Synopses & Reviews
It's freezing in late December, 95 A.D. Roman settlers in Britannia are preparing to celebrate Saturnalia. Innkeeper Aurelia Marcella runs a mansio near Eboracum (modern York) in consort with her mostly absent brother and her younger sister, Albia. Aurelia finds her plans for a peaceful holiday shattered when her brother makes a surprise midnight appearance. His news? An enemy in Rome is spreading rumors that the family is plotting against Caesar. To add to Aurelia's woes, the mansio is threatened by a sort of protection racket. Then a party of rich, demanding travelers related to the provincial governor rolls up at the door. Their nearly murderous quarrels, and their quest for a rebellious heir spill over into Aurelia's household. And then, at the Saturnalia feast, one of the party dies and Albia becomes the chief suspect. Outraged, Aurelia must contend with conspirators-and threats-of all stripes to solve a very political murder. ""[Finnis'] second period mystery again uses topnotch writing and research to get under the skins of the Romans and their increasingly restive Brit charges."" -Chicago Tribune Jane Finnis worked for some years in London as a freelance broadcaster for BBC Radio. Now settled in East Yorkshire with her husband Richard, she spends much of her time researching and writing about the Roman Empire. www.janefinnis.com
Review
"Get Out or Die is an enjoyable, convincing, and at times gripping read, a text where the setting itself shines as its most prominent character. With such a plucky detective and an amazing location...this series may be around for a long time indeed." --Bloomsbury Review
If that gaudy, blood-drenched HBO series "Rome" makes you want to know what everyday life was really like for the Romans who lived in conquered lands such as Britannia, Jane Finnis is the writer for you. Her second period mystery (after the superb "Get Out Or Die") again uses topnotch writing and research to get under the skin of Romans and their increasingly restive Brit charges..." — Dick Adler, Chicago Tribune, September 2005
"Finnis does a good job of interweaving several plot strands into a suspenseful and authentically detailed historical whodunit." — Margaret Flanagan, Booklist
Synopsis
In late December 95 AD, Roman settlers in Britannia are preparing to celebrate Saturnalia. Innkeeper Aurelia Marcellas plans for a peaceful holiday are shattered when her brother reports that an enemy in Rome is trying to destroy her family by spreading rumours that they are plotting against Caesar. Her brother has lost his job as a government investigator, the mansio is menaced by a gang of native criminals, and when a party of rich, demanding travelers arrives to stay, their quarrels and violence spill over into Aurelias household. Then the Saturnalia banquet, highlight of the festival, culminates in tragic death. Aurelias sister Albia is one of the chief suspects. The sequel to Get Out or Die.
Synopsis
Set in 95 A.D. in Britannia, this second book in the historical mystery series takes innkeeper Aurelia Marcella from the quiet countryside to the busy new garrison town of York where she must contend with traitors and crooks, and face personal danger to protect her family.
About the Author
Jane Finnis has been fascinated by the past ever since as a child she walked the straight Roman roads of East Yorkshire. After reading history at London University, she worked for some years in London as a freelance broadcaster for BBC Radio. Now she is settled in East Yorkshire again with her husband Richard, and spends much of her time researching and writing about the Roman Empire. She also enjoys travelling, gardening, doing occasional radio work, and playing the guitar. Get Out or Die, the start of a series set in Roman York, is her first novel.