A corrupt governor. A young girl. An old man. Argolicus unravels the threads.
When a life-long friend disappears, a peaceful retreat to the provinces turns into a challenge to the local governor for Argolicus.
A cruel slander originates from the venal governor. When Argolicus visits the governor, he discovers an unscrupulous plot destined to impoverish his friend. When his lifelong tutor overhears a comment, they set out to find their friend only to discover base cruelty and a secret plot.
A plot that challenges the King’s people, the roots of Roman civility, and his friend’s life.
Affronted, he pursues the thread. Little does he know that his investigation will pitch him in a fight with thugs and ultimately set him head-to-head with the governor.
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"The Used Virgin is the first in a series of mysteries based in southern Italy at the time of the Ostrogoth rule of Italy under Theoderic the Great. Italians (Romans) and Goths live under one king while the Roman Empire is ruled from Constantinople. At times the cultures clash, but Argolicus uses his wit, sometimes with help from his tutor Nikolaos, to provide justice in a province far from the King’s court." (author note)
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Set around 510AD, this narrative revolves around retired Roman Praefect Argolicus' task of clearing his friend Adeodatus' name after being accused of a heinous crime by corrupt local Governor with an agenda of his own.
Its a pretty basic story line that could have been filled with a bit more historical context and character development. Even I - a reader familiar with the historical Ostrogoths - found myself wondering just where I was exactly in this narrative. A little more care given to the story itself, and this could have been fleshed out into a decent story. Just too rushed for my liking.
You will find the series listed here @ Goodreads.
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