Rubicon - Softcover

Saylor, Steven

Softcover

ISBN 10: 1841191248 ISBN 13: 9781841191249

Publisher: Robinson Publishing, 2000

Synopsis

Caesar is marching on Rome: his intent, civil war. Pompey and the terrified Senate prepare to flee the city. The murder of a visitor in the house of gordianus the Finder could not occur at a worse time, especially since the dead man is Pompey's favourite cousin and may have been a very dangerous spy.

About this title

Review:

Steven Saylor's seventh installment in his Roma Sub Rosa series begins with a character saying, "Pompey will be mightily pissed." Scholars might argue that there is no evidence of this particular synonym for anger ever being used in 49 B.C., but the author would no doubt respond that poetic license includes doing whatever it takes to bridge the gap for modern audiences. And indeed, the head of the Roman Senate is mightily pissed. Rome is on the verge of another civil war, and the forces of Julius Caesar and Mark Antony have crossed the Rubicon River and are marching toward the capital. To top it all off, one of Pompey's favorite cousins has been garroted to death.

Before Pompey flees the city, he asks Rome's greatest detective, Gordianus the Finder, to solve the murder. But Pompey has reason to distrust Gordianus, who may have an allegiance with Caesar. To force his loyalty, Pompey seizes the detective's son-in-law, and makes him join his household army. By doing so, he ensures that Gordianus's involvement in the coming conflict will be a very personal one. Confused and troubled, Gordianus walks through Rome toward the house of his former friend and mentor, the poet Cicero. "All around me, I felt the uneasiness of the city, like a sleeper in the throes of a nightmare." Awakening from the nightmare, surviving the chaos, and solving this whodunit will be the Finder's toughest battle yet. --Dick Adler

About the Author:

Steven Saylor writes murder mysteries and is best known for his Roma sub Rosa series set in Ancient Rome and featuring Gordianus the Finder. Steven has been a newspaper and magazine editor, and a literary agent. Steven was born in Texas in 1956 and graduated with high honors from the University of Texas at Austin, where he studied history and Classics. He divides his time between homes in Berkeley, California, and Austin, Texas. See also his website www.stevensaylor.com

About this edition

• Publisher: Robinson Publishing
• Publication date: 2000
• ISBN 10: 1841191248
• ISBN 13: 9781841191249
• Binding: Paperback