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Hadrian's will - problems for Medicus & Tilla - good story in an excellent series

Reviewed in the United States on January 13, 2013

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Ruth Downie adds another episode to the saga of Roman army doctor Gaius Petreius Ruso and wife and helpmate Tilla in second century AD/CE Britian. And a good story it is. Characteristically of this series, the historic context feels authentic; the grubbiness of provincial living conditions, lousy weather, medical practices and local cuisine are pitch perfect to the point of occasional reader discomfort (I thought that the Romans had at least introduced the idea of central heating to Britain, but if they did, it apparently didn't get to the provinces (early York) where this story takes place.) The novel's characters seem like real people dealing with credible social/cultural differences (do present day Britons and Italians have the same differences in perspective, I wonder?)

The storyline is familiar and solid; Ruso and wife Tilla are in the north of England (Eboracum) on an inspection of army medical facilities ahead of an unprecedented visit by the Roman Emperor Hadrian and entourage, including the discontented royal wife, Sabina, The garrison at Eboracum has some serious morale problems stemming from the deaths and desertions of several young British recruits, and Ruso, the instinctive investigator and seeker of justice, gets involved. His poking around earns him the emnity of the local commander and his subordinates, and early on Ruso is first worked over physically by man and dog and eventually accused some serious criminal activity.

While the Roman medicus is by definition the center of the book (and series), it is Tilla, his British-born wife and helpmate, who is increasingly at the heart of the book's motivations and actions. As a second-class subject in her own occupied country, she has a markedly different perspective on life and provides a strong moral compass to her often equivocal Roman husband. She is definitely the stronger of the two principals at this point in the series. And Tilla functions increasingly as a kind of feminist heroine, with other female characters in orbit around her as the story progresses. This is especially interesting in "Semper Fidelis" when the Roman Empress Sabina enters the picture and engages Tilla in dialogue.

Overall, this is a smart and entertaining novel with a satisfying conclusion. I think that there are places when it gets a little too dense in conspiracy and in its zig-zagging enmeshment of Ruso and Tilla in some confusing questions of whodunit. This all settles down at the end and finishes with wit and the promise of more to the story to come. Bravo for that.

Why Did Pena Say the Briton Recruit's Death Was An Accident When He Was Obviously Beaten?

Reviewed in the United States on October 27, 2016

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Gaius Ruso, Medicus to the Twentieth Legion, and his wife, Briton barbarian, Tilla are once more in Britannia. Though Ruso's commission had expired while he was on sick leave at home in Gaul, his friend and fellow Medicus, Valens, pulled some strings and got him reinstated. The two find themselves in Eboracum ( modern day York ) awaiting a visit from Emperor Hadrian and his Empress, Sabrina. The Legion has had its ranks increased by the recent recruitment of young Britons but there seems to be something strange happening among them. One recruit has died mysteriously, another jumps from a roof in front of Ruso for no apparent reason and yet another is in the sick bay with a very serious self-inflicted wound to one of his arms.
Ruso's suspicions are aroused by his subordinate's attributing the death of the first recruit as accidental despite bodily injuries that point to a serious beating. When he finds the written report supporting his suspicions he begins to ask questions.
He is thwarted at every turn in his investigation and when the commanding officer of the recruits is found murdered he finds himself the accused murderer. Stripped of his commission once more he is told that Tilla is to be returned to her family since they are now divorced. How the two of them manage to solve the mystery and make a choice where they will be stationed next is an exciting tale of whitewash and scapegoat tactics to keep the peace in the Legion and protect its officers. All is resolved in the end but not without Tilla's headstrong disobedience to her husband and the Tribune who is his superior, which, as always, adds to the confusion before the solution.

David

A MUST Read Historical Mystery

Reviewed in the United States on May 17, 2019

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I've read just about every Roman mystery series (Saylor/John Maddox Roberts/Lindsey Davis, etc) and hands-down, the Medicus series is my favorite by FAR. Not only do you get two PoV characters, but each one has a compelling voice which makes it impossible NOT to keep those pages turning. Newly-divorced Ruso's dry humor kept me laughing all the way through. Then there's Tilla, whose no-nonsense nature becomes increasingly more pronounced throughout the series.

With most Roman mystery series, I have a huge problem with how late the author introduces the mystery. Sometimes the mystery doesn't play a role until midway into the book (or, gasp, later!). These works are too wrapped up in the historical background to really call themselves honest mysteries.

Downie, on the other hand, introduces each book with the crime itself. By bracketing the story within that mystery, you can always expect a focused investigation with clues and all.

I can NOT praise this series enough!

Susan

Enjoyable but Disappointing episode in an otherwise stellar series

Reviewed in the United States on February 11, 2013

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I looked forward for some time to the release of this book and bought it as a preorder.

Usually I can read a book like this in a matter of days - this one I just finished, a month after starting it. It was so slow going, I couldn't keep a sustained reading interest.

For the first 1/2 of the book, the author is just setting up the back story for the main plot. This is not how the first 4 books of the series were done. Ruso would get involved in the main thick of it from the beginning, the book and the story would start at the same time. Not so this one.

I can't say you should skip it, you would miss some good leisurely storytelling. Maybe I should be glad to have gotten two for one - the prequel and the core story. I still liked it, I still love the series, but compared to the other four books, I was disappointed. If the other 4 books before it hadn't been so good, this one might have seemed better.

Top reviews from other countries

Tim Coleman

Accuracy of historical detail.

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on August 10, 2018

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Although I enjoyed this novel quite as much as the previous ones (I am reading them in order), I did feel there was another novel in the material struggling to get out. With the introduction of Sabina, Hadrian's neglected consort, Ruth Downie created one of the really great comic characters. A highly intelligent "Royal" bored out of her tits. The first couple of scenes with her had me howling with laughter, especially considered as a sly take on the marmoreal prose of Marguerite Yourcenar. I wanted the author to develop this character further and make her much more central to the drama. And if she showed up the men around her in the process then so much the better.
It nearly happens. The Empress is at the heart of the climactic scene of the novel, but, alas, it is imposed upon her. She does not take command, except by accident or the behest of other characters. Nevertheless, there is much to amuse in these historical whodunnits.

SJATurney

Yet again a beautiful offering from the pen of Ruth Downie

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on October 6, 2016

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Book 5 in my tour of the life of Ruso and Tilla. It’s a rollercoaster ride, for sure. I’ve followed Ruso and his slave/housekeeper/girlfriend/wife from Chester to Northumberland, to the south of France, then London, and now to York. It’s like a pit-stop tour of some of my favourite places guided by two of my favourite characters and penned by one of my favourite writers.

If you don’t know how much I love Ruth’s books by now then you’re clearly new to the blog. The Ruso mysteries are at the very top level of their genre – atmospheric, elegantly-plotted, immersively historical and delivered with rich prose. And yet also truly human tales, shot through with a sense of humour that never fails to make me smile and occasionally with deeper pathos. Ruso is not so much hapless as unlucky. He is skilled and clever and full of innovation, and yet regularly makes rather critical mistakes and finds himself in a mess. Tilla is practical and sensible and yet prone to headstrong decisions that show little forethought. Together they should be able to tackle any problem and yet more often than not they cause each other problems and worsen the situation exponentially. It makes for really engaging reading.

In Semper Fidelis (‘Always Faithful’, the motto of the US Marine Corps) we are brought to York as Ruso joins a small unit of the 20th legion who are there training recruits as they await the arrival of the 6th legion, who will be based there shortly. Ruso is back with the army now after his brief foray into the world of fiscal investigation, and the army is the focus of this book. For in York (Eboracum), the largely empty fortress has played host to native British legionary trainees, martinet centurions, beleaguered medics and desperate camp-followers. And a series of accidents and incidents that are believed to be a result of the curse on the unit point- to a clever investigator, anyway – to brutal and unacceptable behaviour on the part of the training officers.

Ruso and Tilla finds their selves delving into the incidents that have taken place and uncovering unpleasant truths within the army and landing their selves in deep trouble, which is only compounded all the more when the emperor Hadrian, his wife Sabina, and a unit of Praetorians arrive rather unexpectedly. Ruso knows Hadrian of old, since long before he came to power. You might think he could count on an old comrade to look after him. You might think that….

Semper Fidelis is yet again a beautiful offering from the pen of Ruth Downie and deserves to be read and enjoyed by all.

Oh, and the dog bite… Heh heh heh.

Go read it folks. It’s a treat.

Little Ray of Sunshine

Great fun

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on January 6, 2020

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Good story with engaging characters. Probably one of the best of the series so far.

Shame that the Empress probably won't be around again as it would have been nice to see her growing as a character but that is always the problem when you involve real people in a fictional setting.

Kindle Customer

Interesting story

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on July 20, 2020

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Quite a good story and as usual quite convoluted. Looking forward to the next few in the Ruso series.

Nell Rose

Superb.

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on October 18, 2016

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Love these books. Only recently discovered the author Ruth Downie and read the entire series one after another; could barely bring myself to let my ereader leave my hand. Roman murder mysteries with a delicious vein of humour running through them.

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