Customer Reviews
Addictively Predictable. - By: Mr. R. Coleman, 18 Nov 2008 
Though this book was published far laterin the series, the novel actually fitsin at number twoin the timeline of Saylor's novels about the adventures of Gordianus `The Finder', & his familyin ancient Rome. Well, that is until he publishes another back-history story, that is so frustrating to some readers.
The book is mainly a collection of short stories, set during the time period between the books `Roman Blood' & `Catalina's Riddle', which fill out some of the eventsin Gordianus's life, that the author felt needed filling in.
The stories themselves, whilst entertaining & filled with all the history that Saylor has researched & come to be praised for, are however far too predictable for my own liking. Indeed I found myself far more reading the short story to confirm who the `perpetrator' was, rather than waiting for some suspense filled ending. Maybe unlike other booksin the series the author did not have enough pages to fill them out more, for the book is only about 300 pages, & the stories themselves only about 50 pagesin length.
Maybe, also his other fiction has prepared me too well on Roman society & the devious lengths that the patricians will go to raising their profile within the Forum or the Political world, or for that matter just for their own greed !
Overall, a smooth, enjoyable book & one that would encourage me to further read more Saylor novels, but far too predictable. Those out there who like his style of writing will enjoy it, as will those who like to read about this periodin history. 4 out of 5.
The Sixth book in the Sub Rosa Series - By: J. Chippindale, 23 May 2007 
Steven Saylor's fascination with Ancient Rome began at an early age. A history graduate & former newspaper & magazine editor, he livesin Berkeley, California. His series of books about Ancient Rome & featuring Gordianus the Finder are extremely popular both herein England & alsoin America. Anyone who is a fan of Lindsey Davis will love these books too. Steven Saylor brings Ancient Rome to life, so much so that the reader can lose himselfin the sights & sounds of the ancient city.
Gordianus the Finder, the investigator of crimes, a man whose skill & integrity have made him much sought after by some of the most important menin Rome. Men who may need a secret to be kept, men who need to know that when Gordianus is working for them he will be discreet & not susceptible to bribery.
This is a collection of nine short stories featuring Gordianus the Finder. I am not really a fan of short stories, preferring something that I can get my `teeth into.' But I did find these very entertaining & enjoyable & what they do achieve is that they help to fillin the gaps that are left by the longer novels. We learn a little more about Gordianus's slave, Bethesda, who has now become his wife & some of the many other details skimmed overin the novels. For those who love the Saylor books this is well worth reading.
The Sixth Book in the Sub Rosa Series - By: J. Chippindale, 23 Dec 2006 Steven Saylor's fascination with Ancient Rome began at an early age. A history graduate & former newspaper & magazine editor, he livesin Berkeley, California. His series of books about Ancient Rome & featuring Gordianus the Finder are extremely popular both herein England & alsoin America. Anyone who is a fan of Lindsey Davis will love these books too. Steven Saylor brings Ancient Rome to life, so much so that the reader can lose himselfin the sights & sounds of the ancient city.
Gordianus the Finder, the investigator of crimes, a man whose skill & integrity have made him much sought after by some of the most important menin Rome. Men who may need a secret to be kept, men who need to know that when Gordianus is working for them he will be discreet & not susceptible to bribery.
This is a collection of nine short stories featuring Gordianus the Finder. I am not really a fan of short stories, preferring something that I can get my `teeth into.' But I did find these very entertaining & enjoyable & what they do achieve is that they help to fillin the gaps that are left by the longer novels. We learn a little more about Gordianus's slave, Bethesda, who has now become his wife & some of the many other details skimmed overin the novels. For those who love the Saylor books this is well worth reading.
A great collection - By: John Hopper, 16 Dec 2006 A great collection of short stories from,in my view, the master of Roman murder mystery fiction - interesting, amusing & at times horrible & grotesque. A great read.
Steven Saylor continues educating us - By: jclayton@wanadoo.es, 06 Oct 2000 This book is a series of short adventures, wich could be placed between "Roman Blood" & "Arms of Nemesis". I have personally read all of Saylors books, except the late "Last seenin Massilia", wich I hope to read soon. I have enloyed reading all of his books so much, i can't wait.
If you have read some of his books, you will know of his friend Claudius, Catilina's adventurein the house of vestals, the Alexandrian mob after the killer of a cat, etc. Well, here you have the stories, some of when Gordianus was a young man.
I very much like his writing, & the mistery is always, & i do mean always, kept to the end. The reason i don't give it 5 stars, is because i cant place this book over any of his other novels. Impossible. It is after all, only of short stories, no matter how good they are.
