Britain is under Roman rule and a killer is at large... A Pattern of Blood, the second novel in Rosemary Rowe's highly acclaimed Libertus series, investigates multiple murders. Libertus must solve the mystery before the killer strikes again. The perfect read for fans of David Wishart and Lindsey Davis. Demonstrates Rowe's pithy command of the Roman sleuth genre... A considerable achievement' - The Times...
Pavement-maker Libertus, a former slave who is now a Roman citizen, is not entirely surprised to witness a stabbing near the chariot race ground in bustling Corinium (modern Cirencester).
Luckily the victim, the wealthy decurion Quintus Ulpius, has a personal physician on hand and tragedy is averted. Commanded by his patron Marcus Septimus to investigate the attack, Libertus arrives at Quintus's mansion only moments before the decurion is knifed again, this time fatally.
When one of Quintus's enemies is found with bloodstains on his toga, for Marcus the case is closed. But Libertus is not at all convinced the solution is that simple. When a second body is found, he knows he must act fast before other lives are threatened - including his own.
What readers are saying about A Pattern of Blood: Enjoyed the humour, great puzzle and evocative details of Romano-British life' Well researched and the storytelling is excellent' Another fine piece of work and an entertaining journey with Libertus'
