Blood Debts

Leonidas the Gladiator Mysteries #1.5

by Ashley Gardner

Leonidas, freedman, once the most popular gladiator in Rome and champion of the games, now must fight for his life outside the arena. A man who owed him money was murdered, and Leonidas is a prime suspect. 

With the assistance of Cassia, daughter of a Greek scribe who was bestowed upon him as his slave, Leonidas fights for justice in the back lanes of Imperial Rome. 

Cassia has no idea how to cook and clean or mend and weave, but she is very good at finding things out and writing things down, able to work through a dozen mathematical problems by the time most people can think of a sentence. Knowing both intuitively and empirically that Leonidas is innocent of the murder, she resolves to help clear him of the crime.

It’s the least she can do for a man who has proved to be far less brutal than his reputation and who protects all who come within his sphere.

And if Leonidas loses, he faces a short, painful future back in the amphitheater, this time without hope of survival.

A novella of the Leonidas the Gladiator mysteries. (34,000 words, 11 chapters)

Genres: Mystery, Historical Fiction, Historical, Historical Mystery, Fiction, Amazon, Mystery Thriller

144 pages, Kindle Edition

First published July 9, 2017

About the author

Ashley Gardner is the pseudonym for NY Times bestselling and award-winning author Jennifer Ashley and nationally bestselling and award-winning author Allyson James. Her award-winning Captain Lacey Regency mysteries have garnered top reviews and an enthusiastic following. These books are now available as digital editions. More about the series can be found at http://www.gardnermysteries.com

Reviews

[Jennifer Ashley]

New series I write as Ashley Gardner. Follow Leonidas, "retired" gladiator, and Cassia, the slave sent to look after him, as they have adventures, solve crimes, and just try to live in Ancient Rome (beginning AD 63). Mysteries with a touch of romance.

[Barb in Maryland · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting mystery, great characters. This novella was written first, then the author backtracked and wrote Blood of a Gladiator to give us a lot of background on Leonidas and Cassia, plus the story of how they came together.

At the end of the first book, Leonidas takes a job guarding a baker. This novella opens with Leonidas trying to get the baker to pay up. The baker sends Leonidas off to collect the money from one Selenius, a shady money lender. Instead of getting his money, Leonidas finds the very clearly murdered Selenius and immediately becomes suspect #1.
He and Cassia scramble to find out who did the deed in order to prove that Leonidas didn't commit the crime.

Fast-paced, with several twists, and a solid solution to the murder.

Next up: A Gladiator's Tale.

[Beanbag Love · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ashley Gardner just has a great way with a mystery.

This popped up as a notification from Amazon and I was surprised to see a new series by this author. I love Captain Lacey's Regency Mysteries and I know there's another mystery series by her, also set in England, coming soon. So where did the ancient Roman gladiator angle come in?

I have no idea but it's good. And it's totally new as a setting for a book series. For me anyway.

This is a novella, so it basically introduces the characters and gives you a feel for what the series will be like. The mystery was solved without too much rigamarole, presumably because it's not long enough for extra twists and turns. But it's enjoyable. And getting to know Leonides, the retired gladiator and his borrowed slave Cassia is a treat. Both of them are the lowest of the low on the caste system ladder, but they don't let that stop them for a moment.

Unfortunately, the author's note says she has no idea when the first full novel of the series will be out so I'll just have to try to be patient. 😬

[Keri · Rating 3 out of 5]

I can see some really good things coming with this series. It is a unique time and place. I like Leo, however he is clueless right now with what is right in front of his face, but he appears to be waking up. So we shall see where this series goes.

[SheLove2Read · Rating 4 out of 5]

Same story that is in the compilation I read earlier this year. Still a great one and I'm looking forward to more with these characters.

[Vleigh · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars. A short mystery that takes place in Roman times. I enjoyed the main characters; a recently retired gladiator and his female slave. This story was part of an anthology and isn't something I would have normally chosen but found myself totally engaged. Although primarily a mystery, it was also a great immersion in history. The story goes into some of the more distasteful aspects of society at the time as well as Leonidas's PTSD. It was rather clever to solve the mystery without modern technology. I am curious to read the first book in the series.

[Jane · Rating 4 out of 5]

Delightful novella and story just zips along! The ex-gladiator Leonidas and his slave [also friend] Cassia set out to prove Leonidas' innocence of a murder. Leonidas has discovered a dead body when he has come to collect a debt for services rendered.

[Robin · Rating 3 out of 5]

The time period is certainly a change of pace for this author. I enjoyed it, and I think the new series has definite potential, but I'm not looking forward to it quite as much as I am the Kat Holloway series, another new mystery series from the same author. I'll certainly be reading both though!

One thing I noticed though, I don't think time keeping in ancient Rome was as precise as down to the half hour, or even hour. But I liked the characters and the plot, even though it was only a short novella. I normally feel like they don't allow for enough character development, but I am finding that's not the case with this author.

Historical Readings & Reviews

[Laurel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Congratulations to Ashley Gardner on a real winner. My only disappointment was that this was novella-length, and I was sad when it ended. Leonidas and Cassia are engaging, complex and utterly endearing. I can't wait to read their next adventure.

[Linda Baker · Rating 5 out of 5]

Leonidas, the most feared and successful gladiator of Rome in the first century AD, has finally received his freedom. But what is a retired fighter to do with no money and no skills that easily translate into life in Rome? An unknown benefactor steps in and provides him with an apartment (one room) and a slave. The slave, Cassia, is the daughter of a scribe who was sold when the master of the house took an undue interest in her. Cassia can't cook, sew or do laundry, but she has the literacy that Leonidas lacks. She is also grateful that Leonidas does not abuse her as she feared might happen. The two are surviving on jobs that Leonidas picks up, such as a guard for incoming merchandise shipments. One such job, for a baker, has not been paid for, is overdue, and the coffers are low. When Leonidas goes to the baker, Quintus, he is sent to a money-changer to collect. The money-changer, Silenius, owes Quintus and Leonidas must get the money from him. But when Leonidas arrives, the money-changer is dead in a pool of blood. Leonidas leaves immediately but knows that the guard will be looking for him. After all, everyone in Rome knows him, and he was seen entering.

Cassia and Leonidas make a good team, each having what the other lacks. Having been taken off the streets as a child and enduring years of training and brutal fighting, it's clear that Leonidas suffers both PTSD and depression. It's a miracle that he has retained a core of inner goodness and a desire to protect others. Cassia's literacy and mathematical knowledge help them to solve the murder and pick up some new friends in the process. Ashley Gardner paints a vivid picture of the streets of ancient Rome; its heat, smells, and general injustice. I am expecting great things from this new series as we learn more about Leonidas and Cassia, and their mysterious benefactor.

RATING- 4.5 Stars

[Mary Heron · Rating 5 out of 5]

A tragic tale.

Leonidas and Cassia are managing to make a comfortable (if far from luxurious) living in Rome, the baker owes them the sistercis for a job Leonidas performed for him, escorting some goes from Ostia. The baked cries.poverty but says.he.is.owed money from a moneylender and if Leonidas can collect on the debt he will be able to get paid (with a little extra besides). Unwilling to return to Cassia without the money Leonidas sets off bugbear he finds.leaves him reading for his.life, the moneylender is dead, murdered and the last person seen going.into his.place of business (where he died) is Leonidas. A false charge of murder was Leonidas condemned to become a gladiator another false accusation will see him executed..........probably by being thrown to the beasts in the colosseum......

[Sandra R · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 stars. Since I watched the TV series Spartacus I have been waiting for a book/series set in ancient Rome by a favourite author - and this is it. What an excellent start to a new mystery/romance series ! I really enjoyed reading this novella - an introduction to the world that Leonidas (a retired gladiator) and Cassia (his slave) live in. The research was well done and I felt I was really wandering through the streets and tunnels of Rome smelling what they smelled, seeing what they saw, eating what they ate. Can't wait for the next book ! PS Thanks for the author putting the ad for the book on face-book, otherwise I might not have discovered it so quickly. Love the cover too.

[Gregory Mele · Rating 4 out of 5]

I agree with the author thatnthis would not have served as a proper intro to the characters, but as novel "1.5" it was excellent.

[Robin · Rating 4 out of 5]

A novella adding more nuance and depth to Cassia and Leonidas’ relationship.

Plan to continue with the series as I’m getting more invested.

[Lorena · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent novella.

[AlwaysV · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this novella so much. Leonidas reminded me just a little bit of Captain Lacey in The Alexandria Affair series. He was so likable, almost tragic, a kind of hero we always rooted for until he got his Happily Ever After. Cassia, his assistant/slave, was even more likable, smart, sweet, but helpless by circumstances. Together they made a wonderful pairing who would steal your hearts.

I was totally hooked by the back lanes of Imperial Rome! So looking forward to Book 1 of the series! Sharing one of my favorite scenes:

"You are always sleeping, Leonidas . . .
One day, you will have to wake up."

"One day, I will," . . .

"I have your word?"

"You do." I might be infamis
but I honored my promises, and Cassia knew it.

"That's all right then."
Cassia turned her face to the road . . .
In another few yards, she was softly singing. . .

[Jodie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm a huge Captain Lacey fan and usually pick up everything by this author. But this is not a time period I usually choose. However, in this case, I'm glad I gave it a try.

This story flowed well, was interesting without getting bogged down in historical details, and wrapped up the mystery in a satisfactory manner while leaving plenty of threads open for future exploration.

I can't wait for the next one!

[Susan · Rating 3 out of 5]

AD63 Rome and Leonidas, former gladiator discovers a body. With the aid of his slave Cassia they aim to solve the death.
A novella which introduces us to the characters for this new series. An enjoyabole read and I look forward to the series.

[Carly · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved every page of this novella. It takes place between the first two books of the Leonidas Mysteries. Our hero is Leonidas, a freedman in 63 AD Rome, a former gladiator—a primus palus—who was so popular even now he cannot move through Rome without being noticed and pointed out. He neither reads nor writes, although he can recognize his name and the Greek letter, theta – because it stands for death. A mysterious benefactor has found him a place to live and has given him a scribe-slave, Cassia, who aids him. Living is up to Leonidas who must find ways to pay rent on his small apartment and pay for food for Cassia and himself.

Where Leonidas is brave and has a firm moral outlook, Cassia is the brains with a need for order and a devotion to numbers – they are a fascinating duo. In this story, Leonidas is sent to a moneychanger for payment, and he finds the man dead. The moneychanger’s life is peeled back like an onion, and we see all sorts of likely suspects.

On his way to solving the murder—Leonidas is himself no slouch in the brains department—he befriends a young boy who has been put to work in a brothel. In this way we are introduced to Marcella, the “widow” (gladiators/slaves could not marry) of Xerxes, Leonidas’ friend who was killed in the gladiator games. These people round out Leonidas’ world which is small, even in the large city of Rome.

There are very few spots that make a reader pause:
 Leonidas thinks about a “pot for slops” as he walks through a macellum (a marketplace). It’s a pot for household waste, and this usage dates back only to the 14th century. In 63 AD Rome, Leonidas would not use this word. But it’s meaning is obvious, and it isn’t horribly anachronistic.
 There is a sentence that I think needs a (second) past perfect tense: “Cassia tirelessly worked to uncover his identity, but she’d so far not been successful.” The book is written in simple past tense, so using the simple past tense, “worked,” makes this appear to be something Cassia is doing right now, and we must figure out who she is trying to identify: the moneychanger? However, Leonidas is thinking about something Cassia had been doing in the past, continuing into the present. I think it would be better like this: “Cassia had worked tirelessly to uncover his identity but had been unsuccessful so far.” Or some such. Using “had worked” shows us that Cassia had done this in the past, not the present “now.” Past perfect was used in the second clause, but it’s the first clause that needs this tense (IMHO).

I rated this novella 5-stars. I loved walking the streets of ancient Rome and dusting off my Latin (it isn’t necessary to know Latin—although it’s handy—because the writer usually tells us what the words mean). It all feels so real. And the characters! All of them, even the villainous ones, stand out and feel alive and real – whether it’s a merchant on the road into Rome or the faithful Cassia.

It is easy to become immersed in ancient Rome - the writer paints such colorful pictures with her word choices. This is an easy book to read, with enough action and curious behaviors to keep a reader attentive and wanting more. Indeed, when I’d finished, I felt almost bereft. I wanted more of Leonidas and Cassia. I am definitely reading the books in this series.

N.B.: This novella is available in a compendium of three novellas by Ashley Gardner/Jennifer Ashley, Past Crimes.

[Laura · Rating 4 out of 5]

Murder in ancient Rome

I really enjoyed this introduction to Leonidas and Cassia. They aren't typical sleuths, and not only because they live in ancient Rome. Leonidas is a retired gladiator, which puts him one step above a slave in Roman society. He is illiterate, uneducated in anything but combat, and virtually penniless, but he's free, which is all he really cares about, with the exception of looking after Cassia. Cassia was born a slave in a wealthy Greek household. She is well educated and used to keep accounts for her former master. When her master tried to take advantage of her, an unknown person arranged to have her removed from her home and placed with Leonidas. Both Cassia and Leonidas seem to assume that this unknown benefactor placed her with Leonidas as punishment and expected Leonidas to be harsh with her. I'm not so sure about that. I suspect that this unknown person knew exactly what they were doing, putting Cassia and Leonidas together. They both care for each other deeply, which is apparent in the way they look out for each other. It's not a romantic relationship, although I get the impression that Cassia, at least, wouldn't be disappointed if things moved in that direction. I look forward to reading more about Leonidas and Cassia and how they work together to solve mysteries!

[Kelly · Rating 5 out of 5]

Okay. I like Leonidas. He's...I don't know how to put it. After years of fighting, he's trying to find himself again (or maybe for the first time, really) and it's not an easy task. He's been given a female slave to help him out and her well-being (as well as the well-being of some of those he came across in this adventure) weighs in his daily decisions. If he doesn't step up and get money owed to them, they'll have nowhere to live and no way to eat. If he gets taken away for murder, she'll be left on her own with no protector.

So, yeah. I like Leonidas. He's working his way toward figuring out how to live again after years of regimented living as a gladiator. He's not perfect, but he's finding his way. Slowly, but still.

As for this particular adventure, he and Cassia work together (let's face it, Cassia is currently the brains of the operation) to work through the facts and retrace the steps leading up to Leonidas finding a dead body. They meet a few individuals along the way who Leonidas takes under his proverbial wing and I am REALLY liking all the potential I see in this world.

A former gladiator trying to find his place in the world and a whip-smart slave who keeps him moving forward. I like.

-Kelly @ Reading the Paranormal

[Cody · Rating 4 out of 5]

I tend to forget to read novellas in the series I’m reading, especially mystery since they don’t typically have the same plot development as say fantasy novellas. I decided this one would be a good way to wrap up 2022 and finish my reading challenge. I enjoyed this one, there was only 1 thing that bothered me but that’s it. This book takes place between books 1 and 2 so I read this out of order and had to remember that this takes place before events in book 2, but that’s on me! Honestly this can be read as a stand-alone if you’re interested in giving this series a shot but don’t want to get into a full novel. Definitely recommend the series if you’re into mysteries and Ancient Rome.

Quick hits:
+ Leonidas and Cassia have good development in this.
+ Side characters are solid, and show the true character of the characters.
+ An enjoyable mystery, fairly obvious but that’s okay since it’s a novella with limited cast.
+ Good morally ambiguous ending.
- One of the resolutions is a bit far fetched to me. Being deliberately vague here for spoilers but there’s an assumption that something goes away that honestly feels a bit unlikely.

Overall, a good and quick read to wrap up the year. If you want to give the series a shot, this is a good place to start and I would recommend for those reading the series. It sits well between books 1 and 2. Now we patiently wait for book 3.

[R · Rating 3 out of 5]

**MINOR SPOILERS**
This novella is part of the Leonidas the Gladiator series and fits between the 1st and 2nd book. It is set in 63 AD in Rome.
Leonidas is owed money by a baker who had asked him to protect a shipment that had arrived in port. After he tries to collect on the debt, the baker sends him to someone who owes him money. Leonidas finds this second man murdered and Leonidas is a suspect at first. The story involves several sad examples of sexual exploitation.
There is a distasteful and unnecessary scene about midway through the novella. Leonidas forgets that he has no money and stops to eat lunch. When he goes to pay and realizes that he cannot, the person at the shop trades the meal for time in bed. While I do not think that this needed to be included, since it was, I think the author could have done a better job at tying this assumption related to payment for the meal to the general theme of sexual exploitation in the story.
A small note to the author or publisher. A small glossary for some of the words would have been helpful.
I do plan to continue on to the second book in the series because I had already purchased it, though I was turned off by the story about the meal. Otherwise, I might have reconsidered buying it. FYI: There are also many other references to sex and nudity.

[Jenna · Rating 3 out of 5]

It is a nice introductory novella with two main characters that I will be interested to know more about. So I would definitely read the first book in the actual series.

On the other hand, there are a fair amount of historical mystery series set in Ancient Rome...and although ex-gladiator and slave are different than the patrician sleuths of John Maddox Roberts SPQR series or Marcus Corvinus and Rufia Perilla in the series by David Wishart it feels like less unique ground than the half-pay Army captain Gabriel Lacey and the intricate relationships with Louisa, Marianne, etc.

And on the other hand, again, ex-gladiator and ex-Army Captain on somewhat hard times with smart sidekick seem a bit familiar....

[Tracy DeNeal · Rating 5 out of 5]

Intriguing

Now that I am switching from romances to mysteries, I find that one of my favorite authors has already written many of them. I will have my reading coffers filled for the rest of the summer.

Blood Debts though apparently written first, but read second by me, picks up Leonidas and Cassia stumbling upon another mystery. The story was well plotted and provided more insight into the two protagonists. Cassia’s intellect and insight continues to shine through. Leonidas although seemingly having accepted the world’s low viewpoint of him as a former gladiator and an infamis, nevertheless though unschooled has a great deal of mother wit and ingenuity. This pair as a crime solving duo are amazing.

I cannot wait for the next installment of this series.

[Michael Hill · Rating 5 out of 5]

Six months have passed. When Leonidas was set free, he was given a slave, Cassia, a small place to stay and almost no money, so he has to do body guarding and property guarding jobs to earn money. And then he has to get paid and some are reluctant, like a baker who owes him money. Unable to get the money off of the baker because a money changer owes him money, Leonidas goes to the money changer and finds him dead.
He fears he could be blamed for killing him because he was seen there about the time he was killed and everyone remembers the famous gladiator by sight. Leonidas and Cassia have to find out who killed the money lender, leading to a trip through the sewers beneath the city of Rome.

[Inas. · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really liked this book, so well written with details of place the makes you feel as if you are there.
Leonidis a previous gladiator who saw a murdered body while he was doing his errands. From there things develop and events get more exciting. I really liked his character and the way he thinks, I lied his Slave( sidekick) and their relationship.
It's the first of the seriesbut has one flaw , .
It's not recommended for sensitive readers as it contains many embarrassing explicit details, which doesn't suit me too much

[Constant Reader · Rating 5 out of 5]

Immersive and Entertaining

This is a short, but intriguing mystery. For a novella, the world was well developed, the characters nuanced, and the plot was good. The only caveat here is that this is the second entry in the series, and in both the stakes were the same. It wasn’t enough to subtract a star, but I am not sure I will continue with the series if the motivation to solve the mystery is always a result of the same threat looming over the main character’s lives. I hope they find other reasons to sleuth. It’s a great series so far, and I look forward to the next book.

[Laurla2 · Rating 3 out of 5]

-3 stars.
a couple times it felt more like a "history of ancient rome", giving me unnecessary in-depth details of gladiator times unrelated to the characters or story.

in this story leonidas seemed mostly only interested in sleeping while everything else just sort of happened around him or to him.

the first novel in this series (published AFTER this novella was written) was better than this.

[Kathy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Leonidas and Cassia... free ex-Gladiator... re-slaved accountant (somewhat OCD)...
living together... knowledge and organization from Cassia, strength, protection and purpose from Leonidas - they need each other.

A couple of days in their lives, working together to save an orphan, solve a mystery, and keep him out of jail...

a snapshot or Roman life... characters to admire and empathize with...