A Murder on the Appian Way [Hardcover]

Steven Saylor (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: May 1996

In a Rome torn by riots and pulled apart by rival factions, Gordianus the Finder must uncover the truth about the murder of Publius Clodius, a populist politician whose assassination threatens to destroy the Republic. The fifth in the highly praised "Roma sub Rosa" series set in ancient Rome.

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

This is the fifth in Steven Saylor's "Roma Sub Rosa" series: murder mysteries set in classical Rome just before the fall of the Empire. Once again, Saylor's sleuth is Gordoianus the Finder, a sort of Sam Spade in a toga, who is hired by the rich and infamous of Roman society to solve their personal and political troubles. This time the powerful politician Publius Clodius is murdered on an open road and as riots break out, the fate of the Republic is in doubt. The plotting is deft and the action -- both physical and intellectual -- is nonstop. Most of the characters here are heterosexual but Saylor (who also writes great erotica under the name Aaron Travis) brings a critical gay sensibility to his tales that forms the cultural and emotional crux of his work.

From Publishers Weekly

Turmoil strikes Rome in A.D. 52 in this stand-out novel by the author of The Venus Throw. Once again, Gordianus the Finder is put in the delicate position of having to solve a crime and keep his own counsel amid the scheming and duplicitous rulers of Rome. Publius Clodius, a powerful populist politician with an unsavory personal life, is murdered while traveling on the Appian Way. The prime suspect is Clodius's arch rival, patrician Titus Milo, and the repercussions are many-for the state, the judicial system and the military. Gordianus is brought into the case by his neighbor, Cicero, who is defending Milo and needs a bit of discreet detective work. Gordianus doesn't have much use for "lawyers," especially not for the silver-tongued Cicero, whose motives he distrusts, but the case is too intriguing to turn down. An unusual and morally sturdy character, Gordianus is honest without being sanctimonious, a savvy observer of the political scene who never loses his integrity. He's also a clear and faithful narrator. Soon, he finds himself dealing with the likes of Pompey, Caesar and Mark Antony as he unravels the complicated threads of the crime. Meanwhile, Rome is burning as Clodius's followers riot to avenge their murdered leader. The suspense never lags as Saylor spins a sophisticated political thriller that also brings his readers up to speed on their Roman history.
Copyright 1996 Reed Business Information, Inc.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 304 pages
• Publisher: St Martins Pr; 1st edition (May 1996)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 031214377X
• ISBN-13: 978-0312143770
• Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 6 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.3 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (69 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #918,312 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.

The next book in the Roma Sub Rosa series will be a prequel that follows the 18-year-old Gordianus on his journey to the Seven Wonders of the World; publication of THE SEVEN WONDERS is scheduled for June 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

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A fun, enjoyable book, January 2, 2006

By 

Reader "a_reader_999" (United States) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: A Murder on the Appian Way (Hardcover)

I generally read history, not fiction. In fact, until the past year, about 95% of my reading was history. I started reading Colleen McCullough's series of books on Rome, tired of it, and then tried Saylor. I think I've found my author. This book is splendid. Interesting, engaging, never insulting to my intelligence, but never overly dry or expository. The style is elegant and refined, as opposed to the clunky, cliche-ridden style of McCullough. The characters breathe. (For instance, characters can be erotic and alluring, but they're never lurid.) The storytelling is engrossing. I won't comment on the book's value as a murder mystery per se, because I'm not really a fan of the genre. Does it have a sufficient twist? I don't know; I don't care. I enjoyed the book, regardless of its genre.

All in all, a novel written for serious, mature readers, but readers who seek a fun, relaxing book. And after you finish the first, you can look forward to the others, because the central character, Gordianus, is warm, witty, vulnerable, imperfect, and thoroughly human. Someone I can identify with.

By the time I'd finished this book, I had ordered all of the other books in the series.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Mysteries aside for a moment, November 6, 2002

By 

TammyJo Eckhart "TammyJo Eckhart" (Bloomington, Indiana United States) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: A Murder on the Appian Way: A Novel of Ancient Rome (Dead Letter Mysteries) (Mass Market Paperback)

"A Murder on the Appian Way" is less of a mystery novel than Saylor's previous books in this series. There is still a mystery but the resolution is based on accidental encounters more than investigation. However, we get to see Rome as a confused, dangerous, and determined to remain civilized city as the clock counts down on the Republic. We briefly meet some of the big names you've heard of in Roman history courses but only briefly as would make sense for a mere "finder". No, this book is best read as an exploration of Roman society and of Gordianus' family as it grows up and increases in number, complications, and love. Gordianus would be considered a poor Roman father and husband in his day but for us, he is understandable and expressive. This novel made me more interested in him than any of the previous novels.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars The book reminded me of an epic historical fiction., May 18, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: A Murder on the Appian Way: A Novel of Ancient Rome (Dead Letter Mysteries) (Mass Market Paperback)

A Murder on the Appian Way reminded me of an epic historical fiction novel. Gordianus takes on a role such as Pug in War and Remembrance. He is able to meet almost all of the famous figures in Ancient Rome while still remaining a commoner. Steven Saylor is able to add personalities to the people usually only read about in history texts. The book presents a good mystery which posts many questions for the reader. The plot is believable and in the end all the confusing parts are resolved. Deeper themes are also touched upon. The beginning of the book addresses the power of a mob. The distress of a rioting Rome is portrayed, and destruction, anarchy, and rhetoric reign. Towards the middle, the book brings truth into view. Who knows the truth, who wants to know the truth, who has to benefit from the truth, and why? By the end, Gordianus is met with a difficult decision regarding his personal and family life. He has to weigh compassion with discipline and make one of the hardest choices of his life. The book was captivating and intriguing. I would definitely recommend it to anyone, and especially those interested in Ancient Rome.