Every author, every person really, has some authors they look up to. People who have “made it” and inspired them to write.

So when one of them ends up reading your book and liking it… Well, a very loud “Squeee!” is in order.

Ruth Downie is the author of the Medicus series, featuring the legionnaire medic and currently reluctant sleuth Gaius Petreius Ruso. They are set in Roman Britain, and would definitely appeal to any Romanophile who likes a good historical mystery (like, er, yours truly).

So here is what she had to say:

This was originally published on What Writers Read, and is republished here with permission from Ruth Downie. I recommend you go and check out that link, for a lot more info!