A good historical mystery. The main character is a buffon (in a good way), pretty funny, good characters. Will definitely read more from this author ( )

not enough here for me to recommend, not the literary historical drama (or even love story) of Roman Britain that I was hoping for ( )

Medicus is a mystery taking place in Ancient Rome (to be specific, Britannia). It features Gaius Petreius Ruso, a doctor working at the army hospital. He's i Britannia for a reason; to run away from several personal issues and to fix some (ie; family debt). Throughout the novel he's constantly plagued with a lot of misfortune and a lot of bad luck. He just happens to be at the wrong places at the wrong times. Ruso comes across and unwillingly takes a slave named Tilla who has her own plans up her sleeve (which I won't reveal, read the book!). Overall, there's been two women who were murdered and Ruso reluctantly takes the case even though he didn't want to be involved but since no one seems very interested in two dead dancing girls, someone's got to do it right?

I like Ruso. Mostly because I find his misfortunes really funny and the way it's written it's as if he has a dark cloud hanging over his head for most of his days. There's comedy mixed into this mystery so it's not a heavy historical fiction. I would call it "lite" not in a negative sense, but rather, although the history is there, it's not so involved like in some historical mysteries I've read where there's heavy plotting, a lot of politics, and a lot of intrigue. Which is why Medicus makes for a good "lite" history read. I especially like the inner thoughts that run through Ruso's head. Throughout the novel, he says little tidbits in his inner voice that makes you want to snicker and laugh.

He also has his friend Valens who is sort of like his sidekick/dumb friend which also adds to the comedy factor. If you place both of them together in a mouse infested dirty dwelling, you get "The Odd Couple" in Ancient Rome. It's a great laugh and a great read.
Overall the characters are all right and agreeable. Except of course, the murderer but even then you don't really feel a strong hate for the character.

My only criticism is, somewhere in between it does tend to slow down a bit. It could have been slightly shorter but perhaps extra plot and story was needed to tie all the strings together. I will be getting the second one in this series as I have enjoyed the first one. It's a good light read after a heavy epic. ( )

So what's not to love. We have a doctor who is just trudging along, be set by a large amount of burdens from his fathers debts to his divorce. We have a setting which is not the fast paced Londinium, but Deva, (Chester) a little out of the way, a little backwoodsy, a little slow.

But this book opens so well. A coroners inquest, so we have a body, right at page one. But hey, this is the back end of the empire. Who cares.

No one, and that is part of the problem that holds this back from getting a better rating from me. We have a wonderful world we see in glimpses, but then a lot of time is spent at the scene of the crime. Too much time. So now we have the red herrings of who did the murder and why.

And still no one really cares. It is just a little academic challenge to disguise that the author has a love story she would rather be telling. Then in the notes we find out that some of the historical part of our our historical mystery is made up. Our hero has been worrying and trying to get a posting as Chief Medical Officer, often acronymed in the book. CMO. When he gets the CMO slot, his debts will be solved.

We are given a great foil against his ability to achieve this, and the author stops this line. Then says there is no rank scheme that really covers what she has made up. So reading once will be enough. If the history was true, a return might be warranted, but it this is a fiction that could be more science fiction then historical. ( )

Subtle and funny with an engaging cast. My only complaint is that the historical setting was not drawn more intricately. ( )