Rosemary Rowe

Rowe, you've done it again! This was another cosy historical mystery with lots of well-researched Roman and Celtic factoids being lived in in action. It differs from the usual Libertus detective mystery by being more of an adventure escape puzzle. That Libertus was not involved in deducing anything until the mystery itself was resolved was a fun twist to play on the structure.

I really enjoyed the focus on the women and the range in personality and social hierarchy and their lives: Gwellia, show more Cilla, Julia, Eliana, the Celt mum whose name I've forgotten. Rowe recreates the rich and complex lives from two millennia ago, while being consistently entertainment and engaging and true to the period, making her the perfect writer to return to again and again. So it's lucky for me that I've so far only read three out of the twenty in the series. If only my libraries had more available! show less

My second Libertus and seventeenth in the series. Even though I imagine the series is an absolute pain for the author to research, as a reader it gave me a great sense of simplicity. Good old dependable Libertus, he's just living the upstanding Roman life as a Celt in Britannia, looking forward to his next mosaic customer and keeping his patron happy by attending his dinner.

It of course all goes wildly astray! My favourite parts of the book were (1) Libertus stressing over his attire, to show more toga or to tunic, that's the big question! (2) Libertus travelling along military roads and staying at the various military accommodations (3) how the mysteries tie together so neatly! The ending was very stressful but one only has to trust in Rowe.

A perfect way of getting to immerse myself in a very cosy crime and also learn some Roman history. show less

I have the ghost of a memory of reading something like this in high school Latin - a murder mystery with an unconventional detective set in ancient Rome. Upon reading it, I still don't know if this memory is real but if I didn't read it back then, then this is me making up for it.

I enjoyed all the little Roman trivia now and retroactively for past-me. All the customs of the time were neatly and simply evoked, as well the diversity in the vastness of the Roman empire. The tone stayed quite show more light despite all the murders and slavery. The storytelling was a truly enjoyable way of revising the history of ancient Rome and Latin. And how extra fitting to make the detective a mosaicist!

This was book three in the series. From my vague internet browsing, there are satisfying character development and arcs ahead. May the secondhand deities smile on me in the future! show less

As usual Rowe manages to create a convoluted mystery dropping clues that I catch and some that I don't. I love thinking "Ah, that's going to be important later!", but also love realizing that she did put in important clues that I missed. She doesn't hide the clues, and if one is careful, the reader can solve the case as quickly as Libertas does. Also, she doesn't have him be the only smart person in the book. I quite liked Pricilla and wouldn't mind seeing that character again.
I've yet to show more catch Rowe in an historical mistake (although that may say more about me than Rowe) but it's so jarring when one does spot an anachronism in a piece of historical fiction. I love the way she manages to write about a culture with slavery, noting the abuses, but not superimposing a modern attitude. I have also always loved that the hero is not young. I can so relate to aching knees, and a preference for simple foods. The worst thing about having enjoyed the whole series is that I have to wait for the next book. (although I can enjoy recommending it to friends) show less