Murder in the Forum (A Libertus mystery of Roman Britain) [Hardcover]

In this third book of the series, Libertus finds himself involved in yet another murder. When Perennis Felix, a close friend of the emperor, chokes on a nut there is mayhem in Glevum. Was this a natural death? paticularly when a dog is found poisoned after eating near the dead man.
The story also continues Libertus' quest for his long lost wife, so is a must for anyone following the series. If you have not read the previous 2, no matter, as the story is self contained in most ways. It is very easy to read, and entertaining, yet full of historical fact. Highly recommended to anyone with an interest in this genre.

Rowe's third Libertus offering - `Murder in the Forum', is a splendidly crafted effort. We are plunged immediately into a difficult situation for Libertus as he is confronted by an overly obnoxious and well connected imperial representative, Lucius Tigidius Perennis Felix, who has swept into Glevum with the apparent intent to marry his plain daughter Phyllidia to Marcus Aurelius Septimus, Libertus' patron. Unfortunately, continuing straight from the previous novel, Marcus is happily living with Julia Delicta (the ex-wife of the murderd Corfinium decurion, Quintus) several hours away and Libertus is forced to race to `fetch' him with Felix's imperious guard and hinted lover, Zetso. Realising the real reason for Felix's visit, Marcus hastily married Julia before speeding back to the civic banquet thrown (under some duress) for Felix at the house of the dog-loving Gaius Flavius Flaminius.
Having thoroughly set up Felix as a universally hated man (in no means by his brutal murder of Marcus' envoy) it comes as no surprise we watch dispassionately as he seemingly chokes to death on a nut halfway through the banquet. Immediately Libertus suspects the redhaired Celt masquerading as a noble, Egobarbus, and Zetso, both of whom have gone missing. The suspect hasty departure of Octavius (later found to be the beau of Phyllidia) also has Libertus chasing shadows until he located one of Gaius' dogs dead of poisoning. There is a moment of splendid parody as Gaius commissions Libertus to construct a mosaic for him dedicated to the fallen canine.
So, Libertus ends up being robbed, we have to deal with 3 suspicious almond smelling phials of poison, Octavius' `confession', and Felix's mysterious dealings with the red haired Celts before we move towards the denoument. There is a neat scene where Libertus has to represent Marcus at the funeral rites to his herald (an action which gives us the methods by which the Celts escaped the city after the murder)
A quick scamper north to a mansio reveals the true state of Egobarbus and Libertus is able to track down Zetso which, with much impunity, that results in him questioning an imperial seal and being thrown into prison for his troubles, allows him to garner more half truths. As Rowe neatly uses the trick of one character giving answers to questions that his misunderstanding, it means Libertus is able to uncover a far greater conspiracy. It all ends with Libertus up on charges of treason in front of Pertinax with Zetso. The latter panics, reveals all whilst still under the misapprehension that everyone else knows about the greater conspiracy and thus permits Libertus to escape his crime on the basis of saving the emperor.
Rowe's third installment is excellent. Her writing style has progressed enormously since the first book and the adventures of Libertus and Junio are a delighful addition to the Roman murder mystery genre. Well worth reading....

The Libertus series really comes into its own with the third novel. Rowe's character is thrown headlong into the political intrigues that have previously been in the background - the sense that the stakes are so much higher (but Libertus no less vulnerable) adds a sharper edge to the same great plot puzzles as the previous two books.

The same great story-telling and evocation of Romano-Celtic Britain, now tied in with a harsher more dangerous plot. This series just keeps getting better.