Rating: 
Summary: short whodunit stories from a writer of historical novels
Review: Roaming the Internet a couple of months ago I stumbled across "The House of the Vestals", a new title by Steven Saylor. Ordering the book via Amazon.com was a new experience and proved to be both simple and efficient. During my holidays in Italy - where else - I found the time to read this collection of short stories that provides us with some answers as to how Gordianus, the main character in Saylor's "Roma Sub Rosa" sequel, got his nickname "the Finder". "Roma Sub Rosa" is set in the period in Western history wherein ancient Rome was getting ready to change its government from a tormented republic to an long-lasting empire. Saylor has a broad knowledge of the era and has the ability to remodel hints in history, mostly concerning events on the byways of time, to breath-taking mysteries. Saylor's books are interesting in that they provide the reader with more than just a whodunit plot. They alo give a lot of insight in both the po! litics and everyday life in Rome around 50 B.C. Saylor evidently needs all the pages of a novel to elaborate both a gripping plot and the historical setting. He isn't able to do this within the confines of a short story. Sure, it's all there: the humor, sex and violence that the cover promises. But each plot of "House of the Vestals" is so thin that it left me with a feeling of "is that all there is?". Still, I am looking forward to his next novel.
Rating: 
Summary: breezy, enjoyable stories; consider them Saylor-Light
Review: The House Of The Vestals is very enjoyable collage of ancient Roman mystery stories loosely based on either real history or ancient folklore. And somehow Saylor's irrepressable private eye, Gordianus, winds up being a bit like Forrest Gump - he always finds himself in the middle of this historic events. All the stories are rather trifling and forgettable, but somehow very readable and enjoyable. Saylor has a very light and breezy style to his prose. And unlike his other Gordianus novels, this collection of short stories does not get bogged down with explanations of Roman history ... and so even folks who might have found Saylor's other works to be a bit dry will like The House Of The Vestals.Bottom line: perfectly enjoyable Roman fluff. Recommended.
Rating:
Summary: breezy, enjoyable stories; consider them Saylor-Light
Review: The House Of The Vestals is very enjoyable collage of ancient Roman mystery stories loosely based on either real history or ancient folklore. And somehow Saylor's irrepressable private eye, Gordianus, winds up being a bit like Forrest Gump - he always finds himself in the middle of this historic events. All the stories are rather trifling and forgettable, but somehow very readable and enjoyable. Saylor has a very light and breezy style to his prose. And unlike his other Gordianus novels, this collection of short stories does not get bogged down with explanations of Roman history ... and so even folks who might have found Saylor's other works to be a bit dry will like The House Of The Vestals. Bottom line: perfectly enjoyable Roman fluff. Recommended.
Rating:
Summary: A good selection of short stories
Review: These collection of short stories by Steven Saylor add new insights into the character of Gordianus the finder as he begins his investigating career in ancient Rome. His early relationship with Lucius Claudius and Beshesda are done well in the confines of these stories and add the missing link between his other books.
Rating: 
Summary: Terrific as usual for this talented author
Review: This book contains nine short stories starring the great Roman sleuth, Gordianus the Finder. All nine of the tales take place between 80 and 72 B.C. (filling the time frame between the novels ROMAN BLOOD and ARMS OF NEMESIS). Each tale in this collection (just like the novels in the Roma Sub Rosa series) includes a finely drawn mystery surrounded by an important historical event.
...... Friends, Romans, and fellow mystery buffs, lend me your ears. I come to praise Steven Saylor and his great series. Gordianus is one of the great detectives in literature today and this collection of short stories add much information on his personal life, his spouse Bethesda, his adopted son, and numerous other characters who appear in the novels. The mysteries are all superb leaving fans of historical mystery needing to read the HOUSE OF THE VESTALS and the five novels
that preceded it because this is the sub-genre at the top of its game.
......Harriet Klausner
Rating:
Summary: Great fun
Review: This collection of short mysteries all feature Gordianus from Ancient Rome. I haven't read any of Saylor's other books, so I can't connect them to his others, but I certainly am interested now. This delightful book of historical fiction is rather unique and memorable.
Rating:
Summary: Quickie Roman Holidays
Review: This collection of short stories about Gordianus the Finder, the Philip Marlow of the Roman Empire, shows how a fine hand at historical research can enliven the most traditional and well-tilled of genres. Because these tales of murder, fraud and revenge would sound familiar to those who have read enough short stories, but Saylor has recast these stories with personalities, attitudes and customs that are foreign to us, and read much fresher than they would otherwise. Take for instance there's the story of the wealthy man's son who attempts to emulate Julius Caesar's arrogant behavior when he was captured by pirates. Gordianus is hired to deliver the ransom. It is easy to tell who instigated the kidnaping and why, but the story still compels us follow the thread to the end. It helps that Gordianus is a compelling character, a man who makes a living investigating the dark side of the Roman Republic, when Julius Caesar was still a politician aspiring to become a divine dictator. He is aided sometimes by Bethesda, his Egyptian slave who sometimes acts more like his wife. Even his mute adopted son, Eco, plays a crucial role in the story of the actor murdered backstage during a performance. The Roman era has been well-served by writers such as Saylor and Lindsay Davis. For those interested in the era who haven't made Gordianus' acquaintance, this book offers an ideal introduction.
Rating:
Summary: Fill-in-the-blanks mysteries
Review: This is a collection of short stories centering around Gordianus the Finder, Saylor's Ancient Roman "detective" first featured in his novel, *Roman Blood.* Chronologically, these stories fall within the eight years separating the first novel and the second, *Arms of Nemesis.* The collection is useful in finding out what has happened in Gordianus's life in the interim (and some events which will come into play in later novels): how Gordianus met his noble friend Lucius Claudius and Belbo the bodyguard; how he decided to adopt Eco; watching Eco grow up from age 10 to 18; how Gordianus first met Catilina (featured in novel #3, *Catilina's Riddle*). There are some nice character details, such as a taste of young Gordianus during his days in Alexandria; another story which allows slave-concubine, Bethesda, to solve a mystery; and a tale (told by Bethesda) about an Egyptian king, a thief and a courtesan which may explain why Gordianus sometimes says he's not sure if he picked Bethesda for his concubine or she picked him. The stories range from simple fables to interesting mysteries and all are enjoyable--sometimes amusing, sometimes tragic, sometimes both at once. Their chief attraction for me was how they advanced the character development for the series as a whole. I like Saylor a great deal, but it is frustrating that there are such large time gaps between his novels. There's an even larger gap (nine years) between *Arms of Nemesis* and the third book, *Catilina's Riddle,* and so far nothing like *The House of the Vestals* to bridge that gap. This novel series is otherwise remarkable and entertaining, and I can only hope that Saylor will produce another collection of bridging stories soon for those of us who like to watch story and character unfold gradually.
Rating:
Summary: Fill-in-the-blanks mysteries
Review: This is a collection of short stories centering around Gordianus the Finder, Saylor's Ancient Roman "detective" first featured in his novel, *Roman Blood.* Chronologically, these stories fall within the eight years separating the first novel and the second, *Arms of Nemesis.* The collection is useful in finding out what has happened in Gordianus's life in the interim (and some events which will come into play in later novels): how Gordianus met his noble friend Lucius Claudius and Belbo the bodyguard; how he decided to adopt Eco; watching Eco grow up from age 10 to 18; how Gordianus first met Catilina (featured in novel #3, *Catilina's Riddle*). There are some nice character details, such as a taste of young Gordianus during his days in Alexandria; another story which allows slave-concubine, Bethesda, to solve a mystery; and a tale (told by Bethesda) about an Egyptian king, a thief and a courtesan which may explain why Gordianus sometimes says he's not sure if he picked Bethesda for his concubine or she picked him. The stories range from simple fables to interesting mysteries and all are enjoyable--sometimes amusing, sometimes tragic, sometimes both at once. Their chief attraction for me was how they advanced the character development for the series as a whole. I like Saylor a great deal, but it is frustrating that there are such large time gaps between his novels. There's an even larger gap (nine years) between *Arms of Nemesis* and the third book, *Catilina's Riddle,* and so far nothing like *The House of the Vestals* to bridge that gap. This novel series is otherwise remarkable and entertaining, and I can only hope that Saylor will produce another collection of bridging stories soon for those of us who like to watch story and character unfold gradually.
Rating:
Summary: Ave Saylor, legentes te salutant
Review: This is not the ultimate in literature, but the stories are vey pretty, nevertheless. The characters of Bethesda and Lucius Claudius are drawn beautifully. Without them, Gordianus the Finder would just be another oppidanus of Subura. But I do not feel that the author brought ancient Rome "to life". and he certainly did not bring history into play, except a few mentions of Caesar, Cicero and Sulla. Still, it was enjoyable light reading.
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