I'm hoping a successor to Falco!

I've been a Falco fan since I first heard the dramatisations of the earlier books on Radio 4 with Anton Lesser (available on Audible, like the whole book versions with a number of narrators of varying quality!). So I've heard them all, and have been looking for another series of historical mysteries especially in Roman Empire times. I don't want just wars, armies and blokes being macho. So some series have been returned to sender!
I don't want Latin chick lit, just some continuing characters I might like or hate.
Ruso seems to fit the bill, so far, and Simon Vance reads well, with a rather neutral English accent which is easy to listen to, but has developed a recognisable accent for the British characters- - sort of mild Ulster or Ulster-Scots diffentiates locals from invaders.
The English hadn't arrived yet!!
Simon Vance has however developed some American pronunciations which come across like an obscenity in a sermon - unexpected wrong notes, like privacy- just a clunk in an otherwise good performance. There does seem to be a tendency for writers of European origin writing about European events to adopt US English, no doubt hoping for bigger sales, Martin Walker's Bruno novels being a prime example, but diversity of language is part of literature!

20 people found this helpful

Interesting and informative

I am a glutton for a whodunnit! I found that I could put it down but as I listen to them to get to sleep (blocking out all other thoughts) I did keep rewinding. I found the characters well performed and enjoyed it so much that I have downloaded the second novel for my holiday. Appparently, according to reviews, it is even better.

6 people found this helpful

Too long, not humorous enough, gormless hero

As above. Might be ok if half the length and not such a clueless hero.

1 person found this helpful

Held my attention from the beginning

The narrator used a range of distinguishable voices to help keep the story clear and flowing. This is a good story enhanced by the telling

1 person found this helpful

Excellent in all respects

I would recommend this audio story to anyone. I have read all of the Ruso series. This is the first one. The storyline of all of this series is excellent and the characters and the relationship between them so ver believable. The humor is subtle but there and well done

1 person found this helpful

Slow

Historically interesting but the story was slow and not particularly interesting , or the naive main character .

Intriguing but perhaps over long

An engaging story with a rather predictable end. It would benefit from some more editing though. I’m not sure I learned much more about life in Britain under the Romans. The reader portrayed each character with a distinct voice, which helped the story to flow.

very boring

so boring a story I kept falling asleep, or my mind wandered onto more interesting things like watching the grass grow!

Amusing & Intriging

A great romp through ancient Britannia. The author is knowledgable and a good writer. Great characters

Best story-telling ever!

Loved Ruth Downie's books and thought they would make a good listen for a long journey. Simon Vance reads superbly, brings Roman Britain vividly to life. All the characters are very well portrayed. Just bought the second in the series for my next trip!