Search the Seven Hills (The Quirinal Hill Affair) [Mass Market Paperback]

Barbara Hambly (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 12, 1987

In ancient Rome, a poor philosopher races to rescue his kidnapped lover before she is abused by the sinister Christian cult

The son of a wealthy Roman family, Marcus gave up the prestige and riches that were his birthright to devote himself to philosophy. His noble mind attracted Tullia, a Senator’s daughter whose father wanted her to have nothing to do with the penniless intellectual. The news that she is to marry a prosperous merchant shatters Marcus, who goes to her house, hoping to plead his case, only to see her attacked and abducted by disguised ruffians.

 

That she was kidnapped is tragedy enough, and it gets worse when he learns who took her: the sinister Christian cult. He knows not what vile rituals they will expose her to, and he does not want to find out. His lover in danger, the philosopher must turn warrior before it is too late.

 

This ebook features an illustrated biography of Barbara Hambly, including rare photos and never-before-seen documents from the author’s personal collection.

 

--This text refers to the Kindle Edition edition.

Editorial Reviews

Review

“Barbara is a fabulously talented writer who can write well in any genre.” —Charlaine Harris

--This text refers to the Kindle Edition edition.

Product Details

• Mass Market Paperback: 309 pages
• Publisher: Ballantine Books (October 12, 1987)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0345344383
• ISBN-13: 978-0345344380
• Product Dimensions: 6.7 x 4.2 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 5.6 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,239,384 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

15 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This is the same book as the Quirinel Hill Affair, August 26, 1999

By 

Jill Patterson "Librarian" (Brea, CA USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Search the Seven Hills (The Quirinal Hill Affair) (Mass Market Paperback)

The "Quirinal Hill Affair" was reissued under this new title "Search the Seven Hills". Actually, the title the author wanted was "The Babyeaters", because that is how non-Christians viewed this new religion--when they even differentiated between Christians and Jews! Impeccably researched mystery set in ancient Rome, a young man searches for the kidnapper of his feisty girlfriend. Fascinating glimpse of this time period and a great story that is still searching for a memorable title.

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars God I Loved This Book, June 21, 2001

By 

Queen Cobra, Goddess of Truth and Justice (Altamont Springs, Florida United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Search the Seven Hills (The Quirinal Hill Affair) (Mass Market Paperback)

Marcus is the misfit middle son of a disfunctional Roman family circa 118 AD, he insists on studying philosophy of all things! He's also in love with Tullia, who just happens to be the daughter of one of his father's numerous enemies, and worse still is engaged to be married to a rich, vulgar Syrian merchant. Then Tullia is kidnapped, literally before his eyes, and the only clue is a silver fish talisman - emblem of the secret and sinister cult of Christians. Horrified Marcus knows he must rescue her quickly before she's forced to take part in their abhorrent rites. Aided by Sixtus Julianus, an eccentric and aristocratic old recluse and expert on exotic cults, Marcus becomes intimately acquainted with the seamy underside of Roman society and discovers Christians aren't quite what he thought they were. Though she's carefully researched Roman etiquette and customs and early Christian heresies Hambly makes some very elementary mistakes about Roman names but other than that 'Search the Seven Hills' is very authentic. I just *loved* Sixtus, and the cynical Praetor Arrius, not to mention the endlessly bickering Christians.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars not enough hambly in the world, April 3, 2001

By A Customer

This review is from: Search the Seven Hills (The Quirinal Hill Affair) (Mass Market Paperback)

Brilliant ! Worth every penny (and it does cost a lot of them). I am amazed that so early in her career you can see all the wonderful elements that light up her later Benjamin January and vampire mystery books. Dark, disillusioning, full of very bad people and protagonists who aren't exactly perfect either. All godd books require a good mystery, and Hambly's mysteries are the very best of the good books out there. They may never reprint this (given how easily offended some Christians get), so sink the money and buy a classic!