Buried Too Deep

Aurelia Marcella #3

by Jane Finnis

The spring of 98 AD is a time of optimism in the turbulent frontier province of Britannia. Business is brisk at the mansio (inn) on the road to York that Aurelia Marcella runs with her twin brother Lucius. Then a wagon arrives bearing a local farmer with a grievous sword wound who is seeking treatment with the local Greek doctor. And Lucius appears at the mansio on a mission. When the farmer dies, the twins head for the coast to return the man to his family and to check out a shipwreck bearing valuable official cargo. A band of outlawed sea-raiders led by a Gaul are suspected of stealing it along with killing the farmer. It all adds up to the feuding that has erupted between the colonists and the natives. The natives claim the newcomers are stealing the best farmland, while the settlers accuse the locals of plotting rebellion against Rome. Both sides are using terrorist burning, kidnapping, and even murder. The trouble escalates and long-buried grudges are revived as counsellors, citizens, chiefs, and slaves mix in. But a subtle, personal agenda is at work as well--one or more of the combatants may have hired the Gauls to orchestrate the violence. This is the third novel in the Aurelia Marcella series.

Genres: Mystery, Historical Fiction, Historical Mystery, Roman Britain, Historical, Fiction, Roman

349 pages, Hardcover

First published March 1, 2008

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. GET OUT OR DIE, the start of a series set in Roman York, is her first novel.

Reviews

[Ktmholm · Rating 5 out of 5]

In Roman Britain of 98 A.D., innkeeper Aurelia Marcella is understandably concerned when she hears rumors of raids by sea pirates, especially when a wounded local farmer whispers that her sister’s family is in danger. Further warnings suggest that the pirates may be in the employ of a local wealthy landowner, but is it also connected to the rumors of buried gold? As friction between the native Britons and the newly-arrived Roman settlers increases, Aurelia’s twin brother Lucius and their friend Quintus, both government investigators, join her to prevent further deaths, kidnappings, and general mayhem.
This is the third in the Aurelia Marcella mystery series, all of which I’ve enjoyed thoroughly. The characters and time period seem 'real', and the plots are absorbing. The author recently said she’s working on #5—long may she keep writing!

[Maureen · Rating 2 out of 5]

I haven't read the other books in the series so that makes it a bit difficult to get up to speed. This was an audiobook - I kept wondering if the reader was a robot. The book was OK, there was a very large cast of characters. I had trouble keeping track of who was who. Not a bad book, but not a great book.

[Wynter J. · Rating 2 out of 5]

Overall, this book was decent. I haven’t done a lot of research about this author or book. At times, it seemed as if the book was written in a different language and translated back to English electronically. Words were missing and sentence structuring was odd.

[Karen · Rating 3 out of 5]

An entertaining story.

[Joan · Rating 2 out of 5]

OK plot but the writing was very sloppy. Lots of wrong character names and typos and a meandering plot line.

[Chara · Rating 3 out of 5]

The pace was slower than in the two previous books in the series. Interesting sub-plots and twists though.

[JJ]

DNF @ 10% very sloppy writing and terrible editing. Maybe because I haven't read others in the series (they aren't at my library) but this is doing nothing to draw me in.

[Jaret · Rating 4 out of 5]

An interesting book with some characters I'd like to see more of in the series. I liked the historical aspect, and enjoyed the mystery. But, I will admit to getting lost at points in the political aspects occasionally. The family dynamics, however, kept me interested.

[Jan Mc · Rating 3 out of 5]

Aurelia is such a strong character that it's easy to like her. With her brother Lucius at her back and her friends and relatives beside her, she rides into her third mystery, this time on a wagon. In fact, she (and Lucius) does a lot of traveling in this story to appear in time for the rather complex plot to move on. There were quite a few characters to keep track of, but they were all interesting and some quite fun. I don't like to know the solution to the mystery early, and I wasn't disappointed in this book. Looking forward to the next in the series by Jane Finnis.

[Mary · Rating 4 out of 5]

Set in Roman Britain. I liked this more than I remembered liking the previous two books in the series. The series is more upbeat than, for example, Lindsay Davis's Falco books or Kelli Stanley's "Nox Dormienda." There's less tough-guy talk and sardonic humor. But the author doesn't sanitize life in 1st century Britain either. As to the mystery itself, it's pretty obvious what's going on, although less obvious who's responsible.

[Sarah · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a pretty good book, except for the distractingly insane amount of typos! Some of them were vital in being able to tell what was going on. Such a shame. This author is very good, but the editor was terrible.

[Pamela · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fun and informative

I recommend this book to fans of historical mysteries and all things Brito-Roman. drags a bit in spots, but overall it's good.

[Kayla · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good story, but the performer spoke monotone,