Caveat Emptor: A Novel of the Roman Empire

By: Ruth Downie

Narrated by: Simon Vance

Length: 10 hrs and 33 mins

Publisher's summary

Ruso and Tilla, now newlyweds, have moved back to Britannia, where Ruso's old friend and colleague Valens has promised to help him find work. But it isn't the kind of work he'd had in mind - Ruso is tasked with hunting down a missing tax man named Julius Asper. Of course, there's also something else missing: money. And the council of the town of Verulamium is bickering over what's become of it. Compelled to delve deeper by a threat from his old sparring partner, Metellus, Ruso discovers that the good townsfolk may not be as loyal to Rome as they like to appear.

While Tilla tries to comfort Asper's wife, an anonymous well-wisher is busy warning the couple to get away from the case before they get hurt. Despite our hero's best efforts to get himself fired as investigator, he and his bride find themselves trapped at the heart of an increasingly treacherous conspiracy involving theft, forgery, buried treasure, and the legacy of Boudica, the Rebel Queen.

Friends, Romans, countrymen, lend us your ears: listen to another Novel of the Roman Empire.

©2010 Ruth Downie (P)2011 Tantor

Critic reviews

"Downie excels in bringing the ancient world to life as well as making the attitudes and customs of its inhabitants accessible to a modern audience." ( Publishers Weekly)

Back in...

Having read the first 3 novels of Guis and his travels in Ancient Rome years ago I am glad to become reacquainted with him and wife. Looking forward to reading the rest of the saga.

Getting better

This series is unique mostly because the characters and the story lines are actually getting better. I'm enjoying the author's ability to tell an interesting story and give me an intimate view of this early AD world. Nice work.

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Keeps you going right to the end. Masterfully woven mystery. Best yet of this particular series.

money in Roman times

This book is set in second century A.D. In this book of the series Ruso and Tila have returned to Britannia from their visit to Ruso’s family in Gael. Gallus Petreius Ruso, medic is now retired from the Roman Army and starting off his married life with Tila. He obtains an assignment as an investigator by the procurator’s finances office. Ruso is hired to trace the nearby city of Verulamium’s tax collector, who has disappeared with the city’s tax money. The book is more complex than prior books in the series but is balanced with some humor, murder, babies, missing money, and a great deal of information about the making of money in the second century Rome and in Britannia. I found that most interesting part of the book. Simon Vance does a great job narrating the book. If you enjoy historical fiction about the Roman age this book would interest you.

Entertaining unsophisticated historical novel

It was fun imagining Roman era Britain although highly tinged w/ 21st century ideals. The story is a fun dime-store detective story which plays well enough.

Caveat Emptor

Wonderful book --somewhat confusing in parts but the characters are fascinating. Makes you feel as if you were really there

More, please!

This entire series is fantastic. The narrator and the author have given us a treat. The history and the great characters and the details of daily life are all here. Hope there's more coming!

Ruth Downie doesn't dissapoint

This is the fourth book in the "Medicus" series. First I have to say one of the reasons I started this series was the narrator Simon Vance, I always enjoy his reading of a novel, especially historical novels. Each of these book are crime thrillers, set in the time of ancient Rome, during the reign of Emperor Hadrian. Also involving the invasion of the British Isles. I am a lover of historical novels and Ruth Downie does a wonderful job with her time lines and her story line. I would recommend, starting the series with book #1 "Medicus", to get the background on the characters, however each book can stand on it's own. I always find myself hating for each of these books to end. I also suggest, the anyone who has not listened to this narrator listen to a sample that Audible offers, then you will know if you like his style.(I suggest that will all books)

Waiting for the next one

I have now finished all four of Ruth Downie's series. The stories and characters grew better with each volume and I can't wait for the next one. Simon Vance is a great narrator. I love the continuing characters that run throughout the four books. I recently listened to the first book in Maddox's SPQR series and was disapointed, having enjoyed the Medicus and his adventures so much.

Great Listen

Where does Caveat Emptor rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

This is one of the top book I have listened to. Simon makes each person seem so real

Did the plot keep you on the edge of your seat? How?

Not all of the time - but I did enjoy listening and sometime would sit in my car to hear more of the audio before I came into the house from work or I would drive slower so I could listen to more.

Have you listened to any of Simon Vance’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

Yes - I look for audios that he has performed. I totally enjoy listing to his voice and the way he changes character.