Rating: 
Summary: "A Twist at the End" is better than...
Review: "Servant Girl Annihilators"
This is the first Steven Saylor book that I have read. And, I actually enjoyed it even though it is apparent early in the book who the killer or killers are, so go figure where the title came from. It is also apparent that Saylor has done extensive research to write this book. From an historical point of view I was enlightened on race relations as well as the rights of women and their place in late 1800's society. Also, how would you like to be a lawman trying to solve these heinous crimes without the use of fingerprints, DNA, etc.? Enjoyed it.
Rating: 
Summary: a travelogue of a boring place
Review: A young writer named Will Porter once wrote that Austin, Texas was "fearfully dull.''In what passes for irony in ``A Twist at the End,'' it turns out that writer was none other than the man who would later be known as O'Henry, and he was about to become embroiled in the investigation of serial killings. Steven Saylor, whose books on a detective in ancient Rome also show off scads of research, clearly wants to write the Texas version of The Alienist. Unfortunately, the books suffers from too many subplots, and far too much of the "look how much research I did'' school of atmosphere. ``Fearfully dull" says it all. The ``Twist at the End'' can be seen from about a hundred pages away-- for those who have the patience to stick around.
Rating:
Summary: What a disappointment!
Review: After reading and highly enjoying all the Gordianus the Finder books by Saylor (which I do highly recommend), Twist at the End finds Saylor taking a new tact. Using O'Henry as the key character, we follow the unfolding of a series of brutal rape/murders in Austin, Texas in the late 1800's. Saylor shows he knows as much of this time period in Texas as he did about Ancient Rome...but somehow, the book left me cold. Perhaps it is the length, soem 550 pages, but about half way through, my one thought was "get on with it, already!". Not much of a twist at the end...it's obvious. In short, quite a letdown for an otherwise excellent author of ingenious historical mysteries.
Rating: 
Summary: A Twist in the End
Review: As one who loved Saylor's Roman mysteries, I purchased this book with great anticipation. The plot, concerning O. Henry and a true series of murders in 1884 and 1885 Austin, Texas, seemed intriguing. The beginning was great. Unfortunately, the story itself seemed to wander and, without giving too much away of the plot, the murders seemed curiously remote form the main character. In addition, the indentity of the murderer (or murderers?) becomes clear all to early in the book. I awaited the twist promised by the title, but found it predictable. Still, the book is worth reading.
Rating:
Summary: Meandering tale of murder
Review: Based on the true-life Servant Girl Annihilator murders in Austin, Texas in 1885 , this book weaves both fact anf fiction. Unfortunately, the warp of this weave is very lose and full of holes. The main chatacter is William Porter, later to become famous as O. Henry...and many of the incidents are true (and a few echo famous murder trial of our day). The problem with this book is it meanders all about, from person to person and is drawn out almost to the point of tossing the book away. It has some interesting historical moments, but isn't as good a book as this unsolved mystery deserves.
Rating:
Summary: Misunderstood
Review: Based on what I have read from majority of the prior reviewers, I have discovered a trend. All of the reviewers were fans of the Roma Sub Rosa series, and obviously were looking for more. I had not heard of Steven Saylor (as I am not a "Roman Reader") until an interview on this very book on NPR. The next day I carried a hard cover out of Book People and had finished it within 24 hours, happy to have found a great new author to enjoy. Saylor's has a great ability to bring fact and fiction together, both with his characters and the environment in which he surrounds them, he completely emerges the reader in the events of the time. Afterwards I proceeded to purchase the Roma Sub Rosa series, as I wanted more of Saylor, and I enjoyed each one as much as this book, and also hope there will be more, but I will always be glad my first Saylor novel was "A Twist at the End". I believe every author needs to branch out and try new interests, but it shows here how loyal fans can easily turn on a great writer.
Rating:
Summary: Misunderstood
Review: His research in the Sub Rosa Series paints a very believable picture of life at the end of the Republic. Likewise, his excavation of late 19th Century Central Texas is both accurate and verifiable. Lady liberty of the State Capitol building is every bit as ugly faced as he describes and no Texas City would have survived without a tenderloin district like "Guy Town." ( In Waco, we called it " The Reservation" and it lasted right up until Prohibition and other such noble experiments did so much to unravel the moral fiber of the nation). William Sydney Porter really did live in Austin and San Antonio in the time frame of the novel and no doubt traveled the region on the extensive rail system that then extended all over the fifty-year-old fifedom of Stephen F. Austin and Sam Houston.
By 1888, The Texas Capitol plaza was lighted by electric arc lights
The actions and nature of Saylor's characters are real- or real enough to let the reader suspend disbelief and he unravels a true century-old mystery in a most believable and satisfactory manner.
The title " A Twist at the End" is more of a bow to the trademark of the main character than a synopsis of the book. That the reader is able to sort out the mystery well before Mr. Porter learns the whole truth, in no way detracts from the satisfing nature of this story.
Rating:
Summary: Saylor is a Detective
Review: His research in the Sub Rosa Series paints a very believable picture of life at the end of the Republic. Likewise, his excavation of late 19th Century Central Texas is both accurate and verifiable. Lady liberty of the State Capitol building is every bit as ugly faced as he describes and no Texas City would have survived without a tenderloin district like "Guy Town." ( In Waco, we called it " The Reservation" and it lasted right up until Prohibition and other such noble experiments did so much to unravel the moral fiber of the nation). William Sydney Porter really did live in Austin and San Antonio in the time frame of the novel and no doubt traveled the region on the extensive rail system that then extended all over the fifty-year-old fifedom of Stephen F. Austin and Sam Houston.
By 1888, The Texas Capitol plaza was lighted by electric arc lights
The actions and nature of Saylor's characters are real- or real enough to let the reader suspend disbelief and he unravels a true century-old mystery in a most believable and satisfactory manner.
The title " A Twist at the End" is more of a bow to the trademark of the main character than a synopsis of the book. That the reader is able to sort out the mystery well before Mr. Porter learns the whole truth, in no way detracts from the satisfing nature of this story.
Rating: 
Summary: Still Good, but not Saylor Caliber
Review: I am a huge fan of Steven Saylor and I own all of the books from his Roma Sub Rosa series. I was slightly disappointed in this book however. Usually, Saylor keeps me guessing up until the last page of the book, but in this case I had the killer pinned halfway through the book! Saylor is still an excellent author, however, and this book should be of particular interests to Texans and all those who have visited the state's capitol. I was particularly fascinated by the history behind the book, and if you look, you can actually find the articles that Saylor references in his book.
Rating: 
Summary: Save your time and money
Review: I fundamentally agree with the Kirkus Review. Instead of keeping you on the edge of your seat Saylor keeps you asleep in your seat. In no manner can he (in the case of this book) be compared with Caleb Carr. All too often during the development of his plot does he take off on lengthy detours that totally destroy whatever tension or suspense that he is trying to develop i.e. the Female Clerks Bill. The book finally gets moving at the beginning of Part III on page 225. O. Henry's position as a protaganist is minimal. The conclusion is predictable as Saylor pretty much broadcasts it throughout the book. All in all a tedious and boring book.
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