, suggesting that she would not be there long before going missing and what is making certain customers at Merula’s ill? Ruso attempts to discover the truth, even without really wanting to, while trying to care for the unwilling new acquisition to his household, the beautiful young Tilla, stave off debt and try to get some sleep in between tending to patients.
Overall, this was an interesting mystery, although too much of the book seemed to be about introducing the characters and the storyline was a little slow to get going. Now that the characters of Ruso and Tilla are established, I wonder whether the second novel in the series will be faster paced. I would certainly give the second book a try, as this was a light and enjoyable read.
Rated 3.5
This is the first mystery in the series and there is a lot of introducing the characters and setting. Ruso is a likeable enough lead character, who tries his best to make things right. It is fair to say that the authorities are not particularly eager, or worried, about the death of two dancing girls – but Ruso feels there is more to the mystery than he first realised. Why did one of the dancing girls run off, when she was supposedly in love with a soldier at the garrison? Why was another, surprisingly able to read and write, suggesting that she would not be there long before going missing and what is making certain customers at Merula’s ill? Ruso attempts to discover the truth, even without really wanting to, while trying to care for the unwilling new acquisition to his household, the beautiful young Tilla, stave off debt and try to get some sleep in between tending to patients.
Overall, this was an interesting mystery, although too much of the book seemed to be about introducing the characters and the storyline was a little slow to get going. Now that the characters of Ruso and Tilla are established, I wonder whether the second novel in the series will be faster paced. I would certainly give the second book a try, as this was a light and enjoyable read.
Rated 3.5
February 11, 2018
Medicus is a story I've been meaning to read for a long time. I'm just glad I finally got around to this well written depiction of a Roman doctor of the Twentieth Legion who seems to have a gift for walking straight into trouble on the streets of Deva - modern day Chester. Gaius Petreius Ruso should know better than to get involved in anything going on in the streets of this outpost of the Roman army. Now he's saddled with a slave with a broken arm and she will most likely die before he can even attend to her injury. Since Tilla didn't die, Ruso needs to get her well enough to serve as his housekeeper until he can sell her. He certainly doesn't need a slave to worry about when his credit is so thinly stretch and his brother needs his financial contributions to keep the farm going back home. The best place Ruso can find for Tilla to recuperate is a bar/brothel. The problem with this place is that slave girls seem to keep disappearing from there. Did they run away or is the truth darker than that?
I love mystery novels of all types but Roman Britain especially appeals to me. Ruth Downie has given the character of Ruso just enough of everything I like: intelligence, morality, inquisitiveness, kindness and humor. I liked Tilla too, but I'm going to need to read more books in the series in order to have her personality unfold more for me. Ruso's roommate, Valens, another doctor, is a wonderful character who helps get Ruso in and out of trouble while keeping any of the damage from sticking to his reputation. Together the three of them promise to provide me with many hours of entertaining reading. I'm off to put the second book on my e-reader.
I love mystery novels of all types but Roman Britain especially appeals to me. Ruth Downie has given the character of Ruso just enough of everything I like: intelligence, morality, inquisitiveness, kindness and humor. I liked Tilla too, but I'm going to need to read more books in the series in order to have her personality unfold more for me. Ruso's roommate, Valens, another doctor, is a wonderful character who helps get Ruso in and out of trouble while keeping any of the damage from sticking to his reputation. Together the three of them promise to provide me with many hours of entertaining reading. I'm off to put the second book on my e-reader.
December 14, 2021
I've found a new series!!!! New mysteries, historical!! Never was a girl so happy. . . .Ruth Downie has brought me something to comfort my aching heart since all the Cadfael Chronicles have been read and re-read. . . .
This is the first Medicus: a crime novel of the Roman Empire and I enjoyed it. . . Gaius Petreius Ruso, is like Cadfael in that he is a healer, but the unlike the army Cadfael joined (God's), Gaius finds himself in the midst of the Romans on one of those inevitable roads that lead to . . . Rome. He coming from Gaul on some inspiring day in the 2nd Century AD, as one would if one wanted such a future.
Being the first book in a mystery series, bodies deceased are early encountered in his latest posting, Briton. He's not very likeable right off, a snooty sort, lots of judgments about the natives. But as the book moves on he sees the good in the people who come to him for help and healing, and as he unclenches, a reader can, too. He shows who he really is, and as an ambassador for the 2nd Century AD, for all things Roman, and a progressive who can see the value of diversity, a Reader discovers she's knee-deep in a great book!!!!
Yes. I will be reading the next one: Terra Incognita.
This is the first Medicus: a crime novel of the Roman Empire and I enjoyed it. . . Gaius Petreius Ruso, is like Cadfael in that he is a healer, but the unlike the army Cadfael joined (God's), Gaius finds himself in the midst of the Romans on one of those inevitable roads that lead to . . . Rome. He coming from Gaul on some inspiring day in the 2nd Century AD, as one would if one wanted such a future.
Being the first book in a mystery series, bodies deceased are early encountered in his latest posting, Briton. He's not very likeable right off, a snooty sort, lots of judgments about the natives. But as the book moves on he sees the good in the people who come to him for help and healing, and as he unclenches, a reader can, too. He shows who he really is, and as an ambassador for the 2nd Century AD, for all things Roman, and a progressive who can see the value of diversity, a Reader discovers she's knee-deep in a great book!!!!
Yes. I will be reading the next one: Terra Incognita.
March 21, 2019
Started out well, but about mid-way through I started to lose interest. So a little disappointed as it sounded like right down my alley, some medicine, history, and murder. I liked the MC alright, but the story could have wrapped up a lot sooner. It just started meandering through the plot, with lots of characters but not much development of the majority of those characters. Even the historical detail couldn't hold my interest. This is a first in a series, perhaps it improves with subsequent books.
Ruso "escaped" his failed marriage by taking a post as a Medicus in a remote Roman outpost in Briton. Missing, murdered & injured slave girls, problems in a local bar/brothel, along with a controlling hospital administrator take up most of his time. He takes an injured slave girl under his wing, although she doesn't seem very useful or grateful as he is pulled into trying to solve who has murdered or taken the other girls. Some lightness is brought into the story with Valens his colleague and housemate. It all seems haphazard at times.
Ruso "escaped" his failed marriage by taking a post as a Medicus in a remote Roman outpost in Briton. Missing, murdered & injured slave girls, problems in a local bar/brothel, along with a controlling hospital administrator take up most of his time. He takes an injured slave girl under his wing, although she doesn't seem very useful or grateful as he is pulled into trying to solve who has murdered or taken the other girls. Some lightness is brought into the story with Valens his colleague and housemate. It all seems haphazard at times.
January 23, 2020
3.5 stars
A good first installment. Ruso was amusing in his long-suffering-ness and I liked Tilla. My suspicions were pinned on the wrong character, as per usual. Simon Vance reads wonderfully, as always.
A good first installment. Ruso was amusing in his long-suffering-ness and I liked Tilla. My suspicions were pinned on the wrong character, as per usual. Simon Vance reads wonderfully, as always.
November 5, 2019
Tīri labs vēsturiskais detektīvs par Romas Impērijas norieta periodu, imperātora Adriana laiks, Britu salas. Interesantāks gan šķita nevis detektīvsižets,bet gan tā laika medicīnas metožu apraksts.
April 25, 2015
Looking forward to the next in the series!
Medicus and the Disappearing Dancing Girls is the first of a series of novels that follows the misfortunes of a Roman Army Medical Officer, Gaius Petreius Ruso, after his posting from the warm climes of North Africa to the dreary grey drizzle of Deva (pron. Dewa); that's modern day Chester.
Ruso is down on his luck and doesn't own much more than a few mounting debts. As well as trying to support his own life in the British garrison town, he is obliged to send funds home to his brother in southern Gaul lest his family find themselves destitute and homeless.
His medical colleague at the garrison hospital, who shares his squalid house with Ruso, takes life as it comes and has a wicked sense of humour, and is no help at all. Consequently, Ruso has very little support from anyone as he tries to traverse his difficult life. Almost by accident he finds himself burdened with further unmanageable debts, becomes the reluctant owner of an injured slave, Tilla, and is in continual conflict with the hospital administrator and many of the local Britons.
There are many reflections of twenty-first century society in this book, ranging from the financial and administrative pressures on the health service to the very serious issue of the white slave trade. I am sure that these parallels are deliberately drawn by the author to provoke the reader into thoughts beyond the main storyline.
Ruso becomes an unwilling detective, trying to track down the truth behind the disappearance of several dancing girls from the local brothel and bar. The story moves at a leisurely pace and, in the main, insinuates the brutality of the age rather than going into explicit detail.
I have always been a big fan of historical novels as, with conversations and images, they bring history to life around those dry, boring dates and names that I had to learn in the school classroom. Medicus does this for me and, at the same time, introduces some interesting characters whom I very much look forward to meeting again as the series unfolds. I strongly suspect that Ruso's slave, Tilla, will become his driving force.
This is an excellent detective story, and the links between Roman Britain and Modern Britain are particularly pleasing. I would recommend Medicus to anyone who enjoys a good historical fiction.
Medicus and the Disappearing Dancing Girls is the first of a series of novels that follows the misfortunes of a Roman Army Medical Officer, Gaius Petreius Ruso, after his posting from the warm climes of North Africa to the dreary grey drizzle of Deva (pron. Dewa); that's modern day Chester.
Ruso is down on his luck and doesn't own much more than a few mounting debts. As well as trying to support his own life in the British garrison town, he is obliged to send funds home to his brother in southern Gaul lest his family find themselves destitute and homeless.
His medical colleague at the garrison hospital, who shares his squalid house with Ruso, takes life as it comes and has a wicked sense of humour, and is no help at all. Consequently, Ruso has very little support from anyone as he tries to traverse his difficult life. Almost by accident he finds himself burdened with further unmanageable debts, becomes the reluctant owner of an injured slave, Tilla, and is in continual conflict with the hospital administrator and many of the local Britons.
There are many reflections of twenty-first century society in this book, ranging from the financial and administrative pressures on the health service to the very serious issue of the white slave trade. I am sure that these parallels are deliberately drawn by the author to provoke the reader into thoughts beyond the main storyline.
Ruso becomes an unwilling detective, trying to track down the truth behind the disappearance of several dancing girls from the local brothel and bar. The story moves at a leisurely pace and, in the main, insinuates the brutality of the age rather than going into explicit detail.
I have always been a big fan of historical novels as, with conversations and images, they bring history to life around those dry, boring dates and names that I had to learn in the school classroom. Medicus does this for me and, at the same time, introduces some interesting characters whom I very much look forward to meeting again as the series unfolds. I strongly suspect that Ruso's slave, Tilla, will become his driving force.
This is an excellent detective story, and the links between Roman Britain and Modern Britain are particularly pleasing. I would recommend Medicus to anyone who enjoys a good historical fiction.
April 20, 2018
It took me a while to get the humor in this book but once I did, I started to enjoy it. Gaius Petreius Ruso is a broke, divorced doctor serving the 20th legion, just arrived to the wilds of Britannia. He's extremely grumpy, always grumbling about not wanting to get involved in anybody's business, but at the end, he always does the right thing. And that's how I realized what a good and kind man he was. No matter what he said or thought, he would always go out of his way to help others, even when it wasn't comfortable for him.
The mystery of the murdered girls was almost a backdrop for Ruso's life at the hospital and his relationship with his recently acquired slave girl. Although he tried not to care, you can see in his behavior how much he really does. There is a lot of modern terminology in this book but it serves the humor in this book, which is a lot about what you would think of as modern problems in an ancient setting. When I got it, I chuckled quite a bit.
The narration by Simon Vance was outstanding of course. I'm not sure if I would have enjoyed it as much reading it in print.
The way the book ended made me want to pick up the next one up right away. I really want to see how things progress with Ruso and Tilla.
The mystery of the murdered girls was almost a backdrop for Ruso's life at the hospital and his relationship with his recently acquired slave girl. Although he tried not to care, you can see in his behavior how much he really does. There is a lot of modern terminology in this book but it serves the humor in this book, which is a lot about what you would think of as modern problems in an ancient setting. When I got it, I chuckled quite a bit.
The narration by Simon Vance was outstanding of course. I'm not sure if I would have enjoyed it as much reading it in print.
The way the book ended made me want to pick up the next one up right away. I really want to see how things progress with Ruso and Tilla.
June 22, 2008
I finished this late last week - it seemed slow to start, but it was a good read. I just had a hard time getting into it, as I'm currently reading a few books. I saw the sequel at the library, and the comments on the back about the first book made me want to give it a try - I'm glad I did. Interesting characters and great dialogue, LOL at times. I realize from the author's afterword that not much is known about Roman Britain, so I feel it's a bit unfair to criticize her historical accuracy as some reviewers did on Amazon. Having said that, since I know very little about the period myself, I found it very interesting to read about how much the Roman medicus' were able to do for their patients. I definitely saw the Hawkeye/Trapper John-type give-and-take between Ruso and his fellow doctor and housemate Valens. Albanus, Ruso's scribe, reminded me more than a little of Radar! It was a fun read, and once I REALLY got into it, about a third of the way through, I was glad I stuck with it. Ruso is a very appealing hero, and I will definitely give "Terra Incognita", the second in the series, a try.
September 14, 2019
2019 bk 292. Shout out to Goodreads reviewer Martin for introducing Medicus and Gaius Petreius Ruso to me. I tracked down a copy and thoroughly enjoyed this doctor of the Roman Army who is stationed in Roman Britain. Ruth Downie writes of a man who is in sorrow, his father's death revealed a house of cards based on loans that now need to be repaid, his wife has left him, a friend talked him into a transfer from sunny Africa to drizzling, colder Britain, and he has ended up with a battered slave that he never intended to purchase. In between all of this are other factors at work, corrupted officials, illicitate sales of Roman citizens, bad food, and mice. Downie does an excellent job of adding a light hand, bits of humor, to lighten what was and still is a serious problem in the world and resolves the mystery in a way that lightens a little bit of Ruso's load. I'm looking forward to the second in the series.
February 14, 2015
I came across this series here on Goodreads. I'm really surprised I hadn't heard of it before that because it's just as good as the series by Steven Saylor and Lindsey Davis.
Gaius Petreius Ruso is a doctor who has joined the Roman army after a nasty divorce and the death of his father, who left the family in debt. Ruso is the main support of his stepmother, two half-sisters, a younger brother, his brother's wife, and their two children. Ruso transfers to the 20th Legion in the British port of Deva (present-day Chester). Ruso has to deal with the Roman bureaucracy, filthy and noisy living quarters, and an endless number of dogs (they seem to be more numerous than the mice!). Then there is the injured and possibly dying slave girl, Tilla, that he buys to rescue her from her abusive master. To further complicate matters, he is called upon to examine the body of a young woman who is believed to have drowned. However, Ruso discovers that her neck was broken and there is bruising on her throat. This was definitely not an accidental or natural death. Ruso becomes a reluctant detective, all the while trying to do his job, send money home, and tend to Tilla, who is not the most cooperative or grateful patient.
This reads more like a historical novel with a touch of mystery than a historical mystery novel. The characters and the background are well drawn and interesting. Downie does an excellent job of portraying Roman Britain. She really makes it come to life. My father retired from the Air Force, so the military bureaucracy in Medicus is very familiar to me. Some things never change. Ruso is world weary with a dry sense of humor. I found myself laughing several times. The book has its serious moments, though. Downie doesn't flinch from showing how brutal life could be back then, especially for young women without protectors.
This is definitely a series worth checking out. I've already started the second book, Terra Incognita: A Novel of the Roman Empire, and it's promising to be just as good as this one.
Gaius Petreius Ruso is a doctor who has joined the Roman army after a nasty divorce and the death of his father, who left the family in debt. Ruso is the main support of his stepmother, two half-sisters, a younger brother, his brother's wife, and their two children. Ruso transfers to the 20th Legion in the British port of Deva (present-day Chester). Ruso has to deal with the Roman bureaucracy, filthy and noisy living quarters, and an endless number of dogs (they seem to be more numerous than the mice!). Then there is the injured and possibly dying slave girl, Tilla, that he buys to rescue her from her abusive master. To further complicate matters, he is called upon to examine the body of a young woman who is believed to have drowned. However, Ruso discovers that her neck was broken and there is bruising on her throat. This was definitely not an accidental or natural death. Ruso becomes a reluctant detective, all the while trying to do his job, send money home, and tend to Tilla, who is not the most cooperative or grateful patient.
This reads more like a historical novel with a touch of mystery than a historical mystery novel. The characters and the background are well drawn and interesting. Downie does an excellent job of portraying Roman Britain. She really makes it come to life. My father retired from the Air Force, so the military bureaucracy in Medicus is very familiar to me. Some things never change. Ruso is world weary with a dry sense of humor. I found myself laughing several times. The book has its serious moments, though. Downie doesn't flinch from showing how brutal life could be back then, especially for young women without protectors.
This is definitely a series worth checking out. I've already started the second book, Terra Incognita: A Novel of the Roman Empire, and it's promising to be just as good as this one.
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