A Pattern of Blood (A Libertus Mystery of Roman Britain, book 2): A thrilling historical whodunit

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' Book two in Rosemary Rowe's Libertus series: 'A cracking tale with a fast-moving plot' CONN IGGULDEN. 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. Libertus witnesses the stabbing of Quintus Ulpius, a wealthy decurionbut he is not fatally wounded. Libertus is commanded by his wealthy patron Marcus to investigate the attack, but Quintus is soon found dead. When one of his enemies is found with blood stains on his toga, for Marcus the case is closed. But Libertus thinks otherwise. Meddling in political intrigue is a certain short-cut to an early grave, but when Libertus is asked to investigate threats against Quintus Ulpius, he cannot refuse. When Quintus is found stabbed in the back Libertus knows he must act fast before other lives, including his own, are threatened. The reissue of the second novel in Rosemary Rowe's highly acclaimed Libertus series. 'A cracking tale with a fast-moving plot' CONN IGGULDEN