This historical thriller, originally titled The Return , marks a departure for Oxford historian , shifting from his usual 3rd-century AD setting to the mid-2nd century BC.
Unlike the "superhuman" figures often found in historical fiction, Paulo is depicted as a damaged and conflicted man. His struggle is two-fold: he must use his soldier’s instincts to clear his name and unmask the true killer while simultaneously battling the "ghosts" of his past. The narrative suggests that while the wars in the East may have ended, the internal war for a veteran like Paulo is just beginning. El Regreso Del Centurion Harry Sidebottom epub
: Offers the eBook for approximately 9.99 €. This historical thriller, originally titled The Return ,
The central conflict arises when Paulo, celebrated as a hero for his service to Rome, becomes the primary suspect in a series of gruesome murders. Sidebottom uses this "murder mystery" framework to examine how the trauma of war—manifested in Paulo’s vivid flashbacks—isolates the soldier from the very community he fought to protect. The citizens' initial feigned friendship quickly sours into animosity, reflecting a society that honors the idea of a hero but fears the violent man the hero has become. The narrative suggests that while the wars in
: The forbidding forests and dark atmosphere of Calabria serve as a metaphor for the protagonist's haunted psyche.
: The novel provides insights into period-specific minutiae, from ancient land laws to the practicalities of mending wine jars. The Transformation of the Protagonist
: Lists the Kindle/eBook edition alongside physical formats. EL REGRESO DEL CENTURION | Harry Sidebottom | Espasa