Well worth the read. A crime novel set in the north of Roman Britain. Enjoyable and entertaining. A good holiday read.

This historical mystery thriller is full of vim and vigour. The author displays his great knowledge of the Roman military machine in fine detail, whilst maintaining a fast pace throughout. Set in what we would now call the Scottish Borders, at a time before the building of Hadrian's Wall the Romans are under strength and continuously called upon to maintain the peace in the wild and harsh environment of Northern Britain. The local tribes are being stirred up by a religious fanatic who seems to know all the plans of the Romans. Who is feeding them information, and the means to fight a war against them? Indications point to someone at the highest level of the Roman administration, but how could that be possible? This is a world in which death is always near to hand, and told in a manner that has the reader gripped in the fight for survival. It is also a revelation into the way of life of the Roman occupiers of Britain two millennia ago. I look forward to subsequent tales from this author.

Vindolanda is right on my doorstep and as a fan of Romano-British fiction this was an easy sell - terrific read, enhanced by an eye for detail rather than the usual gore of the sword-and-sandal brigade. Rattled through it in no time as our principal character is a man worth following - flawed and fabulous! Highly recommended..