From the blurb:
AD 224. Former Praetorian Guard, Quintus Valerius, travels from Britannia to visit his family in Rome. A skilled swordsman, Valerius has an unerring nose for danger and death. Valerius is travelling with his optio, Tiro - a lover of brawling and drinking from Londinium - and the woman he loves, Julia.
In Gaul, Valerius receives a mysterious legacy from his long-dead father — a carnelian intaglio ring. On the road they stumble over a platoon of dead soldiers, also travelling to Rome. One of their high-level political prisoners is dead; the other, Cassius Labineus, has escaped.
But the mystery has only just begun. Soon after, Julia disappears and Valerius is torn between conflicting loyalties. Family secrets are revealed too, involving a conspiracy and plot to unseat Alexander Severus, the boy Emperor. When Valerius reaches Rome, the soldier discovers that friends have become enemies. But perhaps an enemy could become a friend?
The fate of Valerius - and the Empire - become linked, as he strives to prevent an assassination. But there will be blood.
Background
This is Jacquie’s second novel and continues the series following Quintus Valerius in the third century AD. It’s longer than the first book, The Governor’s Man, at 300 pages for the paperback and was published by Sharpe Books in August 2022. It currently has 93% 4-star and above on Amazon and 5.0 score on Goodreads.
The Good and the Not so Good
First of all, I really enjoyed this book and read it over just a couple of days. It follows straight on from The Governor’s Man and not only do we visit Rome for the usual unpleasant machinations of the hierarchy, but it was good to get around the Empire a little as we experienced life in ancient Bordeaux, Marseille and Cadiz before heading back to what is now roughly Somerset.
The plot continues on from the aftermath of events in the first book but it soon becomes a more complicated story involving new family members, treachery and murder. It seemed more varied than the first book and the better for it.
I also warmed to the characters more in this book, helped I thought by a smoother writing style. They are are now much more rounded and sympathetic, especially that of Quintus himself. It was one of the minor gripes I had from the first book that Quintus just wasn’t in it enough and that is definitely not the case here, as not only is he clearly the main protagonist but we get to see plenty of his personality and genuinely care what happens to him. The new character of Vibia was another who I enjoyed following, her dialogue was believable and engaging. Tiro continues to see the best action and he is growing into his role as sidekick and useful tool for plot explanation.
As for the not so good, well, I did find myself wondering at one or two of the plot turns, as they came across as a little contrived in order to help the story along and I was not entirely convinced at choices made by some of the supporting characters. But I’m always more interested in a good adventure and this definitely delivered.
Future books
Jacquie has further novels already in progress. Book 3 in the series has a working title of The Loyal Centurion and is set in what is now Scotland. Many thanks to Jacquie for this update.
Paperback:
 Latest edition: 2022 Publisher: Sharpe Books ISBN: 9798846404601 Pages: 311 Availability & latest prices:  |
Kindle:
Latest edition: 2022 Publisher: Sharpe Books Availability & latest prices: |
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