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shahrun's review against another edition
4.0
An enjoyable, well researched murder mystery tour of ancient Rome! I found author's note at the end interesting. I like it when author's point you in the direction of further information, if you would like to do some more research on after enjoying what you have just read.
jbleyle63's review
4.0
There was a certain poignancy in reading this one following the recent passing of Kirk Douglas which prompted another viewing of one of my favorite films Spartacus. The slave revolt of Spartacus looms large in this one as our protagonist Gordianus the Finder is summoned from Rome to an estate on the Gulf of Naples where the cousin of Marcus Lucinius Crassus has been bludgeoned to death. Since the body was left prominently in the atrium of the villa with "Sparta" etched nearby on the floor, primary suspicion falls on two runaway slaves who are presumed to have joined the Spartacan revolt. The calculating Crassus [one can readily imagine Laurence Olivier's performance of this historical character from the Douglas film] reluctantly employs Gordianus at the urging of his cousin's widow to investigate the murder. This inquiry is made all the more pressing because Crassus plans to execute the household's 99 remaining slaves as the grand finale to gladiatorial games in honor of dearly deceased just two days away.
Another well researched and entertaining novel in Saylor's Roma Sub Rosa series!
Another well researched and entertaining novel in Saylor's Roma Sub Rosa series!
fbone's review against another edition
3.0
Saylor's second in this series takes place 8 years after his first title during Spartacus' slave war. I enjoyed the well-researched Ancient Roman references and details; Marcus Crassus, painting, cuisine, resort villas, galley slaves, funeral customs and general Roman laws. The mystery part was weak but better than his previous book. Word skill and dialogue were improved also.
viktoriya's review against another edition
2.0
This started off very good. Loved the atmosphere and the setting of Ancient Rome. However, about a third way through, the pacing slowed down to the speed of a turtle. I felt that there were a lot of unnecessary details (for example, meeting with the priestess Sybil) and big plot "twists" were quite obvious long before they were revealed on pages.
rociobn28's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
informative
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
kyle977's review against another edition
4.0
Another enjoyable entry for this series. I made the mistake of reading out of order, so some of the plot was spoiled for me, but the central mystery was still enjoyable. I'm a sucker for all things Crassus and Spartacus, so even though the rebellion is happening off-page, the political aspect of the effect on Rome was also enjoyable.
trish204's review against another edition
5.0
Again, the author has shown a splendid way of transporting the reader back in time and has shown an intimate look into the world of a roman citizen - Gordianus the Finder.
The second novel plays 10 years after the first, during the time of Spartacus' revolt and has a somewhat more disclosed ambiance (a nice alternation that proves he can set different plots in different ambiances in a splendid way). Again the plot is highly thrilling and the ending (although in some way very tragic) is also highly satisfying. Steven Saylor definitely puts a lot of work into his books (the research on all the different aspects of Roman life such as the food, poisons, art etc.) and undoubtedly is a great author!
The second novel plays 10 years after the first, during the time of Spartacus' revolt and has a somewhat more disclosed ambiance (a nice alternation that proves he can set different plots in different ambiances in a splendid way). Again the plot is highly thrilling and the ending (although in some way very tragic) is also highly satisfying. Steven Saylor definitely puts a lot of work into his books (the research on all the different aspects of Roman life such as the food, poisons, art etc.) and undoubtedly is a great author!
jmeston's review against another edition
3.0
Not quite up to the first one. Thought Crassus in particular was not well defined. But loved the Baiae details. I was confused about the series sequence: this one was the second written but then he wrote two more that occur in the time between this one and the first (Roman Blood). So I am satisfied with the order I'm reading them in.
mandapanda's review against another edition
4.0
I really like all of Saylor, Steven books. This one has some awesome Gordianus as a father scenes and the mystery is twisty and complex.