Another enthralling entry in the Gaius Valerius Verrens series. The author has topped himself with this entry; this is one of the best adventures yet. This one is set in Rome, Germania, and finally Roman Britain. Appointed by Emperor Vespasian to be legal aide to Julius Agricola, the governor, whom Valerius knew when both were younger and fought side by side. Valerius is also legate and acting governor as needed. He may take his wife, Tabitha, and son, Lucius. We endure a harrowing journey through Germania, with clashes with the Germans, the abduction of two of Valerius's cavalry entourage/bodyguards and a daring rescue. All of them have been culled from the different legions in Britannia and most are "the dregs"--troublemakers, thieves, etc.--but for a few volunteers. Valerius has the unenviable task of molding these soldiers into a trustworthy, loyal force. In Britannia, he meets his old nemesis from 17 years before and who is a formidable force against him here.. In northwestern Britannia we follow the abduction of Tabitha and Lucius, whom he attempts to rescue from druids, while also fighting the Ordovice tribe as legate of XIII Legion, after the current legate dies under mysterious circumstances. Why did no one see him leaving the fort? Is the death accidental or is it a murder? Valerius and his 9th Legion are also heavily involved in the conquest of Mona, the druid island stronghold after his successful attempts at raising the morale and cohesiveness in this "bad luck" legion, while rooting out corruption therein.

The development of his leadership qualities and his role as judge in several law cases impressed me. I liked the portrayal of Tabitha and the depiction of the relationship between the couple, but I felt Lucius acted more like a eight- or ten-year-old, rather than his stated age of four or five. I tried to solve the mystery around Legate Fronto's death myself following both Valerius's and Tabitha's conjectures, but I thought the solution too facile and arrived at too quickly without not enough on the reasoning behind it. I felt there were a few loose ends never explained--e.g., Why did Crescens change his attitude towards Valerius so completely? I saw where people could read this novel as a standalone; the author gave much backstory of several earlier episodes that might lead people to read the original adventures if they hadn't read the novels--or to reread them if they had.

Highly recommended. ( )