Roma Sub Rosa

In Rome, 80 BC, on a warm spring morning, Gordianus the Finder receives a summons to the house of a then-unknown young advocate and orator, Cicero. Ambitious and brilliant, the twenty-six-year-old Cicero is about to argue his first important case. His client is a wealthy farmer, one Sextus Roscius of the town of Ameria, who stands accused of the most unforgivable act in Ancient Rome: the murder of his father. Hired by Cicero to investigate the charges, Gordianus sets out to discover the truth in a case-and a society-rife with deceit, betrayal, and conspiracy. As he draws nearer to the truth, the conspiracy looms ever larger until Gordianus begins to perceive the hand of the dictator Sulla himself. Playing for stakes much higher than he bargained for, Gordianus finds that not only is he himself endangered, but so are all those around him.

South of Rome on the Gulf of Puteoli stands the splendid villa of Marcus Crassus, Rome's wealthiest citizen. When the estate overseer is murdered, Crassus concludes that the deed was done by two missing slaves, who have probably run off to join the Spartacan Slave Revolt. Unless they are found within three days, Crassus vows to massacre his remaining ninety-nine slaves. To Gordianus the Finder falls the fateful task of resolving this riddle from Hades. In a house filled with secrets, the truth is slow to emerge. And as the hour of the massacre approaches, Gordianus realizes that the labyrinthine path he has chosen may just lead to his own destruction.

The year is 63 BC, and Gordianus the Finder unexpectedly achieves the dream of every Roman: owning a farm in the Etruscan countryside. Vowing to leave behind the corruption of Rome, he abandons the city, taking his family with him. This bucolic life, however, is disrupted by the machinations and murderous plots of two politicians. When Gordianus' longtime patron Cicero attains his lifelong dream of a coveted consulship, he urgently requests a favor of Gordianus: his help in keeping watch on a radical populist senator, Catilina-Cicero's political rival and a candidate to replace him in the annual elections. Against his will, Gordianus finds himself drawn deeper and deeper into a maelstrom of deceit and intrigue, uncertain of the dangers and even more uncertain of where his true allegiance lies. When his six-year-old daughter Diana finds a headless corpse in their stable, Gordianus is confronted with the deadliest mystery of his career. Shrewdly depicting deadly political maneuverings, this addictive mystery also displays the author's firm grasp of history and human character.

Rome, 56 BC. The great general Pompey has conquered the East; Julius Caesar is defeating the Gauls; only Egypt, with its strategic granaries and vast treasuries of gold, still eludes the grasp of Rome. The city itself is becoming ever more corrupt, as the last generation of the Roman Republic indulges in political backstabbing, endless lawsuits, scandalous love affairs, and the occasional murder. In recent days several Egyptian envoys have been viciously assassinated. Fearing that he will be next, the Egyptian ambassador Dio calls on his old friend Gordianus the Finder and all of his special skills for help-but before the night is out, Dio is murdered. Now Gordianus begins his most dangerous case. Hired to investigate Dio's death by a beautiful woman with a scandalous reputation, he will follow a trail of political intrigue into the highest circles of power and the city's most hidden arenas of debauchery. There Gordianus will learn that nothing is as it seems-not the damning evidence he uncovers, not the suspect he sends to trial, not even the real truth behind Dio's death. Poison, betrayals, and long-buried secrets confront Gordianus as one of history's most famous trials races to a close. But even after the verdict is delivered, there are secrets still to be uncovered.

Ancient Rome has been in a state of turmoil as the rival gangs of Publius Clodius, a high-born, populist politician, and his arch-enemy, Titus Milo, have fought to control the consular elections. When Clodius is murdered on the famed Appian Way and Milo is accused of the crime, the city explodes with riots and arson, and even the near sacrosanct Senate House is burned to the ground. As accusations and rumors fly, Gordianus the Finder, whose famed investigative skills and integrity make him sought after by all sides in the escalating conflict, is charged by Pompey the Great with discovering what really happened. Who is really responsible for Clodius' death? And should his murderer be despised as a villain or hailed as a savior of the Republic?

It is ancient Rome, and Gordianus the Finder has a knack for finding trouble. Known to many as the one man in the ancient world who can both keep a secret and uncover one, Gordianus lays bare some of his most intriguing and compelling adventures. The House of the Vestals collects nine of the award-winning stories of Gordianus the Finder by critically acclaimed, bestselling author Steven Saylor. Filling in some of the gaps between novels, this delightful collection of unique and unforgettable mysteries is Saylor at his finest-revealing the intrigues in the secret history of Rome. In "Little Caesar and the Pirates," Gordianus must act as a go-between for kidnappers, but he begins to wonder who is really being held hostage. In "The Alexandrian Cat," a mischievous girl and a tell-tale sneeze reveal an ingenious plot of murder and thievery. In "The House of the Vestals," blackmail goes horribly wrong, and there is no one to take the blame. These stories and more make up an engrossing collection of finely wrought mystery tales with all the suspense and craft that are the trademark of Saylor's work. Foreword Death Wears a Mask The Tale of the Treasure House A Will Is a Way The Lemures Little Caesar and the Pirates The Disappearance of the Saturnalia Silver King Bee and Honey The Alexandrian Cat The House of the Vestals "Saylor's fluid and probing characterization work as effectively in the short story as they have in his admirable Gordianus novels." "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 who want to find out how [the Finder] first became Lucius Claudius' friend, or how he acquired his faithful slave Belbo; and anyone who enjoys leisurely, literate storytelling." "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." "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…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." "This collection of short stories…shows how a fine hand at historical research can enliven the most traditional and well-titled of genres…Gordianus himself is a compelling character." "Ingenious…Saylor offers rich history with great imagination." "Entertainment of the first order."

As Caesar marches on Rome and panic erupts in the city, Gordianus the Finder discovers, in his own home, the body of Pompey's favorite cousin. Before fleeing the city, Pompey exacts a terrible bargain from the finder of secrets: to unearth the killer or sacrifice his own son-in-law to service in Pompey's legions-and certain death. Amid the city's sordid underbelly, Gordianus learns that the murdered man was a dangerous spy. Now, as he follows a trail of intrigue, betrayal, and ferocious battles on land and sea, the Finder is caught between the chaos of war and the terrible truth he must finally reveal. Rubicon, set in early days of the Roman Civil War, is a pivotal novel in Saylor's bestselling and critically acclaimed series of novels set in late republican Rome. PART ONE: Minerva: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 PART TWO: Mars: 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 PART THREE: Dionysus: 23 24 25 "Saylor has the rare ability to make history comprehensible but also entirely personal and terrifying." "Even readers not drawn to historical settings should explore Saylor's impressive series set in ancient Rome…Saylor writes about ancient Rome as naturally and comfortably as if he had lived there, capturing both its glory and brutality. Finely shadowed characters and an action-packed finale make this a praiseworthy addition to a series that deserves wide attention." "The depth and realism of detail and ambience, the superbly crafted plot, the sense of excitement and adventure, and the way Saylor makes ancient Rome-its people, politics, customs, sights, and sounds-come alive add up to a gripping read that's as intense as it is satisfying." "The reader is once again caught up in a world of murder, intrigue, and history…This novel is an excellent blending of mystery and history." "Once again, Saylor resourcefully uses a single crime to focus the story of a civilization gone mad." "[Ralph Cosham] gives the novel a full-voiced reading."

In 49 BC, in the city of Massilia (modern-day Marseille), on the coast of southern Gaul, Gordianus the Finder's beloved son Meto has disappeared-branded as a traitor to Caesar and apparently dead. Consumed with grief, Gordianus arrives in the city amid a raging civil war, hoping to discover what happened to his son. But when he witnesses a young woman fall from a precipice called Sacrifice Rock, he becomes entangled in discovering the truth: did she fall or was she pushed? And could she be connected to his missing son? Drawn into the city's treacherous depths, where nothing and no one are what they seem, Gordianus must summon all of his skills to discover his son's fate-and to safeguard his own life. Steven Saylor delivers another excellent episode in the adventures of his distinguished hero, Gordianus the Finder. I II III IV V VI VII VIII IX X XI XII XIII XIV XV XVI XVII XVIII XIX XX XXI XXII XXIII XXIV XXV XXVI "Saylor's scholarship is breathtaking and his writing enthralls." "Gordianus' careful, thoughtful musings are infused with real pathos as he seeks out information about the lost adoptive son whom, he has been informed, is dead…Saylor has proven that he knows how to season a good plot with lively historical details, and this book is perhaps even more gratifying than previous installments." "In this exemplary eighth installment, Saylor links the case at hand to his larger concerns, the ongoing domestic saga of Gordianus' family and the fate of Rome, with matchless elegance." "Stellar…Saylor presents a vivid tableau of an ancient city under siege and an empire riven by internecine strife. Readers will impatiently long for the next book in what stands as one of today's finest historical mystery series." "Brilliant evocations of ancient Rome, deft plotting, and wry characterization…Saylor's presentation of military engineering, battle strategy, and political corruption is fascinating; his plotting is made more exciting by the reader's awareness that the sieges and naval battle forming the backbone of this mystery actually happened. One of the best in a long-running and steadily more popular series."

In the year 48 BC, Rome is in the midst of civil war. As Pompey and Caesar fight for control of the republic, Rome becomes a hotbed of intrigue driven by espionage, greed, and betrayals. 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 have the gift of prophecy, a gift many in Rome would pay for handsomely … or kill for. Obsessed with Cassandra's mystery, Gordianus investigates her murder. As he peels away the veils of secrecy surrounding her life and death, he discovers a web of conspiracy linking many of Rome's most ruthless and powerful women. Now Gordianus' pursuit not only endangers his own life but could change the future of Rome. Chapter I Chapter II Chapter III Chapter IV Chapter V Chapter VI Chapter VII Chapter VIII Chapter IX Chapter X Chapter XI Chapter XII Chapter XIII Chapter XIV Chapter XV Chapter XVI Chapter XVII Chapter XVIII Chapter XIX Chapter XX "The problem with a writer with the brilliance of Steven Saylor is that he leaves almost impossible standards for other writers to measure up to. With A Mist of Prophecies, Saylor exceeds even his usual standards of excellence." "Saylor writes with such easy grace that the politics of these vicious times become as captivating to the reader as the mystery of Cassandra's life and violent death." "If you want to visit Rome-ancient Rome-this is the way to go!" "One of the best mystery series being published today…A pitch-perfect work…gripping prose." "Saylor shows once again why fans of ancient historicals regard him as the leader of the field." "A fascinating work!" "Intriguing both as a mystery and as a historical novel, this should find a wide audience. Readers will enjoy the plot twists, the deft portrayal of characters, and the attention to historical detail. Saylor is particularly fine in his presenting of the common people of Rome." "Saylor brings a wealth of historical information lightly to bear on a chilling mystery." "It would be impossible to imagine a more stellar lineup of suspects in all imperial Rome."

In 48 BC the Roman generals Caesar and Pompey are engaged in a battle to rule the world. As Pompey plots a reckless stand on the banks of the Nile, Gordianus the Finder-who has brought his dying wife, Bethesda, to the Nile seeking a cure from its sacred waters-finds himself suddenly at the heart of a series of treacherous and history-altering events. While Caesar and Cleopatra embark on a legendary romance, Egypt remains ravaged by the brutal contest between the queen and her brother, King Ptolemy. Worst of all for Gordianus, Meto, his once-disowned son and Caesar's right-hand man, stands falsely accused of murder. Caesar's judgment will decide his son's fate, and it is up to Gordianus to somehow overcome malevolent forces to reveal the carefully obscured truth in order to save his son's life. Chapter 1 Chapter 2 Chapter 3 Chapter 4 Chapter 5 Chapter 6 Chapter 7 Chapter 8 Chapter 9 Chapter 10 Chapter 11 Chapter 12 Chapter 13 Chapter 14 Chapter 15 Chapter 16 Chapter 17 Chapter 18 Chapter 19 Chapter 20 Chapter 21 Chapter 22 Chapter 23 Chapter 24 Chapter 25 Chapter 26 Chapter 27 Chapter 28 Chapter 29 Chapter 30 Chapter 31 "[A] confident re-creation of Alexandria at this crucial moment in both Egyptian and Roman history. As always in Saylor's historical fiction, the interaction between powerful and ordinary people is a great strength…His Caesar is completely believable, as are his circuitous dealings with the Egyptian queen. Gordianus is as fascinating as he was as a young man, and the novel provides all the customary pleasures of serial fiction. But it also stands in its own right. Saylor evokes the ancient world more convincingly than any other writer of his generation." "Superb. From the exceptional attention to historical detail to the development of character and plot, which is based on real history, it's a treat to read. All the action takes place in a time of great upheaval both in Rome and Egypt, and Saylor, an excellent scholar, makes the most of it. This is a great getaway novel." "[A] superb historical novel…The reader is engaged throughout…This is a compelling testament to Saylor's growth as a writer and to his seemingly effortless ability to imagine characters who feel real. Longtime fans will find the evolution of Gordianus' personal relationships fascinating, but the backstory is not so complex as to bar new readers from entering Saylor's world." "Saylor is certainly among the best history-mystery writers going…He not only draws the reader into the fully realized, intrigue-filled era of Caesar and Pompey, he does so with grace, wit, and full-throttle suspense…The tenth Sub Rosa is a political thriller of the first order…Wonderful reading." "Expert mystery-mongering closely woven into a pageant featuring the most star-studded cast imaginable. Fans of the historical mystery couldn't do better." "A solid series addition."

Steven Saylor's Roma Sub Rosa series, set in the later Roman Republic and featuring Gordianus the Finder, has garnered unusual acclaim from readers and reviewers alike, establishing him as one of the preeminent historical mystery writers. In A Gladiator Dies Only Once, the second collection of his award-winning stories featuring Gordianus, Saylor more than meets his own high standards. Set between the events of his novels Roman Blood and Catilina's Riddle, these nine stories of previously untold adventures from the early career of Gordianus-when his adopted son, Eco, was still a mute boy and his wife, Bethesda, was but his slave-will delight Saylor's many fans while illuminating details of the ancient world like no other writer can. Included are "The Consul's Wife," which involves a twisted search for truth behind a threatening blind item in the Acta Diurna. In "The White Fawn," Gordianus must deal with a kidnapping and murder during the revolt of Sertorius. "Archimedes' Tomb" tells the story behind Cicero's discovery of Archimedes' tomb. Finally, "If a Cyclops Could Vanish in a Blink of an Eye" brings up a perplexing domestic situation in Gordianus' own home. The Consul's Wife If a Cyclops Could Vanish in the Blink of an Eye The White Fawn Something Fishy in Pompeii Archimedes's Tomb Death by Eros A Gladiator Dies Only Once Poppy and the Poisoned Cake The Cherries of Lucullus "The stories are admirably varied-some are extensive mysteries; others offer short, sharp slices of life. All are marvelous reads in themselves and marvelous reflections of ancient Rome." "This collection of nine short stories establishes events in Gordianus the Finder's early career between his first adventure and his third. Followers of this historical series, especially, will appreciate these scenarios." "The twisty fair-play plotting that marks Saylor's best novels is very much in evidence…[An] excellent volume." "All [the stories] engagingly evoke the last days of the Roman Republic and show the often tumultuous domestic lives of Gordianus' lofty real-life acquaintances."

The Roman civil war has come to its conclusion: Pompey is dead, Egypt is firmly under the control of Cleopatra, and Julius Caesar has returned to Rome. The city abounds with rumors that Caesar will be made king. Gordianus, recently returned from Egypt with his wife Bethesda, is essentially retired from his previous profession of "finder," but he cannot refuse the call of Calpurnia, Caesar's wife. Troubled by prophecies of disaster and fearing for Caesar's life, she had hired someone to investigate the rumors. But that person, who was a close friend of Gordianus, has turned up murdered on her doorstep. Calpurnia wants Gordianus to protect Caesar's life before it is too late. Gordianus agrees to help, but only to find the murderer of his friend. Once an investigation is begun, however, there's no controlling what it will turn up, who it will put in danger, or where it will end. "The convincing backdrop of daily life in ancient Rome helps make this compelling whodunit a triumph." "Gordianus the Finder is a marvelous example of a credible early-history sleuth-sophisticated, cagey, and loosely attached to the shifting power structure of Rome in the time of Caesar…Fast-paced action, a deeply realized main character, and accessible history make this series first-rate on all fronts." "Ralph Cosham performs this historical mystery in clear tones and subtle differentiation between the characters. Women are portrayed with light tones, while men's voices vary according to their personality. In a world of intrigue and political unrest, Gordianus inserts himself into the lives of the upper classes, including Brutus, Cicero, Caesar, and Marc Antony. Cosham's voice modulates with emotion while recounting Rome's political intrigue." "The tenth novel featuring Gordianus the Finder maintains the high standards of Saylor's Roma Sub Rosa series…He [follows] Gordianus through the streets of Rome on the hunt for a killer who has murdered a friend…assisted by his daughter, Diana, a brilliant, plucky girl who sees clues he misses. The reader is treated to history and culture, including Caesar's four triumphs: religion, divination, senatorial politics and conniving women. Narrator Ralph Cosham, a former British journalist who changed careers to become a narrator and screen and stage actor, has been a three-time nominee for the prestigious Audie Award. He does not disappoint here in a full-voiced presentation. His female characterizations are superb. The novel is highly recommended."

It's Rome, 44 BC, and the Ides of March are approaching. Julius Caesar has been appointed dictator for life by the Roman Senate. Having pardoned his remaining enemies and rewarded his friends, Caesar is now preparing to leave Rome with his army to fight the Parthian Empire. Gordianus the Finder, after decades of investigating crimes and murders involving the powerful, has set aside enough that he's been raised to the Equestrian rank and has firmly and finally retired. On the morning of March 10th, though, he's first summoned to meet with Cicero and then with Caesar himself. Both have the same request of Gordianus-keep your ear to the ground, ask around, and find out if there are any conspiracies against Caesar's life. Caesar, however, has one other important matter to discuss. Gordianus's adopted son Meto has long been one of Caesar's closest confidants. To honor Meto, Caesar is going to make his father Gordianus a Senator when he attends the next session on the 15th of March. With only four days left before he's made a Senator, Gordianus must dust off his old skills and see what conspiracy against Julius Caesar, if any, he can uncover. Because the Ides of March are approaching...