Arms of Nemesis

Roma Sub Rosa #2

by Steven Saylor

Book #2 from: The Roma Sub Rosa Series
🎧Run Time = 10 hours and 30 minutes

With an “intriguing mix of historical accuracy and tense drama,” a New York Times bestselling author “impeccably recreates life in Imperial Rome” (St. Louis Post-Dispatch) in this “compulsively entertaining whodunit” (The New York Times Book Review) that follows private investigator Gordianus the Finder on his quest to locate an overseer’s murderer — before 99 innocents are killed in retribution.

South of Rome on the Gulf of Puteoli stands the splendid villa of Marcus Crassus, Rome’s wealthiest citizen. When the estate overseer is murdered, Crassus concludes that the deed was done by two missing slaves, who have probably run off to join the Spartacan Slave Revolt. Unless they are found within three days, Crassus vows to massacre his remaining ninety-nine slaves.

To Gordianus the Finder falls the fateful task of resolving this riddle from Hades. In a house filled with secrets, the truth is slow to emerge. And as the hour of the massacre approaches, Gordianus realizes that the labyrinthine path he has chosen may just lead to his own destruction.

Genres: Historical Fiction, Mystery, Fiction, Historical, Historical Mystery, Crime, Roman

436 pages, Paperback

Published January 1, 2005

About the author

Steven Saylor is the author of the long running Roma Sub Rosa series featuring Gordianus the Finder, as well as the New York Times bestselling novel, Roma and its follow-up, Empire. He has appeared as an on-air expert on Roman history and life on The History Channel.

Saylor was born in Texas and graduated with high honors from The University of Texas at Austin, where he studied history and classics. He divides his time between Berkeley, California, and Austin, Texas.

Reviews

[Clemens Schoonderwoert · Rating 4 out of 5]

**Should Read as 4.5 Stars**

This historical Roman mystery is the altogether, chronologically speaking, 7th volume of the "Roma Sub Rosa" series, featuring Gordianus the Finder.

Storytelling is excellent, all figures featuring in this historical Roman mystery are very believable and lifelike, and the hostile and deadly atmosphere during the Spartacus Slave Revolt come very much to the forefront.

At the beginning of the book, you'll find several well-made maps of the Bay of Neapolis (Naples) in 72 BC during the Spartacus Slave Revolt, while at the back you'll notice a very informative Author's Note with historical details concerning this tale.

This mystery is situated in 72 BC, during the Spartacus Slave Revolt, and it starts off with the murder of Lucius Licinius, cousin of the immense powerful and very greedy, Marcus Licinius Crassus.

Two missing slaves, Alexandros and Zeno, are accused of this murder by the real murderer, but they are fully innocent and have to flee for their lives.

Meanwhile Gordianus the Finder and his adopted son, Eco, are taken by ship by Marcus Mummius to Baiae, on behalf of the bereaved widow, Gelina, and he's summoned to find, in three days, the truth behind and thus killer of her late husband, Lucius Licinius.

What is to follow is an intriguing and thrilling action-packed Roman mystery, that is filled with political scheming, self-preservation, power, greed and cruelty, and in these circumstances Gordianus the Finder must somehow find the truth about the murder of Lucius Licinius and also to convince Marcus Crassus to spare as many slaves as possible, and after some hustle and bustle concerning life and death, he will be able to reveal the culprit of this secret killing by producing the evidence and witness of this hideous crime.

Highly recommended, for this is a great Roman mystery combined with historical accuracy that is set in the Roman Republic, and that's why I like to call this episode: "An Impressive Historical Roman Mystery"!

[Richard · Rating 4 out of 5]

8/10

Why have I waited so long to read the second book in this series?! Fool of a Took!

This story is basically an Agatha Christie style murder mystery played out in Ancient Rome with some heavy hitting historical figures in play e.g. Marcus Crassus (who was kind of a big deal). The setting is one of the main attractions in this book, so expertly woven into the story that you don't realise how easily you've been transported to ancient times. The style of writing makes it an easy read and the mystery is done well. Some red herrings along the way meant I was never sure of who was the actual murder until the big reveal.

I really enjoyed reading this but there were a couple of things preventing me rating it higher such as a couple too many characters with similar names to keep fully abreast of, but I guess that is more my lack of intelligence than the authors issue.

I'm going to make a conscious effort to read the next one in this series much quicker than I left the last one. This series is one I'm keen to read after two very good books to the series and a very skilful author. Highly recommended.

[Ana Cristina Lee · Rating 4 out of 5]

Segundo libro de la saga protagonizada por el detective Gordiano el Sabueso y ambientada en la antigua Roma.

Esta vez tiene lugar durante la sublevación de esclavos de Espartaco. Como ya ocurría en la primera parte de la saga, Sangre Romana, hay muchos personajes históricos: Sila, Craso, Espartaco y otros forman parte de la trama y el autor mueve los hilos con mucha habilidad y una buena documentación histórica.

En una villa de Nápoles, el amo ha sido asesinado por dos esclavos huidos a los que se relaciona con la revuelta de Espartaco. Según la ley romana, los 99 esclavos restantes han de ser ejecutados y Gordiano trabajará para esclarecer las circunstancias del caso, que tienen mucho que ver con las luchas y las ambiciones políticas.

A mí me ha resultado interesante y entretenida, pero hay mucha información sobre historia de Roma que puede resultar densa para quien no esté interesado en el tema.

[Blaine DeSantis · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another fine effort by Saylor. This time we move from Cicero as a client to Gordianus the Finder now finding himself in the employ of the richest man in Rome - Marcus Crassus. We find Gordianus the Finder summoned to the Bay of Naples to investigate the murder of Crassus' cousin Lucius Licinius.
Despite the appearance that Licinius was murdered by slaves, Gordianus is not quite so sure and thus begins the detective mystery. Saylor also provides us with a history lesson of the Servile Wars in Sicily and Rome, along with a host of information on the Sibyl of Cumae, who is a version of the Oracle of Delphi. We get a lot of history, a lot of mystery and intrigue and a wonderful flavor of the Roman Empire at the time of the Spartacan Wars (while Spartacus does not appear in this book, his influence in the slave revolt is the reason for the book).
Had a wonderful time reading and learning more about this time period of 72 BC, as well as a great deal on the true historical figure Crassus.
As always a definite recommend to fans of history and mystery genres.

[Kim · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is the second book in a series featuring Gordianus “the Finder”, a Roman citizen during the period of the Republic, who makes a living as a private detective. In this episode, which takes place some years after the events of the first book in the series, Roman Blood, Gordianus is engaged to discover whether the murderer of Marcus Crassus’ cousin is someone other than household slaves suspected of having joined Spartacus in his revolt.

Saylor makes use of his Classics degree to write an engaging novel, with an interesting combination of real-life and fictional characters and a pleasing prose style. The imparting of historical information – an important feature of both this novel and its predecessor in the series - is achieved with a light hand. I know almost nothing about Roman history, but I was able to acquire pertinent facts without feeling either confused or patronised. That said, the mystery itself is only moderately interesting, even though it contains the usual quotient of suspects and red herrings. For a “finder”, Gordianus does relatively little finding. Indeed, he spends more time being beaten up or otherwise assaulted than he does solving the crime.

Overall, this was a pleasant excursion into historical mystery fiction, made all the more pleasant by (a) reading some of the novel while I was in Rome and (b) sharing the experience with my friend Jemidar. I will definitely want to read the next book in the series at some point.

[Heidi (can’t retire soon enough) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Although more time than usual passes between the first and second installment, the series continues to blend fiction and history seamlessly. The characters have aged 7-8 years which made me wonder why the author chose to skip forward but it didnt take away (in fact it probably makes this practically a stand-alone) from the plot.

I may have liked this more than usual because we were catching up on the Spartacus Starz series while I read this... Perfect since that was the same time period for this entry. Looking forward to the next installment!

(Reviewed 1/8/11)

[Mary Heron · Rating 5 out of 5]

Even better than the first book. Gordianus is contacted in the dead.of night, a mysterious soldier offers him a fortune to accompany him to see his master, in the circumstances how can Gordianus.resist, money is always right and this great sum would allow for some.very overdue home maintenance. Very quickly he wishes he'd stayed home, taking his mute son Eco with him the two travel by sea to the coast (where all the wealthy Romans summer) and there be learns what is worth so much money. A man has died, in the great scheme of things there's nothing very special about this man, he lives in the most extravagant and luxurious villa, but it's not his, he's the overseer, the villa is.landed by his cousin, the richest man in Rome........ Marcus Crassus.......... Turns out the.man was murdered and the culprit is assumed to be one of his.slaves........... This is during the slave revolt.headed by the Thracian gladiator Spartacus so with the slaves on the estate numbering almost a hundred Crassus determines to make use of an old Roman law which decrees the.slaves of the murdered man be all put to.death as punishment..................... Thanks to the dead man's widow Crassus has agreed to allow Gordianus to.investigate, to see if he can uncover the truth behind the murder...........but he only has four days before the slaves will be put to.death in a mass execution at the funeral games..........no pressure then...........

[Jemidar · Rating 3 out of 5]

More like 3.5 stars.

Although I didn't like this as much as the first book in the series, Saylor still managed to bring the Roman culture vividly to life for me. The historical parts were excellent but IMO the mystery was a little lame. Gordianus 'The Finder' stumbled through this one and didn't seem to do much finding, always seemingly on the back foot, reacting instead of being proactive right up until the final big reveal. Despite this, it was still an enjoyable addition to the series and I'm planning on reading the next one.

Buddy read with Kim :-).

[aPriL does feral sometimes · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you want to understand the horrors of slavery, book two in the Gordianus the Finder series will completely satisfy your curiosity. Vividly.

Gordianus is comfortably asleep in bed with his slave, Bethesda, in the glorious city of Rome, about 72 bc., in his dilapidated home. Eco, his mute adopted son, taps him awake. There is a visitor! So begins a life-changing case that will completely turn the detective Gordianus' life upside down.

Marcus Mummius, a respectable soldier, employed by the richest man in Rome, Marcus Crassus, has come to hire the Finder because a terrible crime has been committed. Lucius Licinius, cousin of Crassus, has been murdered in his house in the luxurious district of Baiae. Worse, the word 'Sparta' was carved into the floor. Crassus has been hoping to be selected to gather an army and strike down the escaped slave, Spartacus, who after escaping his master, has been leading an army of more escaped slaves. They have been rampaging over Roman lands, freeing more slaves and murdering good honest citizens of Rome in their bed! The honor of Rome, as well as the source of its power, commerce, is being harmed and this cannot be allowed to go on. Crassus has decided to kill all 100 slaves he owns on the property to make an example of them, and send a message to the people of Rome that Crassus would be the best general for the job of stopping the slave revolt of Spartacus. Desperate, Lucius' wife, Gelina and Mummius have pleaded with Crassus to hire an investigator before beginning such a terrible action. Reluctantly, Crassus agrees, but he continues to arrange for his cousin's funeral and the killing of all the slaves. Gordianus has less than a week to find the real murderer.

No one else will work harder for the lives of the slaves than Gordianus. The large ship which helps to quickly deliver him to the doors of Lucius' house was full of slaves chained to oars. Without a doubt, these men - and boys - were suffering more than any human beings Gordianus has ever witnessed, even more than the slaves forced into the mines. Gordianus sees the whipping of a child, slow to pull his oar, in the stinking bowels of the galley. Later, he discovers most of the slaves owned by Crassus are chained up in a barn, lying in their own filth. Any one of them could have been his adopted son, Eco.

Gordianus is going to save the slaves or die trying. The murderer will try to accommodate Gordianus on one of his goals......

[Kam · Rating 4 out of 5]

After reading Roman Blood, I was in a good enough mood that I drifted over almost immediately to the next book in the series, Arms of Nemesis. Instead of sticking it out in Rome, Gordianus heads on over to the nearby resort town of Baiae to investigate a murder - and in the meantime, Spartacus's slave rebellion is tearing up the countryside, forcing slave-owning Romans everywhere to look askance even in their own households, in case their own slaves decide to murder them.

And that's precisely why Gordianus goes to Baiae in the first place: to investigate the murder of a man who was supposedly killed by his slaves. Of course, the answer isn't as straightforward as that (if it were then there would be no novel).

Compared to the last novel, this one seems a bit more tense than Roman Blood. The ending, in particular, was significantly more action-packed than the ending of Roman Blood. Or perhaps it was because there were more lives at stake in Arms of Nemesis than in Roman Blood - the life of one man versus the lives of ninety-nine people, including women and children, certainly is a significant difference in terms of the stakes. That the ninety-nine lives are actually slaves doesn't make much of a difference.

It is on the subject of slaves that I found this novel to be more of a stand-out than Roman Blood. Gordianus's treatment of slaves and the way he regards them is interesting and makes him sympathetic. The reader will want him to succeed, if only because of that inclination of his.

One thing I greatly appreciated in this novel compared to the last one: the inclusion of a strong female character in the form of a female painter named Iaia. I don't know if she is a historical figure or not, but I do appreciate the inclusion of such a character in the novel, instead of making it an all-boys' club, as it were.

I also found certain explanations regarding the use of poisonous and medicinal herbs during the period, as well as details about the Sybil of Cumae, to be fascinating enough to distract from the typical nature of the plot itself. Again, as with Roman Blood, the plot might not be anything earth-shattering for anyone familiar with mysteries, but the milieu is interesting enough to make it interesting enough to keep on going.

[Jane · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5/5. Second in the Gordianus the Finder Roman mysteries. Well plotted novel set during the Spartacus slave revolt--72 BC, which is connected to the murder of the cousin-cum-steward of Marcus Crassus and subsequent murder of a philosopher, a member of Crassus's household. Author's strong points are his lively and realistic descriptions of Roman life and a well written, well plotted story. I first read it years ago, but it was worth rereading.

[Moshe Mikanovsky · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great sequel to Roman Blood. Gordianus the Finder continues with another adventure, filled with a murder mystery, slaves, Sybils, ruthless politicians and Spartacus' rebellion as the political background. Great entertainment, will read more!

[Dimitris Kopsidas · Rating 3 out of 5]

Enjoyable but a step down from book one. The main reason for the above was, that the mystery was solved mainly due to random acts of chance and not enough detective work was apparent.
What I liked more was the insight on how the roman slaves lived and their place in roman life.

6,8/10

[Kathy Davie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Second in the Roma Sub Rosa history mystery series set in Ancient Rome at a time when Spartacus is raging through the countryside, terrifying the populace and revolving around Gordianus, a Finder, who brings his son, Eco, along.

My Take
It's years after Roman Blood , 1, and much has changed in Gordinaus' life. He has a son, for one, who follows Gordianus through life---rolling his eyes---even as we follow Gordianus around as he detects---a fascinating education in the politics of the day, slave interactions, the day's rituals and expectations, and the basics of it apply to today as well.

Saylor sets this tale of ancient Rome beautifully, making me believe I'm there---I can feel the breeze off the sea, the warmth of the baths, taste the food, and fear a man with the power to destroy. A man is who so singleminded, so content with his own theories that he'll condemn a hundred people to promote his own ambitions while ignoring the truth.

Orata's business advice is eternal; it's interesting how eternal human behavior is, no matter the year, country, philosophy…politics, ambition.

I certainly want to slip into the baths at Crassus' house in Baiae. I fell in love with what Iaia is painting in the baths. I want this mural...

Reading of ancient Rome and their myths makes the Romans come more alive, makes them real people. I do find their funeral rites peculiar what with mimes and poetry about the dead, although it does seem in keeping with the Roman mindset, still I much prefer the Jewish ritual of stories.

I do understand the reasoning behind Crassus' statement, but there's something so wrong about his buying and then educating a slave being so much more economical than hiring the services of a professional. And Fabius. He sounds like those idiots who believe that Negroes were of a lesser people, that owning them did them a favor when he talks of slaves not having legends or heroes. When he claims that being slaves, they have no moral character to be free. I find it impossible to believe that anyone can hold such imbecilic thoughts! It turns my stomach.

Interesting side story about Crassus evading certain death from Marius and Cinna by hiding in a Spanish cave.

Yeah, what was Gordianus thinking about to go down to the pier. At night. Alone…? It doesn't seem like the type of action he would normally take.

I can't say you'd enjoy the characters in this story: there are only three, maybe four, who have any real honor, but I can say you'll find it riveting.

The Story
Gordianus is given no chance to say no, and he and Eco sail off to Ancient Rome's version of the Riviera: Baiae. An important man has died, and an even more important man wants to use this opportunity to further his own political ambitions.

Only, two of the household are determined that justice be done.

The Characters
Gordianus the Finder lives on the Esquiline Hill with his adopted son, Eco, a young mute boy from Roman Blood ; Bethesda is still his slave. Belbo is his strongarmer, the house guard.

Marcus Licinius Crassus is one of the wealthiest Romans of his day and determined to ramp up his reputation. Lucius Licinius is/was Crassus' cousin and in charge of Crassus' business interests in Baiae. Gelina is his not-too-unhappy widow.

Marcus Mummius is one of Crassus' protégés with a vested interest in preserving the slaves. Well, one of them. A good military man, Mummius is very sensitive about an ancestor, Mad Mummius. Faustus Fabius is another protégé from an old, but very poor, patrician family.

Meteo is one of the household slaves. Zeno was Lucius' secretary and accountant while Alexandros had some skill with copying and simple sums although he was technically a stablehand. Apollonius is a beautiful slave who helps in the baths and has the most incredible voice.

Guests at the Villa include:
Iaia Cyzicena is an incredible artist who built her reputation painting portraits. Olympias is her assistant with a huge secret of her own. Iaia has a small villa in Cumae, but frequently stay overnight with Gelina. Sergius Orata is a builder of baths, including the incredible ones in the villa. Metrobius is a female impersonator and an old friend of Sulla's...and Gelina's. Dionysius is the resident Stoic philosopher, and an excellent lesson in not brown-nosing.

The Sibyl of Cumae "is an oracle in the Eastern sense", who speaks through her priestesses. Pompey is busy with an army in Spain.

The Cover
The cover is gorgeous: a red and gold fresco with a Greek key border separating the primary picture of three people engaging in separate actions from the upper border of painted panels.

The title is Gordianus, for he is the Arms of Nemesis.

[Doros Lesesofa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sehr spannender Krimi aus dem alten Rom.
Nebenbei erfährt man einiges über die Sklaverei.

[Chiggins1066 · Rating 4 out of 5]

Steven Saylor succeeds where many writers of historical fiction fail, largely because of strong character development and the ability to make ancient society seem natural -not just a picturesque backdrop. While the murder mystery is entertaining and keeps your attention, it is the little details; political intrigues, conflicting philosophies, and secondary events such as the Spartacan slave revolt, which bring this novel to life. Gordianus is a true Roman, with the sensibilities of a Roman citizen. He does not come accross as a 21st century sleuth transported into a different age.
I was delighted that many actual figures from Roman history are featured in Saylor's novels; Cicero, Marcus Crassus, Pompey, etc.
Highly recommended -and certainly consider Saylor's other Roman novels as well.

[Trish · Rating 5 out of 5]

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!

[Inês Beato · Rating 3 out of 5]

Mais um livro bastante agradável de Steven Saylor! Devo dizer que esta mistura de policial com Roma Antiga fascina-me, bem como a personagem principal, Geordiano, o descobridor! Nesta obra, passada em plena revolta dos escravos liderada por Spartacus, o protagonista terá de descobrir quem matou o primo de, nem mais nem menos, Marco Crasso! Considerado talvez o homem mais rico que o império conheceu e que mais tarde viria a derrotar Spartacus com o seu exército particular, Crasso tem um papel preponderante no desenrolar da história. No entanto, e apesar de se ler bem e de o livro estar, no geral, bastante bem escrito, sinto que faltou um pouco mais ação e uma trama mais complexa, o que fez com que não apreciasse tanto este como o primeiro da série Roma Sub Rosa.

Pontuação: 3.5/5

[Read By Kyle · Rating 4 out of 5]

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.

[Fernando Gonzalo Pellico · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mientras Espartaco y los suyos atemorizan Roma con su revuelta, en Bayas, en la villa de Craso, un hombre ha sido asesinado. De las pesquisas de Gordiano depende la vida de 99 esclavos, que son una simple propiedad.

Una vez más, una obra maestra. Los personajes históricos responden bien a las fuentes que tenemos y el misterio está muy bien armado.

[Chaoskuss · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was so good, I devoured it within a single day.
Of all periods of Roman history, the late republic and the years leading to the civil wars have to be my favourite.
Saylor masterfully wove Spartacus' uprising, Pompey's and Crassus' rivalry and the shadow of Marius and Sulla into his story.
It also offered a really interesting discussion about slavery in ancient Rome and its cruelty without hiding behind a "But everyone did it and it was normal!"

Arms of Nemesis might be considered an old book, but it is definitely not outdated. I bet if Saylor published it today, some would even "
accuse him of being "woke".
Saylor casually represents disability, women in respected positions, homosexuality and the ethnic diversity within the Roman Republic.
Sulla's love for men like the actor Metrobius is not silenced, but admitted, without making it either appear as "perverse" nor trying to make Sulla a better person because of it. Saylor excells at writing queer people as what they are: Actual people.
I do think my favourite part of the novel was Crassus' right hand man and commander Mummius and his relationship to Crassus' slave Apollonius.
My guy really developed a moral conscience (kinda at least) and redeemed himself because he wanted to save this pretty, kind Greek slave who gives him nice massages, from certain death.
In the end, the gays are happy, Gordianus and Eco are happy, the murder mystery reached a satisfying conclusion - so I am happy 😌

[Debra · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm glad I got into the series. I'm learning a lot about a time in history I knew little about and getting some page-turning mystery with the bargain. On to the next one!

[Centaures i marmetines · Rating 3 out of 5]

El llibre pertany a la sèrie Roma Sub Rosa on el personatge principal és en "Gordiano el Sabueso", un detectiu privat de gran prestigi i que conviurà, de manera directa o indirecta amb la seva feina, amb diversos personatges famosos de l'època: Craso, Sila, Ciceró, Juli Cèsar... A més a més, si es va seguint la sèrie, s'anirà veient com va variant l'entorn de Gordiano, família directa, esclaus, companys de professió, etc.

En aquest cas en concret, haurà de resoldre el cas d'un assassinat de l'amo d'una vila romana on els principals sospitosos són dos esclaus just cosa que succeeix al mateix temps de la revolta d'Espàrtac que amenaça l'estabilitat i l'estat de Roma. I ho haurà de fer en qüestió de poc temps, ja que Craso, lligat de l'assassinat, ja ha organitzat la sentència a mort de tots els esclaus de la vila emparant-se en una antiga llei que permet desfer-se'n d'aquesta manera quan un d'ells és el culpable de l'assassinat el seu amo.

Em sembla una molt bona idea, la de "crear" un detectiu, que resol els casos amb intel·ligència i enginy (que em recorda molt a la dels detectius londinencs de principi de se
gle XX) i que la seva vida corregués paral·lela a la dels homes del moment de la República romana del segle I abans de Crist, així com la peculiar família del protagonista.

Més a: https://www.centauresimarmetines.cat/...

[rachel selene · Rating 3 out of 5]

several times while reading this book i had the thought “why am i still reading this book” and that sentiment has lingered upon finishing. the worldbuilding is exquisite and i loved the descriptions of baiae and villa architecture and elite dining customs, but as with book one, characterization was very underwhelming to me — actually more so here than book one. there’s also an odd balance being struck between (1) exploring the violent, appalling cogs of roman slaveholding in a compelling way and (2) exploring slaveholding in a manner that almost felt… twee? the epilogue was SO twee, and i think a better distinction could have been made where the pov narration felt true to a free roman man’s attitude towards slavery without the overarching narration also being like “look at what a happy ending this is for everyone.” because it was not! however i love the roman republic and i am going to keep reading these books because i have to get to the one with clodia and catullus and caelius in it. i’m going to persevere for Them

[Ivana Richards · Rating 4 out of 5]

A brilliant mystery with a clever and plausible solution. Gordianus and Eco are both very well written, and Crassus and Metrobius seem to be very acurately portrayed too. The fictional characters that populate the villa the book is set in are all worthy of being suspects. While the Spartacus revolt rumbles along in the background, it does little to heighten the tension, however.
As with 'Roman Blood', the historical accuracy in this book makes Roman life a character in itself. The description of the Roman galley is particularly stunning. Recommended for readers of Agatha Christie-style murder mysteries, and Roman history buffs. i'll look forward to the next one of his on my list .

[Simon B · Rating 4 out of 5]

A well researched and faithful historical novel you say? I'm interested. A well researched and faithful historical novel set in the late Roman Republic you say? I'm intrigued. A well researched and faithful historical novel set in the late Roman Republic about a private investigator who solves murder mysteries in an entertaining manner you say? I'll unrepentantly commit unspeakable crimes to read such a book asap.

[Logan · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 stars
This is essentially an Agatha Christie mystery novel set in Ancient Rome, a particular time I am fascinated by. I loved the detective formula, with the unique setting near modern day Naples. The atmosphere was perfectly described and the characters were all intriguing.
For me, this series (so far) is second only to the Matthew Shardlake for best in the historical mystery genre.

[Rachel · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was entertaining enough whilst I was reading it, but I found myself reluctant to pick it up again once I had put it down.
Well researched, but the actual mystery wasn't particularly riveting.
This is the second book in the series, I enjoyed the first one, so I'll give number 3 a go at some point to see if I want to continue.

[Ram · Rating 3 out of 5]

Another detective book with the same main character as the previous
Roman Blood


A murder, an investigation and a glimpse into the life of Romans of all levels.

While I found some of the descriptions of Roman life interesting, I did not care too much for all the religious and mythical parts of the book.
The detective part was not as impressive as the first book either.

[Lisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great follow up to ‘Roman Blood’. Once again, I found myself completely swept up in the central murder mystery and fully immersed in the ancient Roman world. These books are so well written and very, very entertaining. I can’t wait to read the next book in the series.