LemonSky reviewed Terra Incognita by Ruth Downie
Review of 'Terra Incognita' on 'Goodreads'
5 stars
Another fun installment in the Ruso series. Ruso has transferred to northern borderland in Britannia. He and Tilla are a couple now, but there are complications. First, a solder/trumpeter named Felix has been murdered and - ugh - his head is missing. Second, this is Tilla's home and she still has family and friends here. She develops an annoying tendency to vanish for long periods at a time without telling Ruso where she's going. Third, the chief suspect in Felix's murder is Tilla's former boyfriend. Needless to say, Ruso is not happy about THAT. Fourth, Ruso's predecessor, Thessalus, appears to be insane or drug addicted or both, and keeps confessing to Felix's murder. Finally, someone known only as the Stagman is stirring up trouble between the Romans and the natives.
Ruth Downie does an excellent job with this mystery. We get a look at Tilla's family, including her uncle (a …
Another fun installment in the Ruso series. Ruso has transferred to northern borderland in Britannia. He and Tilla are a couple now, but there are complications. First, a solder/trumpeter named Felix has been murdered and - ugh - his head is missing. Second, this is Tilla's home and she still has family and friends here. She develops an annoying tendency to vanish for long periods at a time without telling Ruso where she's going. Third, the chief suspect in Felix's murder is Tilla's former boyfriend. Needless to say, Ruso is not happy about THAT. Fourth, Ruso's predecessor, Thessalus, appears to be insane or drug addicted or both, and keeps confessing to Felix's murder. Finally, someone known only as the Stagman is stirring up trouble between the Romans and the natives.
Ruth Downie does an excellent job with this mystery. We get a look at Tilla's family, including her uncle (a collaborator who's "more Roman than the Romans")and her empty-headed, self-absorbed cousin. We also learn just how Tilla ended up in slavery and who was responsible for it. Downie's trademark humor is still present, such as an "old friend" selling "Doctor Ruso’s Special Love Potion." This is a very fun series and one I really enjoy reading. I haven't been this fond of a series since the Cadfael books by [a:Ellis Peters|4046|Ellis Peters|https://d.gr-assets.com/authors/1242605103p2/4046.jpg]. Very recommended.
