A Mist of Prophecies: A Novel of Ancient Rome - Hardcover

Saylor, Steven

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0312271212 ISBN 13: 9780312271213

Publisher: Minotaur Books, 2002

Synopsis

During the Roman Civil War, as the forces of Pompey and Julius Caesar fight a series of battles in the provinces over control of the Republic, Rome itself is a hotbed of intrigue as those left behind wait for word. In this tentative and treacherous environment, a beautiful young seeress is murdered in the marketplace. Possibly mad and claiming no memory of her own past, Cassandra - like her namesake - is reputed to have had the true gift of prophecy and, as a result, she became a confidante of the rich and powerful.

Gordianus the Finder, who had become obsessed with the woman and her mystery, starts to investigate her murder. As the political situation in Rome continues to decay, the citizenry veers towards ruin, and everyone waits for word out in the far off fields of war, Gordianus begins to peel away the veils of secrecy that surround Cassandra's life and death. What lies underneath involves one, possibly many, of the most powerful women in Rome and the truth could not only put Gordianus's life in danger but affect the very future of Rome itself.

About this title

From the Inside Flap

Extraordinary acclaim for Steven Saylor's Roma Sub Rosa series

A MIST OF PROPHECIES
"It would be impossible to imagine a more stellar lineup of suspects in all imperial Rome."
--Kirkus Reviews

"One of the best mystery series being published today...A pitch-perfect work...gripping prose."
--Austin Chronicle

"A gritty depiction of the underbelly of the great city in its heyday. The secret history of Rome has never been so fascinating."--Maxim Jakubowski, The Guardian (London)

"A chilling mystery."--Booklist

"Intriguing both as a mystery and as a historical novel...recommended."--Library Journal

"Outstanding...intelligent and compelling...Saylor shows once again why fans of ancient historicals regard him as the leader of the field."-Publishers Weekly

A MURDER ON THE APPIAN WAY
"Saylor puts such great detail and tumultuous life into his scenes that the sensation of rubbing elbows with ancients is quite uncanny."--The New York Times Book Review

"Saylor is skilled at spinning a tale out of unlikely historical sources...Literate, humane, and dramatic."--Boston Globe

LAST SEEN IN MASSILIA
"Stellar...Saylor presents a vivid tableau of an ancient city under siege and an empire riven by internecine strife. One of today's finest history mystery series."--Publishers Weekly

"Evoking the color and feel of an ancient time, Saylor has given us another entertaining story and crackling good mystery."--Tampa Tribune Times

RUBICON
"Saylor provides historically accurate portrayals while never losing grasp of a captivating plot. His mysteries evolve with intelligent turns and vivid imagination."--Seattle Times

CATILINA'S RIDDLE
"Engrossing...Saylor's understanding of the rich complexity of Roman life has a universal ring."
--San Francisco Chronicle

THE VENUS THROW
"Saylor rivals Robert Graves in his knack for making the classical world come alive. The puzzle is subtle, the characters vivid, the writing sublime-proof that the mystery can be a work of art."
--The Oregonian

DON'T MISS THESE OTHER MYSTERIES IN
STEVEN SAYLOR'S ROMA SUB ROSA SERIES

CATILINA'S RIDDLE
LAST SEEN IN MASSILIA
ROMAN BLOOD
ARMS OF NEMESIS
THE HOUSE OF THE VESTALS
THE VENUS THROW
A MURDER ON THE APPIAN WAY
RUBICON

|Extraordinary acclaim for Steven Saylor's Roma Sub Rosa series

A MIST OF PROPHECIES
"It would be impossible to imagine a more stellar lineup of suspects in all imperial Rome."
--Kirkus Reviews

"One of the best mystery series being published today...A pitch-perfect work...gripping prose."
--Austin Chronicle

"A gritty depiction of the underbelly of the great city in its heyday. The secret history of Rome has never been so fascinating."--Maxim Jakubowski, The Guardian (London)

"A chilling mystery."--Booklist

"Intriguing both as a mystery and as a historical novel...recommended."--Library Journal

"Outstanding...intelligent and compelling...Saylor shows once again why fans of ancient historicals regard him as the leader of the field."-Publishers Weekly

A MURDER ON THE APPIAN WAY
"Saylor puts such great detail and tumultuous life into his scenes that the sensation of rubbing elbows with ancients is quite uncanny."--The New York Times Book Review

"Saylor is skilled at spinning a tale out of unlikely historical sources...Literate, humane, and dramatic."--Boston Globe

LAST SEEN IN MASSILIA
"Stellar...Saylor presents a vivid tableau of an ancient city under siege and an empire riven by internecine strife. One of today's finest history mystery series."--Publishers Weekly

"Evoking the color and feel of an ancient time, Saylor has given us another entertaining story and crackling good mystery."--Tampa Tribune Times

RUBICON
"Saylor provides historically accurate portrayals while never losing grasp of a captivating plot. His mysteries evolve with intelligent turns and vivid imagination."--Seattle Times

CATILINA'S RIDDLE
"Engrossing...Saylor's understanding of the rich complexity of Roman life has a universal 20ring."
--San Francisco Chronicle

THE VENUS THROW
"Saylor rivals Robert Graves in his knack for making the classical world come alive. The puzzle is subtle, the characters vivid, the writing sublime-proof that the mystery can be a work of art."
--The Oregonian

DON'T MISS THESE OTHER MYSTERIES IN
STEVEN SAYLOR'S ROMA SUB ROSA SERIES

CATILINA'S RIDDLE
LAST SEEN IN MASSILIA
ROMAN BLOOD
ARMS OF NEMESIS
THE HOUSE OF THE VESTALS
THE VENUS THROW
A MURDER ON THE APPIAN WAY
RUBICON

From the Back Cover

In the year 48 B.C., Rome is in the midst of Civil War. As Pompey and Julius Caesar fight for control of the Republic, Rome itself becomes a hotbed of intrigue, riven by espionage, greedy profiteering, and bitter betrayals...

A MIST OF PROPHECIES

A beautiful young seeress staggers across the Roman marketplace and dies in the arms of Gordianus the Finder. Possibly mad and claiming no memory of her past, Cassandra--like her Trojan namesake-was reputed to possess the gift of prophecy. For such a gift there are many in Rome who would pay handsomely. . . or resort to murder.

Obsessed with Cassandra and her mystery, Gordianus begins to investigate her murder. As he gradually peels away the veils of secrecy that surround Cassandra's life and death, he discovers a web of conspiracy linking many of the city's most ruthless and powerful women. Now Gordianus's pursuit of the truth not only endangers his own life, but could change the future of Rome itself. . .

"Vivid and robust...exquisite detail and powerful drama."
--Philadelphia Inquirer

"Saylor shows once again why fans of ancient historicals regard him as the leader of the field."
--Publishers Weekly (starred review)

Edition details

• Publisher: Minotaur Books
• Publication date: 2002
• ISBN 10: 0312271212
• ISBN 13: 9780312271213
• Binding: Hardcover
• Language: English
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 270