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Medicus

A Novel of the Roman Empire

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Medicus

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

 Gaius Petrius Ruso is a divorced and down-on-his-luck army doctor who has made the rash decision to seek his fortune in an inclement outpost of the Roman Empire, namely Britannia. His arrival in Deva (more commonly known today as Chester, England) does little to improve his mood, and after a 36-hour shift at the army hospital, he succumbs to a moment of weakness and rescues an injured slave girl, Tilla, from the hands of her abusive owner.

Now he has a new problem: a slave who won't talk and can't cook, and drags trouble in her wake. Before he knows it, Ruso is caught in the middle of an investigation into the deaths of prostitutes working out of the local bar.

A few years earlier, after he rescued Emperor Trajan from an earthquake in Antioch, Ruso seemed headed for glory: now he's living among heathens in a vermin-infested bachelor pad and must summon all his forensic knowledge to find a killer who may be after him next.

Who are the true barbarians, the conquered or the conquerors? It's up to Ruso (certainly the most likeable sleuth to come out of the Roman Empire) to discover the truth. With a gift for comic timing and historic detail, Ruth Downie has conjured an ancient world as raucous and real as our own.

©2007 Ruth Downie (P)2007 Tantor Media Inc. Historical Mystery Suspense Thriller & Suspense Fiction Ancient Rome Ancient History

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Critic reviews

"Downie's auspicious debut sparkles with beguiling characters and a vividly imagined evocation of a hazy frontier." (Publishers Weekly)
"Fans of Alexander McCall Smith will delight in this series debut set in Roman-occupied Britain and featuring wry army doctor Gaius Petreius Ruso." (Booklist)
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Really enjoyed the characters, the story, the narration and the quiet wit of the author who peppered the book with neat turns of phrase and some really incisive comments & observations on people & life in general. Will definitely be putting the next in this series on my Wishlist.

Excellent listen

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Interesting to reflect on Roman Britain. The author acknowkedges the fictional elements but fascinating to consider the possible dynamics between locals and interlopers

An enjoyable listen very well narrated

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Slow burn build up as you get to know the characters and become enthralled in the story with many twists. Hope there’s more to listen to. Great narrator too!

Throughly enjoyed this

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What made the experience of listening to Medicus the most enjoyable?

Well written and intelligent story. In some ways better than the Falco series, which I know and have enjoyed. It seemed more grown up.

A good find

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The narrator used a range of distinguishable voices to help keep the story clear and flowing. This is a good story enhanced by the telling

Held my attention from the beginning

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As a lover of historical fiction and murder-mysteries, I was delighted to discover 'Medicus' set in Roman Britain. It's beautifully written with very believable characters and the plot twists and turns, keeping you guessing. I was slightly irritated by the narrator giving the British 'Tilla' an Irish accent, I couldn't fathom the reason for that, especially as members of her tribe were given accents that sounded more Northern, and why Roman doormen were given harsh South London accents. But this was the only gripe - the rest of the narration was excellent, a pleasant voice to listen to.

A brilliant 'whodunnit' set in Roman Britain

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I am a glutton for a whodunnit! I found that I could put it down but as I listen to them to get to sleep (blocking out all other thoughts) I did keep rewinding. I found the characters well performed and enjoyed it so much that I have downloaded the second novel for my holiday. Appparently, according to reviews, it is even better.

Interesting and informative

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It’s one of the best narrators I have heard in a long time. But I find the story a bit slow going. It’s the daily life of a Roman medic basically but nothing too exciting. I will buy the 2nd book though, it’s quite enjoyable as an audio book.

Fantastically narrates, slow story

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I really liked the performance and enjoyed the Roman setting some more intricacy to the plot would have made it excellent.

Good reading story could give more

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Good story, great characters. I have enjoyed the books, now starting on the audio. Will continue with the series.

Very, very good. I enjoyed it hugely.

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