Synopses & Reviews
Torchlight flickers on the elegant marble walls. The sound of a mob echoes in the street. The year is 52 B.C. and the naked body of Publius Clodius is about to be carried through the teaming streets of Rome. Clodius, a rich man turned rabble-rouser, was slain on the most splendid road in the world, the Appian Way. Now Clodius's rival, Milo, is being targeted for revenge and the city teeters on the verge of chaos. An explosive trial will feature the best oration of Cicero and Marc Antony, while Gordianus the Finder has been charged by Pompey the Great himself to look further into the murder. With the Senate House already in ashes, and his own life very much in danger, Gordianus must return to a desrted stretch of the Appian Way - to find the truth that can save a city drunk on power, rent by fear, and filled with the madness and glory of Rome.
Steven Saylor is the author of the long running series featuring Gordianus the Finder as well as the New York Times bestselling novel, Roma. He has appeared as an on-air expert on Roman history and life on The History Channel. He divides his time between Berkeley, California, and Austin, Texas. In 52 B.C., Publius Clodius, a Roman patrician turned rabble-rouser, is slain on the most splendid road in the world, the Appian Way. When Clodius's arch rival, Milo, is accused of the crime, the city teeters on the verge of chaos. As Cicero and Marc Antony prepare their orations for the explosive trial to come, Gordianus the Finder is charged by Pompey the Great to take a closer look at the murder. With the Senate House in ashes, and his own life very much in danger, Gordianus must return to a deserted stretch of the Appian Way in search of the trutha truth that may save, or destroy, a city drunk on power, rent by fear, and filled with the madness and glory that is Rome. "Saylor puts such great detail and tumultuous life into his scenes that the sensation of rubbing elbows with the ancients is quite uncanny."The New York Times Book Review "Saylor is skilled at spinning a tale out of unlikely historical sources . . . literate, humane, and dramatic."The Boston Globe "In Steven Saylor's lively imagination, Romeboth glorious and grimyis revived."Seattle Times "Really excellent . . . an enthralling re-creation of time and place, fascinating storytelling."Sir Derek Jacobi
"As always, Saylor sketches the real-life historical background with a masterly hand."Kirkus Reviews
"Saylor meticulously resurrects ancient Rome, providing another irresistible installment in the continuing chronicles of Gordianus the Finder. . . . Gripping suspense and intrigue superbly supported by a wealth of accurate historical detail."Booklist
"The suspense never lags as Saylor spins a sophisticated political thriller that also brings his readers up to speed on their Roman history."Publishers Weekly
Review
"Gordianus has wisdom and prudence; Saylor has intelligence, wit, and insight. Saylor has acquired the information of a historian but he enjoys the gifts of a born novelist."--
Boston Globe"Imaginative . . . Saylor's style is smooth . . . An Absorbing look at a time when men tried to rule themselves wisely and failed."--San Francisco Chronicle
"In Steven Saylor's lively imagination, Rome-both glorious and grimy-is revived."--Seattle Times
Review
"Saylor puts such great detail and tumultuous life into his scenes that the sensation of rubbing elbows with the ancients is quite uncanny."
—The New York Times Book Review "Saylor is skilled at spinning a tale out of unlikely historical sources . . . literate, humane, and dramatic."
—The Boston Globe "In Steven Saylor's lively imagination, Rome—both glorious and grimy—is revived."
—Seattle Times "Really excellent . . . an enthralling re-creation of time and place, fascinating storytelling."
—Sir Derek Jacobi"As always, Saylor sketches the real-life historical background with a masterly hand."—Kirkus Reviews
"Saylor meticulously resurrects ancient Rome, providing another irresistible installment in the continuing chronicles of Gordianus the Finder. . . . Gripping suspense and intrigue superbly supported by a wealth of accurate historical detail."—Booklist
"The suspense never lags as Saylor spins a sophisticated political thriller that also brings his readers up to speed on their Roman history."—Publishers Weekly "Imaginative . . . Saylor's style is smooth . . . An Absorbing look at a time when men tried to rule themselves wisely and failed."--San Francisco Chronicle
"In Steven Saylor's lively imagination, Rome-both glorious and grimy-is revived."--Seattle Times
Synopsis
Torchlight flickers on elegant marble walls. The sound of a mob echoes in the street. The year is 52 B.C. and the naked body of Publius Clodius is about to be carried through the teeming streets of Rome. Clodius, a rich man turned rabble-rouser, was slain on the most splendid road in the world, the Appian Way. Now Clodius's rival, Milo, is being targeted for revenge, and the city teeters on the verge of chaos.
An explosive trail will feature the best oration of Cicero and Marc Anthony, while Gordianus the Finder has been charged by Pompey the Great himself to look further into the murder. With the Senate House already in ashes, and his own life very much in danger, Gordianus must return to a deserted stretch of the Appian Way—to find the truth that can save a city filled with the madness and glory.
About the Author
Steven Saylor is the author of the long running Roma Sub Rosa series featuring Gordianus the Finder, as well as the New York Times bestselling novel, Roma and its follow-up, Empire. He has appeared as an on-air expert on Roman history and life on The History Channel. Saylor was born in Texas and graduated with high honors from The University of Texas at Austin, where he studied history and classics. He divides his time between Berkeley, California, and Austin, Texas.