Rating: 
Summary: See what you can get out of it
Review: Does ancient Roman history interest you? Well it doesn't matter if you have an interest in this subject because Catilina's Riddle is more than that. It is a book that will make you appreciate life. It will make you think about your life, and help you come to a better understanding of human nature. There is a wonderful plot and many surprises, but you can get more out of it than that. It's up to you though. If you want to read it as any other book you pick up fine, but if you have the time I recommend looking for the deeper meaning that applies to your life. After reading this book I feel I can understand and relate to the rest of the world. I'm not saying this book will solve all your problems, but give it a chance and I think you will be pleased.
Rating: 
Summary: well-written, intriguing historical elements, but ...
Review: Firstly, if you haven't read any of Steven Saylor's mystery series set in ancient Rome then go directly to the customer reviews for 'Roman Blood'. You must read his series in sequence or you'll regret it (much of the fine characterisations of Gordianus 'the Finder' and his family/friends/foes will be not fully appreciated). So for those who have read Saylor's previous works ... read on.Catilina's Riddle is textbook Saylor material, which means it is very well researched, well-written, and generally interesting. In this installment we have a mystery surrounding a very intriguing *real* person from ancient Rome, Catilina. He a lover of both women and men, is feared by the Roman elite, and in this novel he meets our favorite fictious sleuth - Gordianus. However compared to other Saylor novels this book is somewhat overkill on the history lesson and too light on the mystery element. Yes, it has its moments ... and it is a worthy read on balance. But it is not as good as his previous works, and some of his later works. Bottom line: a so-so effort by Saylor. Nonetheless it should be considered as mandatory reading by his fans.
Rating:
Summary: well-written, intriguing historical elements, but ...
Review: Firstly, if you haven't read any of Steven Saylor's mystery series set in ancient Rome then go directly to the customer reviews for 'Roman Blood'. You must read his series in sequence or you'll regret it (much of the fine characterisations of Gordianus 'the Finder' and his family/friends/foes will be not fully appreciated). So for those who have read Saylor's previous works ... read on. Catilina's Riddle is textbook Saylor material, which means it is very well researched, well-written, and generally interesting. In this installment we have a mystery surrounding a very intriguing *real* person from ancient Rome, Catilina. He a lover of both women and men, is feared by the Roman elite, and in this novel he meets our favorite fictious sleuth - Gordianus. However compared to other Saylor novels this book is somewhat overkill on the history lesson and too light on the mystery element. Yes, it has its moments ... and it is a worthy read on balance. But it is not as good as his previous works, and some of his later works. Bottom line: a so-so effort by Saylor. Nonetheless it should be considered as mandatory reading by his fans.
Rating:
Summary: Great addition to the series
Review: Gordianus is back in Steven Saylor third installment in his Roma Sub Rosa series. This book has a little of everything from poltical intrigue to mystery. Gordianus who inherits a farm in the Etruscan courtyside is leaving the corruption of Rome for the quietness of living in a different atmosphere. No matter where Gordianus lives, trouble always follows him. In this story there is a new character by the name of Marcus Caelius who is a protege of Cicero. He is there to ask Gordianus for help to keep an eye on Catilina who is trying to bring the Roman Republic to choas and revolution. As the story unfolds, there is a headless body discovered in his estate that makes it hard for him to find the culprit. As Catilina makes his presence, the story takes off in his attiude towards Cicero who seems to be at his decruction in the political area. Meto who is Gordianus adopted son who has sympathy for Catlina's views and becomes close to him, as he see's Cicero as a demigod. Gordianus is caught in the middle between two ambitions politican who believes in there views are the only way of saving the Roman Republic. I like this story for it's well develop characters and good drama.
Rating:
Summary: A different look at the Cataline Conspiracy...
Review: I am a fan of Saylor's other books in this series, but this oneis truly monumental. Anyone with a smidgen of knowledge about the later Roman Republic knows of the sinister Catalina the Conspirator, and his plot to destroy the Republic. Saylor takes a look at what was really going on, and asks who was really conspiring: fans of certain Roman politicians much beloved by American conservatives will not like Saylor's take on this. Saylor states in his afterword that he is not trying to rehabilitate Catalina the way some authors have rehabilitated Richard III, but he does a good job of it nonetheless.
Rating:
Summary: Steven Saylor's Gordianus gets better and better!
Review: I am reading Saylor's Sub Rosa series in sequence, and this third novel is so far the most ambitious. This time Gordianus is faced with the Catilina conspiracy in the year of Cicero's consulship. Saylor has the infinite cleverness not to take historical sides, and to show us that every story can be told in different ways. Cicero's foibles and Catilina's appetites are superbly shown, as well as the passage of seasons in the Etruscan countryside, a day of elections in Rome, the taking of the auguries on a young man's sixteenth birthday, every detail of Roman life and more that we have learned to expect from the author. The book is a great success, not least because we believe in the characters and we see them grow and change, from Cicero to Gordianus's teen-aged son. Saylor also manages to convey Catilina's homoerotic attraction to any reader with economy and talent (if you read well, it seems obvious from the clues that he seduces Gordianus - as a straight reader I was impressed with the elegance and efficacy of the writing of what could have been a very dicey passage.) We have come to expect, in more ways than one, that a Steven Saylor book will transport us into a different universe, and "Catilina's Riddle" doesn't disappoint. I am eagerly waiting for the next volumes and a larger part given to Caesar.
Rating:
Summary: Entrancing.
Review: I could feel the hot sun in ancient Rome, pounding on the pavement. I was ready to be seduced by the words of the young unconvential politician, Catilina. Not only is the writing style intense and descriptive, it is accurately so. The democratic procedures of Rome are described in detail. The speaches are exact. Get ready to be entranced well into the middle of the night
Rating: 
Summary: A Second Glance At Rome
Review: I once thought of Rome as a city of great power, wealth, and beauty; but the tragic accounts depicted through this novel alter all that is pure and honest. It reveals a side of Rome I have never encountered, uncovering mysteries, lies, and corruption. I found myself in Gordianus' shoes, being drawn in to every plot, searching for the truth, and never knowing who could be trusted. Having such immense twists and turns led the book to being highly enjoyable. With such a compelling mystery, blended in with that of Roman politics, it produced such a gripping thriller that will leave the reader guessing until the end.
Rating:
Summary: History- Not Mystery!
Review: I read Catalina's Riddle because I enjoy historical fiction and historical mysteries in particular. It is the first book of Steven Saylor's that I read and I must say I am not really interested in reading any others. While I enjoyed the depth of character of Gordianus the Finder, I found that Gordianus mostly fretted over the mystery for the entire book, instead of working to find clues, etc. The mystery is revealed at the end with information we would not have gleaned from the story, so this is not for readers who like to figure out the clues for themselves as they go along. And while the history of early Rome is interesting, the book was overly concerned with detailed political information best suited for textbooks rather than a novel. I ususally like to read all of a series once I get started, but this time I am not going to.
Rating:
Summary: MY THOUGHTS
Review: I recently read this book for a Latin class that i am attending. I felt this book taught good morals and that one can gain a lot from reading such a book. Something i especially enjoyed was the twisted ending. I love a great mystery book and recommend this book to anyone who has a great imagination and enjoys a good, exciting, twisted, mystery.
| 
