Rating: 
Summary: A plot in need of an editor
Review: While the book has good historical info, it is a rather droll read. Saylor drifts woodenly around historical events, more like driftwood caught in a whirlpool, than a Roman war trireme circling in for a kill.I really wanted to like this book, but it takes effort to finish it. If you want to read good Roman adventure, I suggest reading Julius Caesar's "Conquest of Gaul".
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: Does the Truth really matter?
Review: Does the Truth really matter? Murder on the Appian Way was a page turner. It wasn't your average murder/mystery novel, because the murder happened before you even start reading. I liked the way it revealed information in bits and pieces, through various characters here and there. It was also a mystery in a sense that you never knew who Gordianus was actually working for, or if he was working for anyone at all!?! The only thing I really didn't like about it was that there wasn't a real twist at the end of the novel. There wasn't a big "BANG", that made me stop breathing. The characters were interesting and intruiging, and the entire chaos at the beginning of the book, sparked the entire mood for everything that happened after. The entire time I was reading, I thought of how the crowd of angry Romans would react. My interest was very high until I actually found out the truth of who killed Clodius, I became uninterested after then because it seemed to me that it didn't really connect to the rest of the novel.
Rating: 
Summary: Saylor creates another suspensful success!
Review: Murder on the Appian Way is a great way of transporting directly to the Roman culture. Saylor captures the Roman family life with greatness. The book was captivating from the very beginning. From the very first page I was excited by the action of the mysterious murder of Clodius. Gordianus' search for the truth was what brought my attention immediately. I was on the edge of my seat to see if Gordianus and his trusty sidekick son, Eco, was able to find out the mystery which linked him to the murder of Clodius and the infamous Milo. I got caught up into the book so much that I lost sleep. I felt like Gordianus when reading this because I too wanted to know the real truth. The book has many aspects to it; you can take which ever path you choose. You can take the family life path or the murder mystery path or even get caught up in the famous people of Rome and what they may be like. I would definitely recommend this excellent book to anyone who enjoys mystery or history; Saylor mixes both phenomenaly.
Rating:
Summary: Death,Destruction,Sex--It doesn't get any better!
Review: Overall, I thought the book was good, but I felt that there were a few areas that needed some help. First, I thought the the book was too political. I felt that the novel needed a few more detached experiences and adventures. I also thought the ending came about too abruptly. There wasn't much explaination on what will become of the characters in the future. Finally, I also disliked the whole fact-finding approach. The overall investigations and searches were good, but I thought that they became a little monotonous in the end. It seemed as though the same information was revealed over and over again. Now to get onto the positive parts of the book. I especially liked the destructions and the riots because they created a mood of chaos and disorder. I also liked the overall mystery regarding Clodius and thought the truth was withheld tactfully until the very end. Finally, the kidnapping and the whole experience with Davus were excellent additions to book because they provided sidebar suspense to keep the overall plot interesting. I would definitly recommend this book to people that like mysteries that are twisted in with the politics of Rome. I think this book presents a very good representation of the corrupt politics in Rome, and I think that it would be an excellent additions to and Rome-lover's library. I would recommend reading Steven Saylor's others books first in order to get a good introduction on the main characters.
Rating:
Summary: An absorbing brew of Rome's decay and a search for truth.
Review: Saylor has struck gold with his book A Murder On the Appian Way! It is a rivetting book with a twist at every turn. Saylor portrays very well the growing decay of Rome and the one man that seems to be apart from this body, Gordianus the Finder. There is incredible turmoil released in the city of Rome after the people have found the body of Publius Clodius, dead. After, the city is in a state of extreme riot, and something must be done. Gordianus and his son, Eco, are hired to get to the bottom of the matter, for the truth shall set Rome free. There journey for the truth brings about many adventures, and the two befriend several important people. When there seems to be no hope, Pompey the Great is elected to govern the city and restore order until the next consular election. I liked A Murder on the Appian Way much better than the last book I read of his, Catilina's Riddle. There is more action and a much more unpredictable plot. I felt a mixed emotion of suspense, sympathy, and joy continually throughout the book, without end. I highly recommend this book to a reader of any preference, whether it be mystery, action, or suspense.
Rating:
Summary: It was the best of times and the worst of times in Rome!
Review: Saylor makes history fun in his exciting novel "Muder On the Appian Way." Combining the ancient culture of Rome with an adventuous and creative storyline makes learning more enjoyable. I thought that, like the prequel "Catalina's Riddle", Saylor's book was fun and unpredictable. The story keeps you guessing at who was where, when and why! The story kept me wanting to read because I truely felt like I connected in some way to the book. Every time Bethesda, the mother of Eco, Meto and Diana and wife of Gordianus, is brought up in the story, she always reminds me of my own mother. - caring and occasionally worrisome. Saylor not only provided a great mystery story, he also developed the characters to a point where you, the reader, can almost feel like they know the person. I would definately reccomend this book and any of Steven Saylor's book to anyone!
Rating:
Summary: What else do they say? Regret nothing,Apologize for nothing!
Review: This is the third book by Steven Saylor that I have read, and I regret to say that it is not the best of his books. In his previous books, he tried to stay away from the extreme detail of Roman Politics. In Murder, this force seemed to drive the plot. The action of the book took a lot longer to develop than in Catalina's Riddle or Rubicon. In these he immediately started with the action, but in Murder, he began with Publius Clodius' death, then immediately began an intricately woven web of deceit and treachery within the Roman Republic. The last two sections of this novel is one of the best examples of Saylor's brilliant action sequences. I also enjoyed when our Latin III class asked questions to answer questions posed by our teacher James Storad. This kept me involved in the book and made me think about different twists that could possibly occur within this delicate plot. Another thing that kept me involved was the way Saylor continually uses words to convey a particular image or scene. These things combined with my knowledge of Roman History made me want to be in Gordianus' shoes. I wanted to find out who committed the MURDER ON THE APPIAN WAY!
Rating:
Summary: A vivid image of Ancient Rome filled with suspense and myste
Review: This is the second Steven Saylor book I have read and I enjoyed it immensely. The book started out with immediate action that was rich in detail. The main characters were dynamic and intereseting. Saylors use of words creates imagry vividly present in every page. I could see every setting as if I were actually in the story. During the imprisonment, I felt that I couldn't stop reading until they had escaped. If you like Roman history or a riveting story, I suggest A Murder on the Appian Way. Every one of my fellow students agread with me in saying that this was the best school-read book ever.
Rating:
Summary: Catalina's Riddle is the Saylor book for me
Review: I gave this book three stars because I think that it was only mediocre. I recently finished reading Catalina's Riddle, another of Stephen Saylor's novels about Roman history. I fell in love with Catalina's Riddle, and as of right now, I do not think that any other of Saylor's books could top it. I did not like the fact that A Murder on the Appian Way started off immediately with the action. I did not feel that there was any rising action to build up my suspense of the story. Also, I am not much of a political person and I did not enjoy reading about so many political figures. Also, one aspect of this book that did not compare to Catilina's Riddle, was the fact that my third year Latin class had been thoroughly studying Catalina for quite some time before we were even intoduced to the book. I had quite a lot of background information which made the book all the more worthwhile. I had no major or interesting background information on any of the characters so I was not very interested. Also, another aspect of my Latin class that we have been discussing is called "flow". Flow is being so engaged or enraptured in a book that a person cannot put it down or is never concerned with how many pages there are left in the chapter. I definately did not have flow with this book. I think that I would have enjoyed this book more had I not read Catalina's Riddle first. Personally, I do not recommend this book, but I definately do recommend Catalina's Riddle to everyone who enjoys an amazing murder mystery full of suspense! Right now all of my classmates are repremanding me for not enjoying this book, but I stand by my opinion. Catalina's Riddle is the Saylor book for me. I do have just one and only question: Will anything ever happen between Clodia and Gordianus?
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