Thursday, January 16, 2020

Caveat Emptor

Ruso has just returned to Londinium from Gaul with his new wife, Tilla, to find that his old friend Valens has arranged for him to investigate the disappearance of a tax man up in Verulamium.  The following day an innkeeper reports finding the body of the missing man, but Ruso has suspicions.

When Valens performs the autopsy on the dead man, he discovers that he had been hit over the head.  A Council man from Verulamium arrives in Londinium asking questions and confusion arises when his wife tells Ruso and Tilla that the dead man is the father of her child.

A day later, while ruminating on his investigation to that point, Ruso runs into Metellus, the governor’s head of security and Ruso’s former employer.  Metellus tells Ruso that the dead man had been working for him.  He threatens Ruso to provide him with information before going to the procurator; he holds information about Tilla, which is threatening.

Up in Verulamium, while visiting one of the town’s councillors, the body of the brother of the first victim is discovered.  Ruso isn’t sure what to make of this.  Is he confronting more lies?  Is his own safety compromised?

Author Ruth Downie has several more trials and tribulations ahead for Ruso as he tries to solve this conspiracy and murders in Verulamium.  Will he be able to bring those responsible to justice?  The reader will have to turn the pages and find out in this thoroughly enjoyable historical thriller.

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