Rating: 
Summary: Good Historical Fiction
Review: "Rubicon" is a brisk, absorbing read, one of the better popular historical novels set in ancient Rome during the lifetime of Julius Caesar. Saylor knows how to tell a story well, and he keeps his murder-mystery plots moving efficiently along. He creates interesting characters and credible conflicts and difficulties for them. This particular novel in Saylor's excellent Rome series is not the strongest, but it was certainly enjoyable. The main problem for this one is that Saylor leaves the mystery behind far too long in one stretch of the book, almost forgetting the murder with which his story began. In fact, Saylor's retelling of the story of Pompey's strategic retreat from Rome after Julius Caesar crosses the Rubicon has greater drama than solving the murder of Pompey's nephew. Saylor can't quite make these parts of the story adhere in a completely satisfying way. But I am certainly not complaining. Saylor has given us another fine story of Rome during the fascinating Civil War. His presentation of daily life in Rome is always aptly detailed and engrossing. He also has given this story a bit of philosophical depth by focusing closely at times on the psychology of the series' "detective", Gordianus the Finder. Moreover, the chapters on the battle at Brundisium, in which Pompey barely succeeded in escaping Caesar's fearsome army by fleeing across the Adriatic, are a compelling addition to the massive historical literature on the Roman Civil War. Overall, well done, Mr. Saylor. "Rubicon" does not rise to literature, but it certainly is good historical fiction.
Rating:
Summary: Good Historical Fiction
Review: "Rubicon" is a brisk, absorbing read, one of the better popular historical novels set in ancient Rome during the lifetime of Julius Caesar. Saylor knows how to tell a story well, and he keeps his murder-mystery plots moving efficiently along. He creates interesting characters and credible conflicts and difficulties for them. This particular novel in Saylor's excellent Rome series is not the strongest, but it was certainly enjoyable. The main problem for this one is that Saylor leaves the mystery behind far too long in one stretch of the book, almost forgetting the murder with which his story began. In fact, Saylor's retelling of the story of Pompey's strategic retreat from Rome after Julius Caesar crosses the Rubicon has greater drama than solving the murder of Pompey's nephew. Saylor can't quite make these parts of the story adhere in a completely satisfying way. But I am certainly not complaining. Saylor has given us another fine story of Rome during the fascinating Civil War. His presentation of daily life in Rome is always aptly detailed and engrossing. He also has given this story a bit of philosophical depth by focusing closely at times on the psychology of the series' "detective", Gordianus the Finder. Moreover, the chapters on the battle at Brundisium, in which Pompey barely succeeded in escaping Caesar's fearsome army by fleeing across the Adriatic, are a compelling addition to the massive historical literature on the Roman Civil War. Overall, well done, Mr. Saylor. "Rubicon" does not rise to literature, but it certainly is good historical fiction.
Rating:
Summary: All Roads Lead The Finder Home
Review: "Rubicon" is a fun read.The only other Saylor book I have read so far is "A Murder on the Appian Way" which quite frankly is not half as good as "Rubicon". On the other hand reading "A Murder on the Appian Way" before reading "Rubicon" is a good idea, as the earlier book details the political situation and interrelation of the characters. I plan to go back to the start of Saylor's series of books and work my way through in order. I'm looking forward to a pleasant season of easy yet informative pleasure reading.
Rating:
Summary: Rubicon is worth crossing
Review: After a rather lame novel ("A murder on the Appian way")comes this sequel that really picks-up the spirit of the series. No lengthy narratives either; unlike the rest of them, it jumps right in: Gordianus finds a corpse in his own garden, and no one seems to know who might have possibly committed the crime. Even the watchful Minerva seems oblivious. Gordianus is thus drawn into a saga of lies, deception, blackmail and brutal war. The story centers itself on Caesar's famous crossing of the Rubicon river, at the north of Italy, an event that precipitated the civil war that would, eventually, make him Caesar of the vast Roman Empire. Once more, Gordianus's involvement is mainly personal: Pompey has given him an order to find the murderer of Numerious - a distant relative and the character found strangled in Gordianus's garden. Until this is accomplished, he'll take Diana's husband, Davus, as a guarantee with him to the front. Needless to say, Gordianus's daughter is devastated and so is everyone else. Readers will be surprised at the actions of Gordianus - quite shocking, as in one of the previous novels; but that would be telling. Then again, what wouldn't anyone do for one's own family, especially if one's the head of it? Dare to cross this Rubicon.
Rating: 
Summary: The Darker Days of Rome
Review: Another great entry in the Roman Sub Rosa series, Rubicon starts out a bit slow but ends with many surprises and is more of a cliff-hanger than any of Saylor's previous novels. Things get darker as Gordianus gets older, and his perspective on life changes with age. I like to give myself a bit of time between these novels to "cleanse my palate" with other books, but this time I don't know how long I can hold out until picking up "Massilia." If you think you know how this one will turn out, you will be in for quite a shock.
Rating:
Summary: The Darker Days of Rome
Review: Another great entry in the Roman Sub Rosa series, Rubicon starts out a bit slow but ends with many surprises and is more of a cliff-hanger than any of Saylor's previous novels. Things get darker as Gordianus gets older, and his perspective on life changes with age. I like to give myself a bit of time between these novels to "cleanse my palate" with other books, but this time I don't know how long I can hold out until picking up "Massilia." If you think you know how this one will turn out, you will be in for quite a shock.
Rating:
Summary: Rubicon
Review: Even readers not drawn to historical settings should explore Saylor's impressive series (Murder on the Appian Way, etc.) set in ancient Rome. Saylor's protagonist, Gordianus the Finder, whom Cicero characterizes as "the most honest man in Rome," is an astute citizen and a detective for the Senate. An independent thinker, Gordianus has freed his slaves, marrying one, and adopted several orphans whom he has raised as his own sons. But at 61, the wily Gordianus finds his survival instincts pushed to the utmost, for Rome is on the verge of civil war and all must be careful with their alliances. Caesar has crossed the Rubicon with his army, and his rival, Pompey, the head of the Roman Senate, is about to abandon the city, leaving its citizens without laws and protection. In the midst of this turmoil, Pompey's favorite cousin and trusted courier is murdered in Gordianus's garden. Infuriated, Pompey orders the sleuth to find the killer, insuring his loyalty by impressing one of Gordianus's relatives into his own army. While Gordianus copes with this treacherous mix of family and politics, a heightened frenzy overtakes Rome as it awaits Caesar's possible invasion. Saylor writes about ancient Rome as naturally and comfortably as if he had lived there, capturing both its glory and brutality. Finely shadowed characters and an action-packed finale make this a praiseworthy addition to a series that deserves wide attention. Agent, Alan Nevins; author tour.
Rating: 
Summary: There have been better.
Review: I found this book very disappointing, compared to the rest of his series. It is too lacking in detail and short to be really interesting as a novel, and the mystery was too predictable. In timepiece fiction, such as this, I find myself looking for the historical details. ('Roman Blood', 'Catilina's Riddle', 'The Venus Throw' and 'A Murder on the Appian Way' all offer a very clever thesis on famous Roman scandals, and involve many subplots.) 'Rubicon' is very straight and narrow, almost like reading a timeline with dialogue. Also Caesar's lovey dovey relationship with Meto is a little far reaching, homosexuality aside, Caesar publicly aimed high.
Rating:
Summary: Fans of the Roma Sub Rosa books will be genuinely surprised.
Review: I have been reading all of Steven Saylor's "Roma Sub Rosa" novels (featuring the First Century BC detective Gordianus the Finder) since he began publishing them nearly a decade ago. The historical background for the series is superbly researched, and the reader inevitably learns much about Ancient Rome. Moreover, the plots and characters are intricate and compelling. With "Rubicon" Saylor has reached a new level, delving deeper into Gordianus's soul than he has ever done before. And Saylor has done something which is very difficult for the author of a series to accomplish -- in "Rubicon" he genuinely surprises the reader. I would urge people, however, to first read the other novels in the "Roma Sub Rosa" cycle before approaching "Rubicon," so that they better understand Gordianus and his family.
Rating:
Summary: Intriguing Tale for "Roma Sub Rosa"holics
Review: I have now (hopelessly addicted) read all (but one) of the Roma Sub Rosa series featuring the charming, warmly human Roman gumshoe, Gordianus the Finder, and would place this one in the middle of the pack. The back-drop is spectacular - Rome is on the brink of civil war, with Julius Caesar's troops having crossed the Rubicon into Northern Italy to meet Pompey the Great's forces amassed in the south of Italy. Rome is a shambles, a city on the brink of utter dissolution, and amidst the atrocities about to blossom, Pompey's nephew is strangled in Gordianus' own house. The solution of this particular mystery takes on enormously personal import for Gordianus and his family. And it's a really, really, fun ride...but, I have to quibble with one point - while I know that the fun of these novels is really the characters (who are rich, funny, crass, and totally alive), and the vivid historical setting, not the mystery per se - the resolution of this one felt like a cheat. To the author's credit, out of the 6 Gordianus books I've read, this is the only one that doesn't feel like it resolves believably. But it is still a grand read - as much for the development of the characters I have come to know and love from the other books in the series. I applaud Saylor for allowing his characters to age believably, and to grow and change with time. I can't wait to read "Last Seen in Massilia". Note to Steven Saylor: Write faster!
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