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From Publishers Weekly
From the arrival of an articulate slave on the doorstep of sleuth Gordianus to the riveting re-creation of an actual oration by Cicero, Saylor's remarkable first novel takes the reader deep into the political, legal and family arenas of ancient Rome, providing a stirring blend of history and mystery, well seasoned with conspiracy, passion and intrigue. In the steamy spring of 80 B.C. fledgling orator Cicero is preparing the legal defense of Sextus Roscius, a wealthy farmer accused of the murder of his father. Things look grim for Sextus; it is well-known that his father had threatened to disinherit him in favor of his younger half-brother. Cicero engages Gordianus to get at the truth of the matter, and while the orator practices powerful speech-making the investigator proves the aptness of his sobriquet, "the finder." Gordianus soon discovers that truth and mortal danger walk hand-in-hand through the twisting streets and the great forum of Rome. But he is unflinching in his quest for veritas in a story greatly enhanced by its vivid characters, including Cicero's clever slave Tiro; a mute street urchin and his widowed mother; a beautiful, enigmatic whore; Gordianus's spirited slave and lover, Bethesda; the aging dictator Sulla; and a dyspeptic but brilliant Cicero. A classic historical mystery, in every sense.
Copyright 1991 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
Copyright 1991 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
From Kirkus Reviews
From the papers of Marcus Tullius Cicero comes this first novel, a fictionalization of the immortal Roman orator's first important case--his defense of well-heeled farmer Sextus Roscius on the charge of killing his hated father. The narrator is Gordianus the Finder, hired by Cicero to dig up evidence, and so good at his job that he soon learns the pretext that lured the elder Roscius to his death--a summons from Elena, a young prostitute pregnant with a possible heir; finds where the murder was committed; unearths two witnesses who set him on the track of a brutal conspiracy; and uncovers some sordid truths about the Roscius family in time for Cicero to set off the expected courtroom fireworks. More genuine mystery and detection than in Ron Burns's Roman Nights (see above), with two handsome surprises saved for last. -- Copyright ©1991, Kirkus Associates, LP. All rights reserved.
--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
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First Sentence
THE slave who came to fetch me on that unseasonably warm spring morning was a young man, hardly more than twenty. Read the first page
Front Cover | Copyright | Table of Contents | Excerpt | Back Cover
THE slave who came to fetch me on that unseasonably warm spring morning was a young man, hardly more than twenty. Read the first page
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Front Cover | Copyright | Table of Contents | Excerpt | Back Cover
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Most helpful customer reviews
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
3.0 out of 5 stars
Potential Masterpiece Blotted by Horrible Ending,
By
This review is from: Roman Blood: A Novel of Ancient Rome (Mass Market Paperback)
The first 300+ pages of Roman Blood is a masterpiece of historical mystery writing. It has richly drawn characters, lots of suspense and a strict adherence to historical fact. In short, it is a great read. If Saylor had the judgment to end his novel with the first 300+ pages, I would have given it a 5-star rating without any reservations.However, such is not the case. The reason is that Saylor either decided to throw in one final plot twist or his editors compelled him to do so. This twist contradicts both established historical facts and also the facts of the case that was laid out in the previous 300+ pages. It is also written in such a way that it literally violates the suspension of disbelief that is vital to any enjoyable escape reading. The reader feels cheated at the end of the novel. Due to the merits of the first 300+ pages, I still give this a 3 out of 5 star rating, but it could have been a 5 all the way.
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars
Roman Blood is extremely good,
By Bacchus (United States of America) - See all my reviews
This review is from: Roman Blood: A Novel of Ancient Rome (Mass Market Paperback)
Roman Blood by Steven Saylor was well written and well researched. Saylor was able to blend his fictional writing with factual information in a very interesting way. Being the first book in the Roma Sub Rosa series, this book has led me to start reading the rest of the series. Roman Blood blends action and mystery. Gordianus the finder is a very intriguing character that will make you think more than you think you should. Roman Blood is a great book to sit down and read to. Its entertaining, but also, if you are interested in ancient Rome, it will give great information on everyday life and Roman government. Also, the ending is a doozy.
5.0 out of 5 stars
Wow, a good Mystery,
By Ford (Goochland, VA) - See all my reviews
This review is from: Roman Blood: A Novel of Ancient Rome (Mass Market Paperback)
Roman Blood was a great historical fiction that really made you feel as if you lived during roman times. The Mystery made me keep reading and now wanting to read the next books in the series. Normally mysteries are not my favorite kind of books, but this book definitely attracted my attention.
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