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The Return

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The Return

By: Harry Sidebottom
Narrated by: Jonathan Keeble
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About this listen

He came home a hero.

But death isn't finished with him yet....

145 BC - Calabria, ancient Rome.

After years of spilling blood for Rome, Gaius Furius Paullus has returned home to spend his remaining days working quietly on the family farm.

But it seems death has stalked Paullus from the battlefield. Just days after his arrival, bodies start appearing - murdered and mutilated. And as the deaths stack up and panic spreads, the war hero becomes the prime suspect. After all, Paullus has killed countless enemies on the battlefield - could he have brought his habit home with him?

With the psychological effects of combat clouding every thought, Paullus must use all his soldier's instincts to hunt the real killer. Because if they are not brought to justice soon, he may become the next victim.

The Return is the breathless, epic new thriller from one of the world's best historical novelists - for fans of Simon Scarrow, Conn Iggulden, Ben Kane and Bernard Cornwell.

©2020 Harry Sidebottom (P)2020 W. F. Howes Ltd Action & Adventure Historical Mystery Mystery, Thriller & Suspense Suspense Thriller & Suspense Fiction Rome Ancient History

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All stars
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Well written and first class narrator. However, It ended rather abruptly, which was a pity. This was my first from this author but it certainly will not be the last

Enjoyable

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The plot is hard to follow, and ultimately not that exciting. It’s not a bad book, it just isn’t a great one.

A bit meandering

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Nice to read a Roman story that isn’t all about battles. It was well-read and written but I felt it tied up a but quickly at the end and the PTSD element was dealt with in a slightly pat way.

Decent

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different for me I normally like a good thriller but I liked the look of this and it wasn't bad I thought the narrator done well the story was good and in the end I was happy to have listened would I rush out for the next one no I wouldn't but this wouldn't put me off I just fancied a change from police work and inside courtrooms this fitted the bill and I enjoyed it

enjoyed it

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A different tack to the authors other books. I enjoyed the setting and how the story developed.The story had depth and pace.

A enjoyable story

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This is a really excellent story, which takes place at a pivotal point in Roman history, and a tragic one for Corinth. It is a whodunnit combined with great action sequences, and shows a deep understanding of how Rome’s citizen armies operated. The narration by Jonathan Keeble was very good too: he is able to make each character stand out clearly and convincingly.

I am now going to read (or listen to!) Harry Sidebottom’s other Roman stories. And when all this COVID craziness is over I’d like to visit Calabria and the Sila forest where much of the story takes place.

Excellent story!

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Really enjoyed this book. It is an exciting read, but what distinguishes it is the historical detail that Sidebottom manages to bring to the story. It takes you to the period. The setting of the book is earlier than usual, being in set in the 2nd century bc. This increases the interest and gives it a different perspective . And it is a great page-turner too.

Exciting read

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A really enjoyable listen that I was unable to put down, next one please. Thanks

Easy listen, really enjoyable

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A great listen. Finished this in 3 days. Felt different to other Ancient Roman novels I have read/listened to. The thing I liked the most was the mix of the army side and the murder mystery in the home town.
Very interested to see where this could go if there are more to come after this.

The Return

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Although the Romans farming in the area of Calabria were absolved from having to go into military service, Paullus and his best friend signed up despite their families' objections, They were drawn by adventure and, hopefully, the earning of fame and fortune to bring back to their farms. But life in the army was not what they'd expected and although plunder was there for the winners, only one of the young friends came home. But so, too, did something else.

The book switches between the 'present day' after the return of Paullus to his home farm and the newly occurring incidents, and the time about two years before when he was away with the legions. Everything is seen from his point of view. Whilst the military aspect is, as always, fascinating even more so was the unusual glimpse into rural life of Roman smallholders trying to raise their families and some of the rituals and superstitions of everyday.

Jonathan Keeble narrates, giving a fine performance, as always. Not only is his an easy to listen voice, forceful, full and rounded with an English received pronunciation, but he also enters into the excitement, fear and emotion of battle, for example, adding to the impact of the story.
Recommended for anyone enjoying a trip into living in ancient Rome, stench and mud included

"Only you can save yourself."

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