Prima Facie by Ruth Downie Series: Gaius Petreius Ruso #8.5
on July 19, 2019
Genres: Historical Mystery
Pages: 156
Format: Paperback
Source: Purchased
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Amazon, Audible, Libro.fm
It's AD 123 and the sun is shining on southern Gaul. Ex-military medic Ruso and his British wife Tilla are back after a long absence - but it's not the reunion anyone had hoped for.
Ruso's brother has left him in charge of a farm he has no idea how to manage, a chronic debt problem and a gaggle of accident-prone small children. Meanwhile his sister Flora has run away to rescue her boyfriend, who's accused of murdering a wealthy guest at a party.
Can Ruso and Tilla save the boyfriend from the murder charge - or should they be saving Flora from the boyfriend? Will any of the guests tell the truth about the fatal party before it's too late? And meanwhile, how long can Ruso continue to lie about what's inside the bath house?
A Medicus to the Roman army with a wife who was a former Britain slave solving mysteries together? Oh, you know it!
Prima Facie is book 8.5 in the series and is a standalone mystery that is part of an ongoing personal story for Ruso and his wife, Tilla.
Ruso and Tilla were in Rome, but now returning by way of a stopover to visit with his family at his home villa in Gaul. They no sooner arrive than they are accosted by family because his youngest sister has gone off trying to save the young man who was courting her because he stands accused of murder. Ruso is forced to step in and give aid in the form of discovering the truth before it’s too late for the young wheelwright.
Set during the Roman Empire, this reads like a light historical cozy mystery that had no issue with wedging in modern terms and slang. The tone was that of a mystery romp at times.
Ruso and Tilla are quite easy to enjoy as main characters. I thought the rest of Ruso’s family were the comic relief between his self-interested middle sister and his overly dramatic youngest, his step-mother who practically gives him a rash, and the wild antics of his nephews.
The murder mystery struck the sober note and had some good twists, brought out social issues and even ethics. Ruso and Tilla attacked the mystery from two different angles and used their strengths to get to the truth. There were some good twists.
All in all, it was a great shorter piece between the regular novel-length mysteries. I’ll have to gird up my loins to read the next installment as it also happens to be the last. I am sad for it because I’ve come to adore the characters, the historical backdrop, author’s writing style, and of course, the cunning mysteries set in the Roman era.
As a lifelong reader, it was inevitable that Sophia would discover book blogs and the joy of blog reviewing.Sophia is a prolific reader and audiobook listener which allows her to experience so many wonderful books, authors, and narrators.Few genres are outside her reading tastes, but her true love is fiction particularly history, mystery, sci-fi, and romance.Though, sorry, no horror or she will run like Shaggy and Scooby.
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It’s interesting they weave in modern slang and language with this historical. Glad to see you’re still loving the series. It is always hard to get to that last book of a beloved series!
I find it amusing to spot all the modern slang in these. Usually that sort of thing pulls me out of a historical, but these are so light and amusing in ways that I’ve just decided to go with it. Oh, the sadness of getting down toward the end of the series. 🙁
Sorry this one is coming to an end soon. Hopefully you’ll be able to find another series that’s good for you.
That is the beauty of all the wonderful book releases. There is always something to capture my interest when the last book is done. 🙂
I keep seeing this book everywhere.
That is so funny. I thought this series was rather obscure, but I’m so glad you’re seeing it pop up in several places.
Ohhh I like historical mysteries
You’ve come to the right place. These are fun ones. 🙂
I always love the covers of this series when you share the reviews. Glad you enjoyed this one, but I get being sad knowing the final book is coming!
Yes, the mosaic tile covers are a nice touch, I agree. And, yes, so sad to see it coming to a close. ;(