The Rewards of Treachery

by Rosemary Rowe

Overview

A stolen valuable is just the beginning of a trail of strange events Junio has to uncover in this skilfully plotted historical mystery set in 2nd century Britain.

"A mastery of period detail matches the engrossing plot . . . Brilliant " Publishers Weekly Starred Review

Late summer, CE 198. With Glevum an uneasy place since the current Emperor seized power, and with rebel Celts still actively opposing Roman rule, tension remains as Caesar turns his attention to stamping out all remaining threats to his authority.

Junio, Libertus's adopted son, tries to be inconspicuous and focus on his workshop and growing family. This becomes difficult when Libertus's patron, Marcus Septimus, seeks Junio's advice about a valuable cloak-clasp which has disappeared - together with the jeweller who was repairing it.

Unwillingly dragged into investigating this, Junio finds himself faced with a string of murders, betrayal and revenge, and his own small son in dreadful jeopardy! What secret was the missing jeweller hiding? What danger lurks in the ill-omened cave? And what part does the mysterious Celtic visitor who suddenly appears play in this tale of treachery?

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781448310555
Publisher:	Severn House
Publication date:	12/26/2023
Series:	A Libertus Mystery of Roman Britain , #20
Edition description:	Main
Pages:	240
Sales rank:	1,008,698
Product dimensions:	5.43(w) x 8.50(h) x 0.00(d)

About the Author

Rosemary Rowe also writes historical romances under her married name Rosemary Aitken. She has now resettled in her native Cornwall after having lived first in New Zealand for twenty years, and then for even longer in Gloucestershire where this series is set.

Editorial Reviews

Perhaps the finest installment yet in Rowe's excellent historical-mystery series, A Dreadful Destiny boasts colorful characters, rich historical detail, taut suspense, and a deeply moving conclusion

Booklist Starred Review of A Dreadful Destiny

Fine period detail, nicely rounded characters, light humor, and a clever plot make for an excellent read

Booklist on The Price of Freedom

[Rowe's] larger-than-life characters combine with a gripping plot to make this a fine choice for historical mystery fans

Booklist

Meticulously researched historical details, well-drawn characters, and a clever plot, will keep even the most seasoned reader guessing

Booklist on A Prisoner of Privilege

★ 02/27/2023

Rowe’s brilliant 20th mystery set in second-century Britain (after 2021’s A Dreadful Destiny) stars Junio, the adopted son of previous series lead Libertus, a Celtic nobleman turned Roman citizen who’s been exiled from Glevum (modern-day Gloucester). In Glevum, Junio has succeeded Libertus as an in-demand pavement maker and problem-solver for members of the upper class. Libertus’s former patron, Marcus Septimus Aurelius, once consulted Libertus on the disappearance of minor items from his household. Those thefts now assume greater significance when one of Marcus’s slaves, Letigines, is accused of stealing a valuable brooch pin belonging to Marcus’s wife. Letigines claims he took the jewelry for repair, and he believed that the skilled artisan who worked on it had returned it. Because what the slave handed back to his mistress was a cheap copy, his life is in jeopardy. Junio agrees to look into the matter, only to find it complicated by a grisly murder that bears the hallmarks of Celtic rebels. A mastery of period detail matches the engrossing plot. Rowe doesn’t miss a beat with this transition to a new lead, and it’s also an accessible entry point for newcomers. Agent: Juliet Burton, Juliet Burton Literary (U.K.). (Apr.)

Publishers Weekly

A clever plot - with wry humor, suspense, and intriguing descriptions of life in ancient Britain - plus a remarkable hero make this a superb read for historical-mystery buffs

Booklist on The Ides of June

2023-02-24
As Roman Britannia adjusts to yet another change of ruler in 198 C.E., the populace is left cautious, uneasy, and vulnerable to criminal activity.

Junio, the adopted son of Libertus, took over his father's tile business when Libertus had to flee Glevum after the death of his wife. Junio’s own wife is about to give birth when a messenger arrives from the home of Marcus Septimus Aurelius, the family’s powerful patron, who cannot be ignored. A piece of valuable jewelry is missing, replaced by a fake. Letigines, the same enslaved messenger who's now carrying this news to Junio, had brought it to be repaired at the behest of Marcus' wife, Julia, and is now likely to be accused of theft. Julia thought Junio might be able to find out what happened, helping Letigines avoid punishment. Anlyan, another messenger who's arrived at Junio’s house at the same time as Letigines, presents himself as a Celtic freeman who speaks excellent Latin and looks to be part Roman; he carries a letter of recommendation and offers to help at the house while Junio goes to see Marcus. Marcus is entertaining a powerful magistrate who is annoyed that Marcus favors Junio, who’s a Roman citizen even though he has a far lower status. When Junio and Marcus go to the closed shop of the jeweler Vitellius, they find him hacked to death in the Celtic manner and most of his valuable stock missing. In the meantime, Junio’s eldest son goes missing in the company of Anlyan, forcing Junio not only to hunt for killers, but also for his boy. He can only hope that he learned some of Libertus’ knack for solving crimes.

Ancient rituals, Roman politics, and brutal murders combine in a fascinating mystery.

Kirkus Reviews