Rating: 
Summary: Saylor doesn't disappoint!
Review: Saylor doesn't disappoint! Just when you think you know what's going to happen this great author rips the rug right out from underneath you! If you like great characters and wonderful plots, you'll love this series. My recommendation is to start at the beginning though, with Roman Blood, the first of this series. Seriously, this series gets better and better as it goes on, and as you grow to love Gordianus. This guy brings history to LIFE. He's my favourite author EVER.
Rating:
Summary: Head and Toga Above the Rest
Review: Saylor has written another brillant evocation of ancient Rome, with a hero, Gordianus the Finder, who just gets better with age. Still a loving father, still wise and clever, but perhaps a little slower on the uptake and definitely more disappointed, cynical, and sad. And why not, don't we all age that way? The mysteries of the novel kept me guessing, and although the 'happy' end for one character was a bit stretched in my view, the many tragedies others experienced were fully faithful to Saylor's traditional point of view--fate gives with one hand and takes away with the other. Saylor is also to be commended for his slow writing pace--each book and plotline are constructed with great care, no anachronisms are allowed to creep in, and there is never a sense that he has rushed to publication to please his publisher or public. Other writers in the genre, like Lindsey Davis, should take note.
I, too, regret that Gordianus is in his 60's now, but one of the strengths of Saylor is the sense of 'gravitas' he gives his characters--with age, dignity. The fact that so many early years were skipped in chronicling Gordianus's career gives one hope that Saylor can perhaps go back at some point and fill in some of the holes. Though, please, spare us the almost daily and weekly chronicle of life we're being given of some Roman informers.
I can't recommend this book too highly, though I believe a reading of the earlier books in the series is vital to full enjoyment and appreciation of what Saylor has done here. Please keep writing, Steven, but not too quickly.
Rating: 
Summary: Steven Saylor does it again!
Review: Steven Saylor does it again! Gordianus finds himself in Massallia (present-day Marseilles) unraveling multiple mysteries at once. This novel takes place a few years after its predecessor, and Gordianus has aged accordingly. The other reviewers delved into quite a bit of detail about how wonderful the plot is, and how much Saylor delves into the history behind his story; all of which I have to agree with. There is one major shortcoming with the novel that truly irked me. The inclusion of Davus, Gordianus' son-in-law, as a major character was marred slightly by the fact that in all the previous novels he appeared in, he wasn't particularly all that intelligent. In this novel, his intellect, and knack for putting pieces together rivals that of Gordianus himself. Having said that, the novel was quite an enjoyable (albeit a bit too short) read, and is a definite should-by for all saylor fans, and those readers who enjoy historical fiction.
Rating:
Summary: Excellent as usual
Review: The last place any Julius Caesar supporter would want to visit in 49 BC is Massillia in Gaul. The residents seemingly support General Pompey in the civil war against Caesar. However, that is exactly the place Gordianus the Finder, accompanied by his son-in-law, needs to enter. Just because Caesar's troops led by Trebonius have placed an airtight siege on the city for several months fails to deter Gordianus on his quest. He needs to learn what happened to his son Meto, a former lieutenant of Caesar, now condemned as a traitor and rumored dead. After working his way into the city, Gordianus becomes embroiled in an investigation. A woman was either murdered or committed suicide. Was she pushed or did she jump from Sacrifice Rock. His son-in-law believes a soldier shoved the woman off the rock. His "host" Hieronymus disagrees saying the man tried to stop the woman from leaping from "Suicide" Rock. In any case, Gordianus begins seeking the truth if he is to stay alive in a dangerous city with much intrigue and backstabbing. LAST SEEN IN MASSILLIA, the eighth novel in the Sub Rosa Ancient Rome mysteries, is a great entry in a great series. The story line is loaded with twists and turns as everyone knows neutrality is deadly but the wrong side at the wrong time is just as perilous. Gordianus remains a strong, thoughtful character and the support cast provides profundity and an insightful feel to the period. However, Steven Saylor's tale belongs to Massillia (ancient Marseilles) as readers obtain an incredible perusal of the city at a critical moment in history. Harriet Klausner
Rating:
Summary: A definite winner and an excellent read
Review: The latest Gordianus mystery novel is a definite winner. This book is full of historical detail and the few historical characters that grace this book albeit briefly, really come alive. There is, as usual, a good deal of political intrigue mixed in with a mysterious death. And while there may not be that many intriguing twists and turns, the descriptions of the few battle scenes and the seige together with Gordianus's heartstopping attempt to enter the city of Massilia should be enough to satisfy most readers. Gordianus and his son-in-law, Davus have travelled to Massilia to try and discover what exactly has become of Meto. Meto is Gordianis's son who was part of Julius Caesar's inner circle. However, Meto and Caesar had a falling out a while back and the upshot of that was that Meto deserted Caesar and was last seen consorting with Pompey's cohorts in Massilia. However, it is an annonymous note to Gordianus informing him that Meto is dead that inspires this ill-advised trip to the beseiged city. (The citizens of Massilia had made the bad mistake of throwing their lot in with Pompey instead of Caesar). Having reached the outskirts of Massilia however, Gordianus is unable to learn anything new from the Romans beseiging the city other than that Meto is a traitor. So disguised as soldiers, Gordianus and Devus try to sneak into Massilia. The people of Massilia are facing a famine and destruction at the hands of Caesar's army. Tempers are short and the people are highly superstitious and excitable. All in all not a good time to be a Roman in Massilia. Once inside the city, Gordianus is witness to a mysterious death. He and Davus watch a woman fall to her death from a precipice called the Sacrifice Rock. But did she commit suicide or was she pushed? The concensus is divided on this. Gordianus also finally receives news of Meto's fate which leaves him depressed and unhappy, and therefore suscepible to the anguish of a Gaulish merchant who wants to find out if it is his missing daughter that Gordianus saw fall. Gordianus sets out to try and help the merchant, all the while trying to grapple with what has happened to Meto. This is a truly exceptional book that is part of a truly exceptional series. For history addicts Steven Saylor not only makes the people of Massilia and their customs and culture come alive, he also breathes new life into the conflict between Pompey and Caesar. The depiction of societies coming apart at the seams because of power hungry dictators will resonate with all readers, especially in light of what we have all witnessed recently. For mystery buffs, I can ensure you that this seemingly simple mystery plot will still captivate. An enjoyable and truly brilliant read.
Rating:
Summary: It's brilliant!
Review: The novel, the seventh is a series is terrific. The character development and suspense of the plot are purely breataking. The only thing that seemed a bit of a shame is that Saylor didn't really concentrate on major historical figures. I realise this is because his characters have developed to an extent that the Ciceros and Caesars aren't as nessecary. However I expect Saylor's next novel to deal with the aftermath of the civil war, and I can't wait!
Rating:
Summary: Gordianus and the scapegoat
Review: The Roma Sub Rosa series of books gets better with every installment. Gordianus the Finder is a detective, like Marcus Didius Falco in his books, but Gordianus is from an earlier era, and he doesn't have the ascerbic wit of Falco. The tone of the two series is different, but the writing is uniformly excellent, and the characters stand out in your mind long after the books are finished. I do believe this latest book is the best in the series, for it combines an important point in Roman history with a human tragedy. Things aren't always what they seem in this book, and even though a few things appear simple to discern to the reader, sometimes the author slips in a surprise or two that brings you up short. My only quibble is that Gordianus is now 61, and I find it difficult to know how he is going to continue to solve mysteries. I have faith, however, that the author will find a way to allow him to go on, and when the books are published, I will certainly read them.
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Summary: Action, mystery, and unease about a declining republic
Review: The seventh novel and eighth volume in the Roma Sub Rosa series, provides plenty of entertainment, some gripping and surprising action, more than a little horror, and much to think about. To get the full force of this novel requires familiarity with the character of Meto, Gordianus's adopted son and protégé of Julius Caesar: the two books which I think are prerequisite are _Cataline's Riddle _ (which I consider the best book so far in the series) and _Rubicon_ (or, better, all seven previous novels in the series. I suspect the opening pages of this novel will not be very compelling to those who aren't already familiar with the Gordianus the Finder and his family of various ex-slaves. The loyalty or lack of it of children to their parents is a major theme of the book. Gordianus is in Massillia at considerable risk to discover the fate of a son whose craftiness exceeded that of his father, but whose commitment to charismatic leaders unsettles his father. Gordianus seeks truth, Meto has cast his lot with someone seeking unprecedented power (and well on his way to attaining it). Spying in the service of an empire perhaps resonates differently now than it did a year ago when the book was published. Saylor makes the institutions of the Greek city-state of Massillia (modern Marseilles) interesting, The decaying public virtue of Rome in the last years of its republic and the willingness to cede freedom to a powerful leader promising security is intrinsically interesting to Americans two millennia and half a century later. That is, the Roma Sub Rosa series is not just escapist historical fiction.
Rating:
Summary: Ancient Tragedies
Review: There's no murder case in this story, or rather many little mysteries. It is 49 B.C, Gaius Julius Caesar ("Red-head") has crossed the Rubicon in the previous story, and is currently off pursuing rival Pompey the Great in Spain. Gordianus the Finder is looking for his lost son, who is thought to be holed up in rebellious Massilia (Marseilles), and a traitor to Caesar. An unusual number of intriguing bits of ancient lore and custom are woven into the text: a Celtic death temple, fire horns, a sacrificial Scapegoat, philosophical Fallacy of the Veiled Woman, the peculiar hierarchy of Greek Massilia. These vignettes compensate for the usual flattness of Saylor's writing. The only reason I don't give 5 stars is the lack of Saylor's usual clever historical mystery featuring some famous Roman. A fully historical SITUATION at the dawn of the Roman Empire is credibly reconstructed from scattered ancient sources, and offers a "you-are-there" realism and vibrancy to a city besieged by Caesar's forces. The several mysteries seemed to rise almost incidental to a much fuller exploration of Gordianus's character and philosphy of life, among a series of well diversified characters. I very much like this series, which takes a tragic turn here, but may have to recalibrate my expectations in favor of character over sleuthing. The hardback has some annoyances in the proof and printing department.
Rating:
Summary: Ancient Tragedies
Review: There's no murder case in this story, or rather many little mysteries. It is 49 B.C, Gaius Julius Caesar ("Red-head") has crossed the Rubicon in the previous story, and is currently off pursuing rival Pompey the Great in Spain. Gordianus the Finder is looking for his lost son, who is thought to be holed up in rebellious Massilia (Marseilles), and a traitor to Caesar. An unusual number of intriguing bits of ancient lore and custom are woven into the text: a Celtic death temple, fire horns, a sacrificial Scapegoat, philosophical Fallacy of the Veiled Woman, the peculiar hierarchy of Greek Massilia. These vignettes compensate for the usual flattness of Saylor's writing. The only reason I don't give 5 stars is the lack of Saylor's usual clever historical mystery featuring some famous Roman. A fully historical SITUATION at the dawn of the Roman Empire is credibly reconstructed from scattered ancient sources, and offers a "you-are-there" realism and vibrancy to a city besieged by Caesar's forces. The several mysteries seemed to rise almost incidental to a much fuller exploration of Gordianus's character and philosphy of life, among a series of well diversified characters. I very much like this series, which takes a tragic turn here, but may have to recalibrate my expectations in favor of character over sleuthing. The hardback has some annoyances in the proof and printing department.
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