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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.
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Summary: Follow Gordianus the Finder as he searches for truth.
Review: Murder on the Appian Way is a compelling novel of ancient Rome. Murder... follows a story of Gordianus the Finder as he hunts for clues and looks for what really happened on the Appian Way. Murder... starts out action packed and gets the reader wanting for more. Although compelling Murder... ,like other Saylor novels, gets boring at times with the politics of ancient Rome. Any type of reader can enjoy Murder... , the Saylor enthusiast or the history buff. Saylor articulates just as a Roman rhetorical expert. In Murder... a Roman consul is murdered, well, on the Appian Way. Gordianus is hired by many to investigate the case. Tha unsesuptible Gordianus ,who has no real political affiliation, is a friend of many, often on other sides of the spectrum. While on his fact finding mission Gordianus just found out too much and along with his son, Eco was kidnapped. At this point in the book I could not put it down, What will happen to the lovable Gordianus?!?! Books read in school are usually forced, but I enjoyed it anyway!
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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: A Murder On The Appian Way killed me with delight.
Review: This book brought me back in time. Steven Saylor is an excellent author. He was able to describe the Roman history to me very well. Reading the book was not very boring he was able to keep me intrested throughout the entire book. Steven Saylor's description of Rome was very detailed and intresting. Steven Saylor was able to describe the history of Rome but still have the element of a mystery story. The most intresting scene within the book was when Gordianus and Eco where on the Appian Way and trying to discover what happened. All of the different stories and lies that they were being told really put a good twist on the story. The book taught me alot about Roman history. It is an essential ingrediant to any Latin class. It kept me involved and intrested. It was a nice change in routine to just translating normally in class. I recommend this book to anyone who like to read anything. It is a well rounded book and can touch many different types of groups. I am not someone who like to read alot but this book really intrested and kept me going. The only thing that I did not like about this book was the length. I am not a very fast reader so I usually like to read shorter books to help cut down on time for reading.
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Summary: This book is a wild ride where nothing is as it seems
Review: My name is Jon and I am a juniuor at Walsh Jesuit High School. In our Latin Class, we have just finished reading the captivating novel, "A Murder on the Appian Way," by Steven Saylor. As a project on this story, we are to take ten pictures depicting a scene or showing an overview of the story. This project will be quite interesting because this book is filled with amazing descriptions and absolutely superb writing. This amazing book swept me up in a sea of mysteries and scandals and showed how the persistance of one man(Gordianus) can ultimately lead to the truth. This story revolved around a clash between enemies that resulted in the death of a high-born citizen in the republic. Although many stories were told about how the fight that caused Clodius'(the man that was murdured's) death, Gordianus was sent to find the truth to what really happened. Through his many explorations, and his questioning of the few eye-witnesses, Gordianus begans to put a story together about what really happened. However, this story is just a decoy for the outrageous truth. Gordianus becomes involved in a mystery that will even test his ability to find the truth. In this absolutely magnificent story, Gordianus will take you on a wild ride where everyone is hiding something and where nothing is as it seems. I recomend this book to anyone who enjoys a good mystery with a suprise ending. Also, even if you don't care for mysteries, this book has many other qualities that make it a perfect book for anyone and everyone to read.
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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!
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Summary: Gordianus and Eco search for what the people want to hear.
Review: this book was very exciting and intersting at the very start. as the book moved deeper into the complex plot the pace was slowed greatly. i also feel that the end was very weak. it seems to me that gordianus seems to stumble onto the real truth rather than use his skills that earned him the name "the finder". i also thought some of the family issues should have been resolved more clearly in the end. this book has its upsides. like steven saylors other books the character development is very clear. by the end of this book you know what to expect out of each character, with the occasional twist. also with this book you get a very intricate plot. i found that i wasnt really sure of the murderer until the very end when gordianus found out. this is a very solid book that i would recommend to anybody who enjoys very detailed mysterys. in my personal oppinion i felt that eventhough catalinas riddle started slowly in the end it was a stronger book. all in all murder on the appian way is a very good book.
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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.
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Summary: Mystery and intrigue abound. A captivating novel.
Review: Once again, Steven Saylor has given all of us readers a magnificent novel of ancient Rome. Not only is the plot line completely enthralling, but it's consistent with ancient writers' accounts of the events described within. Appreciated are the insertions of historically famous figures whom Saylor continually portrays in a more human light than textbooks, right down to their flaws and idiosyncrosies. As always, numerous plot twists, a myriad of characters, and humor in the least expected places keep the story moving. These twists, however, are sometimes disappointing for the sake of keeping with historical accounts. Necessary though they are, they can be disappointing for story purposes. For this reason, I found the book slightly less enjoyable than Catilina's Riddle or Roman Blood. It is, nevertheless, part of an excellent series and a powerful novel in its own right. I would recommend Murder on the Appian Way to any fan of mystery or Roman history or just anyone looking for a good way to pass an afternoon.
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Summary: Steven Saylor wrote a puzzle for our minds....
Review: With the changing times in the approacing millenium, I find creative mystery books hard to come by. We are approaching an age of science, and well written books such as Murder on the Appian way, are hindered by the books of the future, the books of anticipation. Murder on the Appian Way puts our minds at ease, as Steven Saylor takes us on an adventure throughout Roman times. It is unbelieveable how he captured that time period with such perfection. Suspense captures all minds, and Steven Saylor couldn't have been any less predictable with his conclusion. The plot accumulated page by page, and the suspense built with every line. I enjoy the stories where a mere person becomes a hero. Gordianus surpasses most reader's expectations with his immense courage throughout the novel. Provoking questions arise throughout the story, and only encourage the reader to continue at a strenuous pace, until their mind's could be put at easy when the puzzle is solved. "Who killed the infamous ruler of Rome, Clodius". Is Steven Saylor merely teasing our minds? Is the answer obvious, does it lie right before our eyes? Or is there an in depth conclusion to the plot. Who would kill the fearless leader of Rome, in such a time of haste. The riots only excel page by page, the strife continues to grow in the land of Rome, will there be an end to the chaos that plights their land? I feel this book will grow on the reader, as it has grown on me. I truely suggest this book due to the suspense, and even the action. You really adapt to the character's, and feel what they feel, even think what they think. Steven Saylor wrote a puzzle for our minds, and there is only one way to solve it!
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