Rosemary Rowe

It is AD 186, and Britain is the northernmost province of the hugely successful Roman Empire. In Glevum (modern Gloucester), Libertus, a freedman and pavement-maker, lives under the patronage of Marcus Septimus. When a body is found in the furnace room of a nearby villa, and identified as that of Crassus Germanicus, a retired centurion, Marcus asks for Libertus's help. A slave is missing and the solution to the mystery seems obvious. But Libertus soon discovers that Germanicus has many enemies, and he must use his mosaicist's skill to put together the pieces of a most deadly puzzle.

The Germanicus Mosaic

Pavement-maker Libertus, a former slave who is now a Roman citizen, is not entirely surprised to witness a stabbing near the chariot race ground in bustling Corinium (modern Cirencester). Luckily the victim, the wealthy decurion Quintus Ulpius, has a personal physician on hand and tragedy is averted. Commanded by his patron Marcus Septimus to investigate the attack, Libertus arrives at Quintus's mansion only moments before the decurion is knifed again, this time fatally. When one of Quintus's enemies is found with bloodstains on his toga, for Marcus the case is closed. But Libertus is not at all convinced the solution is that simple. When a second body is found, he knows he must act fast before other lives are threatened - including his own.

A Pattern of Blood

Murder in the Forum

Libertus, freedman and pavement-maker, finds himself in Londinium at the invitation of the Roman Governor when news arrives of the brutal murder of Caius Monnius, the chief corn-officer. Libertus is asked to investigate but his enquiries lead him in disparate directions. Who is the guilty one? The keeper of the granaries? The sinister Calyx and Glaucus, managers of the best chariot-racing team? Or Fortunatus, the handsome charioteer whose relations with the dead man's wife were reputed to be less than honourable? Not until Libertus finds a second corpse does he begin to understand what lies behind the corruption surrounding the interests of Monnius and the chariots of Calyx.

The Chariots of Calyx

Glevum, AD 188: Despite the opulence of the evening's banquet, Libertus is keen to return to his wife and a warm bed. But this feast has a finale to put any diner off his dessert - the guest of honour is found dead in the vomitorium. To Libertus's horror, his patron Marcus Septimus is arrested on suspicion of murder. Then when Libertus is accused of being Marcus's accomplice, he is forced to go on the run. Hiding in a dark corner of the city, he quickly realises he's an unwelcome visitor to those who haunt the shadows. Soon Libertus is in danger, and this time there's no one to help...

The Ghosts of Glevum

The murdered body of a visiting ambassador from Rome is discovered in the temple of the Imperial cult and once again freedman and pavement-maker Libertus is called upon to investigate. Events take a bizarre and chilling turn when the body disappears, and then unearthly wails are heard coming from the temple and mysterious bloodstains start to appear from nowhere. But Libertus is sure there is a more human explanation for the murder and he is to uncover still more unsettling events before the truth is finally revealed...

The Legatus Mystery

A three-day journey to the forested outskirts of the Empire is the last thing Libertus wants to make. Not only are there wolves and bears, but Celtic rebels may well regard the lone coach as fair game. But when Marcus Septimus asks Libertus to join him on official business, he knows he can't refuse his benevolent patron. En route to the garrison town of Isca, they stop at Venta—a simmering cauldron of social unrest where the Silures tribe, loyal to the memory of former chief Caractacus, seethes under Roman occupation. In the busy market square, Libertus is shocked by the glimpse of a familiar face. His pursuit of the figure leads him down a treacherous path and, before he knows it, into a murky world of racketeering, treason, and murder.

Enemies of the Empire

When magistrate Marcus Septimus's beloved wife and child are kidnapped, he turns to Libertus for help. Unless Marcus uses his power to release a certain political prison, he will never see his family alive again. Libertus is well aware of Marcus's dilemma.

A Roman Ransom

Junio and his owner Libertus must solve the murder of a corpse found in a shallow grave, in order for Libertus to grant Junio his freedom.

A Coin for the Ferryman

When the father of the bride is poisoned after testing the wine at his daughter's wedding, Libertus is retained by the bridgegroom to prove the innocence of his new bride Pomeia after she publicly declares she is responsible for her father's death.

Death at Pompeia's Wedding

Libertus, a freeman sleuth, is called upon by his patron to investigate when Audelia, a vestal virgin who has retired after thirty years of service and is planning to marry in Glevum, disappears from the carriage in which she was expected to arrive, and his quest becomes even more urgent when a young girl destined for novitiation to the vestal ranks also vanishes.

The Vestal Vanishes

When Libertus discovers the body of a pie seller in his workshop and his slave Minimus gone, he investigates the murder in order to clear Minimus of the crime.

Requiem for a Slave

Libertus has been tasked to find out where ex-lictor Voluus' wealth comes from, but his sleuthing is misinterpreted by a network of spies who accuse Libertus of being involved in the massacre of Voluus' guards and horses.

A Whispering of Spies

Against the backdrop of dark omens and public riots following the Emperor's death, Libertus attempts to solve the puzzle of two local murders.

Dark Omens

When a tax collector commits suicide, having gambled everything away, Libertus is despatched to make enquiries. At the same time, he must attend a wedding in place of his patron. But as the assignment begins to take grisly and unexpected turns, Libertus realizes that freedom can come at a high price, sometimes paid in blood.

A Mystery Set in Roman Britain

The Price of Freedom

An astonishing new order has usurped power in Rome, and Libertus's wealthy patron now finds himself powerless and under threat. Charged with escorting Marcus's young family to a place of safety, Libertus finds his task beset with problems as he uncovers a grisly secret and an ancient crime - with ramifications stretching to the present day.

The Ides of June

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. After a series of strange and fatal events takes place, Libertus finds himself fighting for his freedom amidst accusations of treason and murder.

Prisoner of Privilege

Passing the villa of an absent Marcus Aurelius, Libertus comes upon a gruesome discovery, but even worse is the news that arrives from Rome, news which will turn the lives of the whole Empire upside down.

The Fateful Day

A society wedding turns deadly in the days of the Roman Empire . . . Second-century sleuth Libertus must prove a bride's innocence in this exciting, twisty mystery in the critically-acclaimed series set in Roman Britain. A perfect read for fans of Lindsey Davis and David Wishart. “Rowe, a distinguished academic, excels at drawing the reader into second-century Roman Britain, effortlessly inserting historical context as well as clues. Her sympathetic hero will engage mystery fans and readers of the classics alike” – Publishers Weekly Pavement-maker Libertus, a former slave who is now a Roman citizen, is at a society wedding on behalf of his patron when the father of the bride is poisoned after testing the wedding wine. Pompeia, the bride, declares that she has caused the death, but Libertus is retained by the bridegroom to prove her innocence. His investigations uncover hidden tensions, and when another guest is discovered murdered at his home, events take a different and more sinister turn . . . Praise for Death at Pompeia’s Wedding: “Cleverly plotted and chock-full of authentic period details and surprising twists, with an unexpected but satisfying ending” Booklist “A crisp and skillfully plotted whodunit full of deft period detail” Kirkus Reviews “ A setup Agatha Christie fans would appreciate forms the framework for Rowe's fine 10th mystery set in second-century Roman-occupied Britain . . . Rowe does her usual excellent job of integrating the details of everyday life into the plot” Publishers Weekly “Libertus must quickly solve a puzzle that turns out to be his most challenging case. Sure to appeal to fans of John Maddox Roberts” Library Journal

A thrilling glimpse of life in Roman Britain... A bedbound Libertus is faced with one of his toughest dilemmas yet, involving a dangerous ransom note. A Roman Ransom is the perfect read for fans of David Wishart and Lindsey Davis. 'It's a humdinger of a plot with more twists and turns than a spiral staircase' - Northern Echo Glevum, AD 188. Lying in his sick bed, weak and disoriented, Libertus is strictly forbidden visitors. But when Marcus Septimus forces his way in, desperate to speak to the pavement-maker, Libertus knows that something is seriously wrong. Marcus's beloved wife Julia and their baby son have disappeared without a trace. And now a ransom note has arrived, wrapped in the hem of Julia's stola: unless Marcus uses his power to release a certain political prisoner, he will never see his family alive again. Libertus is well aware of Marcus's dilemma: give in to the kidnappers and sacrifice his reputation for being fair and unmoved by bribery, or stand firm and provoke unimaginable consequences. But Libertus has also made a powerful enemy. How can he help his patron - and himself - this time? What readers are saying about A Roman Ransom: 'Rowe captures a genuine atmosphere in a way unequalled by almost any other author of the Roman period' 'Another fine addition to the Libertus series' 'Rosemary Rowe is unsurpassed in creating a picture of Roman Britain'

Rosemary Rowe

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