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Summary: Murder Follows Roman Gumshoe to the Shores of Baie...
Review: (OOPS - SORRY, THIS ACTUALLY REFERS TO "ARMS OF NEMESIS" - MY BAD...) O.k., I'll admit it: I love Gordianus the Finder. Forget Marcus Didius Falco (of Lindsay Davis fame), Gordianus is the only man in Rome for me. Pegged as a "finder", Gordianus ferrets out the truth about scandals, mysteries, murders and more. In this lively tale set against the Spartacan slave revolt, the lives of 100 slaves hang in the balance while Gordianus tries to untangle a gordian knot of a murder. The master of the house is murdered, and two slaves are implicated. Every slave in the household will be put to death in the gladiator's ring unless Gordianus finds out the real truth. I love that Saylor takes Gordianus out of Rome, into the pleasure villas of the idle Roman rich, and gives us a tantalizing glimpse into yet another facet of Roman life. All of Saylor's novels are gorgeously researched, and the writing crackles with humor and menace in equal measures. Beware: once bitten by the Gordianus bug, you'll be hooked for life...
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Summary: A Roman mystery
Review: A friend recommended Steven Saylor, and since this was the only one I found in my local book store this is the one I bought. Not a mystery fan actually I still found this book intriguing. The plot is set in acient Roma, and though alot of places the language is too modern to get the right feeling Saylor has also captured an ancient mode through the story.The plot takes a long time to reveale itself though and when I finally knew what the plot were all about the story went on and on with little happening. It might be my problem that I have not read any of the other books in the series, I really felt it hard to get to know Gordianus, the main character, the hero of the book. At the same time it is where Saylor writes about Gordianus and his family the book is at it's best. I still gave to book three stars though. The story really had something in it, and aspecially the surprisingly ending gave me satisfaction as a reader.
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Summary: Ooops....
Review: Although this book is far better written than its predecessors, it is unbalanced. This time the mix between history and whodunit didn't function well, as the "mystery" in the end settles into an arbitrary, poorly explained (and anachronistic as far as motive is concerned) solution. Also, the historical characters (Clodia, Caelius, Cattulus) are far too much intersting not to let Gordianus & family pall into comparision. Hope the next is better.
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Summary: Catalina's Riddle exemplifies the paradox of ancient Rome
Review: Catalina's Riddle exemplifies the paradox of ancient Rome, a civilization offering so much that millions of non-Italians desired its citizenship and embraced its culture.At the same time, Rome could wallow in the utmost cruelty. Gordianus is caught up not only in a murder mystery, but also murky, political intrigue. The charismatic figure of Catalina is enticing not only for his politics, but also the ambiguity of his sexual orientation. The sexual tension between Gordianus, who is staunchly and happily heterosexual, and Catalina, is realistically palpable. The slaughter of Catalina's legion is tragic and cruelly ironic. All of his men embraced death without turning their backs. The pathos of civil war is brought home as brothers, cousins, and friends search for their own on on a battlefield as ambiguous as Gordianus' sexuality. This is a first rate, moving novel about people who could have lived in any time period.
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Summary: Feminine mystery in Ancient Rome
Review: Even though I haven't found this book to be remarkable from the point of view that would classify it as a mystery, I must say it does have a certain seduction, a certain allure, that makes it kind of irresistible to the reader, who will not want to put it down until its very end. This such end is quite a revelation as well as a paradox. Gordianus' perspective of his roman world is changed dramatically when he first discovers that his old tutor not only wasn't a man of virtue, he was a man of a great many vices, vices that included sexual abuse and depravity. The second shock comes with the identity of the murderer (not even Gordianus could have imagined this one). All in all, what really made this book enthralling and very dear to me is the small tribute it pays to the women of Rome. For the first time in Saylor's writing, we are invited into the secret world of the roman woman, her desires, her insecurities and her atrocities as well. I must say that since reading this book I also crave silk from Cos for my own wardrobe. In a world where women had almost no voice at all, where they were only considered their husband's or master's property; we still see the indelible mark women leave wherever they are present, in every step of their way. Even if this is the only message in the book, it is quite and imposing one.
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Summary: a very clever twist on a proven theme...
Review: Firstly, readers of this review who have not read any of Saylor's novels should proceed directly to 'Roman Blood', the first of the Gordianus mystery series (set in ancient Rome). Saylor's books are best read in sequence in order to capture the essence of its private eye hero (Gordianus the finder). Unlike the other Gordianus novels, The Venus Throw is a mystery involving murder and intrique close to and in (!) the Gordianus household. An old Egyptian friend of Gordianus is murdered and, of course, Gordianus is hired to find the killer. The outcome is very surprising, and all along we are entertained by Saylor's excellent prose. And true to form, Saylor also sprinkles in copious sauciness (orgies, boys behaving badly, etc) without being crude. Bottom line: one of the best of a fine historical mystery series. Highly recommended.
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Summary: Roman mystery strikes close to home
Review: Gordianus is back. This time he's investigating the murder of his old mentor. His investigation turns up not only the murderer but the less than philosophical lifestyle of his philosopher teacher. The true glory is the pagentry of daily life in Rome during the time of rapid expansion during the first century BC and the state of international politics as Rome casts its greedy eyes upon Egypt.
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Summary: Sexy, Sassy Entry in the Gordianus Chronicles
Review: Gordianus is in trouble...his new client is a notorious femme fatale who enjoys watching nubile young men frolic nude in the Tiber, and has a penchant for see-through silk stolas... Once again, Steven Saylor weaves a delightful tale of intrigue around the best man in Rome, Gordianus the Finder. Here, political rivals (and ex-lovers) vye for the upper hand in what becomes a public trial of epic, and ultimately humiliating, proportions. Can Gordinaus keep his head (and his virtue) intact? Find out in this sexy, sassy frolic in 1st Century Rome.
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Summary: More than I needed to know...
Review: Great fast read. This book surprised me. It was more erotic than the others and had a surprise ending. Wondering where Saylor is taking me next. Can't wait.
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Summary: Thank you Mr. Saylor
Review: I really enjoy this series. Saylor has a brilliant way of combining history and mystery. Thank you for your hours of research to teach and tingle your reader, Mr. Saylor! It's hard to believe it while you are reading, but you know that the "Author's Note" is coming to basically say that what you have just read is ALL TRUE!! The fictitious world of Gordianus hooks the reader into the shocking reality of ancient Rome. Saylor finds those great historical incidents and skillfully gets Gordianus and family involved. We get a deeper look into the surprising past of another family member in this volume. I only gave 4 stars just because it's not one of those "one of the best books I've ever read" books, but it is certainly worth reading especially for anyone who has begun the Roman Sub Rosa series. Great book!
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