Death at Pompeia's Wedding (Libertus) [Paperback]

Rosemary Rowe (Author)

Book Description

Series: Libertus | Publication Date: August 1, 2009

A Libertus Mystery, set in Roman Britain - Libertus 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 . . .

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

A setup Agatha Christie fans would appreciate forms the framework for Rowe's fine 10th mystery set in second-century Roman-occupied Britain (after 2007's A Coin for the Ferryman). Series sleuth Libertus, a mosaic maker by trade, agrees to stand in at a wedding for his patron, Marcus Septimus, who has to travel to Rome, in the town of Glevum (modern Gloucester). When someone poisons Honorius Didius Fustis, a town councilor and the bride's father, on the wedding day, the prospective bridegroom, Gracchus, who's still eager to cash in on the dowry, hires Libertus to prove that the bride-to-be, Pompeia, isn't responsible for parricide, despite her apparent confession. With his standing with the Roman authorities uncertain, the investigator doggedly pursues suspects both inside and outside the dead man's family. Rowe does her usual excellent job of integrating the details of everyday life into the plot. (Feb.)
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

From Booklist

The latest entry in Rowe’s popular Libertus Mystery of Roman Britain series is cleverly plotted and chock-full of authentic period details and surprising twists, with an unexpected but satisfying ending. Libertus reluctantly agrees to attend the wedding of Pompeia, daughter of an important official, in place of his patron, Marcus Septimus. Then the bride’s father is poisoned, and the bride confesses to the murder. The bridegroom promises a generous reward if Libertus can prove Pompeia’s innocence. Can he find the real killer before she’s thrown to the lions? Entertaining fare for fans of crime fiction set in the ancient world. --Emily Melton --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 224 pages
• Publisher: Severn House Publishers (August 1, 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1847510892
• ISBN-13: 978-1847510891
• Product Dimensions: 8.4 x 5.5 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 9.9 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,573,888 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Libertas is off again!, August 1, 2009

By 

Linda Tonra (Tralee, Ireland) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Death at Pompeia's Wedding (Libertus) (Paperback)

If you enjoy reading about the lives and deaths of the Romans you will enjoy "Death at Pompeia's Wedding". Libertas, a freed slave who makes mosaics for wealthy Roman citizens also is a good detective. In this book there is death, skullduggery and a surprise adoption. This is the seventh in the series and I am always sorry when I finish one of these books and can hardly wait for the next one. Like the others this is a great read and if you haven't already read them you will definitely go back and start at the beginning of the series. I envy you that task.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars An easy engaging read, January 21, 2010

By 

Linda Johnson "eclectic reader" (Mandan, ND United States) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Death at Pompeia's Wedding (Libertus) (Paperback)

Ms. Rowe's characters fit what I like about historical mystery novels. Her historical period is well researched. Since I hate, as a history buff, to be reading along and find something totally out of context to the period, I like this. Her main character, Libertus, seems more to bumble into the answer than sleuth it out, which is okay by me. I don't care for these super intelligent sleuths in some novels and I think most detectives do more or less bumble into the answer. The social problems brought on by Libertus having been a slave, and being a Celt, are well brought out, especially when it interferes with his sleuthing....the aggravation he feels is almost palaple. If you enjoy Lindsay Davis and others of this genre you will enjoy Ms. Rowe's books.