Prima Facie

A Crime Novella of the Roman Empire (Roman Empire Series, Book 8.5)

By: Ruth Downie

Narrated by: Simon Vance

Length: 3 hrs and 5 mins

Publisher's Summary

A novella from the author of the best seller Medicus, featuring reluctant investigator Ruso and his partner Tilla. A tale of murder, intrigue, and betrayal in Roman Gaul.  

It's AD 123, and the sun is shining on southern Gaul. Ex-military medic Ruso and his British wife, Tilla, are back after a long absence - but it's not the reunion anyone had hoped for.  

Ruso's brother has left him in charge of a farm he has no idea how to manage, a chronic debt problem, and a gaggle of accident-prone small children. Meanwhile his sister Flora has run away to rescue her boyfriend, who's accused of murdering a wealthy guest at a party.  

Can Ruso and Tilla save the boyfriend from the murder charge - or should they be saving Flora from the boyfriend? Will any of the guests tell the truth about the fatal party before it's too late? And meanwhile, how long can Ruso continue to lie about what's inside the bath house?

©2019 Ruth Downie (P)2019 Tantor

Too short, but totally enjoyable

I love this series and Simon Vance’s narration. I wonder why Ruth Downie decided to do this novella rather than a full length. It was totally enjoyable, but would have much preferred a full novel.

Too Short

Premise fine and performance good as usual but far too short. Cost 1 credit which is the same cost of nooks as equally well written but with much more substance.

Enjoyable and amusing

I found this look musing and entertaining as I tried to figure out exactly who the killer was. The characters were all amazingly entertaining and it held my attention to the very end. Simon Vance is an excellent narrator

Please more!!

Loved this series beginning to end. Hope this novella means there is more to come...

Fun

This is one of Ruth Downies’ simpler works. She only touches on the problems associated with doing the right thing. Her skilled characterization and Vance’s excellent narration save the book.

A nice little nibble

It's always fun to visit Ruso and family, and I'd listen to Simon Vance read the phone book. A lovely way to spend a few hours while anxiously awaiting the next full-length book. You can read this with no knowledge of the series, but of course it's better to start with Medicus and let the tale unfold. Since this is a short story, there's not a lot of the historical detail that makes this series so interesting, but the characters still interact in the endearing way readers have come to expect from Ruth Downie.

Entertaining

Always a treat to see a new Tilla and Russo book in audible
Love the narration...Simon Vance reads with so much feeling.

5.0 out of 5 stars Ruso and Tilla in Gaul Redux

I just love this series! The first time Ruso brought Tilla to meet his family in southern Gaul, he had to rescue his older half sister's love and this time his younger half sister's love is accused of murder. The humor is still there but Downie also deals with the serious problem of the double standard where the man gets off Scot-free but the woman has to deal with the unplanned and unwanted pregnancy. I highly recommend this novella and the entire series.

Charming short story

Russo and Tilla saving the day with their usual share of mishaps, if you' ve enjoyed their previous adventures you'll like this.