Roman Blood (Roma Sub Rosa, #1) in Senatus Populus Que Romanus

Oct 18, 2009 Vicki Cline rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: roman-mysteries, chat-2022

One of my favorite books, featuring the actual murder defense that made Cicero's reputation. Gordianus the Finder is a wonderful protagonist; you really get to know and like him tremendously. And Saylor makes Rome come alive, describing the streets and people quite vividly. The actual solution to the murder really surprised me, even the fourth(?) time I read it (my memory not being quite as good as it should). One of my favorite things about this series is the way Gordianus' unconventional famil ...more

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Sep 11, 2010 Ben rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: historical-fiction, saylor-steven, all-roads-lead-to-rome

Background to book choice.

I was on a short break away and found myself without a book to read, so popped into a small bookshop to see if anything took my interest, the shop had a small historical fiction section so i decided to have a browse.
I think I probably picked this up because i'd recently been reading other Roman based fiction in the form of Simon Scarrow's brilliant 'Eagle' series.
I've had an interest in Roman history since studying it in history lessons at school so was pleased to see ...more

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Mar 24, 2011 Stephanie rated it really liked it

Fun historical mystery. Marred somewhat by moments of awkward writing. In particular, I refer to the passage around 75% of the way in during which the narrator drones on and on and on and on about the Social Wars and Sulla versus Marius. Prior to this moment the author had seamlessly mixed historical exposition and original plot. Docking half a point for this, I was so annoyed. My wrath, this review can haz it.

There's lots to like about this, though. Cicero is as 'gray and gray morality' as he s ...more

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Nov 14, 2007 Jamie Collins rated it really liked it

Shelves: historical-mystery, historical-fiction, ancient-rome

Nice historical mystery. I'll read more in this series.

It's set towards the end of Sulla's dictatorship and features a young Cicero preparing to argue one of his first cases, defending an accused parricide. I liked the "detective" and the descriptions of the city were vivid. ...more

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Jan 16, 2014 Colin rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Steven Saylor's take on Cicero's Pro Sexto Roscio Amerino

This is a mystery novel, the first in Steven Saylor's "Roma Sub Rosa" series, set in ancient Rome. The plot is loosely based on an actual ancient murder trial, in which the case for the defense was made by Rome's most famous orator, Marcus Tullius Cicero - at the very start of his legal career. Saylor strives for historical accuracy and yet maintains a readable and enjoyable tale that is definitely his own. Saylor's own theories and versi ...more

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Jul 18, 2012 Edward Rosenfeld rated it it was amazing

Have read some 48 pages of this book, so far I am enjoying it. Will get back later to let one and all know how I feel after digesting some more of it.

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