Product Description

The new novel from the internatinal bestselling author of Roma, is set against the background of CaesarÂ’s stupendous quadruple triumphs in Rome in 46 BC, full of colour and spectacle. Having obliterated the opposition, Caesar is now dictator for life. In the upcoming celebrations, Vercingetorix the Gaul is scheduled to be executed, as is Arsinoë, the sister of Cleopatra...and Cleopatra herself is in Rome on a state visit, trying to convince Caesar to acknowledge their son as his heir. Marc Antony and Caesar are at odds; Cicero is making a fool of himself with a new teenage bride; and CaesarÂ’s wife Calpurnia, having fallen under the spell of an Etruscan soothsayer, is convinced of a plot on her husbandÂ’s life. Murder and intrigue again draw Gordianus into the vortex of history. Praise for Stephen Saylor 'Saylor is on top form with the latest in his extraordinarily vivid series of crime novels set in ancient Rome.' Sunday Times ‘SaylorÂ’s gifts include authentic historical and topographical backgrounds andÂ… sombre themes set off the brilliant scenery and clever plotting.Â’ Times Literary Supplement 'SaylorÂ’s scholarship is breathtaking and his writing enthrals.' Ruth Rendell ‘Readers will find his work wonderfully (and gracefully) researchedÂ… this is entertainment of the first order.Â’ Washington Post ‘Saylor has acquired the information of a historian but he enjoys the gifts of a born novelist.Â’ Boston Globe

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #19015 in Books
• Published on: 2009-03-26
• Original language: English
• Binding: Paperback
• 336 pages

About the Author
Steven Saylor is the author of the critically acclaimed historical mystery novels set in ancient Rome, the Roma sub Rosa series, featuring Gordianus the Finder. He divides his time between Berkeley, California, and Austin, Texas.

Customer Reviews

A poor ending for a great character
This was a real disappointment. The beauty of Saylor's books was always the sensitive and intricate way he used the mystery stories of Gordianus the Finder to inform and enlighten the reader about Roman society and history. But Gordianus was - to me - always the heart and soul of the story. Saylor clearly knows Rome back and forward, in and out. But its fair to say recent entries in the series have begun to use Gordianus as the device rather than Rome. The low point came with Roma (not a Gordianus book) where Saylor's ambition to write a full story of Rome tried to balance names and dates with stories - much of which didn't work. The same is true here. If this is the last Gordianus book then Saylor seems to want to use it to tie up every storyline (most in two or three pages at the end. But Gordianus is almost forgotten. the "story" is terribly minor. How sad. 3 stars as even poor quality Saylor is still worth reading. But not for new readers. Go back to Roman Blood or Murder on the appian way.

More of a historical novel than a detective story
It is easy to see why this book generates such a wide range of response from "love it" to "hate it". It has a different feel from most Gordianus the Finder stories, much more like a historical novel than the sort of detective story we have come to expect. Against a background of Caesar's impending triumphal processions, which will set the seal on his ascendancy in Rome, the Finder reluctantly agrees to investigate a threat to the Dictator's life though only because in doing so he hopes to identify the murderer of an old friend. That background is set out in great (and fascinating detail) as are the attitudes and behaviour of many of Rome's key public figures as seen through Gordianus's eyes. It is all very engrossing though one begins to get the feeling that crime and detection aero taking second place to the detailed historical narrative. This is reinforced by the almost dues ex machine way in which the conspirator/murderer is unmarked. I enjoyed reading this book even though I had the distinct feeling that it was a historical tale with some crime and detection thrown in, rather than a crime-detection novel whose setting was ancient Rome.

Minor Saylor
Steven Saylor returns to his Gordianus series and the result, although welcome is something of a disappointment. A somewhat slender and short story offers only transitory pleasures. But Saylor is a master storyteller and sage on all things Roman, so a sub par Roma Sub Rosa novel still eclipses his many rivals. A minor entry in the series and not the best starting point for newcomers, but for completists and fans a must buy.