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3.87 AVERAGE
3.87 AVERAGE
my favorite of the series to date. Finally, we get more Romans and even the Emperor. Finally we also some very real consequences to living under Roman rule. I've seen where some reviewers feel Downie's prose is too dry and her story 'drags' (I don't think so), but I really enjoy the detail.
I’ve been eagerly awaiting the release of the next Ruso mystery for quite a while new. So when I heard about Semper Fidelis, I ordered it as soon as I was done with my patented Happy Dance ™. Unfortunately, it seems that Amazon.ca once again underestimated the selling power of any book that doesn’t feature a teenager marrying a sparkly vampire and, as with The Fault In Our Stars, I got my copy quite late (though, to be fair, I didn’t pre-order this time).
I really enjoyed Semper Fildelis. It followed a similar pattern to the other novels in that Ruso isn’t really a good investigator, he’s just bumbling about knocking stuff over and ends up “solving the case” simply by making the guilty parties nervous enough that they start to make mistakes. Or, in this case, by making the victims riled up enough that clues starts to fall together. It’s a really interesting (albeit sometimes frustrating) take on the detective model!
As in several of the other books in the series, much time is spend exploring the relationship between the Roman occupiers and the Briton natives, and how that relationship impacts a “mixed” couple like Ruso and Tilla.
I don’t want to give away any spoilers, but there is a new character added to Ruso’s retinue and s/he hints at a very interesting story arc to come. So, once again, I eagerly await the next instalment!
I really enjoyed Semper Fildelis. It followed a similar pattern to the other novels in that Ruso isn’t really a good investigator, he’s just bumbling about knocking stuff over and ends up “solving the case” simply by making the guilty parties nervous enough that they start to make mistakes. Or, in this case, by making the victims riled up enough that clues starts to fall together. It’s a really interesting (albeit sometimes frustrating) take on the detective model!
As in several of the other books in the series, much time is spend exploring the relationship between the Roman occupiers and the Briton natives, and how that relationship impacts a “mixed” couple like Ruso and Tilla.
I don’t want to give away any spoilers, but there is a new character added to Ruso’s retinue and s/he hints at a very interesting story arc to come. So, once again, I eagerly await the next instalment!
I thoroughly enjoyed this installment. Downie's grasp on the workings of institutions dovetails nicely with her passion for British history, providing an interesting critique of the army, and it's relationship with those it has effectively conquered, all through the lens of a military operates.
I'm impressed with how long Downie has let the infertility story slow burn: I had expected a pat solution by now. It can be a delicate topic in fiction (Cough, Black Widow, cough) - strong women in fiction either don't want kids or obtain them - and I think there is a derth of stories that explore the complexity of emotion around the issue. Having said that, having Tilla want to switch from midwife to doctor obviously allows a different set of stories around sexism, and also allows her and her husband to be more directly involved in the same case, but I thought one of the strengths of the books so far was unobtrusively showing how hard, skilled and vital midwifery is at this point in history, and yet so unappreciated when compared with the surgeon's often less effective work.
Introducing a new POV character also worked very well, introducing variety at a point where a series starts to feel repititious.
I'm impressed with how long Downie has let the infertility story slow burn: I had expected a pat solution by now. It can be a delicate topic in fiction (Cough, Black Widow, cough) - strong women in fiction either don't want kids or obtain them - and I think there is a derth of stories that explore the complexity of emotion around the issue. Having said that, having Tilla want to switch from midwife to doctor obviously allows a different set of stories around sexism, and also allows her and her husband to be more directly involved in the same case, but I thought one of the strengths of the books so far was unobtrusively showing how hard, skilled and vital midwifery is at this point in history, and yet so unappreciated when compared with the surgeon's often less effective work.
Introducing a new POV character also worked very well, introducing variety at a point where a series starts to feel repititious.
Our good Dr finds himself tied to the end of a wagon and being led to his death for the murder of a centurion. Unsurprisingly, as there are more novels extant in the series, he avoids this fate. Thanks to his barbarian wife, his friend and colleague Valens, and the emperor Hadrian, the true murderer is discovered, then hidden, and the crime turned into a suicide in order to protect a Praetorian conspiracy that led to the murder. Against a background of mistreated British recruits to the army. All fun.
Easily my favorite Medicus book since the first one. I love Ruso and Tilla and hope Ruth Downie has at LEAST ten more books in her!
Another good mystery from Ruth Downie. The setting and characterisation is particularly appealing with this series and Semper Fidelis is a good addition to the story of Ruso and Tilla, although I think I enjoyed some of the earlier titles a little more than this one. The plot was engaging, but perhaps it took me a while to feel fully engaged with it. Ruso and Tilla are great characters and while the dynamic has changed a little, they are still an appealing and compelling mystery solving duo. The clash of cultures as represented by Ruso, the conquering roman and Tilla the defiant local is part of the appeal of the series. The setting of Roman occupied Britain is excellent, vividly bought to life. Long may this series continue. I am looking forward to the next novel in the series.
Back with the Legio XX, Ruso is doing inspection rounds. We are treated to a view of life in the various outposts and training of recruits for the Roman legions. As usual, Ruso gets dragged (reluctantly!) into looking at some unsavoury aspects of life and death.
What to Expect
Well-researched details about Roman life in Roman Britain under Hadrian (who makes a cameo appearance), murders and other nefarious deeds, a plot and sub-plots that twist and build up - all for a great read overall.
The POV of view alternates between Ruso and his (British) wife Tilla, and Downie does an excellent job in describing how these two very different people view the world. The rest of the cast are also fully realised people, and one cannot but relate to them.
What I liked
This goes for the whole series.
The absolute charm of the writing. All characters are fully fleshed, believable, with their own motivations. The writing is witty, the setting is rich, the plot thought-out, and the mysteries engaging.
These are the kind of books where you care for the characters. Downie has a knack to depict the world-views of the characters realistically, switching viewpoints from a Roman medical officer to a British peasant woman. It is clear that each character - from main to support cast - is a fully realised person, with their own agendas and biases.
The plot of the stories grips you till can't put the book down. Downie is masterfully weaving the investigations through sub-plots, distractions, daily lives, grand events - till you just have to know what happens next. Ruso may be a reluctant investigator, but he has that nagging voice in his head when things don't quite fit well, and it keeps him following and digging for the truth. Tilla has her own sense of fairness, and views on what makes the world tick.
Downie locates each book in a different town, mostly around Roman Britain
(with only two exceptions). She has clearly done her research for each location and they all come alive, with the latest modern archaeological understanding of life there seeping through her writing.
What to be aware of
These aren't the noir mysteries I normally read and recommend. While there are certainly some gruesome bits (did I mention gladiatorial combats?), these aren't your typical first-person hard-boiled detective. Rather, the stories are told in a lighter vein, in third person perspective from either Ruso or Tilla's POV. Happily, Tilla gets more page-time as the series progresses.
Ms Downie has experience with archaeology and Latin history, and it shows in her writing. She has elected to translate most Latin terms into modern English (e.g. calling a master 'my lord' rather then 'domine', or using 'doctor' for physician), which may sound a tad weird to those used to Latin terms from similar series.
Be aware that while it's not strictly necessary to read the books in order, it certainly helps.
Summary
I absolutely love this series. I have no idea why it took me so long to get back to it, but I am glad I did. If you've read the previous books, this is a great continuation. If not, go back to book one (Medicus) and start reading today!
--
[a:Assaph Mehr|14422472|Assaph Mehr|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1445823325p2/14422472.jpg], author of [b:Murder In Absentia|29500700|Murder In Absentia (Felix the Fox, #1)|Assaph Mehr|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1457914061s/29500700.jpg|46845657]: A story of Togas, Daggers, and Magic - for lovers of Ancient Rome, Murder Mysteries, and Urban Fantasy.
What to Expect
Well-researched details about Roman life in Roman Britain under Hadrian (who makes a cameo appearance), murders and other nefarious deeds, a plot and sub-plots that twist and build up - all for a great read overall.
The POV of view alternates between Ruso and his (British) wife Tilla, and Downie does an excellent job in describing how these two very different people view the world. The rest of the cast are also fully realised people, and one cannot but relate to them.
What I liked
This goes for the whole series.
The absolute charm of the writing. All characters are fully fleshed, believable, with their own motivations. The writing is witty, the setting is rich, the plot thought-out, and the mysteries engaging.
These are the kind of books where you care for the characters. Downie has a knack to depict the world-views of the characters realistically, switching viewpoints from a Roman medical officer to a British peasant woman. It is clear that each character - from main to support cast - is a fully realised person, with their own agendas and biases.
The plot of the stories grips you till can't put the book down. Downie is masterfully weaving the investigations through sub-plots, distractions, daily lives, grand events - till you just have to know what happens next. Ruso may be a reluctant investigator, but he has that nagging voice in his head when things don't quite fit well, and it keeps him following and digging for the truth. Tilla has her own sense of fairness, and views on what makes the world tick.
Downie locates each book in a different town, mostly around Roman Britain
(with only two exceptions). She has clearly done her research for each location and they all come alive, with the latest modern archaeological understanding of life there seeping through her writing.
What to be aware of
These aren't the noir mysteries I normally read and recommend. While there are certainly some gruesome bits (did I mention gladiatorial combats?), these aren't your typical first-person hard-boiled detective. Rather, the stories are told in a lighter vein, in third person perspective from either Ruso or Tilla's POV. Happily, Tilla gets more page-time as the series progresses.
Ms Downie has experience with archaeology and Latin history, and it shows in her writing. She has elected to translate most Latin terms into modern English (e.g. calling a master 'my lord' rather then 'domine', or using 'doctor' for physician), which may sound a tad weird to those used to Latin terms from similar series.
Be aware that while it's not strictly necessary to read the books in order, it certainly helps.
Summary
I absolutely love this series. I have no idea why it took me so long to get back to it, but I am glad I did. If you've read the previous books, this is a great continuation. If not, go back to book one (Medicus) and start reading today!
--
[a:Assaph Mehr|14422472|Assaph Mehr|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1445823325p2/14422472.jpg], author of [b:Murder In Absentia|29500700|Murder In Absentia (Felix the Fox, #1)|Assaph Mehr|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1457914061s/29500700.jpg|46845657]: A story of Togas, Daggers, and Magic - for lovers of Ancient Rome, Murder Mysteries, and Urban Fantasy.
A review on this site said like old friends come to visit and this is exactly how I feel.
I look forward to readings his seeks, I love Tilla and she and Ruso are a great partnership which grows in the telling. More please xx
I look forward to readings his seeks, I love Tilla and she and Ruso are a great partnership which grows in the telling. More please xx
Oh my god Ruso, when will you learn to listen to your wife?!