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I don't generally read a lot of historical crime fiction, but I will make an exception for RS Downie's series, which oozes class down to the tips of its dinky little Roman sandals. If you read the first book, RUSO AND THE DISAPPEARING DANCING GIRLS, you'll remember that our hero is a grumpy, rumpled but dogged army doctor who's found that the natives in Britannia are a tad less than friendly, and that suspicious deaths seem to follow him around. This time Gaius Petreius Ruso and his enigmatic servant girl Tilla are on the move north to Coria, the border territory between Britannia and Caledonia. And the natives there aren't in the least friendly, thanks to the Stag Man, who's doing his best to scare off the Romans. Ruso finds himself trying to deal with a shambolic hospital as well as cope with the previous incumbent, who appears to be going quietly bonkers and has confessed to a murder which our intrepid quack is pretty certain he couldn't have comitted. And Tilla seems to have gone AWOL in an area which holds great significance for her. If you like fast-moving 'wham, bam, was that another body?' crime fiction, then RUSO AND THE DEMENTED DOCTOR might not be for you. But if you like wit, warmth and world-building, you're in the right place. You can open the book at random and find a narrative voice and seemingly effortless phrases (which no doubt Downie really sweated blood over!) to warm the cockles of your heart. If you’re being picky, the last third of a slightly over-long book drags, and the mystery element is often the least interesting part. This is character-driven humorous writing of the highest order. And while it may have the faintest whiff of Carry On Follow That Centurion, rest assured that it's much more tasteful! Downie is a natural storyteller, with a relaxed line in throwaway gems. She marshals her large cast confidently, although the reader will be glad of the witty cast list at the front. And some old friends pop in at various points to jolly the action along. RUSO AND THE DEMENTED DOCTOR is a delight from start to finish. And the ending hints that there's plenty more to come from the beleaguered quack.
Reviewed by Sharon Wheeler, February 2008
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Contact: Yvonne Klein (ymk@reviewingtheevidence.com)
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