About the Book
In Book I, it’s Jerusalem AD 30 and an 18-year-old Roman legionary, Calvus is the youngest member of an execution squad on a hill outside the city. This is his first crucifixion and he is spellbound by the quiet dignity of the person on the cross. Just before the prisoner takes his last breath, their eyes meet and Calvus experiences an inexplicable sensation – one which has a profound effect on the rest of his life. Later, the soldiers cast lots for the condemned man’s clothing – Calvus wants no part of it, though ends up accepting his sandals.
Following the Claudian invasion of Britannia in AD 43 Calvus, now a centurion, is posted with his family to Verulamium, a thriving Roman outpost, where he is second in charge. Maintaining control is difficult – not all Britons welcome the Romans with open arms – but Calvus is highly successful as a local law enforcer and impresses his superior, Concessus.
Through trying times, Calvus finds solace simply by touching the sandals he brought with him from Jerusalem. His wife, Vipsania has no idea why her husband keeps a pair of old sandals or why they provide such comfort but for the most part she keeps her thoughts to herself. The daughter of a prominent Roman senator, she follows the strict discipline of the Empire’s religion, offering daily prayers and sacrifice to the gods. When eventually she discovers that Calvus does not share those beliefs, she fears for what might follow.
Beautiful and intelligent, Vipsania captures Concessus’ attention and he embarks upon a devious scheme to rid himself of his rival, Calvus in order to take Vipsania for himself. Soon Calvus must face trial on a trumped up charge of treason. He is devastated, as are his close friends and family and he appoints his closest friend, Dalmatius to act as his advocate.
The ensuing trial is conducted by the governor of Britannia. It bears all the hallmarks of a properly conducted, judicial hearing – except that the charge is baseless.
When Calvus finds that the jury will be selected from local people he has recently helped in a crisis, he feels confident that justice will prevail.
But will it?
Book II is set almost two millennia later in modern day St. Albans, England. It opens with a horrific discovery in Verulamium Park, the site of the ancient Roman city of the same name and D.I. Chris O’Rourke, an Australian living in the UK, investigates.
The park and the ancient city are not the only parallels to be drawn. There is also a connection between Calvus and O’Rourke – both are skilled law enforcers, each has a loving family and neither follow any organised religion but are deeply spiritual.
O’Rourke’s reputation for solving complex crimes is legendary. Accompanied by his partner, D.S. Trish Jamieson, he leaves no stone unturned in his search for the perpetrators of this heinous crime. But as each avenue of enquiry leads to a dead end, his reputation takes a battering. Then an unexpected lead takes him to Italy but it turns out to be another fruitless enquiry. While there, he notices a story in a Rome newspaper which, although he cannot read Italian, seems to relate to the discovery of an ancient coffin. He retains the article for his wife, Vania who has a special interest in Roman history. Then, badly in need of a rest and to unscramble his mind, he returns to his native Australia where he spends time with his parents.
Meanwhile Vania has struck up a friendship with O’Rourke’s partner D.S. Trish Jamieson. When Trish tells her that a coffin, believed to be from Roman times, has been discovered just south of St Albans, her fascination gets the better of her. She enlists Trish’s help and the two women contact the British Museum in London where Rodney Littleton is organising an examination of the skeleton and grave goods.
Vania talks her husband into going with them to the museum once investigations have been completed. When the three arrive and meet with Littleton they are about to receive the shock of their lives.
This story spans three continents and two thousand years – it is a tale of love, spirituality, murder, mystery and betrayal.
About the Author :
Darryl Greer was born, educated and spent the first chapter of his working life in Queensland. His education was cut short – by him, due to the sheer boredom of it – and at the age of 15 he left to work on a milk run. He went on to work as a window cleaner, cocktail barman, wine waiter, clerk, car salesman and a guitarist/backing singer in a rather hopeless rock band. Eventually, he studied Law and at 28, owned his own law firm but after nine years in the tropics, sold up and moved with his family to London. He practised there for many years, specialising in commercial litigation. In 2004 Darryl returned to Queensland and now lives with my daughter in the Gold Coast hinterland.
In 2009 Darryl self-published his first novel, The Election. His second novel, Calvus was originally published by the now defunct Morris Publishing Australia and a new edition has since been self-published. Next came three novels published by Custom Book Publications in Hong Kong: Agnus Dei, Sleeping with Angels and A Dragon In The Snow.
Disheartened by his experience with publishers, Darryl has returned to self-publishing for his latest novel, Bounty, published in 2019. In 2020 he published his memoir, …Passing Through…
Darryl’s mission statement: I aim to achieve optimal enjoyment from whatever I write and at the same time, transport my readers to another dimension, free from their daily grind.
Review :
Calvus by Darryl Greer is an amazing story spanning two thousand years and many miles. As a young legionary, Calvus experiences the crucifixion of Jesus in Jerusalem and is profoundly moved by the feelings of love and brotherhood he perceives as they join glances. Later in his own life as a centurion of Rome posted in the British outpost town of Verulamium, that same profound sense of calm pervades Calvus’ spirit as he is about to be crucified for treason against Rome, a charge brought against him by the camp commander jealous of his loving relationship with his wife. In modern day, Chris O’Rourke is a detective charged with solving the crucifixion murder of an unknown victim on the same hillside. With no way to identify the body and no evidence linking anyone to the crime, the case is scaled down and Chris is reassigned. In the meantime, an ancient coffin that can be dated back to the first century is uncovered in an excavation nearby, opening the door to many new questions. Can there be a relationship that joins the past and present?; A wonderful look into the life of Roman soldiers and citizens at the beginning of the Christian era, Calvus by Darryl Greer offers much, much more. The plot is intricately interwoven, combining past and present, with characters that truly come alive. This book offers a tremendous message about the corruption of power through greed and lust, and provides a reminder that love and brotherhood should be honored above all else. This story is amazing! The descriptions are vivid. The message is certainly timely as well.; Melinda Hills for Readers’ Favorite
