- Hardcover: 349 pages
- Publisher: Poisoned Pen Press (Jun 1 2008)
- Language: English
- ISBN-10: 159058399X
- ISBN-13: 978-1590583999
- Product Dimensions: 21.9 x 17.3 x 2.9 cm
- Shipping Weight: 408 g
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: #1,277,054 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
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Product Details |
Product Description
From Publishers Weekly
In Finnis's spirited if at times overly complicated third Roman historical to feature innkeeper Aurelia Marcella, who runs the Oak Tree mansio in the wilds of occupied Britannia (after 2005's A Bitter Chill), sea raiders believed to be led by a barbarian, Voltacos, have been attacking people along the coast. Aurelia's twin brother, Lucius, a government agent, arrives to investigate the possibility that these raiders are gold-seeking marauders from Gaul. Meanwhile, greedy Roman landowner Ostorius Magnus and his unsavory nephew have been squeezing tribesmen off their lands. A shipwreck sets off rumors of buried treasure when the vessel's strongbox is found to contain a severed head rather than the expected plunder. During their long quest, Aurelia and Lucius spot Voltacos's men mysteriously digging a trench. Various murders further muddy the case. Some readers may have trouble keeping track of the many characters, but all will cheer the upbeat ending. (June)
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
Review
Aurelia Marcella is the keeper of an inn in the province of Britannia in 98 AD. Along with her twin brother, Lucius, who is mostly absent on government business, Aurelia's position is an important one. A man who has been mortally wounded in a fight with sea-raiders alerts Aurelia to the problems being caused to farmers along the coast by the marauders. Before he dies, the man suggests that Aurelia and Lucius's sister, Alba, and her husband might be in danger. Alba used to work at the inn until she married and she and her husband bought property to farm. In the meantime, Lucius has returned to the area, apparently still on some secret government assignment. When word arrives of a Roman ship carrying valuable cargo that has run aground, he doesnit seem surprised. Aurelia goes with him to view the wreckage and also to visit with Alba and find out if they have been troubled by raiders. Alba's family and their neighbors report being pressured to sell their farms to an important Roman family who has recently settled in the area. They are intending to amass a large holding and speculation persists that perhaps the sea-raiders are in the pay of the land grabbers. First inspired by seeing the Roman remains at York, Jane Finnis, who lives on the East Yorkshire coast, immerses herself in local history. Aurelia Marcella has now appeared in three books; she is an independent and adventurous spirit who is very appealing to the reader. Along with her siblings and their extensive network of friends, employees and customers, Aurelia is brought vividly to life. Roman Britain may seem like the distant past, but human nature has changed very little from those days. Deceit, land grabbing, greed, andjealousy are nothing new. Yet love, family devotion, and loyalty are equally represented. It is fascinating to inhabit those days in the pages of this book.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews on Amazon.com (beta)
Amazon.com:
4.3 out of 5 stars (3 customer reviews)
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars
great ancient world whodunit, Jun 15 2008
By Harriet Klausner - Published on Amazon.com
This review is from: Buried Too Deep (Hardcover)
In 98 AD Britannia, twins Aurelia and Lucius Marcella own and operate the Oak Tree Mansio nicely situated on the road that links the coast and Ebvracvm (York). With hostilities abated, business at the inn is booming as travelers make the trek.A wagon arrives carrying a farmer severely injured by a sword; he needs immediate medical attention or he will die; he tells the Marcellas that sea raiders attacked him while they plundered the cargo of a shipwreck. By the time the Greek physician arrived, the man is dead. Feeling obligated, the siblings take the deceased back to his family near the coast. They also investigate the shipwreck and soon learn the locals are in revolt as outsiders mostly from Gaul have settled on the best land claiming the natives deserve nothing for plotting against Rome.
The third novel Marcella historical mystery (see BITTER CHILL circa 95 AD and GET OUT OR DIE circa 91 AD) is a terrific entry in an exciting series. Aurelia thinks she committed a kunahaura when she realizes things are looking good as business is booming until she states just that before the farmer dies. She and Lucius quickly realize when they reach the Gabreantovicium Sinvs (the coastal bay to their east) that the locals and the Gaul settlers use terrorist tactics to drive each other out; outsiders are not welcome in their civil war. Jane Finnis provides a great ancient world whodunit as the twins begin to uncover an even more insidious brilliant plot.
Harriet Klausner
2 of 3 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars
Buried Too Deep ..by Jane Finnis, July 17 2008
By Kathleen Ingram "Historical Mystery Reader" - Published on Amazon.com
This review is from: Buried Too Deep (Hardcover)
By now I feel that Aurelia and her siblings are friends of mine.My motive for reading the first offering, to learn more about life in Roman Britain has been more than fulfilled.Roman citizens and natives alike are portrayed in a fashion that makes them endearing and seem contemporary. Bene Est!
Kathleen Ingram
3.0 out of 5 stars
Good story, bad dialogue, May 21 2012
By AJ - Published on Amazon.com
Amazon Verified Purchase(What's this?)
This review is from: Buried Too Deep (Hardcover)
This is the third book in the series. After finishing it, I have come to the conclusion that while the story lines are good, and the mysteries interesting, the dialogue between characters is seriously lacking. It is at best sophomoric. Can't imagine any adults speaking this way. And it made for tiresome reading. If there's a fourth book, I won't be reading it. Try Lindsey Davis or Ruth Downie. Great dialogue in those.
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