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Terra Incognita: A Novel of the Roman Empire Audiobook
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(3.02) - 1,045 listener ratings
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Publisher Description
It is spring in the year 118, and Hadrian has been emperor of Rome for less than a year. After his long and reluctant investigation of the murders of a handful of local prostitutes, Gaius Petreius Ruso needs to get out of town. With that in mind, he has volunteered for a posting with the army in the far reaches of Britannia—a calmer place for a tired man.
But the edge of the Roman Empire is a volatile place; the independent tribes of the North dwell near its borders. These hinterlands are the homeland of Ruso's slave, Tilla, who has scores of her own to settle there: Her tribespeople, under the leadership of the mysterious Stag Man, are fomenting a rebellion against Roman control; and her former lover is implicated in the grisly murder of a soldier. Ruso, once again unwillingly pulled into the murder investigation, is appalled to find that Tilla is still spending time with the prime suspect. Worse, he is honor-bound to try to prove the man innocent—-and the army wrong—by finding another culprit. Soon both Ruso's and Tilla's lives are in jeopardy, as is the future of their burgeoning romance.
Terra Incognita shines light on a remote corner of the ancient world, where Ruso's luck is running short—again.
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"Dr. Ruso continues with his relentless investigative style in this second mystery in the series. Tilla is closely involved as in the first book. I like the dialogue and the relationships among the characters. There are humorous touches with anachronisms such as the We Sell Everything shop in England at the time of the Roman invasion."
— Susan (4 out of 5 stars)
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“Downie’s attention to day-in-the-life period details, judiciously doled-out twists, and dry British humor make Terra Incognita one hell of a toga party.”
— Entertainment Weekly -
Simon Vance gives Ruso a voice that combines conceit, genuine concern, and growing frustration, while making a large cast of characters instantly recognizable.
— AudioFile -
“This well-researched novel places Downie alongside such established masters of the Roman historical as Steven Saylor and Rosemary Rowe.”
— Publishers Weekly (starred review) -
“Alively sequel…Ruso rocks. Let’s hear it for those Romans.”
— Kirkus Reviews (starred review)
Terra Incognita Listener Reviews
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" Getting better and better, although I am waiting for Tilla to get a bit smarter. Simon Vance, as ever he does, makes a good book even better! "
— Janet, 2/9/2014 -
" great book going to read some more of her writing. "
— Asantorelli, 2/1/2014 -
" Good enough to buy another book in the series. Interesting setting, in Roman Britain. "
— Houserlc, 1/16/2014 -
" This second novel in the Ruso series bears many resemblances to the first and hence has a "been there, done that" feel to it. More significantly, the Ruso character simply isn't growing or becoming more interesting; on the contrary he's turning into a bit of a ninny. His relationship with Tilla, presumably the lynchpin of the series, just doesn't work for me. They've supposedly become intimate by the time this adventure takes place, but they've got about as much chemistry as two strangers at a bus stop. I got this book for free so I can't complain too much but I doubt I'll be reading any more in the series regardless of price. "
— Straker, 12/29/2013 -
" Fun story telling, but stretching historical facts a bit too far. "
— Kari, 12/22/2013 -
" Just ok. Not a page turner. The first book was much better. "
— Luisa, 12/11/2013 -
" I found it to be an exciting page turner with exciting characters and a thrilling plot with unexpected twists. I can't wait to read more by this author. "
— Allyson, 12/1/2013 -
" Yayyyy, I liked it. Has satisfied my craving for ancient mysteries whilst I wait for Mastiff or whatever its gonna be called now. "
— Renee, 11/28/2013 -
" Even better the second time round. I enjoy the thread of humor. "
— Delta, 11/8/2013 -
" Not quite as great as Medicus, but still an enjoyable read. I felt the love story was a little distracting from the other plot lines. I am looking forward to the third installment in the series. "
— Elena, 11/5/2013 -
" I really enjoyed this second book in this series! The author writes really well and I have to say that she makes Roman Britain more interesting than the non-fiction book I was reading about it. "
— Beth, 7/20/2013 -
" Second in the series, Ruth Downie captured me once again with her depiction of a Roman doctor posted among the uncivilized tribes of Britannia. Reminiscent of a similar series by another Englishwoman, Lindsey Davis. Love them both. "
— Joyce, 11/26/2012 -
" Fun view of life in Roman Britain and in the Legions, plus a mystery. "
— Pat, 9/12/2012 -
" In all of these I love the characters but feel there is a bit too much frantic activity- why are people constantly bursting in? I did read them all at one time, on a series of long plane flights, but I ended up feeling like Ruso just needs to get some rest. "
— Monique, 10/10/2011 -
" This series is pretty good but it Does Not Compare to the Lindsey Davis - Falco novels. "
— Amy, 8/25/2011 -
" I'm loving this new mystery series by Ruth Downie about a Roman army doctor named Ruso, who finds himself in the wilds of Britannia and in unexpected possession of a slave. Make sure to start with the first volume, Medicus. "
— Beth, 5/21/2011 -
" I didn't enjoy this one as much as Medicus. "
— Jane, 3/30/2011 -
" Easy night reading suspense in a Roman Empire setting. I found it interesting because of her take on the Roman lifestyle. Somewhat predictable with slightly under-developed characters, but it was still entertaining. "
— Jeff, 3/1/2011 -
" I've really enjoyed these novels of the Roman Empire, the doctor / reluctant detective Gaius Ruso, and his housekeeper, Tilla. <br/> <br/>I'm looking forward to the next one, "Persona Non Grata." "
— Greg, 2/20/2011 -
" Really good read: interesting characters, plot, setting. Well written, with plenty of laugh out loud moments. Plus written by a librarian! Can hardly wait to start on the next in the series. Keep 'em coming! "
— Denise, 2/3/2011 -
" as good as the first -- even better when it comes to Tilla, who becomes a real character. Funny, practical and superstitious. "
— Kate, 1/20/2011
About Ruth Downie
Ruth Downie is the author of the New York Times bestseller Medicus, as well as Terra Incognita, Persona Non Grata, Caveat Emptor, Semper Fidelis, and Tabula Rasa. She is married with two sons and lives in Devon, England.
About Simon Vance
Simon Vance (a.k.a. Robert Whitfield) is an award-winning actor and narrator. He has earned more than fifty Earphones Awards and won the prestigious Audie Award for best narration thirteen times. He was named Booklist’s very first Voice of Choice in 2008 and has been named an AudioFile Golden Voice as well as an AudioFile Best Voice of 2009. He has narrated more than eight hundred audiobooks over almost thirty years, beginning when he was a radio newsreader for the BBC in London. He is also an actor who has appeared on both stage and television.