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Terra Incognita: A Novel of the Roman Empire
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Product Description
It is spring in the year 118, and Gaius Petreius Ruso has been stationed in the Roman-occupied province of Britannia for nearly a year. After his long and reluctant investigation of the murders of a handful of local prostitutes, Ruso needs to get away. With that in mind, he has volunteered for a posting with the army in Britannia’s deepest recesses—a calmer place for a tired man.
But the edge of the Roman Empire is a volatile place; the independent tribes of the North dwell near its borders. These hinterlands are the homeland of Ruso’s slave, Tilla, who has scores of her own to settle there: Her tribespeople are fomenting a rebellion against Roman control, and her former lover is implicated in the grisly murder of a soldier. Ruso, filling in for the demented local doctor, is appalled to find that Tilla is still spending time with the prime suspect. Worse, he is honor-bound to try to prove the man innocent—and the army wrong—by finding another culprit. Soon both Ruso’s and Tilla’s lives are in
jeopardy, as is the future of their burgeoning romance.
Terra Incognita shines light on a remote corner of the ancient world, where Ruso’s luck is running short—again.
Product Details
- Amazon Sales Rank: #111437 in Books
- Published on: 2008-03-04
- Released on: 2008-03-04
- Original language: English
- Number of items: 1
- Binding: Hardcover
- 400 pages
Editorial Reviews
From Publishers Weekly
Starred Review. A judicious use of humor and a memorable protagonist lift Downie's sequel to her bestselling debut, Medicus (2007). Toward the beginning of Hadrian's reign in A.D. 118, Gaius Petreius Ruso, a doctor originally from Gaul, has attached himself to a contingent of the Roman army, the 10th Batavians, en route to the northern edge of the Roman Empire in Britannia. When Felix, a soldier, is found beheaded, the prefect of the 10th Batavians, Decianus, assigns Ruso to investigate, despite a confession to the murder by Thessalus, retiring medic to the Tenth Batavians Bedbugs. Decianus is concerned that the attack presages further unrest from the locals, who ascribe the killing to their antlered god, Cernunnos. Reluctantly, Ruso probes Thessalus's motives for admitting the crime and finds that many others also had an interest in seeing Felix dead. This well-researched novel places Downie alongside such established masters of the Roman historical as Steven Saylor and Rosemary Rowe. (Mar.)
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From AudioFile
Ruso, a medic with ancient Rome's army, reluctantly gets involved in the investigation when the headless body of a centurion is found near his outpost in Brittania. The case could prove deadly for Ruso when his slave, Tilla, turns out to be an old flame of the prime suspect. Simon Vance gives Ruso a voice that combines conceit, genuine concern, and growing frustration, while making a large cast of characters instantly recognizable. Vance balances Downie's modern wit and her meticulously reconstructed Roman setting. As Ruso juggles murder, political considerations, and a shifting relationship with Tilla, strong characters and Vance's lively reading make this a delight. J.A.S. © AudioFile 2008, Portland, Maine-- Copyright © AudioFile, Portland, Maine
Review
“In Downie's second mystery featuring Roman-era army doc Gaius Ruso, the sawbones is now stationed on the outskirts of Britain and investigating the ritualistic beheading of a soldier. But is the knife-wielding killer a local or a comrade?
Movie Pitch Prime Suspect meets Rome.
Lowdown Downie's attention to day-in-the-life period details, judiciously doled-out twists, and dry British humor make Incognita one hell of a toga party. B+”—Entertainment Weekly
"a lively sequel...Ruso rocks. Let’s hear it for those Romans.”—Kirkus Reviews (starred review) "This well-researched novel places Downie alongside such established masters of the Roman historical as Steven Saylor and Rosemary Rowe.”—Publishers Weekly (starred review)“If you missed Downie's debut novel, Medicus, which introduced regimental doctor Gaius Petreius Ruso and his slave/housekeeper Tilla, you'll want to get caught up. This book, which is even better than the first, opens with the pair headed to northern outposts, where Ruso hopes to gain some advancement...This is a terrific series that historical mystery fans shouldn't miss - Downie's knowledge of Roman military medicine is phenomenal - but you do need the background of the first book.”—Margaret Cannon, Globe and Mail
Customer Reviews
Roman History Easy to Enjoy
Among the many fictional Roman histories in print today, this is the only one I have read that treats history honestly but lightens it with humor. A welcome relief, especialy when the subject is life in the outer reaches of the Roman Empire, Britain during the second century AD. Ruth Downie knows human nature doesn't change much over a few thousand years, and looks at the past with tolerant, understanding eyes. We are anxiously awaiting her third book in what we hope will be a long series on the life and experiences of Medicus Gaius Petreius Ruso and his slave, Tilla.
An unintentional detective
How fun to read a novel set in the world of ancient Rome. How much more fun to discover an unlikely, unintentional detective...a guy with too much honor for his own good.
What worries the good doctor is not even of interest to his superiors or his peers and most everyone tries to dissuade him from becoming involved in what he comes to realize are crimes.
He's a reluctant, smart guy with a certain naive charm and wit who just can't help himself from wanting to get to the bottom of what he, and a few unlikely lower class denizens, perceive as injustices.
If you happened to watch the HBO series "Rome" you can picture the setting
and the class distinctions which play a part in both of Ruth Downie's Roman mystery duo.
I read them both, I enjoyed them both, I am hopeful a third is in the offing.
A worthy follow up
This is a worthy and enjoyable follow up to the Medicus. I enjoyed both books thoroughly. They are thinly disguised modern murder mysteries that just happen to be set in Britain during the Roman occupation. The lead characters in both books, the army doctor Ruso, and his "slave" Tilla are both endearing and very human. Even it the backdrop is not entirely accurate, it is close enough. Once again I appreciate Ms. Downie's sometimes humorous writing style. I am looking forward to a third book in the series.
