Glevum, the bustling Roman town which we call Gloucester,
is the setting for this mystery in the ongoing 'Libertus'
series about Roman Britain. Mysteries occur regularly and
a
mosaic maker who is trading well under Roman rule often
finds himself called upon to help solve them. THE FATEFUL
DAY when Libertus goes to speak to a carriage driver
outside his patron's villa, he doesn't realise what he's
getting into.
Libertus is obviously a man of Celtic descent, and Roman
citizens tend to look down on him; the haughty man in the
carriage is no different. Gwellia, Libertus's wife,
thinks
that the man's behaviour was odd, but he has driven off
again and they think no more of the matter. Next morning
Libertus calls to his patron's villa to check that all is
well in the family's absence. But he finds the gatekeeper
has been killed and the place seems deserted. Is this the
work of thieves, a slave revolt, or something else?
We take a stroll around a villa and lands with Libertus,
see that this citizen of the Empire and former slave has
his own red-headed slave boys called Maximus and Minimus,
and meet his wife, strapping son and gentle mule. This
tale
is a splendid introduction to the domestic arrangements of
the day. The fit and strong land-slaves include overseer
Georgicus, the name meaning agricultural, and this is the
only person of authority that Libertus can find as he
searches the area. Piecing together what events may have
occurred is a further way to enlighten us about life in
Roman times for the working underdogs. The Romans still
require garrisons to keep control, and for locals to carry
a bladed weapon is a serious offence. Of course, politics
and power are involved in any decent Roman mystery.
Libertus is as always in a halfway rank, fretting about
his
second-best toga and frequently the only person present
who
is literate. He's easy to relate to for new readers while
longtime fans will be cheering on his cautious footsteps.
If you haven't read Rosemary Rowe's books, make a start
here as this one is easy to dive into with a limited cast
of characters. There's a treat in store as you can go
back
and pick up all the other mysteries when you've enjoyed
THE
FATEFUL DAY.
A compelling new mystery for Libertus, set against the
backdrop of the Roman Empire in turmoil and fighting for
its
survival . . .
Libertus is passing the villa of his patron, Marcus
Septimus Aurelius, when he sees an elaborate travelling
carriage which has pulled up outside and is now blocking
the road. Recognising that this may be an important
visitor, Libertus approaches the carriage, intending to
explain that Marcus is away, gone to Rome to visit his old
friend Pertinax, who has recently been installed as
Emperor. However, for his efforts, Libertus instead
receives a torrent of abuse and the carriage-driver almost
runs him down as he departs.
Libertus is badly shaken, but goes back to the villa the
next day to find out why there was no gate-keeper in
evidence to deal with the stranger. There he finds a
gruesome discovery: the man is dead and hanging in his
hut, and none of the other house-slaves are to be found.
Worse things are to follow as news arrives from Rome which
will turn the lives, not only of Libertus and his family,
but the whole Empire upside down . . .
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