A Libertus Mystery, set in Roman Britain - Libertus is at a society wedding on behalf of his patron when the father of the bride is poisoned after testing the wedding wine. Pompeia, the bride, declares that she has caused the death, but Libertus is retained by the bridegroom to prove her innocence. His investigations uncover hidden tensions, and when another guest is discovered murdered at his home, events take a different and more sinister turn . . .
From Publishers Weekly
A setup Agatha Christie fans would appreciate forms the framework for Rowe's fine 10th mystery set in second-century Roman-occupied Britain (after 2007's A Coin for the Ferryman). Series sleuth Libertus, a mosaic maker by trade, agrees to stand in at a wedding for his patron, Marcus Septimus, who has to travel to Rome, in the town of Glevum (modern Gloucester). When someone poisons Honorius Didius Fustis, a town councilor and the bride's father, on the wedding day, theΓΒ prospective bridegroom, Gracchus, who's still eager to cash in on the dowry, hires Libertus to prove that the bride-to-be, Pompeia, isn't responsible for parricide, despite her apparent confession. With his standing with the Roman authorities uncertain, the investigator doggedly pursues suspects both inside and outside the dead man's family. Rowe does her usual excellent job of integrating the details of everyday life into the plot. (Feb.)
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From Booklist
The latest entry in Roweβs popular Libertus Mystery of Roman Britain series is cleverly plotted and chock-full of authentic period details and surprising twists, with an unexpected but satisfying ending. Libertus reluctantly agrees to attend the wedding of Pompeia, daughter of an important official, in place of his patron, Marcus Septimus. Then the brideβs father is poisoned, and the bride confesses to the murder. The bridegroom promises a generous reward if Libertus can prove Pompeiaβs innocence. Can he find the real killer before sheβs thrown to the lions? Entertaining fare for fans of crime fiction set in the ancient world. --Emily Melton
Edit : e Genre : Historical Mystery Q : R Formats : EPUB, MOBI