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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
8 of 8 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
Those who think no one could possibly surpass Lindsey Davis when it comes to Roman mysteries should give this a go. Sure, it lacks the same wit as Falco and the crew, but the sheer twistiness of The Vestal Vanishes makes it a complete standout. I can only assume Rowe parted ways with her previous publisher because the sales figures weren't matching expectations, but this book shows she fully deserves better. The retired vestal of the title, Audelia, is due to marry a wealthy Roman, but disappears from a moving carriage before she reaches the wedding. Instead, our hero Libertus makes a grisly find - a torso with no head and no hands. What it does have is a sprig of oak leaves and mistletoe tucked into the gown - a clear sign that Druids are involved. But how could they have killed her without anyone seeing? And why? It's a classic locked room mystery set in a Roman carriage, complete with a serious kicker, as the vestal's niece also vanishes from a locked room without a trace. Is it magic? Or is someone not who they seem to be? The ending contains surprise upon surprise upon surprise, and even if you can guess some of it, you definitely won't guess the lot. If you like this, I also recommend Rowe's earlier book Murder in the Forum. Though it's now out of print, buy it secondhand, it's well worth it.
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
"...whatever Lavinius might or might not know, one cannot keep this kind of secret from the gods."
It is these words, spoken by Secunda in a poor farmstead that prove the key to Rosemary Rowe's theme in this latest Libertus mystery.
The story revolves around the impending marriage of Publius Martinus at the end of an auspicious sacrifice in Glevum to the once-Vestal Virgin, Audelia. Yet, before the feasting and Games can commence, Libertus is hurriedly summoned to his patron's side to investigate the disappearance of the bride-to-be on the road from Corinium. Libertus is given no time to go home and explain his commission but is sent off with a suspect raedarius - in the same carriage that was to bring the missing Vestal and her niece, Lavinia, to Glevum - to retrace the steps of the fateful journey and discover the whereabouts of the Vestal. Along the way he discovers complicity and duplicity at hostels, farms, amongst slaves and those charged with the welfare of others until, finally, he uncovers the mystery of a very sad little girl and a woman who desires nothing more than a chance to live her life as she chooses away from both the critical eye of a paterfamilias who would deal nefariously with her future and the intransigent ethics of Roman propriety.
I have to say that Rowe delivers a tidy mystery. The reader is taken sweetly along on the journey that is Libertus mind as he both painstakingly looks for the inevitable clues that come up in his discussions with people and understands the fallibility of relationships that point to motive. Matters are never random, the culprit(s) are always found within three degrees of the victim and superstitious fear is a powerful tool that creates the situations that Rowe sketches us. If you wanted comparable authors, then Lindsay Davis or David Wishart are the obvious choices. Rowe is more serious in her writing, Libertus an older man who reluctantly sleuths through thinking, rather than the heady action of Falco or the casual levity of Corvinus, than these other two authors, but no less enjoyable for it.
Couple of odd spelling moments which are probably Kindle related but stand out as the editing of these books is normally excellent. One example is 'torc' is spelt "torque" - round about 4% of the way into the Kindle. It's the third time I've seen that particular mistake on Kindle. Different authors for each time.
If you wish to enjoy a light read, a well constructed narrative, enough twists and clues to keep you interested, a character who is amiable if not enjoyable, then I'd recommend Rowe. I note that the Libertus novels have lessened in frequency in recent years. Is that a sign that the author is coming to a natural end for her British character? If it is, then, if you like Falco, I'd suggest you read these whilst you can.
It is these words, spoken by Secunda in a poor farmstead that prove the key to Rosemary Rowe's theme in this latest Libertus mystery.
The story revolves around the impending marriage of Publius Martinus at the end of an auspicious sacrifice in Glevum to the once-Vestal Virgin, Audelia. Yet, before the feasting and Games can commence, Libertus is hurriedly summoned to his patron's side to investigate the disappearance of the bride-to-be on the road from Corinium. Libertus is given no time to go home and explain his commission but is sent off with a suspect raedarius - in the same carriage that was to bring the missing Vestal and her niece, Lavinia, to Glevum - to retrace the steps of the fateful journey and discover the whereabouts of the Vestal. Along the way he discovers complicity and duplicity at hostels, farms, amongst slaves and those charged with the welfare of others until, finally, he uncovers the mystery of a very sad little girl and a woman who desires nothing more than a chance to live her life as she chooses away from both the critical eye of a paterfamilias who would deal nefariously with her future and the intransigent ethics of Roman propriety.
I have to say that Rowe delivers a tidy mystery. The reader is taken sweetly along on the journey that is Libertus mind as he both painstakingly looks for the inevitable clues that come up in his discussions with people and understands the fallibility of relationships that point to motive. Matters are never random, the culprit(s) are always found within three degrees of the victim and superstitious fear is a powerful tool that creates the situations that Rowe sketches us. If you wanted comparable authors, then Lindsay Davis or David Wishart are the obvious choices. Rowe is more serious in her writing, Libertus an older man who reluctantly sleuths through thinking, rather than the heady action of Falco or the casual levity of Corvinus, than these other two authors, but no less enjoyable for it.
Couple of odd spelling moments which are probably Kindle related but stand out as the editing of these books is normally excellent. One example is 'torc' is spelt "torque" - round about 4% of the way into the Kindle. It's the third time I've seen that particular mistake on Kindle. Different authors for each time.
If you wish to enjoy a light read, a well constructed narrative, enough twists and clues to keep you interested, a character who is amiable if not enjoyable, then I'd recommend Rowe. I note that the Libertus novels have lessened in frequency in recent years. Is that a sign that the author is coming to a natural end for her British character? If it is, then, if you like Falco, I'd suggest you read these whilst you can.
Most Helpful Customer Reviews on Amazon.com (beta)
Amazon.com:
2 reviews
"one cannot keep this kind of secret from the gods"
1 May 2012
Format:Hardcover
"...whatever Lavinius might or might not know, one cannot keep this kind of secret from the gods."
It is these words, spoken by Secunda in a poor farmstead that prove the key to Rosemary Rowe's theme in this latest Libertus mystery.
The story revolves around the impending marriage of Publius Martinus at the end of an auspicious sacrifice in Glevum to the once-Vestal Virgin, Audelia. Yet, before the feasting and Games can commence, Libertus is hurriedly summoned to his patron's side to investigate the disappearance of the bride-to-be on the road from Corinium. Libertus is given no time to go home and explain his commission but is sent off with a suspect raedarius - in the same carriage that was to bring the missing Vestal and her niece, Lavinia, to Glevum - to retrace the steps of the fateful journey and discover the whereabouts of the Vestal. Along the way he discovers complicity and duplicity at hostels, farms, amongst slaves and those charged with the welfare of others until, finally, he uncovers the mystery of a very sad little girl and a woman who desires nothing more than a chance to live her life as she chooses away from both the critical eye of a paterfamilias who would deal nefariously with her future and the intransigent ethics of Roman propriety.
I have to say that Rowe delivers a tidy mystery. The reader is taken sweetly along on the journey that is Libertus mind as he both painstakingly looks for the inevitable clues that come up in his discussions with people and understands the fallibility of relationships that point to motive. Matters are never random, the culprit(s) are always found within three degrees of the victim and superstitious fear is a powerful tool that creates the situations that Rowe sketches us. If you wanted comparable authors, then Lindsay Davis or David Wishart are the obvious choices. Rowe is more serious in her writing, Libertus an older man who reluctantly sleuths through thinking, rather than the heady action of Falco or the casual levity of Corvinus, than these other two authors, but no less enjoyable for it.
Couple of odd spelling moments which are probably Kindle related but stand out as the editing of these books is normally excellent. One example is 'torc' is spelt "torque" - round about 4% of the way into the Kindle. It's the third time I've seen that particular mistake on Kindle. Different authors for each time.
If you wish to enjoy a light read, a well constructed narrative, enough twists and clues to keep you interested, a character who is amiable if not enjoyable, then I'd recommend Rowe. I note that the Libertus novels have lessened in frequency in recent years. Is that a sign that the author is coming to a natural end for her British character? If it is, then, if you like Falco, I'd suggest you read these whilst you can.
It is these words, spoken by Secunda in a poor farmstead that prove the key to Rosemary Rowe's theme in this latest Libertus mystery.
The story revolves around the impending marriage of Publius Martinus at the end of an auspicious sacrifice in Glevum to the once-Vestal Virgin, Audelia. Yet, before the feasting and Games can commence, Libertus is hurriedly summoned to his patron's side to investigate the disappearance of the bride-to-be on the road from Corinium. Libertus is given no time to go home and explain his commission but is sent off with a suspect raedarius - in the same carriage that was to bring the missing Vestal and her niece, Lavinia, to Glevum - to retrace the steps of the fateful journey and discover the whereabouts of the Vestal. Along the way he discovers complicity and duplicity at hostels, farms, amongst slaves and those charged with the welfare of others until, finally, he uncovers the mystery of a very sad little girl and a woman who desires nothing more than a chance to live her life as she chooses away from both the critical eye of a paterfamilias who would deal nefariously with her future and the intransigent ethics of Roman propriety.
I have to say that Rowe delivers a tidy mystery. The reader is taken sweetly along on the journey that is Libertus mind as he both painstakingly looks for the inevitable clues that come up in his discussions with people and understands the fallibility of relationships that point to motive. Matters are never random, the culprit(s) are always found within three degrees of the victim and superstitious fear is a powerful tool that creates the situations that Rowe sketches us. If you wanted comparable authors, then Lindsay Davis or David Wishart are the obvious choices. Rowe is more serious in her writing, Libertus an older man who reluctantly sleuths through thinking, rather than the heady action of Falco or the casual levity of Corvinus, than these other two authors, but no less enjoyable for it.
Couple of odd spelling moments which are probably Kindle related but stand out as the editing of these books is normally excellent. One example is 'torc' is spelt "torque" - round about 4% of the way into the Kindle. It's the third time I've seen that particular mistake on Kindle. Different authors for each time.
If you wish to enjoy a light read, a well constructed narrative, enough twists and clues to keep you interested, a character who is amiable if not enjoyable, then I'd recommend Rowe. I note that the Libertus novels have lessened in frequency in recent years. Is that a sign that the author is coming to a natural end for her British character? If it is, then, if you like Falco, I'd suggest you read these whilst you can.
1 of 3 people found the following review helpful
A Great Read
5 Aug 2011
Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase
I have read all the previous books in Rowe's Libertus series. I really like her writing. The character of Libertus is very likeable, and the plots always move quickly. It's a great read for anyone who likes historical mysteries.
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