Semper Fidelis by Ruth Downie

August 6, 2019

Semper Fidelis by Ruth Downie

After his stint as an investigator, Ruso has re-enlisted in the Roman army as a medical officer (medicus).  With the impending visit of the emperor, the town of Deva is in an uproar.  To escape the noise and politics, Ruso devises a tour for himself to inspect the medical facilities at the various distant army outposts where the 20th Roman Legion will stop.  His native-born British wife Tilla, a skilled midwife, accompanies him.  But as soon as they arrive at their first stop (in what is the modern city of York), a young recruit commits suicide by jumping off a roof.  When Ruso inspects the infirmary, he discovers that there have been a number of other suspicious deaths and injuries in the regiment.

Despite Ruso’s best plans, a storm blows the emperor’s flotilla off course, and the emperor and his entourage land near the outpost rather than in Deva.  He and Tilla get to experience the full force of the imperial visit, while trying to prove that a brutal officer is responsible for the recruits’ deaths and save themselves at the same time.

Well-researched as are all the books in this series, this title isn’t as strong as the previous four books. The first half of the book is a long set up for the last half, where the mystery actually starts.  I hope this is just a glitz in the series, since I really enjoy Ruso and Tilla's adventures.