Ruth downie is the author of the new york times bestseller medicus, as well as terra incognita, persona non grata, caveat emptor, semper fidelis, and tabula rasa. Its up to rusocertainly the most likeable sleuth to come out of the roman empireto discover the truth. Medicus mi1 ruth downie read online free books archive. The ruso series might not be as well known as, say, lindsey davis longerrunning marcus didius falsco series, but its just as entertaining. Ruso and his wife tilla are back in the borderlands of britannia, this time helping to tend the builders of hadrians great wall. After getting involved with the murders of local prostitutes in the town of deva, doctor gaius petreius ruso needs to get out of town, so has volunteered for a posting with the army on the volatile border where the romancontrolled half of britannia meets the independent tribes. Booklist ruth downie ranks among the very best of todays generation of roman writers. A ruth downie novel offers many pleasures, not least of them the humorously conflicted marriage between roman citizen ruso and the briton tilla. So ive come to the end of the falco series by lindsey davis, and exhausted the gordianus books by steven saylor. Persona non grata is the thrid book about ruso, who is a humerous character who always finds himself in difficult situations.
Ruth downie the seventh book in the ruso series, which will probably be called habeas corpus but is called lots of less printable things whenever i get stuckmore the seventh book in the ruso series, which will probably be called habeas corpus but is called lots of less printable things whenever i get stuck with the plot. Downie set the story of semper fidelis book 5 of the series, in 2nd century roman britain during hadrians rule. I first came across ruth downies books about ruso, the roman medicus, and his british wife tilla last year. Ruth was born and raised in the beautiful west country in north devon and graduated with a. Gaius petrius ruso is a divorced and downon his luck army doctor who has made the rash decision to seek his fortune in an inclement outpost of the roman empire, namely britannia. Where do i go next for a bit of roman mystery fiction. Comparisons with lindsey davis falco series are inevitable. Against a backdrop of nearconstant combat, a conscientious doctor tries to find two mysteriously missing persons. Gaius petreius ruso is a military medicus or doctor, who transfers to the 20th legion in the remote britannia port of deva now chester to start over. I enjoyed the first novel ruso and the disappearing dancing girls so much that i immediately bought the other three novels available at the time and devoured them in short order.
He is married to a british woman named darlughdacha or, for convenience, tilla. While we wait for book 9 in the series, ruth has treated us to a 150 page novella, which will be release in paperback and ebook format on july 9th. Stationed at a fort, medical officer gaius petreius ruso semper fidelis, 20, etc. Below is a list of ruth downie s medicus investigation books in order of when they were first released which is the same as their chronological order. Well, ruth downies series following her army doctor ruso sounded like it might just fit the bill, so i thought id try the first in the series medicus.
Downies attention to dayinthelife period details, judiciously doledout twists, and dry british humor make incognita one hell of a toga party. Ruth downies historical mysteries about ruso the legionary medic are delightful, reminding one of the early novels of lindsay daviss marcus didius falco series. Hadrians wall is being constructed in order to isolate roman colonists in the south from the barbarians of caledonia to the north. This is the fourth book in the historical crime novel series about an amateur roman detective called ruso. The title character, gaius petreius ruso, is an army physician attached to a legion based in deva later chester. Terra incognita it is spring in the year of 118, and hadrian has been emperor of rome for less than a year. Ruth downie born 18 april 1955, north devon, united kingdom is a british author. A few weeks ago i joined a group of writers who all agreed to put out new short stories in. A novel of the roman empire audiobook by ruth downie. Meticulously researched, the ruso novels are historical mysteries to rank.
Ruso and the river of darkness, is, in my opinion, the finest in the series by british author r. Click to read more about persona non grata by ruth downie. You can find out all about the books below, but before you disappear down there some news. Find the complete medicus investigation book series by ruth downie. She lives in the southwest of england with a husband, two cats and an unknown number of badgers down a hole in the garden. A novella from the author of bestseller medicus, featuring reluctant investigator ruso and his partner tilla. There is a confident, unforced authenticity to the writing which makes the reader feel like a time traveller. Terra incognita shines light on a remote corner of the ancient world, where rusos luck is running short again. Hes also fallen foul of the dreaded hospital administrator at. Gaius petreius ruso is a somewhat retiring medicus, or doctor, with the roman legions in britain.
Ruso and the demented doctor by ruth downie alibris. I would say that if youre a historical fiction reader and you havent come across ruth downies ruso books, then you must have been hiding in a cave for the past decade. She was content to get married, settle down and have some children of her own. The highest praise i can offer this wonderfully entertaining portrait of the roman empire at its most farflung is that i hope downie is planning a series. Ruso and the disappearing dancing girls 2006, published as medicus in the united states. The sun is shining on roman gaul, but rusos brother has left him in charge of a farm he has no idea how to manage, a chronic debt problem and a gaggle of accidentprone small children. Downie is best known for her mysteries featuring the reluctant sleuth, gaius petreius ruso, that are set in the roman world.
The books are worth reading especially if you like the subject rome. Ruth downies books about secondcentury ad roman army doctor ruso and his british wife tilla, herself a healer and midwife, are among my favourite of all historical crime series. So look for the suggested readalikes by title linked on the right. I liked tilla too, but im going to need to read more books in the series in order to have her personality unfold more for me. She is famously known as the author of medicus investigation series. Who are the true barbarians, the conquered or the conquerors.
In her fourth novel, ruth downie brings to life the corruption and treachery of romanoccupied britain, as it closes in on her winsome leading man. Order of ruth downie books unlike a lot of authors, ruth downie didnt always want to be a writer or even see that as a career path for herself. Ruth is the author of the new york times bestseller medicus and a further seven fulllength novels in the gaius petreius ruso series. Buy ruso and the demented doctor by ruth downie online at alibris. Medicus investigation series by ruth downie goodreads. Ruth was born and raised in the beautiful west country in north devon and graduated with a bachelor of arts degree in english. He was divorced from his first wife because of his lack of ambiition. Within days he finds himself landed with a female corpse that nobody else wants to deal with, and a local slave girl who wont talk to him. Ruso and the river of darkness by downie, ruth and a great selection of related books, art and collectibles available now at. The protagonist gaius petreius ruso, a roman army medical officer and wife tilla, a native briton are back with the 20th legion. In the meantime she is also the new york times bestselling author of a mystery series featuring roman legionary doctor. Horace 1 someone had washed the mud off the body, but as gaius petreius ruso unwrapped the sheet, there was still a distinct smell of river water. In the meantime she is also the new york times bestselling author of a mystery series featuring roman legionary doctor gaius petreius ruso and his british.
Rusos roommate, valens, another doctor, is a wonderful character who helps get. Ruth downie began her medicus investigation series in 2006 with the novel medicus aka ruso and the disappearing dancing girls. Gaius petreius ruso and his new wife tilla have moved to the town of verulamium, where a tax man named. The books are easy to read, quite interesting and well researched.
With a gift for comic timing and historic detail, ruth downie has conjured an ancient world as raucous and real as our own. Below is a list of ruth downies medicus investigation books in order of when they were first released which is the same as their chronological order. His father left the family estate, which is run by rusos prolific younger brother and his wife, heavily in debt. Stream and download audiobooks to your computer, tablet or mobile phone. Ruth downie ruth downie medicus o diva serves iturum caesarem in ultimos orbis britannos. You probably ought to read the books in order, since the relationships between the characters.
As with her previous ruso novels, ruth downie not only presents us with a satisfyingly intricate mystery but she also creates an authentic roman world with enough period detail to make readers feel that theyre actually living in that world along with her characters, all of whom are so vividly brought to life that we feel we know them i have. Ruth downie has given the character of ruso just enough of everything i like. Vita brevis the seventh adventure for downies physician hero masterfully draws out its suspense, painting a vivid portrait of ancient rome that feels persuasive and authentic. All the books below are recommended as readalikes for ruth downie but some maybe more relevant to you than others depending on which books by the author you have read and enjoyed. Ruth downie began medicus investigation series in 2006 when medicus the first book in the series was published. Ruso is a complex, engaging, utterly human medic, straddling the line between occupiers and occupied in the divided lands of britannia with panache and goodhumored compassion. British cover roman army medic gaius petreius ruso has come to britannia to make a fresh start. Ruso and the disappearing dancing girls, published as medicus in.
The first novel in the new york times bestselling gaius petreius ruso series. A crime novel of the roman empire is another well written, fast paced novel from a gifted writer. Author ruth downies complete list of books and series in order, with the latest. In the meantime she is also the new york times bestselling author of a mystery series featuring roman legionary doctor gaius petreius ruso and his british partner, tilla. Much of what legionary medicus ruso has been told about britannia isnt true. Oh goddess, safeguard caesar as he sets off for the remotest regions of the earthbritain. Medicus investigation series 8 primary works 9 total works gaius petreius ruso is a military medicus or doctor, who transfers to the 20th legion in the remote britannia port of deva now chester to start over after a ruinous divorce and his fathers death. Ruth rs downie left university with an english degree and a plan to get married and live happily ever after.
Explore books by ruth downie with our selection at. A few weeks ago i joined a group of writers who all agreed to put out new short stories in instalments on their facebook pages. The hero is gaius petreius ruso, a doctor or medicus, serving with the roman army in britain. Librarything is a cataloging and social networking site for booklovers. Hes recently divorced, overworked, at constant odds with military authorities and further burdened by demands made by his civilian brother on. A tale of murder, intrigue, and betrayal in roman gaul.
Browse ruth downies bestselling audiobooks and newest titles. In the first book in medicus investigation series, the author ruth downie makes use of tension that exist between the roman army and the british local to create an engaging historical setting and a charming pageturning mystery. The emperor hadrian and empress sabina are visiting england. The salacious underside of romanoccupied britain comes to life in britisher downies debut. A crime novel of the roman empire gaius petreius ruso series book 8 ebook.
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