The Price of Freedom is the seventeenth in Rosemary Rose’s Libertus mystery series. By this point, the pavement-laying crime-solver is now a citizen, and the story opens with his patron, Marcus, informing him that he’s running for council and also whoever Marcus backs wins, so Libertus is basically a duumvir now. Surprise!

When Libertus hears news that his potential new client (for a mosaic, not a mystery), a tax collector from a few towns over, has committed suicide over gambling debts, something just seems off. Marcus immediately sends him to investigate, hoping to find the truth or at least a bit of the missing tax money. Without the tax money, the local council will be on the hook for that payment to Rome.

As Libertus travels to investigate, he encounters the different characters of Roman Britain and the twists that work well in all his stories. The Libertus series is different from the Marcus Corvinus mysteries and the Decius Caecilius Metellus mysteries because it’s set in Roman-occupied Britain, not Rome itself. (Mostly in Rome — a certain Roman crime-solver does spend a lot of time in exile) It’s probably closest to Ruth Downie’s Medicus series. Libertus, a Celt, is not at all at home with Roman customs or politics, which makes Marcus’ plan to promote him to council a bit stressful for Libertus.

Along Libertus’ path in The Price of Freedom are a few misdirections from clever criminals, the general inconveniences of ancient travel, and a case of mistaken identity (well, a case of borrowed identity might be a better word. It’s not exactly an accident.) just to mess things up more.

Rosemary Rowe continues the adventures of the Romano-Britain Libertus in the Price of Freedom. Marcus, his patron, has nominated Libertus to become a town duumvir, a post he is dubious that he wants. Then the tax collector is found hanged; suiciede or murder? The imperial taxes are missing and the town council is responsible. Marcus sends Libertus off to be his representative at a far off marriage and to to find out what happened to the tax collector and his taxes. After various adventures Libertus identifies not suicide but murder; however when he arrives the wedding, he is taken as a slave and finds that a fraudster has taken his place. What can he do?

In AD 193 in Glevum (present-day Gloucester) in Britannia, Libertus, a mosaicist, is dining with Septimus, the senior magistrate at his grand villa. Feasting while reclining on the dining couch, Libertus learns of the fiery death of several councilors, and Septimus encourages him to stand for the position of Duumvir (magistrate). Momentarily, a courier informs them that the tax collector, Flauccus, has hanged himself, leaving the message: “Gambled everything and lost…” Libertus is sent to attend a wedding in Uudum on Septimus’s behalf, and is also directed to investigate whether the tax revenue was stolen and can be recovered. Libertus, in a sleuth-like manner, uncovers clues that point to Flauccus’s murder, and sets about identifying the perpetrator while facing danger and nearly losing his freedom.

Although this is the seventeenth book in Rosemary Rowe’s Libertus mystery series, it reads much like a standalone. The narrative, written in Libertus’s humorous first-person voice, adds to the plot’s mystery. In keeping with her theme of freedom, Rowe also exposes the treatment of slaves by including some despicable practices into her account, such as selling of their hair as a cash crop. Although a captivating whodunit, the story’s appeal is in the masterly descriptions of the life and surroundings of those times in Britannia.

This review first appeared in the HNR magazine Issue 83 (February 2018)

Who knew a mystery about the murder of a tax collector in Roman Britain could be so entertaining? I'd not read any of the preceding books so this was, as they say, terra incognito for me. Rowe, however, does such a good job with her characters, especially Libertus, that I was wrapped up immediately in the story. An ex-slave and ace investigator, he takes on a case which might today involve multiple investigators to untangle and does so with great skill. I liked reading about the era, which is not one I'm familiar with and I learned a bit. It's a bit intimidating at first but you'll quickly catch on to who's who and how different people fit into the hierarchy. Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC. Try this one for a (fresh for me) take on historical mystery.

Thanks Severn House and netgalley for this ARC.

Love books about the Roman's time period. Rosemary Rowe's mysteries are some of the best of that genre. This mystery is full of action, danger, and humor.

Libertus was the newest citizen of the Roman Empire after being freed from slavery by his master. He was from one of the noble Celtic clans. His patron, Marcus, nominated Libertus to be elected as the duumvir in the curia of Glevum (now Gloucester).

One day, the news reached Marcus, that Flaccus, the tax collector, was found hanged. A note was left and another headless body was found in the ditch alongside the road.

Libertus followed the missing silver pieces across South-West Britannia (now England) to pay tax to the Imperial Treasury in Rome. He met one of the soldiers who assisted him in the mission.

Glevum was one of the principal cities for trade exchanges. There were industrial areas and it was the centre of local civic government. The city was responsible for collecting the taxes which were missing.

I was on the edge of my seat as Libertus’s mission turned into a dangerous adventure! I noticed that Rosemary Rowe has written more previous Roman historical fictions which I missed! I now wish to read all of them!

Caesar 13

Breakaway Reviewers received a copy of the book to review.

Thank you to NetGalley and Severn House Publishers for a digital galley of this novel.

I've read all the Rosemary Rowe novels featuring Libertus Flavius Severus and enjoyed them all. This one will go on my list as being one of the best. Rowe includes a Foreword to give the reader an idea of what would have been happening during this time period, the final weeks of AD 193, in the Roman Britannia in which the story is set. That information solidifies the action which will be taking place during the fictional story and explains the Roman political scene as well as traditional life in Britannia at this time. I find that information very helpful in making the activities which happen in the story easier to understand.

Libertus is quite uneasy when he accepts an invitation to dine at the home of his patron, Marcus Aurelius Septimus, the local magistrate who also happens to be one of the wealthiest and most politically powerful men in Britannia. Naturally there is a catch just as Libertus thought; he's being nominated to a position on the town council of Glevum (modern Gloucester) . Libertus names all the reasons he shouldn't be nominated but Marcus has made his mind up. A messenger arrives during the dinner to bring Marcus the news of the death of the tax collector in a small town outside Glevum. Libertus is dispatched immediately to go investigate and try to recover the tax money. If that money isn't found, the members of Glevum's council will be forced to contribute the money from their personal wealth. Rome will have it's tax monies......no excuses will be accepted.

I always like these stories when Libertus travels away from home during his investigations for Marcus, but this one I especially enjoyed because it put the focus on the military roads and system of accommodation along those roads. Naturally every person in Roman Britannia was not an honest, upright citizen but these novels give a view of what the system of power and wealth might have been like. From the lowest slaves who had absolutely no personal freedom and were valued only for their ability to do a specific job all the way to trusted, honorable slaves who conducted the day to day business of a society, I find this world fascinating. Here power meant total power as long as all your stars were properly aligned. Properly aligned stars depended on a combination of the political power of who you knew and how wealthy you were or what service you could provide. Libertus has an uncanny ability to reason through a situation and solve crimes. His wife is grateful for that skill, but what she really is grateful for is his ability to make quality tiles which results in him getting large contracts. Libertus has a lot of people depending on him so it's a good thing he's so good at what he does.

A Reversal of Fortune

Libertus, former slave, maker of mosaics, solver of mysteries, is rising in the world. His patron wants him not simply to join the council of Glevum, but be elected Duovir, one of the governing magistrates. There is a shortage of candidates as a number of councillors have recently died in a house fire. Initially reluctant, Libertus warms to the idea.

Then, news comes of the death of a tax collector, apparently through suicide because of gambling debts. Libertus is to attend a wedding as representative of his patron and calls at the dead tax collector’s house on the way. He quickly and rather smugly establishes that the death was not by suicide, but murder, and solves other issues as well. With accommodation in the best quarters and obsequious respect being shown to the future Duovir, Libertus experiences what it is like to be the coming man.

Oh dear, pride, as they say, comes before a fall. Libertus finds he is outmanoeuvred at every point by a nameless antagonist, a ruthless, clever man, who will risk anything as the price of freedom. Libertus finds himself in the greatest of danger, his own freedom lost, with no apparent means of escape.

Here is another super mystery from Rosemary Rowe; as intricate and complex a web as ever, and one which asks questions on the nature of freedom, the desire and ambition to attain it and its cost – questions which have no easy answers.

It’s been quite a while since I have read a book in this series and the break did me good because I really enjoyed being back in the world of Libertus. Set in Britain, Libertus an ex slave, now citizen and mosaicist, he is often called upon by his Roman patron Marcus to investigate unusual events (murders). It’s interesting to read a Roman historical fiction set in Britain, especially from the point of view of a Celt ex slave. Even though Libertus is relatively successful as a freed man and citizen, the details of his everyday existence is still of course quite a basic one; its those details which make this series such an interesting read.
This mystery was a good one and Libertus ends up getting directly involved in it, and has a hair raising time, caught up in a plot of theft, murder and impersonation. Everything comes good in the end! That shouldn’t be a spoiler if you’re a fan of this series.
Ruth Downie and Jane Finnis have also written interestingly about Roman life in Britain, if the subject interests you.
Many thanks to Netgalley for an ARC of this book. All opinions are my own.

Roman Britain is a favorite era for me to read about, and this is the best of this series so far. Rosemary Rowe's historical setting is impeccable, and this outing of Libertus rose above the rest. The time period of late in the year in AD193 was one that saw the Roman provinces, and Britannia in particular(being remote and far north) as having drastic internal problems.

In this 17th mystery Libertus, our protagonist, finds himself very much in the thick of this strife. He is tapped by his patron, Marcus Aurelius Septimus to stand for the Glevum council much to his wife, Gwellia's delight. He is transported in style from his Celtic roundhouse to Marcus' estate, another honor as Marcus is a very powerful man in the province.

Internal strife, slavery and Celtic culture are juxtaposed against the Romano British military in this very fine and complex mystery. Libertus, former Celtic noble, former slave and now citizen is housed in military mansios, in what is a continual decline of comfort and increasing danger, as he is sent to attempt to solve a mysterious death.

Eventually he is briefly enslaved with his identity stolen. He is almost sent out of the country to work in salt mines. until his quick wit and his ability to convince others of his plight prevails.

Highly recommended for all those who enjoy mysteries and novels of Roman Britain. I received this advanced copy from NetGalley for an honest review. 5 Stars.

Libertus Travels Under His Patron’s Warrant and Receives Some Royal and Not So Royal Treatment

This 17th Libertus Mystery of Roman Britain opens with Libertus preparing for a private feast at his Patron’s, Marcus Aurelius Septimus, villa. His patron is nominating Libertus to be a Glevum Councilor. During the feast, Marcus receives word that the local tax collector was found dead from hanging in his villa. There was a suicide note stating that he had lost all of the tax collection funds gambling and couldn’t face the shame. Unfortunately, if the tax money is lost, the Glevum Councilors will be legally required to make up any deficit themselves. Marcus tasks Libertus to investigate. Marcus gives Libertus a warrant to allow him to use the military inns and even the use of Marcus’s personal gig for part of the trip. At the last minute, Marcus asks Libertus to attend a wedding as his personal representative as Marcus cannot personally attend. The storyline takes off from here and becomes more complex. My attention was captured quickly and sent many hours after midnight reading this novel only to wake up in the morning and continue reading.

What I like about this series has continued in this novel. That is the B-storyline. The relationship between Marcus, the patron, and Libertus, a client, is most accurately portrayed than in other ancient Roman gumshoe series and novels I have read. Also, the life of domestic slaves, to me, was very realistic. Since most of the action of this story, Libertus spends time away from the normal cast of characters from previous novels, Libertus’ interactions with them is limited, and furtherance of the B-storylines over the series does not occur much in this novel. While this is one of the significant reasons why I like this series, missing this aspect did not affect my enjoyment in reading this novel. This also means that if this novel is the first of the series that you are considering reading, it is a good novel with which to start. Hopefully this will result in you binge reading the other novels in this series.

Many aspects of Roman law come into play in this novel, as well the series. While some statements are made during the novel, the author weaves the explanation of the implications to the storyline by using Libertus’ thoughts or discussions with others. This is achieved seamlessly and helps the reader’s understanding what is happening while keeping the ancient Roman feel to the storyline.

Readers do not have to worry about the use of questionable language or sex in this novel. There is none. As for violence, well, there are murders and physical abuse, but most of it is described after the fact, which for me is not as disturbing and describing violence as it occurs. No reader should worry about being offended in these aspects. Now, one technique used by the author is to use of the Latin word for many objects, concepts, or actions. Many of these words are in the accompanying Kindle dictionary, but I frequently had use the Kindle browser to find the meaning on the internet. For me, the authenticity brought by the use of these words more than outweighs the inconvenience.

Overall, The Price of Freedom was a quick and enjoyable read for me. It kept my interest throughout the entire novel. I did not encounter any negatives while reading it. Based upon these reasons supported by my above comment, I give this a five star rating. I believe it will be an enjoyable read for the series veteran or the novice to this series.

I have received a free kindle version of this novel through NetGalley from Severn House Publishers with a request for an honest, unbiased review. I wish to thank Severn House Publishers for the opportunity to read this novel early.

The Price of Freedom by Rosemary Rowe

Marcus Aurelius Septimus is one of the most powerful men in all of Roman Britannia and when he tells Libertus – pavement-maker, freedman, Roman citizen and Celtic noble – that he wants him to stand for civic office in the town of Glevum (Gloucester), Libertus has little choice but to do what his patron tells him. But Libertus’s ascendancy is jeopardised by the untimely death of Flauccus, the official responsible for raising Gloucester’s taxes. Flauccus has been found hanging, the tax money vanished, gambled away according to Flauccus’s suicide note. But Marcus isn’t too sure that the death is as straightforward as it seems, especially as if follows hot on the heels of a calamitous fire that killed several of Flauccus’ civic colleagues. Libertus is good at solving mysteries and so he is despatched by Marcus to investigate – he can also attend a wedding on Marcus’s behalf while he’s at it.

And so Libertus sets off an adventure that will take him along the uncomfortable roads of southwestern Britannia where any step could see him fall foul of bandits, bears or wolves – to the small town of Uudum and beyond, via flea-infested inns, barracks of cross soldiers and, unfortunately, other murder scenes, one of which is guarded by unruly goats. Carefully wrapped away in his toga, though, Liberts has his pass from Marcus, instructing others to treat him as they would the emperor himself. Not everyone does…

The Price of Freedom is the seventeenth Libertus series by Rosemary Rowe. I’ve read every one of these books over the last twenty years and my admiration and love for them has only increased over the years. In fact, I have no hesitation in declaring The Price of Freedom my favourite of them all and I read most of it in one glorious sitting.

Rosemary Rowe excels in recreating the lives of (mostly) ordinary Romans and the towns, villages, roundhouses, slave quarters, villas in which they lived. Libertus is a fantastic character. He’s middle-aged, happily married (at last), with an adopted son, living in his roundhouse close to Glevum where he has a shop for his successful mosaic business. Born a Celtic chieftain, he was captured and sold into slavery when young but now he is a respected citizen and, although he has no choice but to do the bidding of his patron, the powerful Marcus, at some level and to some degree, Marcus is Libertus’s friend. Libertus bridges the Roman and Celtic worlds perfectly and he’s a canny observer of people. He’s our eyes, ears and narrator and he describes perfectly the events that befall him and the mysteries that he solves, often at some considerable personal cost. Libertus can never forget that he was once sold in a slave auction. That’s not something to which he would ever wish to return.

Slavery is a big theme of The Price of Freedom, as the title suggests, and I love the way in which it’s handled. It’s done lightly and, as a result, the horror of it strikes home. Slaves are discarded and sold on a whim, new ones are bought and ‘broken in’ and even (for some land slaves) their hair is sold as a crop each year. Rosemary Rowe also looks at the life a young woman, effectively sold into marriage by her father, and then there is a young soldier, living so far from home, at the extreme edge of an empire that is in almost every way cold to him. The fact that Libertus can care so deeply for such people (he wraps the soldier in his arms when he is distraught) is a sign of his deep empathy and sympathy. I like him immensely. That he’s not your typical hero-type makes him all the more interesting.

The story in The Price of Freedom is brilliant! The plot is very carefully put together and complements perfectly the instructive element of Rosemary Rowe’s fiction. When we enter the small enclosed town of Uudum it really tallied with my concept of small Roman towns from my years of excavating them (also in Gloucestershire, where this novel is set). It all feels so real. The little details feel right, in the towns and also in the descriptions of travel. But all the glorious details never hinder the mystery which is such a good one.

If you’ve never read a Libertus mystery then I certainly suggest you give them a go. They can be read in any order as each stands alone well but the first is The Germanicus Mosaic. They’re set towards the end of the 2nd century AD when the various crises affecting Rome still manage to reach this distant edge of empire. Libertus, though, reminds us of Britannia’s Celtic past and his commentary on Rome and its ways – while trying to emerge unscathed from one case after another – is a joy to read. If you want to immerse yourself in Roman Britain, then look no further.

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