Murder in the Forum

This is a very good entry in Rosemary Rowe's interesting series of Roman Britian. Libertus and his patron Marcus solve a mystery involving the death of a very unpleasant character called Perennis Felix. Along the way we meet up with some fascinating characters and learn quite a bit about Roman life, particularly in Glevum (modern Gloucester). Very enjoyable.

For those who have not read the other books in the series this is a book about Roman Britain in the 2nd century AD. Libertus the main character is a freedman, working as a Pavement maker (Mosaic Artist) in Glevum (modern day Gloucester.) He has an influential Roman patron Marcus Septimus who calls on him frequently because of his ability to solve mysteries. These books differ from the Lindsey Davis and David Wishart books as Libertus is portrayed as a person attuned to his surroundings rather than with the manner of a New York cop. For those who have read the other books, this is just as good. Not much about the plot here, but why spoil it. Buy the book.

Rowe's third Libertus offering - `Murder in the Forum', is a splendidly crafted effort. We are plunged immediately into a difficult situation for Libertus as he is confronted by an overly obnoxious and well connected imperial representative, Lucius Tigidius Perennis Felix, who has swept into Glevum with the apparent intent to marry his plain daughter Phyllidia to Marcus Aurelius Septimus, Libertus' patron. Unfortunately, continuing straight from the previous novel, Marcus is happily living with Julia Delicta (the ex-wife of the murderd Corfinium decurion, Quintus) several hours away and Libertus is forced to race to `fetch' him with Felix's imperious guard and hinted lover, Zetso. Realising the real reason for Felix's visit, Marcus hastily married Julia before speeding back to the civic banquet thrown (under some duress) for Felix at the house of the dog-loving Gaius Flavius Flaminius.Having thoroughly set up Felix as a universally hated man (in no means by his brutal murder of Marcus' envoy) it comes as no surprise we watch dispassionately as he seemingly chokes to death on a nut halfway through the banquet. Immediately Libertus suspects the redhaired Celt masquerading as a noble, Egobarbus, and Zetso, both of whom have gone missing. The suspect hasty departure of Octavius (later found to be the beau of Phyllidia) also has Libertus chasing shadows until he located one of Gaius' dogs dead of poisoning. There is a moment of splendid parody as Gaius commissions Libertus to construct a mosaic for him dedicated to the fallen canine.So, Libertus ends up being robbed, we have to deal with 3 suspicious almond smelling phials of poison, Octavius' `confession', and Felix's mysterious dealings with the red haired Celts before we move towards the denoument. There is a neat scene where Libertus has to represent Marcus at the funeral rites to his herald (an action which gives us the methods by which the Celts escaped the city after the murder)A quick scamper north to a mansio reveals the true state of Egobarbus and Libertus is able to track down Zetso which with much impunity that results in him questioning an imperial seal and being thrown into prison for his troubles, allows him to garner more half truths. As Rowe neatly uses the trick of one character giving further incriminating answers to questions that he is misunderstanding, it means Libertus is able to uncover a far greater conspiracy. It all ends with Libertus up on charges of treason in front of Pertinax with Zetso. The latter panics, reveals all whilst still under the misapprehension that everyone else knows about the greater conspiracy and thus permits Libertus to escape his crime on the basis of saving the emperor.Rowe's third installment is excellent. Her writing style has progressed enormously since the first book and the adventures of Libertus and Junio are a delighful addition to the Roman murder mystery genre. Well worth reading....