Rating: 
Summary: He's done it again!
Review: I have long been a fan of Steven Saylor's Roma Sub Rosa series, and it seems every book is better than the last - not an easy feat! The only reason I did not give it 4 stars is because there are 2 main mysteries in the book - 1) What happened to Meto, his son? That one was figured out fairly quickly, and 2) the woman who jumped/was pushed off Sacrifice Rock - that one became obvious a little too early also. These things aside, this was one fantastic read! Another thing I liked was that in the earlier books, there was several years elapsed between them. With this and Rubicon, (the previous book), the story picked up relatively quickly. The character of Davus, Gordianus son-in-law has also fleshed out nicely since the last few books. NOTE: If new to the series, take the time, and start from the beginning. It is essential to have the backstory on Gordianus and all the other characters, you'll be glad you did!
Rating:
Summary: He's done it again!
Review: I have long been a fan of Steven Saylor's Roma Sub Rosa series, and it seems every book is better than the last - not an easy feat! The only reason I did not give it 4 stars is because there are 2 main mysteries in the book - 1) What happened to Meto, his son? That one was figured out fairly quickly, and 2) the woman who jumped/was pushed off Sacrifice Rock - that one became obvious a little too early also. These things aside, this was one fantastic read! Another thing I liked was that in the earlier books, there was several years elapsed between them. With this and Rubicon, (the previous book), the story picked up relatively quickly. The character of Davus, Gordianus son-in-law has also fleshed out nicely since the last few books. NOTE: If new to the series, take the time, and start from the beginning. It is essential to have the backstory on Gordianus and all the other characters, you'll be glad you did!
Rating: 
Summary: Gordianus the Finder at his very finest!
Review: If you have read any of the other volumes of Steven Saylor's "Roma Sub Rosa" series, then this book is a *must read.* Story lines that showed themselves in "Rubicon" and "Catalina's Riddle" appear once again, making this one of the most fascinating historical mysteries that I have read in quite some time. Saylor leads you along, and just when you think you know where all the pieces of the puzzle lie, he reveals 'the truth' in a way that truly is both surprising and logical. The history of the conflict at Massilia, brings to life the struggle of Julius Caesar to attain rule over the Roman world. The attention paid to detail in setting this story in the Greek colony-city-state on the edge of the Gaul & Roman worlds, shows a broad spectrum of cultures at one of the most fascinating times in western classical history. As with all of Steven Saylor's works, this novel is highly recommended.
Rating:
Summary: Gordianus the Finder at his very finest!
Review: If you have read any of the other volumes of Steven Saylor's "Roma Sub Rosa" series, then this book is a *must read.* Story lines that showed themselves in "Rubicon" and "Catalina's Riddle" appear once again, making this one of the most fascinating historical mysteries that I have read in quite some time. Saylor leads you along, and just when you think you know where all the pieces of the puzzle lie, he reveals 'the truth' in a way that truly is both surprising and logical. The history of the conflict at Massilia, brings to life the struggle of Julius Caesar to attain rule over the Roman world. The attention paid to detail in setting this story in the Greek colony-city-state on the edge of the Gaul & Roman worlds, shows a broad spectrum of cultures at one of the most fascinating times in western classical history. As with all of Steven Saylor's works, this novel is highly recommended.
Rating:
Summary: an unusual yet enjoyable Roma Sub Rosa novel...
Review: In his latest Roma Sub Rosa mystery series entry starring Gordianus the Finder the author has departed from his proven formula of "heavy on mystery, heavy on history" and has given us a story that is light on mystery, heavy on history ... and a setting outside the Roman Empire. And unlike the other books in the series, there is relatively little Gordianus familial involvement. But is Last Seen in Massilia still a worthy addition to the Roma Sub Rosa series? Absolutely. In Last Seen in Massilia we have Gordianus seeking out his adopted son Meto in what is now present day Marseille (Massilia). Massilia was a Greek, walled-in city/state long before there was a Roman Empire. Over the years its government and customs evolved in most unusual ways (..no spoilers here!). Gordianus arrives in Massilia just when Caesar's troops are literally banging at its doors. Saylor does an admirable job describing this fascinating era in what must of been a very strange city. This greatly outweights for what is, unfortunately, a rather contrived plot involving our lovable sleuth Gordianus. Bottom line: a Gordianus novel filled with great Massilian atmosphere and a somewhat silly (yet still enjoyable) mystery angle. Roma Sub Rosa fans will love it.
Rating:
Summary: Great mix of mystery and history
Review: In the midst of the Roman civil war between Caesar and Pompey, Gordianus the Finder, sometimes detective for Cicero, wants to find the truth about his son, Meto. Did he really die in Massilia (now Marseilles), and if so, who killed him. As Meto was working as a double-agent for Caesar, there are plenty of suspects. Accompanied by his son-in-law, Davus, Gordianus manages to sneak into besieged Massilia through a tunnel. Once there, he finds political bickering, more information of his son's death, and sees a strange murder or suicide (he can't tell which) from the rock from which sacrifices are made. Befriended only by Hieronymus, the city's scapegoat, Gordianus wades through a swamp of lies to find the truth--no matter what the cost. Saylor makes Roman history come alive. His characters, both historical and fictional, ring true both as historical Romans, Greeks, and Gauls, but especially as humans--for all their flaws. For readers who enjoy both history and mystery, this is a must-read.
Rating:
Summary: Another Delightful Trip to Antiquity
Review: Last Seen in Massilia confirms what readers of Rubicon suspected: Saylor has given up writing mysteries in favor of straight historical dramas. True, there's lip service paid to mystery here, as Gordianus is asked to find out the truth behind a missing woman, but the mystery is secondary - even tertiary - Gordianus' own relationship with his son Meto and the fate of a city under siege by Julius Caesar's forces. As historical fiction, Last Seen in Massilia is a worthy successor to Rubicon and all the Gordianus books that came before it. Saylor's prose has become simpler over the years, and Last Seen in Massilia can be read almost as quickly as a Robert B. Parker novel, with every bit as much pleasure. Saylor has taken the siege of Massilia, a footnote in Caesar's career, and made it the backdrop of a gripping tale of intrigue and relationships gone sour. Fans of Saylor will not be disappointed, and those reading Saylor for the first time will be pleased. One truly does not have to have read the preceeding books to enjoy this one.
Rating:
Summary: Another Delightful Trip to Antiquity
Review: Last Seen in Massilia confirms what readers of Rubicon suspected: Saylor has given up writing mysteries in favor of straight historical dramas. True, there's lip service paid to mystery here, as Gordianus is asked to find out the truth behind a missing woman, but the mystery is secondary - even tertiary - Gordianus' own relationship with his son Meto and the fate of a city under siege by Julius Caesar's forces. As historical fiction, Last Seen in Massilia is a worthy successor to Rubicon and all the Gordianus books that came before it. Saylor's prose has become simpler over the years, and Last Seen in Massilia can be read almost as quickly as a Robert B. Parker novel, with every bit as much pleasure. Saylor has taken the siege of Massilia, a footnote in Caesar's career, and made it the backdrop of a gripping tale of intrigue and relationships gone sour. Fans of Saylor will not be disappointed, and those reading Saylor for the first time will be pleased. One truly does not have to have read the preceeding books to enjoy this one.
Rating:
Summary: Definitely a Page-Turner!
Review: Saylor doesn't disappoint in his eighth addition to his Roma Sub Rosa series. I've read every book and have thoroughly enjoyed following the life of Gordianus the Finder. In this story, we find Gordianus away from Rome and in the town of Massilia. Although he's there to find his son, Meto, Gordianus always seems find himself caught up in some intriguing murder mystery. Saylor has the unique gift of intertwining the lifes of the great Romans into his mysteries while continually providing the reader with a dramatic ending. "Last Seen in Massilia" definately has both and proves once again that Saylor is at the top of historical fiction authors. I recommend all the books in this series, but especially: "Catilina's Riddle," and "Rubicon."
Rating:
Summary: Definitely a Page-Turner!
Review: Saylor doesn't disappoint in his eighth addition to his Roma Sub Rosa series. I've read every book and have thoroughly enjoyed following the life of Gordianus the Finder. In this story, we find Gordianus away from Rome and in the town of Massilia. Although he's there to find his son, Meto, Gordianus always seems find himself caught up in some intriguing murder mystery. Saylor has the unique gift of intertwining the lifes of the great Romans into his mysteries while continually providing the reader with a dramatic ending. "Last Seen in Massilia" definately has both and proves once again that Saylor is at the top of historical fiction authors. I recommend all the books in this series, but especially: "Catilina's Riddle," and "Rubicon."
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