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  • Prima Facie

  • A Crime Novella of the Roman Empire (Roman Empire Series, Book 8.5)
  • By: Ruth Downie
  • Narrated by: Simon Vance
  • Length: 3 hrs and 5 mins
  • 4.7 out of 5 stars (51 ratings)
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Prima Facie cover art

Prima Facie

By: Ruth Downie
Narrated by: Simon Vance
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Summary

A novella from the author of the best seller Medicus, featuring reluctant investigator Ruso and his partner Tilla. A tale of murder, intrigue, and betrayal in Roman Gaul.  

It's AD 123, and the sun is shining on southern Gaul. Ex-military medic Ruso and his British wife, Tilla, are back after a long absence - but it's not the reunion anyone had hoped for.  

Ruso's brother has left him in charge of a farm he has no idea how to manage, a chronic debt problem, and a gaggle of accident-prone small children. Meanwhile his sister Flora has run away to rescue her boyfriend, who's accused of murdering a wealthy guest at a party.  

Can Ruso and Tilla save the boyfriend from the murder charge - or should they be saving Flora from the boyfriend? Will any of the guests tell the truth about the fatal party before it's too late? And meanwhile, how long can Ruso continue to lie about what's inside the bath house?

©2019 Ruth Downie (P)2019 Tantor

What listeners say about Prima Facie

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

""The bath boy had died of old age."

A party, a murder, an accusation, a pregnancy, a baby, a funeral, a near drowning and stone throwing, family life and confrontations, a lost earring and a piece of yellow silk - just a few of the occurrences in the short time that Russo and Tilla visit his family's estate. Narrated by Simon Vance, this novella is one of my favourite Ruth Downie books about the Roman medicus.
Good fun.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

5.0 out of 5 stars Ruso and Tilla in Gaul Redux

I just love this series! The first time Ruso brought Tilla to meet his family in southern Gaul, he had to rescue his older half sister's love and this time his younger half sister's love is accused of murder. The humor is still there but Downie also deals with the serious problem of the double standard where the man gets off Scot-free but the woman has to deal with the unplanned and unwanted pregnancy. I highly recommend this novella and the entire series.

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2 people found this helpful

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    5 out of 5 stars
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  • 30-03-20

Charming short story

Russo and Tilla saving the day with their usual share of mishaps, if you' ve enjoyed their previous adventures you'll like this.

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2 people found this helpful