The Venus Throw [Paperback]

Steven Saylor's series of thrillers about Gordianus the Finder play cleverly with what we think we know about the last days of the Roman Republic. Gordianus does the legwork for prosecutors and defenders in a system of trials which have become increasingly politicised; even his former patron Cicero has become less interested in justice than in winning and Gordianus is, almost notoriously, the last honest man in Rome. Most of his cases deal with murder trials in which Cicero appeared--part of the fun of reading Saylor is his attentive reading of the great advocate's brilliantly partisan rhetoric. And for those less interested in such intellectual games, the books are attractively atmospheric, showing a Rome still small enough for everyone to know each other's business. Here Gordianus finds himself investigating the murder of a former mentor, Dio, a philosopher and leader of an embassy from Egypt; the triumvirs, Pompey, Caesar and Crassus, are contemplating annexing Egypt and its exiled king is only too prepared to act as their catspaw. And Gordianus finds himself the ally of Clodius and Clodia, the two most notoriously dissolute siblings ...There is nothing so deceptive as what we think we know and Gordianus is as often tricked here as is the reader. --Roz Kaveney

"Engrossing... Simmering with eroticism... An absorbing brew of Rome's decay." Publishers Weekly "Brilliantly effective... Remarkably vivid... Finely etched historical background... The finest flower yet of Saylor's Roma Sub Rosa series." Kirkus Reviews" --This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.

On a cold January evening in 50BC, two strangers enter Rome - one an Egyptian ambassador and the other a eunuch priest. Both are seeking Gordianus the Finder, who has a reputation for solving murders. But the ambassador, a philosopher named Dio, asks for something that Gordianus cannot give - help in staying alive.

Steven Saylor is the author of the internationally acclaimed Roma sub Rosa series which is published in over 20 languages. Saylor divides his time between homes in Austin, Texas, and Berkeley, California. Visit his website www.stevensaylor.com --This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.