The arrival of a high-ranking spy for the Emperor Severus spells trouble for Libertus in this gripping historical mystery set in 2nd century Britain. On a misty day in February, CE 194, Libertus, pavement maker by trade and now reluctant councillor, is summoned to meet his patron at the local public baths. Marcus Septimus is concerned because a distant cousin from Rome has announced his … has announced his impending arrival and Marcus is convinced he is a spy for the Emperor Severus, despatched to Glevum to investigate reports of an ‘act of treason.’
Meanwhile, Libertus has concerns of his own. The local money-lender has been seeking his counsel, but before they can meet, a violent and untimely death occurs … and before long Libertus finds himself a prisoner of his new-found rank, fighting for the truth amidst accusations of treason and murder.
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Tables Are Turned on Libertus — He Is Being Accused
After the author sets the stage for the novel, it starts with Libertus meeting his patron, Marcus Aurelius Septimus in the baths. Marcus was very friendly with Libertus. Marcus had a reason; he needed a favor. In the last novel, Marcus gifted an apartment in town so that Libertus would meet the requirements to become a Councillor. Recently, one of the duumvirs dropped dead, and Libertus is elected. A distant relative of Marcus, an ex-Praetorian and confidant to the new emperor, Septimius Severus, is arriving. Marcus will need to provide housing. Since Marcus gifted the apartment to Libertus, he cannot ask for it back. He has to convince Libertus to offer it. What makes this visit even trickier is that Marcus believes that his cousin is a spy. While at the baths the town’s moneychanger who appears to be a little drunk wants to talk to Libertus. Since the moneychanger when sober tends to talk too much, Libertus tells him that he will talk with him tomorrow and leaves to catch up with Marcus. The next day Libertus visits the moneychanger’s stall in the forum to drop off some money, he discovered that only an assistant present. He learns that the moneychanger fell at the baths, and is at home. Libertus visits the moneychanger but discovers that he is dead in circumstances that appear not to be by natural causes. The novel speeds off from here.
The main storyline has two threads. First is Marcus’s cousin’s visit, and the second is Libertus’s unofficial investigation into the moneychanger’s death. In both threads there are many intriguing twists, turns and several misdirections. My attention was captured quickly and kept me reading so that I finished this novel faster than normal. I particularly liked the ability of the author to keep the tension as she weaved these two storylines together.
There B-storyline is rich with new insights into Libertus’s personality. Marcus had to purchase slaves to staff the borrowed apartment, but technically they belong to Libertus. One of them was a recently captured Dacian warrior that stirs up feelings of Libertus’s own time as a slave. The new slave is proving to be quite helpful, and Libertus needs to navigate his now unhappy slave, Minimus. These B-storylines enriched my reading experience.
There are not any sex scenes or colorful language. The violence is what I call in the third person, which means it is described after the fact. There should not be any objections to any reader for any these. Now, the setting is set near the end of the second century Roman England, so there are a few terms that are not in the Kindle dictionary and required access to the Internet. I do recommend reading this novel on the Kindle for its easy Internet access.
This is the 18th novel in the Libertus series. For me, it has not become stale. I have enjoyed reading this novel as I have reading the previous 17 novels. The downside was minor in that the first two chapters seemed a little slow because of the setting up the start of the novel’s main storylines, but I hooked soon in Chapter Three. Also, if this is the first novel in this series, I believe that you will enjoy reading it as the author provides adequate background to understand the nuances in this novel.
Based upon the above, I rate this novel with five stars. I am looking forward reading the next novel.
I have received a free kindle version of this novel through NetGalley from Severn House with an expectation for an honest, unbiased review. I wish to thank Severn House for the opportunity to read this novel early.