- Hardcover: 250 pages
- Publisher: Poisoned Pen Press (Dec 30 2003)
- Language: English
- ISBN-10: 1590580753
- ISBN-13: 978-1590580752
- Product Dimensions: 22.4 x 14.6 x 2.9 cm
- Shipping Weight: 626 g
- Average Customer Review: 3.5 out of 5 stars See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: #2,111,052 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
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Product Details |
Product Description
From Publishers Weekly
In Finnis's lively debut, a Roman historical set in northern Britain in 91 A.D., ill-fated legionnaires contend with a ruthless band of guerrillas seeking to rid their homeland of unwanted occupiers. Tensions run high as headless bodies begin appearing along the roadways of remote Brigantia, the adopted home of plucky Aurelia Marcella and her sister Albia, who are keepers of the Oak Tree Mansio, an inn catering to the elite of the empire's "raw new province." Crudely carved discs bearing the title's ominous words are hung on each new corpse, and the same menacing phrase mysteriously appears on Aurelia's barn shortly before a savage nighttime attack by the "Shadow-men," a rebel group believed to be led by a Roman turncoat. Suspenseful and at times comical, the story rambles on to a somewhat predictable conclusion, yet Aurelia is engaging as the resourceful narrator-turned-detective who almost single-handedly identifies the traitor in their midst. A surfeit of characters with names both Roman and Druid can be confusing, but the plot is timely as conquerors seek to impose civilization on a barbarian culture that doesn't appreciate the new roads and government or the increase in commerce. Lots of sacrifices, both human and animal, make this one for the strong of stomach.
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
There are several successful mystery series about the world of ancient Rome, but what gives Jane Finnis' first novel a special edge of interest is that it's set in 91 A.D. in the Roman province of Britannia.
It has been 30 years since the first Roman civilians arrived in the wake of the conquering legions, and they have been living and working alongside the
natives. A sharp young woman named Aurelia Marcella, who came to what is now the city of York in northern England with her family after the disaster at Pompeii, runs a popular inn, the Oak Tree Mansio, where until recently all was relatively quiet.
But some of the natives are becoming restless, and the headless bodies of Roman soldiers are being found beside local roads, decorated with discs of bone bearing an ominous message: "All Romans Will Be Killed. Get Out Or Die."
This gives Finnis the chance to mix history, mystery and mayhem--always a lively brew in good hands--with flashes of wit about local customs. (" How are things in the kitchen? Did you manage to liven up that cow's meat stew?'" Aurelia asks her sister, Albia." Yes, '" she answers," Cook added some extra herbs and it's quite tasty now. I don't think cow's meat will ever be anyone's idea of a delicacy, but the natives seem to like it' "--thus setting the stage for the roast beef of Old England and mad cow hysteria.)
Behind the killings and the threats seems to be a band of native activists who still practice Druid rituals, drink mead rather than wine and tend to dress somewhat ostentatiously as old-style Brigantian warriors: blue skin paint, hair whitened with lime, leather kilts, lots of gold and silver jewelry. But their leader, theShadow of Death, always wears a mask, and is suspected of being a Roman officer or official.
Aurelia, latest in a long line of capable women who brighten historical fiction, joins forces with a Roman soldier/spy named Quintus to find and expose this high-level traitor. And anyone who--like author Finnis--has ever marveled at how straight and well-built many of the Roman roads of England still are should enjoy this entertaining look back. -- Dick Adler, Chicago Tribune
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Customer Reviews
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Most helpful customer reviews
2.0 out of 5 stars
Too long!,
By A Customer
This review is from: Get Out or Die (Hardcover)
There are a couple things I didn't like about this book. First, it was too long. I was bored about halfway through. I did finish it to see if it got any better, but it didn't. Second, I thought the author made the main character, a woman, a little unbelievable. I'm all for women's rights, but there's no way a woman in that time would have been able to do what she did. I don't mind a little stretching, but Ms. Finnis took it too far, I thought. If you're looking for something similar to this, check out Lindsay Davis. I have enjoyed her books much more.
5.0 out of 5 stars
fast paced action packed historical conspiracy thriller,
By
This review is from: Get Out or Die (Hardcover)
After Mt. Vesuvius erupted and destroyed the town of Pompeii, one of the roman families who escaped the devastation moved to the small backwater town of Oak Bridge near Eburacum, Britannia. Aurelia Marcella and her twin sister Albia own the Oak Tree Mansio, a popular guest house and posting station. After five decades of Roman rule, a certain segment of the native population want to throw the outsiders out of their country and are willing to use violence to do it.The rebels have the support of the Druids who believe the Romans are desecrating the land and the forests. One of the primary targets of the insurgents is the destruction of the Oak Tree Mansio and the deaths of everyone associated with it. Led by Aurelia and with the help of trusted allies, the property is well guarded but an attack is barely beaten off because a traitor in their midst gave crucial information to the enemy. Unless they can find out who that collaborator is, lives will be lost and property destroyed. GET OUT OR DIE pretty much sums up the feelings of the natives living under occupied rule. The conspirators are smart and clever and could be any native or even a Roman who has a grudge against his or her homeland. Jane Finnis' story is told through the eyes of Roman businesswoman Aurelia Marcella who doesn't understand why anyone would object to being part of the far flung empire. This is a fast paced action packed historical conspiracy thriller that readers will find fascinating due to the perspectives of the cast. Harriet Klausner
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews on Amazon.com (beta) Amazon.com:
3.9 out of 5 stars (9 customer reviews) 5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Enjoyable,
By hydro - Published on Amazon.com
This review is from: Get Out or Die (Paperback)
I enjoyed this book. Ms. Finnis is very knowedgeable about Roman history and roman Britain in particular. Her characters are very well drawn and I find the character of Aurelia particularly entertaining. Ms. Finnis gets more comfortable with each book in the series (I have read 3).
That said, I sort of felt like I was reading Nancy Drew or Angela Brazil. There was such a "jolly" atmosphere about the characters. The contemporary slang seemed a bit jarring, and, as a previous reviewer mentioned, it went on far too long. All in all an enjoyable read-I would actually give it a 3.5, but I rounded up to 4. 2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:
3.0 out of 5 stars
Ancient Rome-Britannia, 91 A.D.,
By Lyn Reese - Published on Amazon.com
This review is from: Get Out or Die (Hardcover)
Get Out Or Die
by Jane Finnis The title refers to ominous threats left on the bodies of murdered Romans in Britain who in the year 91 A.D. are still tenuous settlers in this northern outpost of the Roman empire. Only decades after Boadicea's failed Iceni uprising against them, and with increasingly organized attacks lead by a mysterious leader called the Shadow of Death, the future of Pompeii born innkeeper Aurelia Marcella begins to look bleak. She is, however, determined to stay, and resolves to uncover the source of the disturbances. A sprinkling of romance and Roman double dealing adds to this action filled, fast paced story which takes place in a little explored historic period. It is difficult, however, to always feel one is reading about a region considered a "rough frontier. " It might have helped if instead of using modern British phraseology and expressions, the author had drawn upon letters written by British Romans to create dialogue more suitable to the period. 1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:
2.0 out of 5 stars
Tedious romance-historical mystery,
By S. Hill "adairh" - Published on Amazon.com
This review is from: Get Out or Die (Paperback)
This is a romance-adventure novel set in Roman Britain. I found it dull, with a female main character who in no case felt right for the period or setting, and a plot that verged on a 20s boy's-own-adventure - the main bad guy operated under the name Shadow of Death. I was hoping for a well-developed and imagined picture of the social setting and daily life that might have taken place, but did not find it in this book. A reader looking for a more believable and readable mystery set in Roman Britain should look to Rosemary Rowe.
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