Rating: 
Summary: historically accurate and a wonderful read
Review: My Latin class is currently reading this book. It coincides well with what we are studying and the historical detail is wonderful. It is still historical fiction, however. Our teacher gave us a choice of this or one of the others in the series, and we choose this one. She hadn't finished reading it yet, which explains why we were allowed to read it in school. I don't recommend it for anyone who can not handle sexual content and the topic of homosexuality(which the Romans didn't really think twice about). Even if you are not a Latin scholar, or any other type of scholar for that matter, you can still enjoy this book. It's a true murder mystery, with the death(s) and intrigue and multiple suspects that has my entire class guessing who is the one responsible. We aren't even done yet, but I have enjoyed it enough to be placing the other books of the series, Roman Blood for example, in my shopping cart. Oh, and be prepared to root for someone you wouldn't think you would root for: Catiline(or Catilina, whichever you prefer).
Rating: 
Summary: One of the Best in a Stellar Series
Review: O.k., I admit it. Ever since I read ROMAN BLOOD, I've been a confirmed Gordianus-aholic. But I gotta tell you, this is one of the best yet. Saylor takes a notorious character from history, and not only brings him vividly to life, but makes you like the guy, and feel sorry that he's gotten such bad press for the last two thousand years. While less strictly a "mystery" than some of the other Roma Sub Rosa series with the ever fascinating Gordianus the Finder, CATILINA'S RIDDLE is no less compelling for its lucid tale of Roman politics gone horribly awry, and one of the most moving battle scenes ever written (or filmed). READ THIS!
Rating:
Summary: Artistry of words and intellectual scholarship
Review: Saylor gives us another powerful novel in Catilina's Riddle. I took Latin in high school and we studied the Catilinarian conspiracy. I had to memorize the first part of one of the speeches in the book: "Quo usque tandem abutere Catilina patientia nostra..."! I love how Saylor brings these great historical figures to life with his descriptive writing. With each novel in the series we also learn more about and grow to like Gordianus and his family. This novel shows artistry of words and intellectual scholarship together. That combination would seem to be hard to pull off, but Saylor does it well. Like other reviewers, I got a little bogged down at times with the intellectual scholarship, but it's not difficult to plug through. It's worth it to experience the action and revelation at the end. I am an even greater fan now and can't wait to start The Venus Throw.
Rating:
Summary: Superb in every way
Review: Saylor's third mystery set in ancient Rome is more about Gordianus the Father than Gordianus the finder. Yes, there are some headless bodies that show up on Gordianus' property, and a significant portion of the story centers around this mystery, but this novel is more about the intrigues of ancient Roman politics and family life. The novel is superb in every way: there are memorable characters, especially Catalina; the plot is suspenseful; it is well written; and you get an entertaining and informative look at ancient Rome at a crucial time in its history. I highly recommend this for fans of mystery and/or historical fiction.
Rating:
Summary: A well-crafted blend of mystery, history and character.
Review: Steven Saylor continues his fine Roma sub rosa series of mysteries framed by incidents in the turbulent era of late Republican Rome.
Drawn reluctantly into a web of political machination and murder, Gordianus the Finder (Saylor's toughminded sleuth) must solve a baffling crime and
extricate himself and his family from peril. The delineation of Roman life and society is extraordinary; even better are the characters--Gordianus
especially is fully realized, an intelligent, complex man of his times. Any reader of historical fiction such as "I, Claudius" as well as any mystery-lover
will enjoy this book, and will be hunting for the rest of the series as soon as they put it down. Highly recommended!
Rating: 
Summary: It's easy to lose the mystery in the politics of this novel.
Review: Steven Saylor immerses himself too much in the politics of this novel
and the book drags. There is not the sense of urgency that is present
in his other novels, nor is there a clear-cut plot to follow. The book
is still worth reading because it does delve into the political tension
of the day. However, Gordinius is tired in this novel -- tired of city
life and tired of political scheming. He seeks to protect his family from
the schemes of others, but is unable to. If you've read the other Saylor novels
read this one -- if only to find out what happens to his family. If you
love the political aspects of his books, you'll love this novel. However,
if you're reading it for the mystery, skip this book and go directly to
Venus Throw where Saylor is back in top form.
Rating:
Summary: One of my favorites
Review: Steven Saylor is currently one of my favorite authors and Catilina's Riddle is, I think, the best of the whole Sub Rosa series. Saylor really captures the charisma that such characters as Ceasar and Catilina must have had and Gordianus provides us with the "behind the scenes" view of some of these most famous characters in history. The Mystery is solid, although somewhat incidental to the history, and the descriptions of life on an ancient farm are unique in my reading experience. If you like Rome and/or Mysteries it doesn't get any better than this. One down side: This is good enough to buy the hardback, its a keeper, but I made the mistake of getting the paperback. This is the Ballantine Publishing Group paperback with the headless statue on the cover. The leaves were already falling out of the book before I'd gotten 10 pages in. If you are like me, part of the enjoyment of a book is the feel (I like paperbacks) and the feel of a book with pages falling out is down right depressing.
Rating:
Summary: One of my favorites
Review: Steven Saylor is currently one of my favorite authors and Catilina's Riddle is, I think, the best of the whole Sub Rosa series. Saylor really captures the charisma that such characters as Ceasar and Catilina must have had and Gordianus provides us with the "behind the scenes" view of some of these most famous characters in history. The Mystery is solid, although somewhat incidental to the history, and the descriptions of life on an ancient farm are unique in my reading experience. If you like Rome and/or Mysteries it doesn't get any better than this. One down side: This is good enough to buy the hardback, its a keeper, but I made the mistake of getting the paperback. This is the Ballantine Publishing Group paperback with the headless statue on the cover. The leaves were already falling out of the book before I'd gotten 10 pages in. If you are like me, part of the enjoyment of a book is the feel (I like paperbacks) and the feel of a book with pages falling out is down right depressing.
Rating:
Summary: Good Book
Review: The book started off kind of slow and boring, but once Marcus Caelius shows up and the dead bodies start coming it got really good. The book kept me reading the whole time, and guessing as well. I was always wondering who was leaving the bodies around. As well as creating a murder mystery the author also gave us another perspective about Catilina's conspiracy. Because the book featured characters such as Catilina, Cicero, and Caesar, there was also a lot of politics, which I found to be boring at times. Other than this, the book was very good and very easy to read. I think my favorite part about it was how he interwove history with fiction. It helped me relate to some of the stuff I have been learning in latin class more easily.
Rating:
Summary: Mystery disappointing, the mystery was the excuse...
Review: The mystery of Mr. Saylor's book was so disappointing. The solution came at the end out of nowhere in the plot... it seemed just gratuitous to be written as a mystery at all. And it had such potential! The relationship between the protagonist and his sons Eco and Meto was fabulous and engaging. The existence of a mysterious mine and thousands of bones and skulls could have really gone somewhere.... but in the end the last 8th of the book just bored me to tears and I found myself skipping speech after speech about the politics of the time rather than the plot just to find out how the book ends.
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