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Libertus Mystery of Roman Britain #8
A Roman Ransom
Glevum, AD 188. Lying in his sick bed, weak and disoriented, Libertus is strictly forbidden visitors. But when Marcus Septimus forces his way in, desperate to speak to the pavement-maker, Libertus knows that something is seriously wrong. Marcus's beloved wife Julia and their baby son have disappeared without a trace. And now a ransom note has arrived: unless Marcus uses his power to release a certain political prisoner, he will never see his family alive again. Libertus is well aware of Marcus's dilemma: give in to the kidnappers and sacrifice his reputation for being fair and unmoved by bribery, or stand firm and provoke unimaginable consequences. But Libertus has also made a powerful enemy. How can he help his patron -- and himself -- this time?
352 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2006
12 people are currently reading
108 people want to read
About the author
Rosemary Rowe
23 books45 followersA pseudonym used by Rosemary Aitken
Series:
* Libertus Mystery of Roman Britain
Series:
* Libertus Mystery of Roman Britain
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Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
January 4, 2022
Read this book in 2013, and its the 8th volume of the amazing "Libertus" series.
The year is AD 188, and in Glevum Libertus is lying sick in bed, when all of a sudden his patron , Marcus Septimus, enters his home and demanding his help.
The reason that Marcus Septimus wants Libertus's help is that his wife, Julia, and their baby son have been kidnapped, and they are only to be released when Marcus Septimus sets a certain political prisoner free.
While understanding Septimus's dilemma about giving in and stand firm, Libertus also knows that he has made a powerful enemy of his own due to his investigation.
What is to follow is a race against time in which to help his patron and the release of Julia and son, but after a very thorough investigation, followed with some twist and turns and a superbly worked out plot, Libertus will be able to reveal and catch the culprit of the abductions.
Highly recommended, for this is another magnificent addition to this tremendous series, and that's why I like to call this episode: "A Fantastic Roman Ransom"!
The year is AD 188, and in Glevum Libertus is lying sick in bed, when all of a sudden his patron , Marcus Septimus, enters his home and demanding his help.
The reason that Marcus Septimus wants Libertus's help is that his wife, Julia, and their baby son have been kidnapped, and they are only to be released when Marcus Septimus sets a certain political prisoner free.
While understanding Septimus's dilemma about giving in and stand firm, Libertus also knows that he has made a powerful enemy of his own due to his investigation.
What is to follow is a race against time in which to help his patron and the release of Julia and son, but after a very thorough investigation, followed with some twist and turns and a superbly worked out plot, Libertus will be able to reveal and catch the culprit of the abductions.
Highly recommended, for this is another magnificent addition to this tremendous series, and that's why I like to call this episode: "A Fantastic Roman Ransom"!
March 19, 2022
This is a good book. It's a solid mystery with sufficient clues scattered around for the alert reader. Which I was not - I tend to read when I'm rather sleepy. I think I will enjoy rereading this in the future and picking up on them.
I was distressed by the peril our sleuth Libertus was in from false (and absurd) accusations. His eminent patron Marcus has always respected Libertus' intelligence and often asks him to solve mysteries, but despite his rank and power, Marcus seems to have poor critical thinking, so he more than half believed the accusations. Of course, Marcus was under great strain since his beloved wife had been kidnapped - also he feared that Libertus' recent prolonged fever might have altered his character.
What I like best about this series is Libertus himself and his family. He's such a dear, decent person. There is real love in his family, even between master and slave.
As always, I learned a lot of interesting things about customs in the Roman world - this book is set in Britain, but the culture is overwhelmingly Roman, though Libertus is a Celt. The author is a scholar in the field, but she admits that a lot is not known and her portrayal might be inaccurate in some ways. It convinces me, though. In this book, I learned a lot about how babies were treated in that culture. And as in other books, there is much about the often bitter lot of slaves. Although he had been a slave himself (his name means "Freedman"), Libertus seems to take slavery for granted and doesn't necessarily think the customs around it should be changed. He does think torture is useless for finding out the truth - I don't think it's anachronistic for a thinking man to have had that view. He also feels sorry for slave women having no control over how their bodies are used.
I enjoy watching the developing story of Libertus and those he loves. I look forward to learning more in the next book.
I was distressed by the peril our sleuth Libertus was in from false (and absurd) accusations. His eminent patron Marcus has always respected Libertus' intelligence and often asks him to solve mysteries, but despite his rank and power, Marcus seems to have poor critical thinking, so he more than half believed the accusations. Of course, Marcus was under great strain since his beloved wife had been kidnapped - also he feared that Libertus' recent prolonged fever might have altered his character.
What I like best about this series is Libertus himself and his family. He's such a dear, decent person. There is real love in his family, even between master and slave.
As always, I learned a lot of interesting things about customs in the Roman world - this book is set in Britain, but the culture is overwhelmingly Roman, though Libertus is a Celt. The author is a scholar in the field, but she admits that a lot is not known and her portrayal might be inaccurate in some ways. It convinces me, though. In this book, I learned a lot about how babies were treated in that culture. And as in other books, there is much about the often bitter lot of slaves. Although he had been a slave himself (his name means "Freedman"), Libertus seems to take slavery for granted and doesn't necessarily think the customs around it should be changed. He does think torture is useless for finding out the truth - I don't think it's anachronistic for a thinking man to have had that view. He also feels sorry for slave women having no control over how their bodies are used.
I enjoy watching the developing story of Libertus and those he loves. I look forward to learning more in the next book.
January 3, 2021
In a manner of speaking this is a locked room mystery. The wife and baby son of Libertus’ patron Marcus have disappeared from an inner courtyard of a closely guarded villa. Libertus has been very sick and feverish and is in no position to help, but has been recovering under the care of an expensive Greek doctor and forces himself to become involved in the search. One of the more agreeable entries in the series in a well-researched background of Roman Britain.
August 10, 2023
Almost read this.in one.go
I had to force myself to put this down last night after reading far too long, but I was hooked. Julia and.Marcellinus, the wife and son of Libertus's patron Marcus have been kidnapped. They have already been missing for two days when Marcus comes to Libertus for help he had not been able to visit sooner as Libertus has only just regained consciousness after an illness which had almost took his life. Liberty's is not thinking clearly still weak and.disoriented but Marcus is desperate Julia and Marcellinus mean everything to him and he will even compromise his high moral standards to try to save them................ Libertus meanwhile finds.his own life at risk again from an unexpected source..............
I had to force myself to put this down last night after reading far too long, but I was hooked. Julia and.Marcellinus, the wife and son of Libertus's patron Marcus have been kidnapped. They have already been missing for two days when Marcus comes to Libertus for help he had not been able to visit sooner as Libertus has only just regained consciousness after an illness which had almost took his life. Liberty's is not thinking clearly still weak and.disoriented but Marcus is desperate Julia and Marcellinus mean everything to him and he will even compromise his high moral standards to try to save them................ Libertus meanwhile finds.his own life at risk again from an unexpected source..............
January 24, 2019
A good story. Well-plotted but full of typos.
August 20, 2023
Book 8 in the series - the wife and child of Libertus' patron have been kidnapped, Libertus is extremely ill, and suspicion for the crime falls upon Libertus himself!
June 27, 2025
started strong with a convincing scene setting but the second half trailed off and felt rushed with an abruptly unsatisfying finish
June 29, 2021
Good read
Plenty of twists and turns right to the end. A few too many references to licking of lips for my liking.
Plenty of twists and turns right to the end. A few too many references to licking of lips for my liking.
December 16, 2014
I have never been disappointed by any of the novels in the Libertus series and this one is no exception. These inventive, imaginative and intricate crime novels set in Roman Britain always grip, intrigue and surprise the reader. Plot and mystery are always cleverly considered and never insulting. They are traditional crime mysteries in many ways and each novel shares its alloted number of clues and red-herrings - the red-herring in A Roman Ransom is especially successful and nicely sign posted at an early stage. The mystery centres on the strange disappearance of the wife and son of Libertus' patron, the aristocratic Roman Marcus Flavius. Libertus and his family are engaging characters and I enjoyed the conceit of making Libertus bed ridden for most of this adventure, reliant on his wits alone. Another convincing aspect of the series is the almost constant and casual danger which hangs over most people simply to survive. For me, Rosemary Rowe captures a genuine atmosphere in a way unequalled by almost any other author of the Roman period, and this without sensationalising the society of the day. It is a pity that the series has not become as popular as other historical detectives. For sheer authenticity and clever plotting they remain unsurpassed.
November 5, 2013
#8 in the series about a Celt who designs and installs mosaics in Roman Britain in the year 188.
This one involves a variation on a plot I've seen many times and don't like: A and B have known each other and worked for years, along comes C with accusations and evidence (however small) against B, and A turns on B without hesitation or remorse. People who have known each other for a long time don't just turn without some thought.
In this case, A is the Roman magistrate of the area, B is our mosaicist, and C is a medicus (physician) brought in to treat B for a long illness. A's wife and small child are kidnapped and he comes to B, even in his illness, for help, as he has before.
As always, our hero determines the truth of the matter, the kidnaped are rescued and villain punished.
Well written and plotted, but recommended with reservations.
This one involves a variation on a plot I've seen many times and don't like: A and B have known each other and worked for years, along comes C with accusations and evidence (however small) against B, and A turns on B without hesitation or remorse. People who have known each other for a long time don't just turn without some thought.
In this case, A is the Roman magistrate of the area, B is our mosaicist, and C is a medicus (physician) brought in to treat B for a long illness. A's wife and small child are kidnapped and he comes to B, even in his illness, for help, as he has before.
As always, our hero determines the truth of the matter, the kidnaped are rescued and villain punished.
Well written and plotted, but recommended with reservations.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 5, 2012
Enjoyable Libertus novel, set in AD 188 Romano-Britain. While Libertus has been confined to bed with a serious illness, Marcus' son and wife are kidnapped. From his bed Libertus is called upon to solve the crime, not made easy by the ministrations of Philades, the talented Greek doctor hired by Marcus. It is worse when he is formally accused of the crime by the physician, who convinces Marcus of Libertus' involvement and direction of the crime.
An interesting plot solved from a sick bed. Some good red herrings.
An interesting plot solved from a sick bed. Some good red herrings.
September 22, 2007
Roman Britain, 188 AD. Another in the Libertus the pavement maker mystery. This one involves the kidnapping of Libertus' Roman patron's wife and infant son from their home. The situation is complicated by Libertus recovering from an illness so is weak physically and mentally. Many twists and turns as the mystery unravels that keep you guessing.
February 3, 2016
Read on a bus from Bangkok to Laos.
The next in the series of the thoughtful sleuth of ancient Roman Briton. This time his patron's wife and young son are kidnapped, and the search for the two missing aristos is by no means simple. At one point Libertus himself becomes a suspect. Resolved, in the end, skillfully (though I will state that I did foresee how the kidnapping occurred.)
The next in the series of the thoughtful sleuth of ancient Roman Briton. This time his patron's wife and young son are kidnapped, and the search for the two missing aristos is by no means simple. At one point Libertus himself becomes a suspect. Resolved, in the end, skillfully (though I will state that I did foresee how the kidnapping occurred.)
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 13, 2023
Wow! A trip to another time period and way of life. A historical mystery during AD 188 Roman Briton. It kept you guessing til the end. I liked this so much I will have to order/read more of this series.
May 14, 2009
Very good mystery set in Roman Britain- part of a series featuring mosaic artist Libertus. Nicely plotted, believable characters. Includes good historical background without lecturing.
April 16, 2015
Nicely paced mystery set in 188AD Britain. Good characters and story, with excellent historical setting and detail. Will try more in the series.
July 21, 2016
Great read
I have enjoyed all the books in the Libertus series and this is no exception. Lots of intrigue and I like how much he loves his wife and values her opinion s.
I have enjoyed all the books in the Libertus series and this is no exception. Lots of intrigue and I like how much he loves his wife and values her opinion s.
August 25, 2016
Great addition to the series.
Once I started the Libertus Mystery series I can't wait to get to the next one. Each one blends into the next.
Once I started the Libertus Mystery series I can't wait to get to the next one. Each one blends into the next.
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews