Ruth Downie Books

Set in Roman Gaul, this novella weaves a gripping narrative of murder, intrigue, and betrayal. It follows the reluctant investigator Ruso and his partner Tilla as they navigate a web of deception. With a blend of historical detail and compelling characters, the story promises to engage readers through its exploration of crime and morality in a tumultuous era.

Set in ancient Rome, this installment of the Gaius Petreius Ruso series follows the titular character, a Roman army medic, as he navigates a web of intrigue and crime. Ruso's investigative skills are put to the test when he becomes embroiled in a mysterious case involving a missing person and a series of bizarre events. With a blend of humor and historical detail, the story explores themes of loyalty, justice, and the complexities of Roman society, all while showcasing Ruso’s unique perspective on life and duty.

Ruso is back with a brand new mystery. And it doesn't take long before he fears for his life . . . Gaius Petreius Ruso and his newlywed wife Tilla 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's tasked to hunt down a missing tax man named Julius Asper. Of course there's 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 warns the couple to flee before they get hurt. But it doesn't take long until Ruso and Tilla find themselves trapped at the heart of an increasingly treacherous conspiracy . . .

Set in the tumultuous landscape of North Britannia, the story unfolds amidst a backdrop of conflict and tension. The natives, driven by a fierce desire for revenge, create a perilous environment for outsiders. As the narrative progresses, themes of survival, cultural clash, and the consequences of violence emerge, showcasing the raw and untamed spirit of the land and its people. The gripping atmosphere promises an exploration of both the physical and emotional battles faced by those caught in this deadly struggle.

N.B. R S Downie is published in the US as Ruth Downie and this book, RUSO AND THE DEMENTED DOCTOR, is published in the US as TERRA INCOGNITA.Wind-swept North Britannia, where the natives are in the mood for killing . . .Gaius Petreius Ruso, medicus to the Twentieth Legion, has been posted to the hostile north - and thrown into a no-win situation. Thessalus, the current doctor at the Fort of Coria, has confessed to a grisly murder and his Prefect demands Ruso take charge of the patients and convince Thessalus to retract his confession. Or else. It seems a reputation for solving tricky murders down south isn't always helpful.Unfortunately, the corpse is offering up few answers other than to suggest that the natives might be more murderous than restless. If Ruso is to identify the killer, he'll need all his wits about him to keep Romans, natives and slave girls from each other's throats.

Britannia, 117 AD Primitive, cold, and a touch damp Welcome to the most remote corner of the Roman Empire For army doctor Gaius Petreius Ruso, this overseas posting is no picnic. He has vast debts, a slave girl too clever for her own good and an overbearing hospital administrator to cope with � not to mention a serial killer stalking the local bar. Washed-out dancing girls are being washed-up with the tide and everyone expects Ruso to investigate, even though the breakthroughs of forensic science lie centuries in the future. Will the gods smile on him before he too falls prey to the murderer? If only it were possible to find a good Falernian wine in Britannia, life would seem so much rosier � and perhaps the locals might stop killing each other �