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Vita Brevis: A Crime Novel of the Roman Empire

Medicus, Book 7

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Vita Brevis: A Crime Novel of the Roman Empire

By: Ruth Downie
Narrated by: Simon Vance
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Summary

Ruso and Tilla's excitement at arriving in Rome with their new baby daughter is soon dulled by their discovery that the grand facades of polished marble mask an underworld of corrupt landlords and vermin-infested tenements. There are also far too many doctors - some skilled - but others positively dangerous.

Ruso thinks that he has been offered a reputable medical practice only to find that his predecessor, Doctor Kleitos, has fled, leaving a dead man in a barrel on the doorstep and the warning "be careful who you trust." Distracted by the body and his efforts to help a friend win the hand of a rich young heiress, Ruso makes a grave mistake, causing him to question both his competence and his integrity.

With Ruso's reputation under threat, he and Tilla must protect their small family from Doctor Kleitos' debt collectors and find allies in their new home while they track down the vanished doctor and find out the truth about the heiress' dead father - Ruso's patient - and the unfortunate man in the barrel.

©2016 Ruth Downie (P)2016 Tantor Crime Fiction Historical Mystery Fiction Crime
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...Tilla finally sounds like a person and not a parody. Best story so far in my opinion too!

A big improvement in narration...

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It’s always a pleasure to spend time with Ruso and Tilla. Downie’s portrayal of their relationship seems very honest to me. I enjoyed Tilla’s attempt to be a good Roman wife just as I enjoyed Ruso’s gradually increasing attachment to their adopted baby daughter. In particular I liked the scene where Ruso explains his feelings to a potential adoptive father:

“It’s like any other sort of parenting, I suppose. Although not having tried the other sort, I don’t really know. Sometimes, it’s exhausting. Most of the time, it’s—well, I can’t imagine being without her now.” He suspected there was a silly grin on his face as he added, “She had another tooth come through this morning. And I’m almost sure she said Pa.”

One of my favorite moments was when the followers of Christos, who were having a service in the apartment above Ruso and Tilla’s, arrive in time to frighten away some thugs. Another favorite moment is when Tilla and two accomplices attempt to rescue Ruso by setting fire to a door. Finally, I enjoyed the scene where watching Tilla curse someone in her native tongue, Ruso speculates that if “the followers of Christos ever decided to expand into Britannia, they were going to find it an interesting challenge.”

All Roads Lead to Rome

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Ruth Downie is on fine form in Vita Brevis, which finds Ruso and Tilla pitched into intrigue and danger on a visit to Rome. The research is immaculate and the world created just melds itself seamlessly around the facts. There are loads of twists and turns, and fabulous characters all set off by superb narration. An absolute corker.

Great Read

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I felt the storyline in this book was a little weaker than the previous books in this series. The sooner the medicus and his family get back to Britain, where the author can be a little more inventive, the better. This book had something of a feel of Didius Falco books, but without the same level of humor.

Passably good continuation of the Medicus series

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I think these books just get better and better, can't wait for the next one now

Another great story from Ruth Downie

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