Dark Omens (A Libertus Mystery of Roman Britain)
Roman citizen, pavement maker, and sometime sleuth Libertus is commissioned by prominent citizen Genialis to lay a mosaic floor in the home of his intended bride. Libertus finishes the floor, but Genialis, who was to pay him handsomely, has gone missing. Not only that, but it’s the coldest winter in years, the dreaded Emperor Commodus has just died, and there’s unrest among the citizens. Meanwhile, a sacrifice made at the festival of Agonalis goes awry, and dark omens begin appearing, first in the form of the grisly appearance of a headless, torsoless body, then with the discovery of a head and torso half buried in the snow. Even Libertus’ cunning skill at solving difficult mysteries is tested to the utmost as he tries to understand what has happened. Is there a mad murderer on the loose? Is there a sinister connection between the two dismembered bodies? Splendid period detail, a clever hero, a cracking good mystery, and a bit of wry humor add up to yet another winner in Rowe’s excellent series. --Emily Melton