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Caveat Emptor: A Novel of the Roman Empire

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Caveat Emptor: A Novel of the Roman Empire

By: Ruth Downie
Narrated by: Simon Vance
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About this listen

Ruso and Tilla, now newlyweds, have moved back to Britannia, where Ruso's old friend and colleague Valens has promised to help him find work. But it isn't the kind of work he'd had in mind - Ruso is tasked with hunting down a missing tax man named Julius Asper. Of course, there's also something else missing: money. And the council of the town of Verulamium is bickering over what's become of it. Compelled to delve deeper by a threat from his old sparring partner, Metellus, Ruso discovers that the good townsfolk may not be as loyal to Rome as they like to appear.

While Tilla tries to comfort Asper's wife, an anonymous well-wisher is busy warning the couple to get away from the case before they get hurt. Despite our hero's best efforts to get himself fired as investigator, he and his bride find themselves trapped at the heart of an increasingly treacherous conspiracy involving theft, forgery, buried treasure, and the legacy of Boudica, the Rebel Queen.

Friends, Romans, countrymen, lend us your ears: listen to another Novel of the Roman Empire.©2010 Ruth Downie (P)2011 Tantor Genre Fiction Historical Literary Fiction Mystery Fiction

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Critic reviews

"Downie excels in bringing the ancient world to life as well as making the attitudes and customs of its inhabitants accessible to a modern audience." ( Publishers Weekly)
All stars
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As with the rest if the series, it’s a fun and interesting read. I especially enjoyed the references to the Boudicca rebellion. But I think it would help other readers to read up about that a little bit first, even if you get fed small pieces of info through the story.

Another fun read.

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This the fourth book in the [Gaius Petreius] Ruso series is worth the listen. It extends the developing relationship between Ruso and Tilla with touching sensitivity amidst a difficult mystery to be solved and with a lurking threat from the past. The writing is clear, involving and keeps to the task. Characters are well drawn and there are some ‘gasps’ of surprise that will keep the listener on their toes, and with excellent skill Ruth Downie provides a conclusion that will leave everyone want to know what will come next. This is a novel with several strong women, one still hovering in many a consciousness. This is so well done and makes a point about the natives and the invading Romans. The sub-plot involving Ruso’s friend and family is well threaded though the novel. Again the listener will want to know how that develops in future books of the series. As is often the case there is great tenderness with contrasting brutishness, just as there is seriousness and comedic elements. There is well controlled management of the characters and their numbers so that listeners are never left confused. The audio-book is handsomely performed by Simon Vance, and his consistency though the series is well maintained. The setting of Verulamium (St Albans) is so well depicted that those listeners that are able to will want to think about a visit. For me there is every reason the maintain faith with the Ruso series and I am pleased to have them waiting in my Audible library. Again, for those Audible members new to this author and series, there is a no-risk opportunity to taste and get hooked on this series Via the Audible Plus Catalogue at no cost.

Strong Women Alive and Dead! A Great Listen.

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Love this author's tongue-in-cheek asides and observations. The main characters have a nice depth to them and in amongst the stuff for comic effect there are some genuinely moving episodes. The story got a bit convoluted at times and perhaps there were too many characters with slightly too littie definition to keep them all apart and maintain a proper grip of the plot, but it was definitely worthy of four solid stars. The narrator, with his wry tone and excellent delivery was born for this series of books!

Enjoyable Roman Romp

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Ruso and Tilla back in Britain find themselves manipulated and or dragged from London to St Albans (Verulamium). Lots of bad guys, threats and insights into life in a prosperous Roman town and human nature. Good entertainment. Simon Vance has enough lightness in his voice to match the tone of the story well.

Money, money, money

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I didn't think that books on Roman Britain would hold my interest, but they have, and now I can't wait to hear a further book in this fascinating series. I highly recommend.

Another interesting tale

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Perhaps her previous offerings have given me very high expectations but there were just too many twists and turns in this one. I found myself going back and forth amongst all the new characters trying to figure out who was who. The characters are still finely drawn, the historical details fascinating and the plot intriguing but so many new characters with Roman tags on their names was a few too many for me. I’m still off to get the next one though. Russo and Tilla are wonderful characters.

Good but not brilliant

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Would you consider the audio edition of Caveat Emptor: A Novel of the Roman Empire to be better than the print version?
I haven't read the print version, so can't compare the two.

What did you like best about this story?
The bored Empress, Sabina made me laugh.

Have you listened to any of Simon Vance’s other performances? How does this one compare?
This is the 5th Ruso book I've listened to, narrated by Simon Vance. His delivery is consistently very good but his accent's let him down a bit.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?
Too long to listen to in a oner. It took 2/3 sittings.

Any additional comments?
I really enjoy the good nature and long suffering Ruso getting himself into a mess and finding his way out again.

Ruso gets in it deeper and deeper.

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Another fine piece of story telling with humour and sympathy set against a recreation of Roman Britain.

Well told story - believable characters

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Like others in this series, it starts well enough but gets complex and more tedious. Somewhat redeemed right at the end.

Slow and convoluted

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disappointing ending to a rather tedious story, very inferior to previous books. not for me.

disappointed

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