The House of the Vestals: Stories (Signed First Edition)

Steven Saylor

ISBN 10: 0312154445 / ISBN 13: 9780312154448

Published by St. Martin's, New York, 1997

About this Item

First printing. A perfect unread copy. Sugned by author -- his name only -- on the title page. Part of his Roma Sub Rosa series, set in ancient Rome. The novel's hero is a detective named Gordianus the Finder, active during the time of Sulla, Cicero, Julius Caesar, and Cleopatra. The House Of The Vestals, a collection of short stories which appeared later, but which take place between the first book and the second.

Seller Inventory # z028

Bibliographic Details

• Title: The House of the Vestals: Stories (Signed First Edition)
• Publisher: St. Martin's, New York
• Publication Date: 1997
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0312154445
• ISBN 13: 9780312154448
• Binding: Hardcover
• Edition: 1st Edition
• Condition: New
• Dust Jacket Condition: New
• Signed: Signed by Author(s)

About this title

Synopsis

Nine stories featuring the Roman sleuth Gordianus the Finder, set between the end of Sulla's dictatorship and the Spartacus slave revolt, detail the relationship between Gordianus and his adopted son

Reviews

It's no wonder Gordianus the Finder solves so many of these nine cases in a single flash of insight. Most of the mysteries aren't very mysterious; even Gordianus' slave (and future wife) Bethesda picks out the thief of his friend Lucius Claudius' silver the minute she hears the story. Still, three groups of readers will find these stories irresistible: history buffs who appreciate Saylor's careful research into Roman politics and Roman mores; fans of his five novels (A Murder on the Appian Way, 1996, etc.) who want to find out how he first became Lucius Claudius' friend, or how he acquired his faithful slave Belbo; and anyone who enjoys leisurely, literate storytelling. Though none of the stories is more than five years old, nearly half (``A Will Is a Way,'' ``The Lemures,'' ``King Bee and Honey,'' ``The Alexandrian Cat'') have already been anthologized. All the others could well follow. -- Copyright ©1997, Kirkus Associates, LP. All rights reserved.

Saylor serves up a collection of short stories designed to fill in some of the gaps that have piqued the curiosity of devoted fans of his popular Roma Sub Rosa series. Set between the years 80 and 72 B.C., these nine tales document some of the early adventures of Gordianus the Finder. During the course of these cases, Gordianus establishes firm and tender relationships with Eco, his adopted son; Bethesda, his Jewish-Egyptian concubine; Belbo, his loyal manservant and bodyguard; and Lucius Claudius, his generous patron. While each brief mystery presented is a gem in and of itself, readers will delight in the informational overview provided by the collection as a whole. As usual, Saylor does a superb job of seamlessly incorporating the tumultuous history of the Roman Republic into the narrative flow. A welcome addition to the ever fascinating chronicles of Gordianus the Finder. Margaret Flanagan