The Germanicus Mosaic (A Libertus Mystery of Roman Britain, book 1)

The Germanicus Mosaic (A Libertus Mystery of Roman Britain, book 1) PDF Author: Rosemary Rowe
Publisher: Headline
ISBN: 1472205057
Category : Fiction
Languages : en
Pages : 212

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Book Description
A deadly puzzle from the days of the Roman Empire... Rosemary Rowe introduces Libertus and Marcus Septimus, in The Germanicus Mosaic, the first fantastic mystery thriller of the highly acclaimed Libertus series. The perfect read for fans of Stephen Saylor and Lindsey Davis. 'Demonstrates Rowe's pithy command of the Roman sleuth genre... a considerable achievement' - The Times 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. What readers are saying about The Germanicus Mosaic: 'Has it all: good storyline, interesting characters, historical perspective and a mystery that keeps you guessing all the way through' 'A very likeable and believable hero and cast of characters and some neat plot twists' 'A great introduction to a new detective, with atmospheric settings and an interesting take of Britain under the Romans'

The Germanicus Mosaic (A Libertus Mystery of Roman Britain, book 1)

The Germanicus Mosaic (A Libertus Mystery of Roman Britain, book 1) PDF Author: Rosemary Rowe
Publisher: Headline
ISBN: 1472205057
Category : Fiction
Languages : en
Pages : 212

Get Book Here

Book Description
A deadly puzzle from the days of the Roman Empire... Rosemary Rowe introduces Libertus and Marcus Septimus, in The Germanicus Mosaic, the first fantastic mystery thriller of the highly acclaimed Libertus series. The perfect read for fans of Stephen Saylor and Lindsey Davis. 'Demonstrates Rowe's pithy command of the Roman sleuth genre... a considerable achievement' - The Times 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. What readers are saying about The Germanicus Mosaic: 'Has it all: good storyline, interesting characters, historical perspective and a mystery that keeps you guessing all the way through' 'A very likeable and believable hero and cast of characters and some neat plot twists' 'A great introduction to a new detective, with atmospheric settings and an interesting take of Britain under the Romans'

The Alteration

The Alteration PDF Author: Kingsley Amis
Publisher: New York Review of Books
ISBN: 1590176170
Category : Fiction
Languages : en
Pages : 257

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Book Description
BOOKER PRIZE–WINNING AUTHOR Set in a world in which the Reformation failed, this award-winning science fiction tale is “one of the best . . . alternate-worlds novels in existence” (Philip K. Dick) In Kingsley Amis’s virtuoso foray into virtual history it is 1976, but the modern world is a medieval relic, frozen in intellectual and spiritual time ever since Martin Luther was promoted to pope back in the sixteenth century. Stephen the Third, the king of England, has just died, and Mass (Mozart’s second requiem) is about to be sung to lay him to rest. In the choir is our hero, Hubert Anvil, an extremely ordinary ten-year-old boy with a faultless voice. In the audience is a select group of experts whose job is to determine whether that faultless voice should be preserved by performing a certain operation. Art, after all, is worth any sacrifice. How Hubert realizes what lies in store for him and how he deals with the whirlpool of piety, menace, terror, and passion that he soon finds himself in are the subject of a classic piece of counterfactual fiction equal to Philip K. Dick’s The Man in the High Castle. The Alteration won the John W. Campbell Memorial Award for best science-fiction novel in 1976.

Dark Omens

Dark Omens PDF Author: Rosemary Rowe
Publisher: Severn House Publishers Ltd
ISBN: 1780104626
Category : Fiction
Languages : en
Pages : 240

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Book Description
Libertus accepts a contract to install a pavement for Genialis, a self-important citizen from a nearby town, in the house of the customer's intended but unwilling and young bride, Silvia. However, the winter is exceptionally severe, and although the mosaic is laid in time to earn the promised bonus, Genialis goes missing in the snow before payment can be made. Meanwhile, at an important feast, the sacrifice is spoiled as an aged priest lets go of the sacrificial ram – and when news arrives that the Emperor is dead, it seems that these dark omens are being realised. The subsequent discovery of not one, but two mutilated corpses only adds to this. Who holds the answer to the mysteries? Everyone had motive; Libertus attempts to solve the mystery against a backdrop of superstitious fear of auguries, and public riots following the confirmation of the Emperor's death.

Requiem for a Slave

Requiem for a Slave PDF Author: Rosemary Rowe
Publisher: Severn House Publishers Ltd
ISBN: 1780100418
Category : Fiction
Languages : en
Pages : 180

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Book Description
Ancient Roman freedman and pavement maker Libertus investigates the death of the pie-maker and the disappearance of his slave amid 'green man' sightings Libertus has an important order to fulfil for Quintus Severus who has commissioned a magnificent new mosaic. But when Lucius, the pie-maker, is found dead in Libertus’ workshop, and Libertus’ faithful slave Minimus is missing, he is once again dragged into a criminal underworld. Even more mysterious is the sighting of a ‘green man’ lurking outside his workshop around the time the murder took place. Can Libertus find Minimus, clear him of the murder of Lucius, and discover who really killed the pie-seller, and why? The omens aren’t looking good...

100 Must-read Historical Novels

100 Must-read Historical Novels PDF Author: Nick Rennison
Publisher: A&C Black
ISBN: 1408113961
Category : Literary Criticism
Languages : en
Pages : 194

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Book Description
This latest guide in the highly successful Must-Read series depicts 100 of the finest historical fiction tales published, with a further 500 recommendations. The text covers a wide range of classic works and key authors.

The Mammoth Book of Historical Whodunnits Volume 2

The Mammoth Book of Historical Whodunnits Volume 2 PDF Author: Mike Ashley
Publisher: Robinson
ISBN: 1472117077
Category : Fiction
Languages : en
Pages : 380

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Book Description
An all-new collection of exciting murder-mysteries with historical settings This new volume of historical murder and mystery contains over 20 specially commissioned stories ranging in period from Ancient Rome to the reign of Good Queen Bess. It features original stories from such masters as Steven Saylor, Peter Tremayne, Philip Gooden, Susanna Gregory, Kate Ellis, Michael Jecks, Edward D. Hoch and Marilyn Todd. · In Steven Saylor’s Roman tale, Poppy and the Poisoned Cake, Gordianus the Finder feels his latest assignment is suspiciously easy to solve. · Edward D. Hoch puts a novel twist on the locked-room mystery by setting it on a “locked ship” — Christopher Columbus’s, in fact! · In Flibbertigibbet Paul Finch unleashes a deranged serial killer on Elizabethan London. · Falstaff ’s successor Sir Johan de Mandeville turns sleuth in Keith Taylor’s Bene?t of Clergy. · Sister Fidelma must solve the mystery of a murdered Celtic monk in Death of an Icon by Peter Tremayne. · A pig provides the key to Michael Jecks’s latest Sir Baldwin mystery.- · Cherith Baldry turns Geoffrey Chaucer into a secret agent in her version of The Pilgrim’s Tale. · Anarchy and murderous intent rule when the Romans leave the British Isles in Richard Butler’s The Last Legion. . . . plus many more tales of dark age murder and mayhem!

The Mammoth Book of Classical Whodunnits

The Mammoth Book of Classical Whodunnits PDF Author: Mike Ashley
Publisher: C & R Crime
ISBN: 1472114922
Category : Fiction
Languages : en
Pages : 353

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Book Description
In the golden days of Ancient Greece and Rome, amidst the splendid art and architecture, the philosophy and politics - there was always a full measure of intrigue, mystery and murder. In this new collection twenty-two writers take up their pens to give an enthralling picture of classical crime. Favourite historical detectives such as Gordianus the Finder, Decius Metellus, and Sister Fidelma rub shoulders with eminent temporary sleuths such as Socrates and that honourable man Brutus, whilst other great names - Augustus, Archimedes, and even the spoilt and beautiful goddess of love, Aphrodite herself - also become enmeshed in terrible and ingenious crimes. Contributors include: Keith Heller Edward D. Hoch Phyllis Ann Karr Theodore Mathieson Amy Myers Wallace Nichols Anthony Price Steven Saylor Darrell Schweitzer Brian Stableford Keith Taylor and many more

The Fateful Day

The Fateful Day PDF Author: Rosemary Rowe
Publisher: Severn House Publishers Ltd
ISBN: 1780105932
Category : Fiction
Languages : en
Pages : 224

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Book Description
A compelling new mystery for Libertus, set against the backdrop of the Roman Empire in turmoil and fighting for its survival . . . Libertus is passing the villa of his patron, Marcus Septimus Aurelius, when he sees an elaborate travelling carriage which has pulled up outside and is now blocking the road. Recognising that this may be an important visitor, Libertus approaches the carriage, intending to explain that Marcus is away, gone to Rome to visit his old friend Pertinax, who has recently been installed as Emperor. However, for his efforts, Libertus instead receives a torrent of abuse and the carriage-driver almost runs him down as he departs. Libertus is badly shaken, but goes back to the villa the next day to find out why there was no gate-keeper in evidence to deal with the stranger. There he finds a gruesome discovery: the man is dead and hanging in his hut, and none of the other house-slaves are to be found. Worse things are to follow as news arrives from Rome which will turn the lives, not only of Libertus and his family, but the whole Empire upside down . . .

Enemies of the Empire (A Libertus Mystery of Roman Britain, book 7)

Enemies of the Empire (A Libertus Mystery of Roman Britain, book 7) PDF Author: Rosemary Rowe
Publisher: Headline
ISBN: 1472205111
Category : Fiction
Languages : en
Pages : 239

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Book Description
Libertus and Septimus come face to face with the criminal underworld of Roman Britain... Curiosity leads amateur sleuth Libertus into the dangerous world of fearless criminals in Enemies of the Empire, the seventh novel of Rosemary Rowe's Libertus series. The perfect read for fans of David Wishart and Lindsey Davis. 'Rowe is very good on the realities of Roman life... and there is a pleasing attention to detail... A deftly woven tale of patriots and intrigue' - Historical Novels Review It's AD 188, and the wild, forested outskirts of the Empire is the last place Libertus, freedman and pavement-maker, wants to visit. But he'd rather face a wolf or bear than an angry patron, so he agrees to accompany Marcus Septimus to the garrison town of Isca (now Caerleon in South Wales). Pausing at Venta, the two men realise they've stepped into a simmering cauldron of social unrest, where the Silures tribe, loyal to former chief Caractacus, seethes under Roman occupation. When Libertus spots a familiar figure, who seems desperate not to be recognised, curiosity gets the better of him. But his pursuit leads him down a dangerous path and into a murky world of racketeering, treason and murder... What readers are saying about Enemies of the Empire: 'Another first class Libertus yarn' 'She [Rowe] has managed to get so firmly into the mentality of this long ago period with such a vivid sense of humanity despite all the cultural differences' 'Fascinating details of Romano-British life and an intriguing mystery, tied firmly to its times'

The Detective as Historian

The Detective as Historian PDF Author: Ray Browne
Publisher: Cambridge Scholars Publishing
ISBN: 1443807559
Category : Literary Criticism
Languages : en
Pages : 240

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Book Description
"Deeper understanding of history is enhanced by encasing it in art and interest. Crime fiction is one of the widest and most rapidly growing forms of literature. Historical crime fiction serves effectively the double purpose of entertaining while it teaches. The "truth" of the narrative account, the editors of this volume believe, is dependent on the understanding of human nature reflected in the author who writes the narrative. "Historical crime fiction," the editors of this volume write, "has an obligation and a golden opportunity. It must bring the past up to the present through the device of timeless crime and it must take the reader into the world about which is being written so that the characters are alive and the events interesting and challenging." Professional writers of fiction need to be more effective than mere authors of dates and assumed motivations. Therefore they can fill in human motivations and drives where no records exist and can aid the professional historians in what historian David Thelen calls the "challenge of history " which is "to recover the past and [interpret it for] the present." The essays in this volume accept the challenge and make major accomplishments for meeting it.