Vita Brevis

The seventh novel in the bestselling Gaius Petreius Ruso series.

Ruso and Tilla and their new baby daughter have left Roman-occupied Britain for Rome, but their excitement at arriving in the city is soon dulled when they find that the grand facades of polished marble mask an underworld of corrupt landlords and vermin-infested tenements. There are also far too many doctors - some skilled, but others positively dangerous. Ruso takes on a reputable medical practice only to find that his predecessor, Doctor Kleitos, has fled, leaving a dead man in a barrel on the doorstep and the warning, "Be careful who you trust."

Distracted by the body and his efforts to help a friend win the hand of a rich young heiress, Ruso makes a grave mistake, causing him to question both his competence and his integrity. With Ruso's reputation under threat, he and Tilla must protect their small family from Doctor Kleitos's debt collectors and find allies in their new home while they track down the vanished doctor - and find out the truth about the unfortunate man in the barrel.

Praise for Ruth Downie:

"Crammed with pithy characterisation, mordant humour and beautifully integrated historical detail" - Financial Times (Barry Forshaw)

"Reading Vita Brevis felt like catching up with old friends. . ." - Italophile Book Reviews

"Masterfully draws out its suspense, painting a vivid portrait of ancient Rome that feels persuasive and authentic" - Kirkus Reviews

"Downie's plotting is as engaging as ever...the tension between Tilla's rebellious nature and the ideal of a "Good Roman Wife," and the tension between Ruso's outer gruffness and inner integrity make this Medicus installment much more than a mystery novel." - Historical Novel Society

"A deftly crafted and consistently compelling read from beginning to end, "Vita Brevis" clearly establishes...Ruth Downie as a consummate and accomplished master of historical crime fiction" - Midwest Book Review

"Perfect for fans of the Falco novels by Lindsey Davis, this entertaining New York Times best-selling series and its endearing characters deserve as long a run" - Booklist