Fresh from his duel of wits with Cleopatra in The Judgement cf Caesar, Gordianus the Finder, detective of ancient Rome, returns in this new collection of short stories. Nine tales of mystery, murder and intrigue take Gordianus from the seamy streets of Rome to elegant villas on the Bay of Naples, and from a Sicilian graveyard with a deadly secret to a bloody battlefield in Spain. Whether against the spectacular backdrop of a chariot race, or settling a domestic dispute with his beautiful Egyptian concubine Bethesda, Gordianus is always on the case. As in Sayior's previous collection, The House of the Vestals, all the stories in A Gladiator Dies Only Once take place early in Gordianus's career. Often at his side, rapidly growing up, is the mute boy Eco, his adopted son. Frequently conferring with Gordianus is his good-hearted patrician friend, Lucius Claudius Cicero, the great lion of the Roman law courts, makes several appearances. Sertorius, the rebel general who set up a rival Roman state in Spain, casts a shadow across the book from beginning to end, and makes a haunting appearance in the story "The White Fawn." In the title story, a beautiful Nubian actress begs to Gordianus to solve an impossible problem: how can she have just seen her beloved brother in the marketplace, when she previously saw him die a gruesome death as a gladiator?
A Gladiator Dies Only Once (Roma sub Rosa)
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" 'How wonderful to have a scholar write about ancient Rome; how comforting to feel instant confidence in the historical accuracy of the novel' The Sunday Times 'Saylor's gifts include authentic historical and topographical backgrounds and... sombre themes set off the brilliant scenery and clever plotting.' Times Literary Supplement 'Saylor evokes the ancient world more convincingly than any other writer of his generation.' Sunday Times"
Book Description
A wonderfully re-jacketed edition from Saylor's bestselling Gordianus series set in Ancient Rome.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
17 of 17 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
I am a huge Steven Saylor fan and have loved every singe one of the books; I was so upset after finishing the Judgement of Ceaser because it seeemed that Gordianus was no more... This collection of short stories, as with the previous (house of Vestals I believe) are genius, thet fill in the various time gaps which are left by the longer volumes, they introduce different characters and the quick pace makes a nice change from the longer investigations. I enjoyed all the short stories but especially 'A Gladiator Dies only once' as it was full of very rich characters and the twist of the investigation was although slightly predictable, fulfilling and fun. If you enjoyed the other Gordianus books you certainly will not be disappointed.
11 of 11 people found the following review helpful
By J. Chippindale
TOP 1000 REVIEWER
Format:Paperback
This book is a compilation of nine mysteries involving that likeable sleuth Gordianus the Finder. They are all new stories and anyone who is a fan of Saylor will certainly want to add this book to their collection.
Steven Saylor is right up there with a number of excellent authors who use the backdrop of Ancient Rome as a canvas for their literary works. It is a period of history that holds a particular magic for me, so basically I cannot get enough of them, excellent, good or mediocre. I would certainly put Saylor's books in the excellent category and although in the main not a great lover of short stories, in this case I am more than happy to make an exception.
Steven Saylor is right up there with a number of excellent authors who use the backdrop of Ancient Rome as a canvas for their literary works. It is a period of history that holds a particular magic for me, so basically I cannot get enough of them, excellent, good or mediocre. I would certainly put Saylor's books in the excellent category and although in the main not a great lover of short stories, in this case I am more than happy to make an exception.
6 of 6 people found the following review helpful
By Iain S. Palin
TOP 1000 REVIEWER
Format:Paperback
Saylor's Gordianus the Finder operates as a private detective in Rome during the unstable times that mark the end of the Republic. He has starred in a whole series of excellent novels.
This collection of short stories (I recognise two of them that have already been anthologised elsewhere) lacks the dark intensity that so often characterises the novels. Even where the subject is murder there is a lighter feel to them. There is also, in some of the stories at least, a predictability that lets the reader work out the twist in the tail long before he should. The overall result is a light, undemanding read: pleasant, and I don't regret having bought the book, but it's not what we have come to expect with Gordianus.
This collection of short stories (I recognise two of them that have already been anthologised elsewhere) lacks the dark intensity that so often characterises the novels. Even where the subject is murder there is a lighter feel to them. There is also, in some of the stories at least, a predictability that lets the reader work out the twist in the tail long before he should. The overall result is a light, undemanding read: pleasant, and I don't regret having bought the book, but it's not what we have come to expect with Gordianus.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
More Gordianus
I brought the books in paperback version initially, now I've got them on my kindle. Great story lines and a rip roaring read, you feel you're part of Roman history. Read more
Published 3 months ago by Lesley
5.0 out of 5 stars
Brilliant As Ever
Can't speak highly enough regarding the stories about Gordianus. These short stories explain what happens in the period between the first and second books and should be read before... Read more
Published 4 months ago by Peter T H
4.0 out of 5 stars
Another good selection of short stories featuring Gordianus the Finder
This is another collection of short stories featuring the star of the Roma sub Rosa series.
If you are a fan of the series, then you will certainly enjoy them; if you have not... Read more
If you are a fan of the series, then you will certainly enjoy them; if you have not... Read more
Published 6 months ago by Simon Binning
5.0 out of 5 stars
Thoroughly enjoyable
This was the first Gordianus book I read, and it must have made a good impression because I have become quite a fan of the series. Read more
Published 13 months ago by A. J. Thirkell
5.0 out of 5 stars
Buy it
Saylor's second release of Gordianus short stories are as delightful as those in the `House of Vestals'. Read more
Published on 29 July 2010 by travelswithadiplomat
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