Rating: 
Summary: Disappointing
Review: I was a big fan of Steven Saylor's Roman mysteries, so I eagerly anticipated reading his latest installment, "A Murder on the Appian Way." Unfortunately, the book was excruciatingly dull and I kept waiting for the story to unfold. Saylor goes into great detail to explain Roman government, which may be interesting, but only if there is a plot in which to place it. Nothing at all happened in the first third of the book, and I realized I was forcing myself to keep reading. Then I put the book aside. I may try again later. But now I can only ask Steven Saylor: What happened
Rating: 
Summary: Superb Mystery, subtle wit and a good history lesson as well
Review: In "A Murder on the Appian Way", Saylor takes the reader on a ride through some turbulent times in Rome, using his subtle humor and wit to a most satisfying conclusion. In this novel, Rome is the battleground for the rival gangs of the populist politician Publius Clodius, and his political enemy Titus Milos. Clodius is murdered on the Appian Way under mysterious circumstances and Milo is accused of the crime. The city explodes and the skills of Gordianus the Finder and his unique family are brought out to expose the truth -- which just possibly is not what anyone wants to know! A most compelling addition to Saylor's continuing Roma Sub Rosa series
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Summary: Follow Gordianus the Finder as he searches for truth.
Review: Murder on the Appian Way is a compelling novel of ancient Rome. Murder... follows a story of Gordianus the Finder as he hunts for clues and looks for what really happened on the Appian Way. Murder... starts out action packed and gets the reader wanting for more. Although compelling Murder... ,like other Saylor novels, gets boring at times with the politics of ancient Rome. Any type of reader can enjoy Murder... , the Saylor enthusiast or the history buff. Saylor articulates just as a Roman rhetorical expert. In Murder... a Roman consul is murdered, well, on the Appian Way. Gordianus is hired by many to investigate the case. Tha unsesuptible Gordianus ,who has no real political affiliation, is a friend of many, often on other sides of the spectrum. While on his fact finding mission Gordianus just found out too much and along with his son, Eco was kidnapped. At this point in the book I could not put it down, What will happen to the lovable Gordianus?!?! Books read in school are usually forced, but I enjoyed it anyway!
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Summary: Saylor creates another suspensful success!
Review: Murder on the Appian Way is a great way of transporting directly to the Roman culture. Saylor captures the Roman family life with greatness. The book was captivating from the very beginning. From the very first page I was excited by the action of the mysterious murder of Clodius. Gordianus' search for the truth was what brought my attention immediately. I was on the edge of my seat to see if Gordianus and his trusty sidekick son, Eco, was able to find out the mystery which linked him to the murder of Clodius and the infamous Milo. I got caught up into the book so much that I lost sleep. I felt like Gordianus when reading this because I too wanted to know the real truth. The book has many aspects to it; you can take which ever path you choose. You can take the family life path or the murder mystery path or even get caught up in the famous people of Rome and what they may be like. I would definitely recommend this excellent book to anyone who enjoys mystery or history; Saylor mixes both phenomenaly.
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Summary: This book is a wild ride where nothing is as it seems
Review: My name is Jon and I am a juniuor at Walsh Jesuit High School. In our Latin Class, we have just finished reading the captivating novel, "A Murder on the Appian Way," by Steven Saylor. As a project on this story, we are to take ten pictures depicting a scene or showing an overview of the story. This project will be quite interesting because this book is filled with amazing descriptions and absolutely superb writing. This amazing book swept me up in a sea of mysteries and scandals and showed how the persistance of one man(Gordianus) can ultimately lead to the truth. This story revolved around a clash between enemies that resulted in the death of a high-born citizen in the republic. Although many stories were told about how the fight that caused Clodius'(the man that was murdured's) death, Gordianus was sent to find the truth to what really happened. Through his many explorations, and his questioning of the few eye-witnesses, Gordianus begans to put a story together about what really happened. However, this story is just a decoy for the outrageous truth. Gordianus becomes involved in a mystery that will even test his ability to find the truth. In this absolutely magnificent story, Gordianus will take you on a wild ride where everyone is hiding something and where nothing is as it seems. I recomend this book to anyone who enjoys a good mystery with a suprise ending. Also, even if you don't care for mysteries, this book has many other qualities that make it a perfect book for anyone and everyone to read.
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Summary: Mystery and intrigue abound. A captivating novel.
Review: Once again, Steven Saylor has given all of us readers a magnificent novel of ancient Rome. Not only is the plot line completely enthralling, but it's consistent with ancient writers' accounts of the events described within. Appreciated are the insertions of historically famous figures whom Saylor continually portrays in a more human light than textbooks, right down to their flaws and idiosyncrosies. As always, numerous plot twists, a myriad of characters, and humor in the least expected places keep the story moving. These twists, however, are sometimes disappointing for the sake of keeping with historical accounts. Necessary though they are, they can be disappointing for story purposes. For this reason, I found the book slightly less enjoyable than Catilina's Riddle or Roman Blood. It is, nevertheless, part of an excellent series and a powerful novel in its own right. I would recommend Murder on the Appian Way to any fan of mystery or Roman history or just anyone looking for a good way to pass an afternoon.
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Summary: Death,Destruction,Sex--It doesn't get any better!
Review: Overall, I thought the book was good, but I felt that there were a few areas that needed some help. First, I thought the the book was too political. I felt that the novel needed a few more detached experiences and adventures. I also thought the ending came about too abruptly. There wasn't much explaination on what will become of the characters in the future. Finally, I also disliked the whole fact-finding approach. The overall investigations and searches were good, but I thought that they became a little monotonous in the end. It seemed as though the same information was revealed over and over again. Now to get onto the positive parts of the book. I especially liked the destructions and the riots because they created a mood of chaos and disorder. I also liked the overall mystery regarding Clodius and thought the truth was withheld tactfully until the very end. Finally, the kidnapping and the whole experience with Davus were excellent additions to book because they provided sidebar suspense to keep the overall plot interesting. I would definitly recommend this book to people that like mysteries that are twisted in with the politics of Rome. I think this book presents a very good representation of the corrupt politics in Rome, and I think that it would be an excellent additions to and Rome-lover's library. I would recommend reading Steven Saylor's others books first in order to get a good introduction on the main characters.
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Summary: Roman history made easy by Saylor..
Review: Perhaps more so than in his previous novels, A Murder on the Appian Way by Steven Saylor is really the telling of an historical (and epoch-making) event in ancient Rome with just a bit of fiction to sew it all together. Our fictional sleuth Gordianus does very little here, which is sort of a shame (..in previous Saylor novels we've grown to love him and his family). But the reader does gain a lot of insight to what made ancient Rome the way it was, for better or worse.The actual murder (of Clodius) on Applian way is not terribly interesting ... it's more of a reckless accident. But the political turmoil it creates is most interesting, and ultimately very upsetting to the Roman citizenry. Many readers might find all this political in-fighting to rather dull, which is understandable. However Saylor fans who have already read through his previous works should find it to be interesting enough. Bottom line: historical fiction that is heavy on history, light on fiction. Not Saylor's best, but the events told were truly historical. Recommended.
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Summary: An absorbing brew of Rome's decay and a search for truth.
Review: Saylor has struck gold with his book A Murder On the Appian Way! It is a rivetting book with a twist at every turn. Saylor portrays very well the growing decay of Rome and the one man that seems to be apart from this body, Gordianus the Finder. There is incredible turmoil released in the city of Rome after the people have found the body of Publius Clodius, dead. After, the city is in a state of extreme riot, and something must be done. Gordianus and his son, Eco, are hired to get to the bottom of the matter, for the truth shall set Rome free. There journey for the truth brings about many adventures, and the two befriend several important people. When there seems to be no hope, Pompey the Great is elected to govern the city and restore order until the next consular election. I liked A Murder on the Appian Way much better than the last book I read of his, Catilina's Riddle. There is more action and a much more unpredictable plot. I felt a mixed emotion of suspense, sympathy, and joy continually throughout the book, without end. I highly recommend this book to a reader of any preference, whether it be mystery, action, or suspense.
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Summary: It was the best of times and the worst of times in Rome!
Review: Saylor makes history fun in his exciting novel "Muder On the Appian Way." Combining the ancient culture of Rome with an adventuous and creative storyline makes learning more enjoyable. I thought that, like the prequel "Catalina's Riddle", Saylor's book was fun and unpredictable. The story keeps you guessing at who was where, when and why! The story kept me wanting to read because I truely felt like I connected in some way to the book. Every time Bethesda, the mother of Eco, Meto and Diana and wife of Gordianus, is brought up in the story, she always reminds me of my own mother. - caring and occasionally worrisome. Saylor not only provided a great mystery story, he also developed the characters to a point where you, the reader, can almost feel like they know the person. I would definately reccomend this book and any of Steven Saylor's book to anyone!
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