Rating: 
Summary: Mysteries aside for a moment
Review: "A Murder on the Appian Way" is less of a mystery novel than Saylor's previous books in this series. There is still a mystery but the resolution is based on accidental encounters more than investigation. However, we get to see Rome as a confused, dangerous, and determined to remain civilized city as the clock counts down on the Republic. We briefly meet some of the big names you've heard of in Roman history courses but only briefly as would make sense for a mere "finder". No, this book is best read as an exploration of Roman society and of Gordianus' family as it grows up and increases in number, complications, and love. Gordianus would be considered a poor Roman father and husband in his day but for us, he is understandable and expressive. This novel made me more interested in him than any of the previous novels.
Rating:
Summary: Mysteries aside for a moment
Review: "A Murder on the Appian Way" is less of a mystery novel than Saylor's previous books in this series. There is still a mystery but the resolution is based on accidental encounters more than investigation. However, we get to see Rome as a confused, dangerous, and determined to remain civilized city as the clock counts down on the Republic. We briefly meet some of the big names you've heard of in Roman history courses but only briefly as would make sense for a mere "finder". No, this book is best read as an exploration of Roman society and of Gordianus' family as it grows up and increases in number, complications, and love. Gordianus would be considered a poor Roman father and husband in his day but for us, he is understandable and expressive. This novel made me more interested in him than any of the previous novels.
Rating:
Summary: Saylor makes you feel at home in ancient Rome
Review: Gordianus the Finder has a reputation for being beholden to no one, which makes him the perfect go-between among the factions struggling for power in Rome of the first century B.C. in "A Murder on the Appian Way," the fifth in the series by Steven Saylor. It was the early spring of 52 B.C., and Rome explodes in riots when a popular leader, Publius Clodius, is found murdered on the famous road his ancestors built. Rumors fly that Clodius died during a clash with the bodyguards of a rival politician, and Clodius' allies in response burn the Senate and demand justice. Amidst the rioting, Gordianus is hired by both the dead man's family and none other than Pompey the Great to discover the truth. Saylor takes his time developing his story, which allows the reader to tour Rome with Gordianus as his guide. We get to walk with bodyguards streets that take meanness to another level, take part in public forums in which politicians manipulate the feelings of the masses (no surprise there), and even travel the countryside to visit Julius Caesar. "A Murder on the Appian Way" is based on actual events. The murder of Clodius, Saylor points out in an appendix, had great ramifications for the republic. The inability of Rome to deal with the crisis indicated a power vacuum that both Caesar and Pompey attempted to fill, and the result was a civil war which aided the transformation of the Roman Republic into the Roman Empire. But to the reader, the story's the thing, and Saylor's accomplished mystery is wrapped around an ancient world that, to the imaginative mind at least, could easily look like home, and that's a worthy accomplishment for the historical writer.
Rating:
Summary: The book reminded me of an epic historical fiction.
Review: A Murder on the Appian Way reminded me of an epic historical fiction novel. Gordianus takes on a role such as Pug in War and Remembrance. He is able to meet almost all of the famous figures in Ancient Rome while still remaining a commoner. Steven Saylor is able to add personalities to the people usually only read about in history texts. The book presents a good mystery which posts many questions for the reader. The plot is believable and in the end all the confusing parts are resolved. Deeper themes are also touched upon. The beginning of the book addresses the power of a mob. The distress of a rioting Rome is portrayed, and destruction, anarchy, and rhetoric reign. Towards the middle, the book brings truth into view. Who knows the truth, who wants to know the truth, who has to benefit from the truth, and why? By the end, Gordianus is met with a difficult decision regarding his personal and family life. He has to weigh compassion with discipline and make one of the hardest choices of his life. The book was captivating and intriguing. I would definitely recommend it to anyone, and especially those interested in Ancient Rome.
Rating:
Summary: A good historical fiction
Review: As a student of Roman history, I found this book to be captivating. It was hard to put it down also. I look forward to reading more of the author's books on ancient rome.
Rating:
Summary: A good historical fiction
Review: As a student of Roman history, I found this book to be captivating. It was hard to put it down also. I look forward to reading more of the author's books on ancient rome.
Rating:
Summary: A Story that bounces along just like the Appian Way
Review: As a student with a particular interest in Roman history, I was interested in reading this book. I was not dissapointed. The well defined characters advance the plot with ease while Saylor uses knowledge of ancient cultures to bring Rome to life. You really feel like you are there when the riots break out, or Gordianus and Eco visit Cicero and Caesar. Even though this is a fictional account, the portrayal of actual people brings them to life in a most pleasing way. A great book for any fan of mysteries who loves the unlikely ending.
Rating: 
Summary: Almost Seamless
Review: As always in the Roma Subrosa series, the difficult for the author was to handle the historical material - avaliable mainly in Cicero's speeches - in order to create a "mystery" where historically there was none, the thug-warfare of Late Republican Rome being carried enoughly in the open to preclude the necessity of anyone hiring a sleuth to find out what really had happened. That said, Saylor has made the conversion of History into entretainmant in an almost seamless - and always pleasurable - way.
Rating:
Summary: Almost Seamless
Review: As always in the Roma Subrosa series, the difficult for the author was to handle the historical material - avaliable mainly in Cicero's speeches - in order to create a "mystery" where historically there was none, the thug-warfare of Late Republican Rome being carried enoughly in the open to preclude the necessity of anyone hiring a sleuth to find out what really had happened. That said, Saylor has made the conversion of History into entretainmant in an almost seamless - and always pleasurable - way.
Rating:
Summary: very exciting and educational
Review: Before reading Saylor I always wondered how Caesar et al. pulled it off and pulled down the Republic. Reading his exciting books, I am getting a feeling for the mess things were in 2,000 years ago! As soon as I read this one, I immediately bought all the other books in the series and they're all fascinating.
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