Murder in the Forum - Couverture souple

'Libertus himself is a highly diverting character, the story moves briskly along at chariot pace and there are many diversions along the highways and byways of Roman and Celtic life' Northern Echo

A PATTERN OF BLOOD:

'Demonstrates Rowe's pithy command of the Roman sleuth genre... A considerable achievement' The Times

'Solving puzzles and murder mysteries in the second century AD is something the freedman and mosaicist Libertus does well. And this engaging and sympathetic character once again has a date with danger and double dealing... Her gentle yet pacy writing style ensures that the action never flags as Libertus is drawn into a deadly web of intrigue... Her keen eye for detail ensures that the interesting array of characters who populate her novel are totally credible as are the surroundings in which they find themselves' Western Morning News

THE GERMANICUS MOSAIC:
'Lots of local and historical colour... The story is agreeably written, gets on briskly with its plot, and ends with a highly satisfactory double-take solution'
Gerald Kaufman, Scotsman

'A traditional country-house mystery translated to the Roman world - even featuring the mandatory body in the bibliotheca... Rowe has had the clever idea of making her detective-figure a mosaicist, and, therefore, an expert in puzzles and patterns. Into the bargain, he is a freed Celtic slave, and thus an outsider to the brutalities of the conquerors, and a character with whom the reader can sympathise... There are charming details about innocent life on the fringes of empire' Independent

When Perennis Felix, favourite of the Roman Emperor and would-be enemy of all, heralds his arrival in Glevum (modern Gloucester) with the arbitrary execution of a slave, there are few who dare to question his actions. Indeed, a feast in his honour is universally approved in the cause of self-preservation. Libertus, freedman and pavement-maker, and his patron, Marcus Septimus, are among the reluctant citizens at the celebration. But the festivities come to an end when Felix appears to choke on a nut and dies in front of a stunned gathering. But Libertus suspects that behind Felix's apparently accidental death lies a much more sinister explanation...