Speculator

Quintus Roman Thrillers #6

by Neil Denby

The motley Roman legion is pushed to its limits! For fans of Ben Kane, Conn Iggulden, Bernard Cornwell and Simon Scarrow.

Will home ever be in reach…?

First Spear Centurion Julius Quintus Quirinius and his comrades find themselves posted as irregulars in the service of young General Nero Claudius Drusus Caesar, stepson to Augustus.

Drusus has been charged with keeping the peace in Gaul and expanding Roman rule into Germania.

Quintus is sent first to secure an alliance with the ancient Frisian tribe, who control the coastal lands by the Rhine, and then on a voyage to the far north.

Quintus finds himself further from Rome than any man has been, and further than ever from fulfilling his vow to his dead companion to return to Rome and honour Ursus’ family.

With the task seeming impossible, Quintus is close to despair, with even some of his comrades doubting him.

Can Quintus please Drusus and win acclaim for his legion? Will he finally be able to fulfil his oath to Ursus?

Or will his men once more find the wheel of fate turns against them…?

SPECULATOR is the sixth book in the Quintus Roman Thrillers action-packed, authentic historical military adventures set in Ancient Rome.

THE QUINTUS ROMAN THRILLERS
BOOK Legionary
BOOK Decanus
BOOK Optio
BOOK Centurion
BOOK Scutarius
BOOK Speculator

Genres: Historical Fiction

369 pages, Kindle Edition

Published April 24, 2026

About the author

I am a one-time academic writer (see Training to Teach) and now write historical fiction. My first series (published by Sapere Books) is based in Rome in the first years of the Principate, starting in 17BCE. There are seven books in this series, called the Quintus Roman Adventures. I am now working on a second series, based in 12th Century Ireland, called the Leinster Chronicles.

Reviews

[Rodney J · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm frustrated for them too!

Quintus never fails to entertain. His adventures as plausible as they are vexatious. Atticus' machinations aside, Ursus' perceived curse too; all contribute to a fine tale, that entertains & engages.
One can only hope, that now they are once again resworn, they make it back to Rome.

[John Attard · Rating 5 out of 5]

As with all the rest of the series Speculator is a great read. It sets an enjoyable pace and some nice twists and turns. Suffice to say I have already pre ordered the next in series coming out in September.

[Mr P L Hughes · Rating 4 out of 5]

Political intrigue and a leader with internal strife

A good addition to the series with adventures on land and water. Political strategies and self promotion causes many of the problems encountered by the team.