Memento mori, by Ruth Downie

 

Memento mori is the 8th book in the Medicus series of mysteries by author Ruth Downie. Set in the 2nd century when Rome occupied a good part of the British Isles, Downie's main character is Gaius Petreius Ruso, a doctor who worked for many years in the Roman army. This book starts with Ruso living with his British wife Tilla, their adopted baby Mara, and two British slaves whom they bought during their trip to Rome (in the previous book). Ruso receives word that his doctor friend Valens is suspected of murdering his wife Serena in the town of Aquae Sulis (modern day Bath). Serena has been stabbed and left in one of the hot baths, something the priests and other local officials are hoping to keep from visitors. Valens' father-in-law Pertinax suspects Valens of the murder because Serena had recently asked for a divorce to be with another man, Terentius, who has also vanished. Ruso travels to Aquae Sulis with his entire household to try to defend Valens and find the real killer. Once there, they get caught up in the conflicting factions existing there, putting all of their lives at risk. Although at first they're at odds, ultimately Ruso and Pertinax work together to find the truth about what happened and identify the culprits.