Still good, though not one of his best
|
|
As usual, the characters are great and the sense of place and time very genuine. This toddled along quite nicely, though the endless diffeent intrepretations of the battle/ambush between Milo and Clodius grew a bit tiresome after a while.
|
|
Fifth Book in a Captivating Series
|
Steven Saylor's fascination with Ancient Rome began at an early age. A history graduate and former newspaper and magazine editor, he lives in Berkeley, California. His series of books about Ancient Rome and featuring Gordianus the Finder are extremely popular both here in England and also in America. Anyone who is a fan of Lindsey Davis will love these books too. Steven Saylor brings Ancient Rome to life, so much so that the reader can lose himself in the sights and sounds of the ancient city.
Gordianus the Finder, the investigator of crimes, a man whose skill and integrity have made him much sought after by some of the most important men in Rome. Men who may need a secret to be kept, men who need to know that when Gordianus is working for them he will be discreet and not susceptible to bribery.
In this novel Gordianus the Finder is assigned to a case by the great man himself, Pompey. He is now one of the most important, if not the most important man in Rome, although perhaps one Julius Caesar, may in later times argue with that. Pompey is determined to find out about the disappearance of the high born politician Publius Clodius. His disappearance has caused a great upheaval in the city of Rome, with riots on the streets and bouts of arson taking place. He needs Gordianus to find out what happened to Clodius and quickly before the mob destroy the city.
|
|
|
Fifth Book in a Captivating Series
|
Steven Saylor's fascination with Ancient Rome began at an early age. A history graduate and former newspaper and magazine editor, he lives in Berkeley, California. His series of books about Ancient Rome and featuring Gordianus the Finder are extremely popular both here in England and also in America. Anyone who is a fan of Lindsey Davis will love these books too. Steven Saylor brings Ancient Rome to life, so much so that the reader can lose himself in the sights and sounds of the ancient city.
Gordianus the Finder, the investigator of crimes, a man whose skill and integrity have made him much sought after by some of the most important men in Rome. Men who may need a secret to be kept, men who need to know that when Gordianus is working for them he will be discreet and not susceptible to bribery.
In this novel Gordianus the Finder is assigned to a case by the great man himself, Pompey. He is now one of the most important, if not the most important man in Rome, although perhaps one Julius Caesar, may in later times argue with that. Pompey is determined to find out about the disappearance of the high born politician Publius Clodius. His disappearance has caused a great upheaval in the city of Rome, with riots on the streets and bouts of arson taking place. He needs Gordianus to find out what happened to Clodius and quickly before the mob destroy the city.
|
|
|
Fifth Book in a Captivating Series
|
Steven Saylor's fascination with Ancient Rome began at an early age. A history graduate and former newspaper and magazine editor, he lives in Berkeley, California. His series of books about Ancient Rome and featuring Gordianus the Finder are extremely popular both here in England and also in America. Anyone who is a fan of Lindsey Davis will love these books too. Steven Saylor brings Ancient Rome to life, so much so that the reader can lose himself in the sights and sounds of the ancient city.
Gordianus the Finder, the investigator of crimes, a man whose skill and integrity have made him much sought after by some of the most important men in Rome. Men who may need a secret to be kept, men who need to know that when Gordianus is working for them he will be discreet and not susceptible to bribery.
In this novel Gordianus the Finder is assigned to a case by the great man himself, Pompey. He is now one of the most important, if not the most important man in Rome, although perhaps one Julius Caesar, may in later times argue with that. Pompey is determined to find out about the disappearance of the high born politician Publius Clodius. His disappearance has caused a great upheaval in the city of Rome, with riots on the streets and bouts of arson taking place. He needs Gordianus to find out what happened to Clodius and quickly before the mob destroy the city.
|
|
|
Wonderful storytelling
|
|
I am a massive fan of this series and "A Murder on the Appian Way" is my favourite book of the lot. I have always had an interest in Roman matters and was previously familiar with the likes of Caesar, Pompey, Crassus, Cicero etc, but this book, and the series in general, has introduced me to a number of other, fascinating figures of the late republic, such as Publius Clodius, his infamous sister Clodia, Titus Annius Milo and Marcus Caelius. I have found myself reading up on these "secondary" characters since I began reading Saylor's novels, so my (limited) education on late Republican Rome has benefitted! Saylor always keeps us guessing as to where his sympathies, and those of his narrator, Gordianus, lie (unlike, for example, Coleen McCullough, who spoils her "Masters of Rome" series with her obvious unconditional worship of Caesar) but his portrayal of the gruff and charmless Milo probably leaves most readers siding with the dandyish Clodius. Saylor's books are perfect reading for holidays sitting in the Italian sun with a glass of Chianti!
|
|
|
United States | 
United Kingdom | 
Canada