Ruth Downie

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Ruth Downie

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Member Since
February 2009


Ruth is the author of nine mysteries* featuring Roman Army medic Gaius Petreius Ruso and his British partner Tilla. The latest is a novella, PRIMA FACIE. She lives in Devon, England. A combination of nosiness and a childish fascination with mud means she is never happier than when wielding an archaeological trowel.

She is sometimes called R.S. Downie, but she isn't the person with the same name who writes medical textbooks, and recommends that readers should never, ever take health advice from a two thousand year old man who prescribes mouse droppings.

*The first four books have all had two titles. Ruth is still wondering how this ever seemed like a good idea. Since she is unable to wind back time, British readers may find it useful to kno
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Ruth Downie The seventh book in the Ruso series, which will probably be called "Habeas Corpus" but is called lots of less printable things whenever I get stuck wi…moreThe seventh book in the Ruso series, which will probably be called "Habeas Corpus" but is called lots of less printable things whenever I get stuck with the plot. *UPDATE!* All the things I called it turned out to be wrong. It's now VITA BREVIS, and it'll be published in July 2016 in the USA/Canada and here in the UK in September.(less)
Ruth Downie I can see the possibilities too, Marilee, but sadly nobody in TV seems to have noticed! Still, I'm confident that my agent will seize upon anyone infl…moreI can see the possibilities too, Marilee, but sadly nobody in TV seems to have noticed! Still, I'm confident that my agent will seize upon anyone influential who shows the least sign of interest, so you never know - and thanks for asking.(less)
Average rating: 3.95 · 25,640 ratings · 2,680 reviews · 19 distinct worksSimilar authors
Medicus (Gaius Petreius Rus...

3.75 avg rating — 8,613 ratings — published 2006 — 48 editions
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Terra Incognita (Gaius Petr...

3.92 avg rating — 3,904 ratings — published 2008 — 33 editions
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Persona Non Grata (Gaius Pe...

4.03 avg rating — 3,216 ratings — published 2008 — 30 editions
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Caveat Emptor (Gaius Petrei...

really liked it 4.00 avg rating — 2,519 ratings — published 2010 — 27 editions
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Semper Fidelis (Gaius Petre...

4.09 avg rating — 1,937 ratings — published 2013 — 11 editions
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Tabula Rasa (Gaius Petreius...

4.16 avg rating — 1,604 ratings — published 2014 — 9 editions
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Vita Brevis (Gaius Petreius...

4.12 avg rating — 1,262 ratings — published 2016 — 10 editions
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Memento Mori (Gaius Petreiu...

4.18 avg rating — 1,062 ratings — published 2018 — 8 editions
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A Year of Ravens

by
4.16 avg rating — 697 ratings — published 2015 — 6 editions
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Prima Facie (Gaius Petreius...

4.21 avg rating — 564 ratings — published 2019 — 6 editions
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More books by Ruth Downie…

Eboracum Roman Festival 2022

Roman soldiers on the march - caption After a gap of 2 (or 1600) years, depending on how you view it, the Romans were back in York last weekend. It was a joy to spend time with visitors, Romans, readers, writers and even the occasional barbarian. A few pics and possibly a snip of video will follow: What are you doing for the next 20 years? Why not join these friendly soldiers in the Roman army? Centurion addresses audience in front of soldiers on parade The Centurion will tell you w Read more of this blog post »
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Published on June 28, 2022 08:29
Medicus Terra Incognita Persona Non Grata Caveat Emptor Semper Fidelis Tabula Rasa Vita Brevis
(8 books)
by
3.94 avg rating — 24,681 ratings

Bring Them Home
Ruth Downie is currently reading
by D.S. Butler (Goodreads Author)
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Ruth’s Recent Updates

Ruth Downie is now friends with J.B. Linkwater
Ruth Downie rated a book really liked it
Memories of the Cottage by the Sea by Rebecca Alexander
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Ruth Downie made a comment in the group Devon Book ClubRecommendations topic
" I think we should request it! "
" Yes it was a grand weekend, Ken! All legions now safely returned to base and hoping to meet up again next year. "
Ruth Downie made a comment in the group Devon Book ClubGiveaways 2022 topic
" This sounds great! Please could you enter me in the draw, Ian? Thank you!
Ruth
"
Ruth Downie made a comment on Season’s Greetings
" Thank you Ken! Both for the good wishes and for spreading the word about Ruso and Tilla.
Happy New Year to you and yours!
Ruth
😊
"
Ruth Downie is currently reading
Bring Them Home by D.S. Butler
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The Rose Code by Kate Quinn
Ruth Downie made a comment in the group Devon Book ClubGiveaways 2021 topic
" Ooh, yes please! "
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Quotes by Ruth Downie  (?)
Quotes are added by the Goodreads community and are not verified by Goodreads. (Learn more)

“One of the many difficult things about women was that they tended to pick the most unsuitable times to tell you something they considered to be important, and then became irrationally upset when you failed to remember it.”
Ruth Downie, Terra Incognita

“I seem to remember sitting on a golden bench, and she started chattering about the sunset, or something. She seemed quite happy so I let her get on with it. Then she got hold of my hand and asked me what I was thinking about. So I said, "The treatment of anal fistulae".”
Ruth Downie, Terra Incognita

“Back from where? you're not going out again and leaving me here are you?? Holy Hercules I sound like somebody's wife”
Ruth Downie, Terra Incognita

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Topics Mentioning This Author

topics posts views last activity  
Readers and Reading: This topic has been closed to new comments. July 2010 reads 30 108 Aug 21, 2010 02:49PM  
Mystery/Thriller ...: july 2010 - sandi 6 36 Aug 22, 2010 08:15PM  
The Mystery, Crim...: This topic has been closed to new comments. Winner Chosen: Dec 2010-Jan 2011 Group Read 45 322 Dec 02, 2010 07:40PM  
The Seasonal Read...: 15.1 - The Land Down Under 26 109 Mar 28, 2011 05:19PM  
The History Book ...: STEVEN'S 50 BOOKS READ IN 2011 10 64 Jun 21, 2011 06:36AM  
The Seasonal Read...: This topic has been closed to new comments. Fall Challenge 2011 Completed Tasks - DO NOT DELETE ANY POSTS IN THIS TOPIC! 2264 772 Nov 30, 2011 09:05PM  
Challenge: 50 Books: Vicki's 2011 Books 13 61 Dec 10, 2011 06:01AM  
Readers and Reading: This topic has been closed to new comments. December 2011 reads 16 17 Jan 02, 2012 02:50PM  
“If you don't get what you want, you suffer; if you get what you don't want, you suffer; even when you get exactly what you want, you still suffer because you can't hold on to it forever. Your mind is your predicament. It wants to be free of change. Free of pain, free of the obligations of life and death. But change is law and no amount of pretending will alter that reality.”
Socrates

“Running a close second [as a writing lesson] was the realization that stopping a piece of work just because it's hard, either emotionally or imaginatively, is a bad idea. Sometimes you have to go on when you don't feel like it, and sometimes you're doing good work when it feels like all you're managing is to shovel shit from a sitting position.”
Stephen King

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