Vita Brevis: A Crime Novel of the Roman Empire

The seventh adventure for Downie´s physician hero masterfully draws out its suspense, painting a vivid portrait of ancient Rome that feels persuasive and authentic. -Kirkus Reviews Ruso and Tilla and their new baby daughter have left Roman-occupied Britain--and the military--for Rome at the urging of Ruso´s patron, Accius. Their excitement upon arriving is soon dulled by the 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 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 Accius 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´s debt collectors and find allies in their new home while they track down the vanished doctor and find out the truth about the unfortunate man in the barrel.