Mercenary of Rome

Following many years of war with Rome, Carthage is exhausted. Yet the trouble is not yet over. As mercenaries land in Carthage to claim payment for services rendered, they do not receive what they expect. Lacking a shared culture, structure and even language, this band of warriors has taken up residence in Carthage, and is becoming increasingly angry... Meanwhile, veteran Roman sailor and prefect Atticus Perennis is fighting pirates in the seas around Sicily. Perpetually an outsider due to his Greek heritage, Atticus is a fine Roman warrior with several points to prove. He sails with his brother-in-law, a Roman centurion of striking bravery and skill, and despite their grisly encounters with pirate crews, both long for some measure of peace after the wars with the Punici of Carthage. It is a vain hope. For among the pirates' booty are Roman senators, who tell Atticus of the mercenary occupation of Carthage. Worse, the mercenaries have kidnapped the Roman proconsul to whom Atticus owes a particular debt of honour. And so, Atticus, Septimus and their crew sail for Carthage. Mutiny is a meticulously rendered tale of politics and war in the Roman era, a tale that takes an unflinching look at the details of battle and occupation and the compromises of allegiance. It will delight fans of Roman history, historical fiction and military fiction alike. John Stack is the author of the Sunday Times bestselling Masters of the Sea series.

Atticus Perennis, Roman prefect and hero of the seas, is stranded in Carthage. His Roman masters have all but abandoned him, and at his feet gape the jaws of an angry mercenary army. For while the senators and consuls of Rome bicker and debate, the mercenaries around Utica are running out of patience and strain at the leash, on the verge of war. And then, when a councilor is sent as a message to Atticus and his comrades, all but dead and hideously disfigured, the leash finally breaks…Aided once more by his comrade Septimus, Atticus the Greek goes to ground and to sea in a strange land, to overcome the raging mercenaries and defend the interests of his adopted home. And as he does so, a story of bloodshed, torture and misery plays out. Yet, even as the decks of Atticus' galley run dark and sticky with blood, unknown to the Greek something like salvation is sailing towards him, bearing wonderful news and the hope of a better future. Will they meet in time? That may be in the hands of the gods, be they Greek or Roman…Retribution is the second book in John Slack's Mercenary of Rome series, and picks up the story where bestselling Mutiny ended.

Atticus Perennis, prefect of the Roman fleet, waits restlessly in Carthage. His crew is agitated, as they wait on edge for news from Rome, hoping the powers-that-be send more ships to help his Carthaginian forces put down a rebel mercenary army. When word reaches them that a fleet is on their way, it seems there might be an end in sight to the ceaseless violence. However, the optimism does not last long. When an act of treachery by the Carthaginian side is committed against their Roman brothers in arms, the wheels of counter-revenge, bloodshed and savagery are set in motion. As treachery and deception threaten the lives of Atticus and his men, all sides must come to a final stand.