The House of the Vestals and over one million other books are available for Amazon Kindle. Learn more

Buy Used
Used - Good See details
$2.60 & eligible for FREE Super Saver Shipping on orders over $25. Details

or
Sign in to turn on 1-Click ordering.
 
   
Kindle Edition
 
   
Have one to sell? Sell yours here
The House of the Vestals: The Investigations of Gordianus the Finder (House of Vestals)
 
 
Start reading The House of the Vestals on your Kindle in under a minute.

Don't have a Kindle? Get your Kindle here, or download a FREE Kindle Reading App.

The House of the Vestals: The Investigations of Gordianus the Finder (House of Vestals) [Mass Market Paperback]

Steven Saylor (Author)
4.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (31 customer reviews)


Available from these sellers.


Formats

Amazon Price New from Used from
Kindle Edition --  
Hardcover --  
Paperback $14.48  
Mass Market Paperback --  

Book Description

House of Vestals August 15, 1998
It is Ancient Rome, and Gordianus the Finder has a knack for finding trouble. Stalking about the city's twisting trails looking for clues and finding bodies, Gordianus has had his share of misadventure with nobles and slaves alike. Known to many as the one man in the ancient world who can both keep a secret and uncover one, Gordianus has stories to tell.


Editorial Reviews

From Booklist

Saylor serves up a collection of short stories designed to fill in some of the gaps that have piqued the curiosity of devoted fans of his popular Roma Sub Rosa series. Set between the years 80 and 72 B.C., these nine tales document some of the early adventures of Gordianus the Finder. During the course of these cases, Gordianus establishes firm and tender relationships with Eco, his adopted son; Bethesda, his Jewish-Egyptian concubine; Belbo, his loyal manservant and bodyguard; and Lucius Claudius, his generous patron. While each brief mystery presented is a gem in and of itself, readers will delight in the informational overview provided by the collection as a whole. As usual, Saylor does a superb job of seamlessly incorporating the tumultuous history of the Roman Republic into the narrative flow. A welcome addition to the ever fascinating chronicles of Gordianus the Finder. Margaret Flanagan --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From Kirkus Reviews

It's no wonder Gordianus the Finder solves so many of these nine cases in a single flash of insight. Most of the mysteries aren't very mysterious; even Gordianus' slave (and future wife) Bethesda picks out the thief of his friend Lucius Claudius' silver the minute she hears the story. Still, three groups of readers will find these stories irresistible: history buffs who appreciate Saylor's careful research into Roman politics and Roman mores; fans of his five novels (A Murder on the Appian Way, 1996, etc.) who want to find out how he first became Lucius Claudius' friend, or how he acquired his faithful slave Belbo; and anyone who enjoys leisurely, literate storytelling. Though none of the stories is more than five years old, nearly half (``A Will Is a Way,'' ``The Lemures,'' ``King Bee and Honey,'' ``The Alexandrian Cat'') have already been anthologized. All the others could well follow. -- Copyright ©1997, Kirkus Associates, LP. All rights reserved. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Product Details

  • Mass Market Paperback: 272 pages
  • Publisher: St. Martin's Paperbacks (August 15, 1998)
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 0312964528
  • ISBN-13: 978-0312964528
  • Product Dimensions: 6.9 x 4.3 x 0.8 inches
  • Shipping Weight: 6.4 ounces
  • Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (31 customer reviews)
  • Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #793,272 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Steven Saylor is the author of EMPIRE: THE NOVEL OF IMPERIAL ROME, a follow-up to the international bestseller ROMA: THE NOVEL OF ANCIENT ROME. These two epic novels comprise a multi-generational saga that spans the first 1200 years of the city, from Iron Age trading post to the height of empire under Hadrian.

Steven is also the author of the ROMA SUB ROSA series of historical mysteries featuring Gordianus the Finder, set in the ancient Rome of Cicero, Caesar, and Cleopatra. To read the series in chronological order, begin with ROMAN BLOOD, then THE HOUSE OF THE VESTALS (short stories), A GLADIATOR DIES ONLY ONCE (short stories), ARMS OF NEMESIS , CATILINA'S RIDDLE, THE VENUS THROW, A MURDER ON THE APPIAN WAY, RUBICON, LAST SEEN IN MASSILIA, A MIST OF PROPHECIES, THE JUDGMENT OF CAESAR, and THE TRIUMPH OF CAESAR.

Steven is currently at work on the next volume in the Roma Sub Rosa series, a prequel that follows the 18-year-old Gordianus on his journey to the Seven Wonders of the World; publication is scheduled for summer 2012.

Outside the Roman books are two novels set in Steven's native Texas. A TWIST AT THE END is based on America's first recorded serial murders, which terrorized Austin, Texas in 1885. The chief protagonist is young Will Porter, who later became famous as O. Henry. HAVE YOU SEEN DAWN? is a contemporary thriller set in a small Texas town not unlike the one where Steven grew up.

Steven's books have been published in 21 languages, and book tours have taken him across the United States, England, and Europe. He has appeared as an expert on Roman life on The History Channel, and has spoken at numerous college campuses, The Getty Villa, and the International Conference on the Ancient Novel.

Steven was born in Texas in 1956 and graduated with high honors from the University of Texas at Austin, where he studied history and Classics. He divides his time between homes in Berkeley, California, and Austin, Texas. When not using his brain, he likes to keep in shape running, swimming, and lifting weights.

 

Customer Reviews

31 Reviews
5 star:
 (12)
4 star:
 (11)
3 star:
 (6)
2 star:
 (2)
1 star:    (0)
 
 
 
 
 
Average Customer Review
4.1 out of 5 stars (31 customer reviews)
 
 
 
 
Share your thoughts with other customers:
Most Helpful Customer Reviews

11 of 12 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars Wickedly Addictive Tales of Mystery in Ancient Rome, August 12, 2001
This review is from: The House of the Vestals: The Investigations of Gordianus the Finder (House of Vestals) (Mass Market Paperback)
I can't get enough of Steven Saylor's Gordianus the Finder, and this marvelous collection of short stories was like opening a box of Godiva chocolates - each one is delicious! I have read nearly all of the Roma Sub Rosa series featuring the wonderfully human, intelligent, and dedicated Gordianus, and come to think of him almost as an extended family member. For other Gordianus-aholics, this collection of stories nicely fills in the gaps left in the longer novels - finally we find out all about the night Catilina raped a Vestal...or did he? We hear Gordianus' sexy, sassy slave (now wife) tell tales of her native Alexandria, and we learn all about Lucius. But the best part of this collection is you need no previous experience with Gordianus to have a rollicking good time. As Gordianus winds through the streets of ancient Rome, exposing frauds, murderers, and thieves, you will be caught up in the spell Saylor's crisp writing always weaves. Warning: clear some shelf space. Once you're hooked on Gordianus, you'll want to read them all.
Help other customers find the most helpful reviews 
Was this review helpful to you? Yes No


4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars Lots of fun, January 19, 2006
By 
krebsman (New York, NY United States) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   
This review is from: The House of the Vestals: The Investigations of Gordianus the Finder (House of Vestals) (Mass Market Paperback)
THE HOUSE OF THE VESTALS may be my favorite in the Sub Rosa series so far. This is a collection of nine short mysteries from the files of Gordianus the Finder. Usually the actual mystery is pretty elementary. What makes the stories so interesting is their detailed description of Roman life and the social attitudes and emotional lives of the Romans. How did the Romans celebrate their Solstice holiday? The answer is in the mystery "The Saturnalia Silver." How far would a Roman wife go to avenge a husband's infidelity? Check out my favorite story in this collection, "King Bee and Honey." Many of the regular characters from the novels appear in these stories: Gordianus' wife Bethesda (who even solves one of the mysteries), his mute son Eco, his jovial patron Lucius Claudius, his hulking bodyguard Belbo and several others. This collection is probably a pretty good introduction to the lively Sub Rosa series. If one is unsure whether he wants to begin reading a series, these stories can give a sampling of what the series is like, even if they don't have the depth or texture of the novels. Regular readers of the series can consider these the literary equivalent of extra deserts or between-meal snacks in comparison to the full-course dinners the novels offer. These are delightful stories told with charm, good humor and a dash of sex. This is a very enjoyable book.
Help other customers find the most helpful reviews 
Was this review helpful to you? Yes No


4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars breezy, enjoyable stories; consider them Saylor-Light, May 13, 2002
By 
lazza (Fort Lauderdale, Florida) - See all my reviews
This review is from: The House of the Vestals: The Investigations of Gordianus the Finder (House of Vestals) (Mass Market Paperback)
The House Of The Vestals is very enjoyable collage of ancient Roman mystery stories loosely based on either real history or ancient folklore. And somehow Saylor's irrepressable private eye, Gordianus, winds up being a bit like Forrest Gump - he always finds himself in the middle of this historic events. All the stories are rather trifling and forgettable, but somehow very readable and enjoyable. Saylor has a very light and breezy style to his prose. And unlike his other Gordianus novels, this collection of short stories does not get bogged down with explanations of Roman history ... and so even folks who might have found Saylor's other works to be a bit dry will like The House Of The Vestals.

Bottom line: perfectly enjoyable Roman fluff. Recommended.

Help other customers find the most helpful reviews 
Was this review helpful to you? Yes No

Share your thoughts with other customers: Create your own review
 
 
 
Most Recent Customer Reviews











Only search this product's reviews



Inside This Book (learn more)
First Sentence:
"ECO," I SAID, "do you mean to tell me that you have never seen a play?" Read the first page
Key Phrases - Statistically Improbable Phrases (SIPs): (learn more)
relay boat, funny beard, clay bottle, king bee
Key Phrases - Capitalized Phrases (CAPs): (learn more)
Lucius Claudius, Quintus Fabius, House of the Vestals, Marcus Lepidus, King Rhampsinitus, Virgo Maxima, Gordianus the Finder, Quintus Roscius, Esquiline Gate, Julius Caesar, Priapus's Palace, Temple of Jupiter, Caelian Hill, Death Wears, Flying Fish, Circus Maximus, Cloaca Maxima, Esquiline Hill, Roman Festival, Sextus Roscius, Titus Didius, Ides of Maius, Quintus Manilius, Roman Blood, Street of the Breadmakers
New!
Books on Related Topics | Concordance | Text Stats
Browse Sample Pages:
Front Cover | Table of Contents | First Pages | Back Cover | Surprise Me!
Search Inside This Book:



Books on Related Topics (learn more)


Tags Customers Associate with This Product

 (What's this?)
Click on a tag to find related items, discussions, and people.
 
(3)

Your tags: Add your first tag
 

Customer Discussions

This product's forum
Discussion Replies Latest Post
No discussions yet

Ask questions, Share opinions, Gain insight
Start a new discussion
Topic:
First post:
Prompts for sign-in
 


Active discussions in related forums
Search Customer Discussions
Search all Amazon discussions
   
Related forums



So You'd Like to...



Look for Similar Items by Category


Look for Similar Items by Subject