Prima Facie - A Gaius Petreius Ruso Mystery- Medicus 8.5 - Ruth Downie~ Incredible Read!!

Loved loved loved this book and truly did not want it to end, I tried to read slowly and checked the last 2 books to see how old Mara would be? Did they get back to Rome after the last book ended? I was asking the book questions and laughing out loud at things Russo said.

On a serious note, Downie's excellent Author's Note explores the vast social inequalities of that time. Her characters, especially Ruso and Tilla, grow and evolve in their wisdom and as their relationship has developed. They both are, and are not, products of their environment. They do not necessarily "think" like most 2nd century people, which is a credit to the author's great writing skills, and her extensive research, which includes archaeological "hands on".

THIS of course sums the story up better than I can:"It's AD 123 and the sun is shining on southern Gaul. Ex-military medic Ruso and his British wife Tilla are back after a long absence - but it's not the reunion anyone had hoped for. 
Ruso's brother has left him in charge of a farm he has no idea how to manage, a chronic debt problem and a gaggle of accident-prone small children. Meanwhile his sister Flora has run away to rescue her boyfriend, who's accused of murdering a wealthy guest at a party. "

How could you possibly not want to read this small book which could stand alone? Then of course you need to go back and begin with book #1 and begin the series. I have read it twice and am now going back to reread parts of this one. Get one for yourself right now!