Ask the Author: Ruth Downie
Answered Questions (14)
Ruth Downie
Hi Ellen,
Thanks for asking - yes it will! It's being recorded by the talented Simon Vance (who's read all the others) and last time I looked the publication date was 19 November.
I think this link will get you to the publisher but they're working on their website at the moment so I can't check -
Hope you enjoy it!
Ruth
Thanks for asking - yes it will! It's being recorded by the talented Simon Vance (who's read all the others) and last time I looked the publication date was 19 November.
I think this link will get you to the publisher but they're working on their website at the moment so I can't check -
Hope you enjoy it!
Ruth
Ruth Downie
I'm sure Ruso and Tilla very much hope not, Terri! At the moment Metellus is safely in Rome and as far as they're concerned the further away he is the better, because nothing involving Metellus is ever straightforward. Still, who knows? He is notorious for sneaking up when least expected...
Ruth Downie
Hi David,
There's definitely a dent, although you might need a microscope (which of course Ruso doesn't have) to see it.
Mercifully some of the pressure is off since the debt was rescheduled by his ex-father-in-law, but let's hope none of the individual creditors turns nasty...
Best wishes,
Ruth
There's definitely a dent, although you might need a microscope (which of course Ruso doesn't have) to see it.
Mercifully some of the pressure is off since the debt was rescheduled by his ex-father-in-law, but let's hope none of the individual creditors turns nasty...
Best wishes,
Ruth
Ruth Downie
Hi Rachel,
This is always the problem with a series, isn't it? I hope all the books make some sense as stand-alones, but I'm probably a bit too close to tell.
So I've quoted a review of "Terra Incognita" below that might help you decide.
Hope you enjoy the read, whichever way you choose to do it!
Best wishes,
Ruth
“If you missed Downie's debut novel, Medicus, which introduced regimental doctor Gaius Petreius Ruso and his slave/housekeeper Tilla, you'll want to get caught up. This book, which is even better than the first, opens with the pair headed to northern outposts, where Ruso hopes to gain some advancement...This is a terrific series that historical mystery fans shouldn't miss - Downie's knowledge of Roman military medicine is phenomenal - but you do need the background of the first book.� ―Margaret Cannon, Globe and Mail
This is always the problem with a series, isn't it? I hope all the books make some sense as stand-alones, but I'm probably a bit too close to tell.
So I've quoted a review of "Terra Incognita" below that might help you decide.
Hope you enjoy the read, whichever way you choose to do it!
Best wishes,
Ruth
“If you missed Downie's debut novel, Medicus, which introduced regimental doctor Gaius Petreius Ruso and his slave/housekeeper Tilla, you'll want to get caught up. This book, which is even better than the first, opens with the pair headed to northern outposts, where Ruso hopes to gain some advancement...This is a terrific series that historical mystery fans shouldn't miss - Downie's knowledge of Roman military medicine is phenomenal - but you do need the background of the first book.� ―Margaret Cannon, Globe and Mail
Ruth Downie
Hi Ellen,
So glad you've enjoyed the series! You're up to date at the moment, but the next one (MEMENTO MORI) is on the way. It's the story of Ruso and Tilla's visit to Aquae Sulis (Bath) where Valens finds himself in big trouble.
The audio publishers usually bring their version out at the same time as the print edition, so it should be available next March.
Happy listening!
Ruth
So glad you've enjoyed the series! You're up to date at the moment, but the next one (MEMENTO MORI) is on the way. It's the story of Ruso and Tilla's visit to Aquae Sulis (Bath) where Valens finds himself in big trouble.
The audio publishers usually bring their version out at the same time as the print edition, so it should be available next March.
Happy listening!
Ruth
Ruth Downie
I'm having a catch-up of books by friends, so Su Bristow's Sealskin, BD Aiken's The Act of Falling, James D Mortain's Storm Log 0505, Jamie Dodson's Black Dragons Attack, Ben Blake's Black Lord of Eagles, Liz Shakespeare's Postman Poet... and I really will get to Steven Oppenheimer's "The Origins of the British" one day!
Ruth Downie
Hi Camilla - thanks for asking! It'll be someone at Bloomsbury - I've sent you a friend request so we can get the details sorted via messages.
Cheers
Ruth
Cheers
Ruth
Ruth Downie
You're right, Joy - Tilla suspects some sort of medical problem following a most unwelcome incident in her past. (I wish I could remember which book this is mentioned in, sorry! I thought it was 'Caveat Emptor' but can't find it.)
Sadly there is very little that can be done in the way of investigation. She has tried every remedy she can find, and Ruso (on the quiet) has bought a book on the subject, but it's not much use. These things are a mystery beyond medicine, and depend upon the favour of the gods.
Of course it's always possible that the gods will smile upon her, but there's no knowing if or when, especially since those of us with strangely prophetic authorial powers don't know ourselves!
Sadly there is very little that can be done in the way of investigation. She has tried every remedy she can find, and Ruso (on the quiet) has bought a book on the subject, but it's not much use. These things are a mystery beyond medicine, and depend upon the favour of the gods.
Of course it's always possible that the gods will smile upon her, but there's no knowing if or when, especially since those of us with strangely prophetic authorial powers don't know ourselves!
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 influential who shows the least sign of interest, so you never know - and thanks for asking.
Ruth Downie
The terror of an approaching deadline helps enormously. Who was it who said that the tipping point comes when the fear of doing something badly is overcome by the fear of having done nothing at all?
Ruth Downie
Aside from the obvious - the commute is easy and the dress code very informal - it's been an unexpected delight to make contact with people who've enjoyed spending time with Ruso and Tilla.
Ruth Downie
Just do it. Really. And if you can find friends who write, so much the better: you can encourage each other.
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 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.
Ruth Downie
Research. If you dig deep enough (literally, sometimes) there's always something unexpected that sparks an idea.
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