Amazon.com: Terra Incognita: A Novel of the Roman Empire: Ruth Downie: Books

From Publishers Weekly
Starred Review. A judicious use of humor and a memorable protagonist lift Downie's sequel to her bestselling debut, Medicus (2007). Toward the beginning of Hadrian's reign in A.D. 118, Gaius Petreius Ruso, a doctor originally from Gaul, has attached himself to a contingent of the Roman army, the 10th Batavians, en route to the northern edge of the Roman Empire in Britannia. When Felix, a soldier, is found beheaded, the prefect of the 10th Batavians, Decianus, assigns Ruso to investigate, despite a confession to the murder by Thessalus, retiring medic to the Tenth Batavians Bedbugs. Decianus is concerned that the attack presages further unrest from the locals, who ascribe the killing to their antlered god, Cernunnos. Reluctantly, Ruso probes Thessalus's motives for admitting the crime and finds that many others also had an interest in seeing Felix dead. This well-researched novel places Downie alongside such established masters of the Roman historical as Steven Saylor and Rosemary Rowe. (Mar.)
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Review

“In Downie's second mystery featuring Roman-era army doc Gaius Ruso, the sawbones is now stationed on the outskirts of Britain and investigating the ritualistic beheading of a soldier. But is the knife-wielding killer a local or a comrade?

Movie Pitch Prime Suspect meets Rome.

Lowdown Downie's attention to day-in-the-life period details, judiciously doled-out twists, and dry British humor make Incognita one hell of a toga party. B+”—Entertainment Weekly

"a lively sequel...Ruso rocks. Let’s hear it for those Romans.”—Kirkus Reviews (starred review)

"This well-researched novel places Downie alongside such established masters of the Roman historical as Steven Saylor and Rosemary Rowe.”—Publishers Weekly (starred review)

“If you missed Downie's debut novel, Medicus, which introduced regimental doctor Gaius Petreius Ruso and his slave/housekeeper Tilla, you'll want to get caught up. This book, which is even better than the first, opens with the pair headed to northern outposts, where Ruso hopes to gain some advancement...This is a terrific series that historical mystery fans shouldn't miss - Downie's knowledge of Roman military medicine is phenomenal - but you do need the background of the first book.”—Margaret Cannon, Globe and Mail

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Product Details

Hardcover: 400 pages
Publisher: Bloomsbury USA (March 4, 2008)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1596912324
ISBN-13: 978-1596912328
Product Dimensions: 9.3 x 6.5 x 1.4 inches
Shipping Weight: 1.6 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)

Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars See all reviews (13 customer reviews)

Amazon.com Sales Rank: #51,916 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

13 Reviews

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4.2 out of 5 stars (13 customer reviews)

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16 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A Fine Second to a Good First in the Series, March 14, 2008

By	Suzanne Cross "Virtual Graeco-Roman" (Santa Fe, New Mexico United States) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I thoroughly enjoyed the first venture in this series, Medicus (2006), and was delighted to get this second entry in the series. There is nothing but good news for those who enjoy well-plotted Roman mysteries, although I do have a suggestion or two for the author as she continues in what I hope will become an established and popular foray into the ancient Roman army and murder mysteries. She has fine characters, an extremely likeable protagonist, a good sense of historical place, and a good sense of plotting. I must admit, I haven't been close to guessing "whodunnit" and I usually can. She also has none of that "how on earth did she pick HIM for the killer" syndrome, which drives me nuts when the killer turns out to be someone totally unlikely.

This is a fun read; the author was a wonderful dry sense of the ridiculous that will keep you laughing aloud more than once. I had only two small concerns after its enjoyable and satisfying conclusion. Our hero, Gaius Petreius Ruso, a doctor to the legions, is in this novel so overwhelmed with difficulties in the far north of Britain that at points I got a tad impatient with him. Ruso is a great character, ironic, self-effacing, modest, likeable and decent, and the characters that surround him have an almost Dickenesque eccentricity: their personal pecadilloes are not only funny but firmly contrast to our hero's. The dialogue is rapid fire and a rather modern sense of wry angst adds its own flavor to the brew. One certainly feels that bureaucrats in 2008 and AD 128 were largely similar. However, I wanted poor Ruso do to a little better SOMEWHERE . . . he appeared confused to the point of ineptness at several places in the plot, and we need to retain both our affection for him, and our respect. He began to seem like a well-meaning dweeb. I also got occasionally impatient with Tilla, the native Briton/ex-slave/current girlfriend, and found her frequent disappearances during the novel (to visit friends, family, enemies, graves, old boyfriends) to be a tad peculiar. Surely even an open-minded, tolerant and affectionate Roman might ask, after 72 hours or so, where his slave girlfriend had disappeared to? Again, these are very tiny criticisms in the body of a fun and well-plotted novel, I just hope that, in Volume 3, Ruso could be a little more Roman and Tilla could be a little less attitutudinal.

Otherwise, I enjoyed this and can heartily recommend it for those who enjoy careful history with their murderous intrigues.

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10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Decent But Not Great Sequel, May 16, 2008

By	Douglas S. Wood "Vicarious Life" (Monona, WI) - See all my reviews (TOP 500 REVIEWER)

Gaius Petreius Ruso, doctor of the Roman 20th Legion, reprises his role as a part-time decidedly amateur criminal investigator (after the surprise hit Medicus: A Novel of the Roman Empire). Set in 2nd century Britain, Ruso has moved farther north with Tilla, who is either his slave (legally), his housekeeper (not too often), or his lover depending on the situation and their respective moods.

Ruso has volunteered to go north so that Tilla can visit the area where she grew up on the very edge of the Roman Empire (Hadrian's Wall would later be built in this area). Some Britons are straining under Roman rule, a mysterious Stag Man is trying to lead a rebellion of sorts. A worker had been injured in what appears at least to have been an accident. A Roman soldier has died in a clearly non-accidental murder - and his head is literally lost in the taking. A Roman doctor has gone off his head. Ruso tries to get to the bottom of it all.

The story is an enjoyable, mostly light tale, but Downie puts too many moving parts in play that merely serve to confuse the reader rather than entice them into solving the mystery. The developing relationship between Ruso and Tilla is central to the enjoyment of the story. Terra Incognita has less detail about the Roman army and almost anything written about the native tribes is pure speculation. Recommended.

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9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A Roman Briton Mystery, April 2, 2008

By	Story Circle Book Reviews (www.storycirclebookreviews.org) - See all my reviews

Sounds familiar. It's a wild border tale, like the ones I read growing up out on the high plains of Texas.

All is well. The natives are happy, tranquil--almost. Okay, sometimes they fight among themselves, but overall it's the good, unspoiled life--until the intruders appear. Their army takes over, builds a wooden fort, messes with the local girls, skirmishes with the guys.

Sounds familiar, yes, except that the border is in Britannia and the time is almost 2,000 years ago when Emperor Hadrian was just coming to power. (Hadrian ruled the Roman Empire from 117 to 138.)

The medico Doctor Gaius Petreius Ruso leaves the relative safety of the more established South to travel with the army alleviating pain, sawing off limbs, and doing what he can. They are headed to Coria where a few years later Hardrian's Wall will rise in a Roman attempt to exclude the unwanted Northerners from Rome's civilized ways. (Talk about contemporary parallels!)

The good doctor does not travel alone, although sometimes he wishes he were. Tilla, his native slave-turned-companion (in her language her name is Darlugdacha) seems to seek out trouble. By being in the wrong place at the wrong time (or was she?) she leads Ruso into this adventure.

Felix the trumpeter has been brutally murdered. Who did it? Tilla's former intended, Rianorix the baker, or was it Thesssalus, the fort medico who has taken leave of his senses and is confessing? Confusion abounds.

An impending visit from the Governor of Britannia looms over all decisions. "We've got to look good" is a truth through all ages. Ruso is persuaded to take over the infirmary from the ailing Tessalus (and to tend to him). That's a challenge itself, but still, there is plenty of time for the good doctor to immerse himself in the communities both inside the fort and in the nearby village, and to have a go at solving the mystery and setting things straight. He has his own brush with death--not exactly a burning-at-the-stake, but the outcome would have been the same.

Who will enjoy this adventure? Anyone who took Latin in high school or college, anyone who has visited northern England (for real or vicariously), anyone who enjoys a good American western novel or merely a good yarn--just about everyone.

Don't let the strange names and terrain stand in your way. A map (a must) and a cleverly anotated cast of characters both appear at the book's beginning. For even more information about the geography and history of the times visit the Hadrians Wall Country website. The author also provides a brief but complete bibliography in her "Afterward."

by Patricia Nordyke Pando
for Story Circle Book Reviews
reviewing books by, for, and about women

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Most Recent Customer Reviews

2.0 out of 5 stars Medicus, by Ruth Downie
As a novel depicting the role of a Medicus in the Roman Army it leaves a lot to be desired. The Roman Army had the best Medical services available at that time. Read more

Published 9 days ago by Sherman R. Batman

3.0 out of 5 stars Not as good as the First
I found this book rather disappointing. I am getting rather sick of Tilla and wish she would get written out of the book. She is a distraction. Read more

Published 2 months ago by Judith A. Weller

5.0 out of 5 stars Roman Britain...back in time
Thoroughly enjoyed this trip to Roman Britain...and the adventures of a Medicus...a doctor in the Roman Army, stationed in Britain...This is the second novel by Ruth Downie... Read more

Published 3 months ago by S. Juliano

4.0 out of 5 stars better than first book
I enjoyed this book so much better than the first book, Medicus. The plot seemed to move faster. I felt closer to the characters as well. Looking forward to the next adventure!

Published 5 months ago by Avid reader in GA

5.0 out of 5 stars The Antlered God Leads a Merry Chase
In the enjoyable sequel to the entertaining "Medicus", Ruth Downie returns to ancient Britain circa the time of Hadrian and we are again treated to an amusing romp with her... Read more

Published 10 months ago by Colin P. Lindsey

5.0 out of 5 stars Roman History Easy to Enjoy
Among the many fictional Roman histories in print today, this is the only one I have read that treats history honestly but lightens it with humor. Read more

Published 11 months ago by Helen C. Shewsrd

5.0 out of 5 stars An unintentional detective
How fun to read a novel set in the world of ancient Rome. How much more fun to discover an unlikely, unintentional detective... Read more

Published 12 months ago by L. Walker

5.0 out of 5 stars A worthy follow up
This is a worthy and enjoyable follow up to the Medicus. I enjoyed both books thoroughly. They are thinly disguised modern murder mysteries that just happen to be set in Britain... Read more

Published 12 months ago by musdent

4.0 out of 5 stars Wonder Woman and Hawkeye Pierce on the Roman frontier circa 118 AD
Ruth Downie's second book in the Medicus (Gaius Petreius Ruso) series is an interesting, if not spine-tingling, tale of mostly intercultural conflict highlighted by murder and... Read more

Published 13 months ago by Blue

4.0 out of 5 stars dragged a bit
Not so good as Medicus. A bit thick in the middle. Needs a stronger wrapup.

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