Vita Brevis: A Crime Novel of the Roman Empire cover art

Vita Brevis: A Crime Novel of the Roman Empire

Medicus, Book 7

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Vita Brevis: A Crime Novel of the Roman Empire

By: Ruth Downie
Narrated by: Simon Vance
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About this listen

Ruso and Tilla's excitement at arriving in Rome with their new baby daughter is soon dulled by their discovery that the grand facades of polished marble mask an underworld of corrupt landlords and vermin-infested tenements. There are also far too many doctors - some skilled - but others positively dangerous.

Ruso thinks that he has been offered a reputable medical practice only to find that his predecessor, Doctor Kleitos, has fled, leaving a dead man in a barrel on the doorstep and the warning "be careful who you trust." Distracted by the body and his efforts to help a friend win the hand of a rich young heiress, Ruso makes a grave mistake, causing him to question both his competence and his integrity.

With Ruso's reputation under threat, he and Tilla must protect their small family from Doctor Kleitos' debt collectors and find allies in their new home while they track down the vanished doctor and find out the truth about the heiress' dead father - Ruso's patient - and the unfortunate man in the barrel.

©2016 Ruth Downie (P)2016 Tantor Crime Fiction Historical Mystery Fiction Crime
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Narration saves these stories.
Once again a thin storyline padded out with repetition. Doctor Ruso makes stupid blunders and doesn't learn from them. From poor choices and stupid management they are getting poorer and poorer.

Predictable & Repetitive

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Is it really book 7 ? Already ? Wow, I just get so into the story, the mystery and the humour. This is a brilliant series, I just love it. I especially enjoy the dynamics, disdain and easy dismissal between Tilla and Risso. They truly deserve each other but I haven't worked out which has trouser let alone who wears them.

Salve Russo

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