Memento Mori by Ruth DownieMy rating: 5 of 5 stars
Forgotten how much I enjoy the escapades of Medicus Ruso and his British wife, Tilla! Having left the service of Rome, Ruso and Tilla with their adopted daughter, Mara, are visiting the native family farm of Tilla's family. No longer in Rome, the life is quite different for Ruso and Tilla's brother is not inclined to make his stay comfortable. When word reaches them that Valens, Ruso's best friend and also a doctor, is being sought as the murderer of his wife, Serena, Ruso wastes no time in deciding he must rush to Aquae Sulis ( modern Bath ) to investigate and clear Valen's name.
Needless to say, from the outset, the situation is almost impossible. First, Tilla will not hear of remaining at the farm. Naturally, that means Mara, the nursemaid, Nameem, as well as their slave must also go. This requires hordes of luggage and the means to get to the tourist mecca as quickly as can be. From the chaotic trip, to the limited lodging availabilities in a town soon to have a festival in the name of the Goddess and a visit by the Roman governor to the actual investigation--nothing goes smoothly until the final pages of this frustrating, funny, infuriating mystery fraught with lies and omissions leading to dead ends.
Good to be back in ancient Britannica once more!
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