Persona Non Grata

A Novel of the Roman Empire

By: Ruth Downie

Narrated by: Simon Vance

Length: 10 hrs and 16 mins

Publisher's summary

At long last, Gaius Petreius Ruso and his companion, Tilla, are headed home - to Gaul. Having received a note consisting only of the words "COME HOME!" Ruso has (reluctantly, of course) pulled up stakes and brought Tilla to meet his family. But the reception there is not what Ruso has hoped for: no one will admit to sending for him, and his brother Lucius is hoping he'll leave.

With Tilla getting icy greetings from his relatives, Lucius's brother-in-law mysteriously drowned at sea, and the whole Ruso family teetering on the edge of bankruptcy, it's hard to imagine an unhappier reunion. That is, until Severus, the family's chief creditor, winds up dead, and the real trouble begins.

Engrossing, intricate, and - as always - wonderfully comic, Ruth Downie's latest is a brilliant new installment in this irresistible series. This is everything we've come to expect from our charming, luckless hero.

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

©2009 Ruth Downie (P)2009 Tantor

Critic reviews

"This lively sequel to Medicus and Terra Incognita continues Downie's delightful historical series.... Highly recommended." ( Library Journal)

Treachery during the Roman Empire! Who knew?

I don't remember ever reading any fictional tale from the Roman Empire that wasn't religious, so I'm glad I purchased this book. Downie's research of Roman law and culture shines through this mystery.

The story involves several aspects of law, family inheritance, debt, divorce, vice and murder. Her knowledge of all of these held my interest when I would have been bored.

Simon Vance is brilliant as always.

I rate this a 3 overall, but that doesn't mean I'm sorry I purchased it. In fact, historical works like this always seem to enhance my knowledge overall.

A trip to Gaul

This is book 3 in the series and finds Gaius Petreius Ruso with a fractured foot and given medical leave. He receives a urgent letter from his bother to come home immediately. He and Tilla go to his family home in Gaul to find that his brother did not send for him but the families major creditor (Severus), who is married to Claudia, Ruso ex-wife did so. Downie weaves a complex plot of ship wrecks, murder of Severus, thief, along with some witty humor of a dysfunctional family. Ruso and Tilla are trying to solve the murder of Severus. Tilla has some adventures of her own from stomping grapes in a vat with another slave; to going with Ruso's sister-in-law, Cate to a near by town hunting for information on Justin (Cate's brother) who was missing in a ship wreck. Tilla and Cate get into a dangerous situation while questioning sailors in a shady waterfront bar and Tilla ends up killing a man. Needless to say there is lots of action, suspense, humor and information about the countryside and lifestyle in Gaul at that time. Downie provides interesting description of the games in the Coliseum and Ruso as the physician to the wounded gladiators. Simon Vance does a great job with the narration. Looking forward to the next book in the series.

Another great Ruth Downie Novel in the Medicus series

If you've never read a Ruth Downie novel, go back to Medicus and start there! They really should be read in order. Having said that, by highly recommend this one. It certainly one of her best. I've recommended this series to a whole bunch of people all of whom have really liked it. Of course Simon Vance is the best of all readers. When I'm looking for a new audio book, I just search under his name because from Patrick O'Brian's Jack Aubrey to Sherlock Holmes to Medicus, Simon Vance gets every voice perfect. He is the man with a thousand voices and hundreds of accents!

loved it! loved it! loved it!

I started this series with the first book and now completed the third (I intersperse with other books). I enjoyed the first two, but I think this one surpasses those. I love the characters. Ruso and Tilla are a great pair, in every sense, but in this book you get to meet Ruso's wacky family (and ex-family, too). A dysfunctional family like everyone's! (C'mon, admit that family relations are a challenge!) And the mystery, adventure, and action are all great, so that you will want to listen to this without stop, if you could (I have those nasty interruptions called real life, but what a great escape this is). Only because you know that Ruso and Tilla have to survive to the next book in the series can you stop at night and not worry about them. Did I say I loved it? I'm looking forward to the next installment.
Simon Vance, as always, is a superb performer - great accents, great voices.

Russo and Tilla travel to Gaul

In this story, Russo and Tilla travel to Russo’s family estate in southern Gaul after receiving a family summons. When he arrives, he learns that his family’s estate is about to be sold to pay off a debt. Just as Russo verbally makes an greement with the holder of the debt to avoid the takeover, the man dies from a slow acting poison. Russo and Tilla must solve the murder, solve the disappearance of the brother of Russo’s sister-in-law, and sort out family issues. The mystery is interesting, complicated and ends up being all encompassing. In the end Russo and Tilla’s relationship develops. I also enjoyed Tilla’s interactions with early Christians as Downie describes them as Roman pagans would have seen them. A most enjoyable book, and as usual, Tilla’s character really makes this book.

The best so far

A treat to listen to. The story moved well and surprising twists kept the reader guessing. Each book has gotten better. I am looking forward to the next. I would have given the story a 5 but I agree with some others that the setting could easily be changed to another time period except for a few details. The Roman aspect could be stronger.

CSI- ROMAN EMPIRE !

With no organized police force someone has to step and find the citizens who commit the dastardly deed. Alight, fun read with a look into Roman day to day life. Ruth Downie does enough with her characters to keep you listening. Simon Vance is one of my three favourite male narrators ( Humphrey Bower and Scott Brick are the others ) and he doesn't disappoint with excellent representations of the varied male characters from different backgrounds and the many wonderful female 'persona'... Worth the credit for light entertainment but too bad that the first two books of the series are not available on Audible.

Roman Mystery?

When the summary of Persona Non Grata mentioned a Roman setting, I was expecting a story a bit more "historical" in nature. However, this story (with the exception of gladiators) could have been set in any time period or culture. However, I still enjoyed the mystery and would read something from this author in the future.

Ah men!!

Ruso is such a "guy". Tila, well she could easily be a warrior or just a brat. This story has a nice little mystery. Better still it has lots of back story for Ruso. You get a much better idea of why he is who he is:) I can't wait till they have kids!!

The best, most concise of the series yet!

Where does Persona Non Grata rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

Very well.

What did you like best about this story?

Ruth Downie has truly hit her stride on this one. The mystery was the best plotted yet, with Ruso much more "with it" than he has been.

What does Simon Vance bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

Like Scott Brick as John Corey, Simon Vance IS RUSO! I've heard him in SPQR -- not nearly as good with really tough going, and he did his best. Ruth Downie's text is much easier for him to grab a hold of the characters and story.

If you were to make a film of this book, what would the tag line be?

Going home isn't all it's cracked up to be.