Rating: 
Summary: Saylor's Spactacular Suspense Mysterty
Review: Saylor wrote a great mystery with a suspenseful twist ending that compells readers to read on. Gordianus's adventure on the Appian Way was a fun filled treat for the readers and a great sequel to Saylors previous novels. The Murder on the Appian Way was a wonderful mystery that Saylor has been able to write about a factitous event in Roman times with a fictious mystery. Clodius's mysteriuos death in a time of Roman Chaos with Gordianus, the Finder, to discover the Real Truth is one of Saylor's best mysteries. I think,The Musrder on the Appian Way was well writen and i would recommended it to any fan of a good Roman Mystery!
Rating:
Summary: Murder is the Roman way.
Review: So one would be led to believe after reading this book. Though the "mystery" in this mystery novel isn't quite as strong as I would have hoped, A Murder on the Appian Way" still counts in my eyes as one of Steven Saylor's better works.The story takes place in the year 52 BC, at a time when Rome was just beginning its slide into civil war and was inching towards the eventual fall of the Republic. Publius Clodius, a patrician turned plebeian demagogue, was brutally murdered on the road linking the capital to southern Italia: the great Via Appia (which, curiously enough, was built by one of his own ancestors, Appius Claudius Caecus). Called upon to look into the matter by Clodius' wife Fulvia and by no less a personage than Pompey the Great, an ageing Gordianus the Finder and his son Eco ride into the shadows beneath Mount Alba to discover the truth about the death of Rome's most controversial political luminary in years. The problem with using historical events as themes for mystery novels is that one looks at things with the benefit of hindsight. (A little research of your own will tell you just about everything that happens in the book.) Saylor's skill lies in his ability to make even foregone conclusions seem uncertain, especially with the introduction of possible alternatives and suspects one would not have even considered after reading the ancient sources. Hence, even though the mystery element tends to get swallowed up by the vastnesss of the novel's rich historical backdrop, one could always expect something interesting to happen towards the end. Although Saylor explains characters and concepts fairly well, knowing a tidy bit about such things as daily life, architecture and the politics of late Republican Rome will help a lot (when, for example, one tries to visualise such places as the Clodius house on the Palatine and the grand, rather cramped space that is the Forum Romanum). Having some prior knowledge about the political factions that existed at the time should also assist the serious reader when it comes to understanding the circumstances surrounding Clodius' death . . . but in the end, don't let the nitty-gritty details spoil your reading experience. Historical the basis may be, but the novel is a work of fiction nonetheless and is meant for entertainment above all else. And of course, you'd pick up a lot of things about Roman history at the same time. All told, "A Murder on the Appian Way" may seem more like a Colleen McCullough than an Agatha Christie: more history, less mystery. But that does little to dent the excitement and anticipation that builds up as one courses through this book, for one would feel as though he were right there on the Appian Way with Gordianus himself, riding into the face of danger and bearing witness to a murder that is not quite what it seems to be.
Rating:
Summary: Murder is the Roman way.
Review: So one would be led to believe after reading this book. Though the "mystery" in this mystery novel isn't quite as strong as I would have hoped, A Murder on the Appian Way" still counts in my eyes as one of Steven Saylor's better works. The story takes place in the year 52 BC, at a time when Rome was just beginning its slide into civil war and was inching towards the eventual fall of the Republic. Publius Clodius, a patrician turned plebeian demagogue, was brutally murdered on the road linking the capital to southern Italia: the great Via Appia (which, curiously enough, was built by one of his own ancestors, Appius Claudius Caecus). Called upon to look into the matter by Clodius' wife Fulvia and by no less a personage than Pompey the Great, an ageing Gordianus the Finder and his son Eco ride into the shadows beneath Mount Alba to discover the truth about the death of Rome's most controversial political luminary in years. The problem with using historical events as themes for mystery novels is that one looks at things with the benefit of hindsight. (A little research of your own will tell you just about everything that happens in the book.) Saylor's skill lies in his ability to make even foregone conclusions seem uncertain, especially with the introduction of possible alternatives and suspects one would not have even considered after reading the ancient sources. Hence, even though the mystery element tends to get swallowed up by the vastnesss of the novel's rich historical backdrop, one could always expect something interesting to happen towards the end. Although Saylor explains characters and concepts fairly well, knowing a tidy bit about such things as daily life, architecture and the politics of late Republican Rome will help a lot (when, for example, one tries to visualise such places as the Clodius house on the Palatine and the grand, rather cramped space that is the Forum Romanum). Having some prior knowledge about the political factions that existed at the time should also assist the serious reader when it comes to understanding the circumstances surrounding Clodius' death . . . but in the end, don't let the nitty-gritty details spoil your reading experience. Historical the basis may be, but the novel is a work of fiction nonetheless and is meant for entertainment above all else. And of course, you'd pick up a lot of things about Roman history at the same time. All told, "A Murder on the Appian Way" may seem more like a Colleen McCullough than an Agatha Christie: more history, less mystery. But that does little to dent the excitement and anticipation that builds up as one courses through this book, for one would feel as though he were right there on the Appian Way with Gordianus himself, riding into the face of danger and bearing witness to a murder that is not quite what it seems to be.
Rating:
Summary: Run amuck in the streets of Rome with Gordianus the Finder.
Review: Steven Saylor creates the world of ancient Rome in living detail. Through Gordianus the Finder it is possible to walk the streets of Rome, feel the manic energy of a street riot, and witness politics in all of its unabashed corruption and complexity. This book doesn't rely on superhuman leaps of intuition to solve the murder. Gordianus's keen eye presents the readers with facts that fit together to create a clear picture of the bloody events on the Appian Way. However, Gordianus must sift through the personal accounts that he gathers, seperating the facts from hearsay and political agendas. Saylor's Rome and today's world have clear parallels as rumors fly, increasing exponentially as more and more people add their own "first hand" accounts. Only Gordianus seeks the truth for its own value, not to further some political game or protect a reputation. Steven Saylor is a master of time travel as he transports the reader into the heart of Rome. Characters remain true to their human nature and shed light on the customs and cultures of long ago. This book is perfect for anyone with a lively mind and an interest in human beings and their societies.
Rating:
Summary: This book was an excellent book that just caught my eye.
Review: Steven Saylor writes the book in such a way to make you understand what is going on. The book never got boring like some books do. He made you feel for the characters and their lives. It's an awsome book if you like to take a step into the past and see their culture.
Rating: 
Summary: A great addition to Saylor's ancient Rome detective series
Review: Steven Saylor's fifth detective novel, set in 52 B.C.
Rome, continues the gripping series of exploits of one
Gordianus the Finder. This novel follows Gordianus and
his son Eco as they travel the famed Appian roadway, searching for clues in one of the most consequential events
in history - the murder of Publius Clodius - which set
into motion the dissolution of the Roman republic. Gordianus
encounters most of the major figures of Rome at the time,
including Cicero, Pompey and Caesar. With effortless writing
bolstering the historical details, "Murder on the Appian Way" makes ancient Rome seem as close as today's headlines.
Rating: 
Summary: Solid as always, yet less succesful
Review: Steven Saylor's understanding of the period (the late republic) is impressive; the detailed descriptions as well as the vivid picture of the general moral and mentality in Ancient Rome. Representants of all social classes are present and thoroughly described. After having read "A Murder on the Appian Way", I feel convinced that this is what life in Ancient Rome was really like. Still, Saylor appears to be insecure whether to write a historical novel or a family story. He ends up with producing something inbetween - which eventually leads to that those who read "A Murder on the Appian Way" for the criminal mystery, will complain that the plot moves to slowly forwards, while those who read it for the family-thing, probably will think it too simple and superficial. I know this is Saylor's usual style and usually it works quite brilliantly, but this time he has been less succesful. Those who read the book for the historical atmosphere and accuracy, will have nothing to complain about. "A Murder on the Appian Way" is by no means a bad book, but I find other books in the Gordianus-series much better, such as "The Venus Throw" and "Arms of Nemesis".
Rating:
Summary: treachery, murder, choas, and achievement wound together.
Review: Steven Saylor's, A murder On The Appian Way, was an extraordinary novel that was a MUST READ! I found it near impossible to put this book down. I determined that this book is unique in the way it presents the Roman Empire. A Murder On The Appian Way tells it exactly as it was. This book allows the the history and life of Rome to literally come to life. I found that by reading this book our society today compares directly to that of the entire Roman Empire. I believe that I gained and learned a great deal by reading this book. The lively and realistic personalities of all the characters allowed me to relate them to different individuals in my life. Once again, this this aspect allows for the reader to bring the book as well as the history and society of Rome to life!
Rating:
Summary: Too Much History, Too Little Mystery
Review: Stpehen Saylor's historical myster, A Murder on the Appian Way, is a striking hybrid of action, suspense, and historical background, although too much of the latter. The novel comes across as more of an overview of Roman life, rather than a murder mystery that happens to take place in ancient Rome. However short the book falls in creating whodunnit type suspense, his rich descriptions and historical characterization make the novel worth reading. Saylor provides a knowledgable look at such Roman characteristics as the Appian Way, the Forum, and the housing of a well off Finder. As Gordianus interacts with such historical figures as Ceasar, Pompey, and Marc Antony, Saylor makes the figures more than just lines in a text book. Although true to historical accounts, they always appear human. However, Saylor fails in creating an air of confusion, as I, the reader, care only passingly about the fate of characters who often come across as corrupt and evil. I would recommend this book for the Rome enthusiast and those who have run out of good mystery novels to read. However, I would not recommend this book for those seeking a hard-core suspense thriller. Fans of Saylor's other works, such as Catalina's Riddle, will find this novel lacking.
Rating:
Summary: Saylor Saves Student's Lives!
Review: This book added lots of flavor to the entire term Classical Civilization. Saylor is a wonderful author who writes in a descriptive and analyzing way which kept me interested at all times. This is the way in which all college assigned books should be written!!!
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