Rating: 
Summary: No one who buys it will be disappointed
Review: This is the kind of book that hopefully will have a self-selecting audience. It's a detective story set in ancient Rome. It doesn't make any pretensions, but it works. There is no clumsiness in the writing; the dialogue isn't overly hokey. There is a decent amount of good historical information about life in ancient Rome. The plot is well paced and there are just enough plot twists to keep you guessing. However, anyone who buys the book looking for something more will be deeply disappointed. Accept it for what it is and enjoy.
Rating: 
Summary: VERY GOOD, WORTHWHILE
Review: I enjoyed ROMAN BLOOD, mainly the characters, aristocrats, patricians and slaves. But the plot moving along left some things to be desired, such as what happened to Eco's mother. And it also kind of plodded along, the ending was good. I will continue reading Mr. Saylors books. I very much liked the main character.
Rating: 
Summary: Historical continuity great, however a fair novel
Review: Steven Saylor does a well-informed and colorful job of writing a mystery set in the historical context of ancient Rome, but that's about the only place this book has high merit. Those with good knowledge of Roman history and culture will certainly admire tha, at least. If you're not interested in the great job it does with these details, the plot will probably confuse, bore, or disgust you. The title is appropriate, there's lots of blood; and sex, and danger, and all the grimy aspects of a murder mystery novel. The ending is really good, though, and after making it all the way through the book I ended up glad that I had. Nonetheless, it was not an exceptional book, and in a number of instances, offensive. Unsuitable for young or unsuspecting readers. For those classicals with respect for Cicero, he is done amazing justice considering the standard the rest of the book has.
Rating: 
Summary: ROMAN BLOOD
Review: Roman Blood is a great mystery set in the time of the roman republic. It has suspense and a good cast of characters to make the story unfold in a deliberate way. Gordianus who is the main character in the story is called by Cicero the young adovate and orator to investigate the murder of Sextus Roscius' father. Gordianus is called the finder because of his unique way in finding clues to solve mysteries. His main concern is always to find the truth no matter where it leads to. The story kept me entertained by the well thought out investigations and storytelling. I felt like I was transform back to the time of ancient rome with the descriptive locations of the city such as buildings and monuments. Even the conclusion had me surprise by its ending. Overall if you are looking for a good mystery check out roman blood you won't regret it.
Rating:
Summary: A quick read
Review: I've been reading a lot of mystery novels lately so I'm rating this one in comparison to others. What it has going for it: historical data, humour, sex (straight and gay), and strong sense of location What it lacks: craft, clever dialogue Still, it's an enjoyable weekend read but don't read it if you have better things to do.
Rating:
Summary: very good
Review: well-paced, nicely worked in details of life in ancient Rome that bring it alive - feels like walking down the busy streets of some well-known cityand in true genre tradition, you've got to pay attention for the clues!
Rating:
Summary: EXCELLENT!
Review: Roman Blood, specifically, is an excellent book which weaves Roman life and tradition into a complex mystery. Entertaining and informative all in one. A definate must for anyone! Read it...you will NOT be dissapointed.
Rating:
Summary: The Book was Great
Review: everyone who loves action books should read this one. If you are under 18 do not read this because there is a lot of explicit sexual content.The number of people involved in this book relates so much to history and you get sucked in when your reading it.
Rating:
Summary: a terrific book, part of a terrific series
Review: Steven Saylor's Roma Sub Rosa series is wonderful for the exploration of character, for the mysteries (of course), and for bringing Ancient Rome to life. The descriptions of Rome made me feel like I was walking through a city teeming with life, people, sights, sounds, smells. The novels seem to become more complex as the series goes on. Roman Blood, the first novel in the series, is the most straight-forward murder mystery. Arms of Nemesis puts Gordianus under pressure with a time limit, and looks at the way slaves fit into Roman society. Catalina's Riddle takes place on a farm, in the midst of a possible revolution. The Venus Throw involves, scandal, politics and an examination of morals. I haven't read the other books yet, but I have ordered them. I heartily recommend this series.
Rating:
Summary: Decent book; not top-tier but worth reading
Review: This is a decent, well-written mystery. It's not a top-tier mystery, but good enough that I intend to buy more of Saylor's work. The Roman setting was interesting because it seemed realistic, and the plot pacing was good. I wish the main character's motivations were a little better drawn, though. It seems he's motivated largely by needing to earn a living and enhance his social class, which is a perfectly normal motivation in any era, but a little bit pedestrian. I'd like to see him face and resolve some morally complex situations, which would not only be interesting in its own right, but give us a chance to know him and empathize with him more deeply. After all, one can only learn so much about a character by seeing him resolve the standard "two goons waiting for him in an alley" crisis. I also think the attack on Ronald Reagan was unwarranted and undisciplined. It was self-indulgent on the author's part to force the reader to react to a contemporary political statement when the natural thing for a reader to be doing at that phase of the book is to be thinking about the resolution of the plot.
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