Reading order · 16 books · 1999 to 2015 · Set in Gloucester
Libertus Books in Order
Libertus is a freed Celtic slave and a maker of mosaic pavements in Roman Britain at the end of the second century. His wealthy patron, Marcus Septimus, often calls on his sharp mind to solve crimes in and around Glevum, the Roman town that is now Gloucester.
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
Series facts
- Books
- 16
- Published
- 1999 to 2015
- First book
- The Germanicus Mosaic
- Latest
- Death in the Arena (2015)
- Setting
- Set in Gloucester
The reading order
Every Libertus book in publication order. Choose a title for its cast and summary.
16 books · Set in Gloucester
- 1The Germanicus Mosaic1999With LibertusIn Roman Glevum, Libertus, a freed slave and pavement maker, is asked by his patron Marcus to investigate the death of a prominent Roman citizen found dead in his own villa.Buy on Amazon
- 2A Pattern of Blood2000With LibertusAsked by his patron to look into a stabbing in Corinium, freedman Libertus doubts the easy answer when a suspect is quickly blamed.Buy on Amazon
- 3Murder in the Forum2001With LibertusBuy on Amazon
- 4The Chariots of Calyx2002With LibertusThe Governor summons Libertus to investigate the murder of the chief corn officer, and the inquiry leads to a chariot-racing team and hidden corruption.Buy on Amazon
- 5The Legatus Mystery2003With LibertusA Roman envoy is found murdered in a temple, then the body vanishes, and Libertus is convinced a human culprit lies behind the eerie events.Buy on Amazon
- 6The Ghosts of Glevum2004With LibertusBuy on Amazon
- 7Enemies of the Empire2005With LibertusBuy on Amazon
- 8A Roman Ransom2006With LibertusBedridden Libertus is approached by his patron, whose wife and infant son have vanished with a ransom note demanding a prisoner’s release.Buy on Amazon
- 9A Coin for the Ferryman2007With LibertusLibertus and his slave Junio, on the eve of Junio’s freedom, must find a killer after a body is discovered in a shallow grave.Buy on Amazon
- 10Death at Pompeia's Wedding2008With LibertusAttending a wedding in place of his patron, Libertus is faced with a death on the wedding day.Buy on Amazon
- 11Requiem for a Slave2009With LibertusBuy on Amazon
- 12The Vestal Vanishes2010With LibertusBuy on Amazon
- 13A Whispering of Spies2011With LibertusSent to investigate a wealthy newcomer to Glevum, Libertus is wrongly accused of a massacre and must escape to uncover the truth.Buy on Amazon
- 14Dark Omens2012With LibertusBuy on Amazon
- 15The Fateful Day2013With LibertusBuy on Amazon
- 16Death in the Arena2015With LibertusBuy on Amazon
Do you need to read them in order?
Read in order, starting with The Germanicus Mosaic, to follow Libertus’s life and family.
Who appears in which book
The series’ main characters, book by book. Lead means the book is told around them; minor covers cameos.
| Book | Libertus | Marcus Septimus Aurelius | Junio | Gwellia |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 The Germanicus Mosaic | LLead | MMajor | MMajor | |
| 2 A Pattern of Blood | LLead | MMajor | MMajor | |
| 3 Murder in the Forum | LLead | MMajor | MMajor | |
| 4 The Chariots of Calyx | LLead | MMajor | MMajor | |
| 5 The Legatus Mystery | LLead | MMajor | MMajor | |
| 6 The Ghosts of Glevum | LLead | MMajor | MMajor | ·Minor |
| 7 Enemies of the Empire | LLead | MMajor | MMajor | ·Minor |
| 8 A Roman Ransom | LLead | MMajor | MMajor | ·Minor |
| 9 A Coin for the Ferryman | LLead | MMajor | MMajor | ·Minor |
| 10 Death at Pompeia's Wedding | LLead | MMajor | MMajor | ·Minor |
| 11 Requiem for a Slave | LLead | MMajor | MMajor | ·Minor |
| 12 The Vestal Vanishes | LLead | MMajor | MMajor | ·Minor |
| 13 A Whispering of Spies | LLead | MMajor | MMajor | ·Minor |
| 14 Dark Omens | LLead | MMajor | MMajor | ·Minor |
| 15 The Fateful Day | LLead | MMajor | MMajor | ·Minor |
| 16 Death in the Arena | LLead | MMajor | MMajor | ·Minor |
Characters in the Libertus books
4 characters from Rosemary Rowe’s chart, with the number of Libertus books each appears in.
| Character | Books | First in this series |
|---|---|---|
| LibertusFreed slave and pavement maker | 16 | The Germanicus Mosaic 1999 |
| Marcus Septimus AureliusLibertus's wealthy patron | 16 | The Germanicus Mosaic 1999 |
| JunioLibertus's slave and adopted son | 16 | The Germanicus Mosaic 1999 |
| GwelliaLibertus's wife, lost and then found | 11 | The Ghosts of Glevum 2004 |