Persona Non Grata A Novel of the Roman Empire

At long last, Gaius Petreius Ruso and his companion, Tilla, are headed home—to Gaul. Having received a note consisting only of the words “COME HO ME!” Ruso has (reluctantly, of course) pulled up stakes and brought T illa to meet his family.

But the reception there is not what Ruso has hoped for: no one will admit to sending for him, and his brother Lucius is hoping hell leave. With Tilla getting icy greetings from his relatives, Luciuss brother-inlaw mysteriously drowned at sea, and the whole Ruso family teetering on the edge of bankruptcy, its hard to imagine an unhappier reunion. That is, until Severus, the familys chief creditor, winds up dead, and the real trouble begins…

Engrossing, intricate, and—as always—wonderfully comic, Ruth Downies latest is a brilliant new installment in this irresistible series. This is everything weve come to expect from our charming, luckless hero.

“The plotting is clever and suspenseful, with subtle clues and lots of action, while the setting and supporting cast are vividly drawn. This is solid entertainment, nicely done.”—Publishers Weekly

“This lively sequel to Medicus and Terra Incognita continues Downies delightful historical series. Her characters are wonderfully memorable, particularly the dry and acerbic Ruso, whose internal dialog provides some genuinely funny laugh-out-loud moments despite shipwrecks, ex-wives, gruesome gladiatorial games, unruly children, family discord, and, of course, mayhem and murder. Highly recommended.”—Library Journal (starred review)

“We know Downie is sharpening her knives for Rusos next surgically precise adventure. Enormous fun: another lively winner from a newly established mistress of the genre.”— Kirkus Reviews (starred review)

The third novel in the acclaimed Gaius Petreius Ruso series by the New York Times bestselling Ruth Downie--this time set in ancient Gaul.

Ruth Downie is published as R.S. Downie in the UK, and this book is available there under the title Ruso and the Root of All Evils.

At long last, Gaius Petreius Ruso and his companion, Tilla, are headed home--to Gaul. Having received a note consisting only of the words COME HO ME Ruso has (reluctantly, of course) pulled up stakes and brought T illa to meet his family.

But the reception there is not what Ruso has hoped for: no one will admit to sending for him, and his brother Lucius is hoping he'll leave. With Tilla getting icy greetings from his relatives, Lucius's brother-inlaw mysteriously drowned at sea, and the whole Ruso family teetering on the edge of bankruptcy, it's hard to imagine an unhappier reunion. That is, until Severus, the family's chief creditor, winds up dead, and the real trouble begins...

Engrossing, intricate, and--as always--wonderfully comic, Ruth Downie's latest is a brilliant new installment in this irresistible series. This is everything we've come to expect from our charming, luckless hero.

Engrossing, intricate, and—as always—wonderfully comic, Ruth Downie's latest is a brilliant new installment in this irresistible series.