Catilina's Riddle
A Novel of Ancient Rome
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4.2 • 35 Ratings
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- $12.99
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- $12.99
Publisher Description
"Saylor rivals Robert Graves in his knack for making the classical world come alive." --(ortland) Oregonian
"Engrossing...Ironic and satisfying." -- San Francisco Chronicle
The third in Saylor's Roma Sub Rosa novels featuring Gordianus the Finder. Gordianus, disillusioned by the corruption of Rome circa 63 B.C., has fled the city with his family to live on a farm in the Etruscan countryside. But this bucolic life is disrupted by the machinations and murderous plots of two politicians: Roman consul Cicero, Gordianus's longtime patron, and populist senator Catilina, Cicero's political rival and a candidate to replace him in the annual elections for consul. Claiming that Catilina plans an uprising if he loses the race, Cicero asks Gordianus to keep a watchful eye on the radical. Although he distrusts both men, Gordianus is forced into the center of the power struggle when his six-year-old daughter Diana finds a headless corpse in their stable. Shrewdly depicting deadly political maneuverings, this addictive mystery also displays the author's firm grasp of history and human character.
On first publication back in 1994, Catilina's Riddle was a finalist for the Hammet Award.
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY
Saylor ( Arms of Nemesis ) has written another gripping and entertaining historical whodunit. Narrator Gordianus, disillusioned by the corruption of Rome circa 63 B.C., has fled the city with his family to live on a farm in the Etruscan countryside. But this bucolic life is disrupted by the machinations and murderous plots of two politicians: Roman consul Cicero, Gordianus's longtime patron; and populist senator Catalina, Cicero's political rival and a candidate to replace him in the annual elections for consul. Claiming that Catalina plans an uprising if he loses the race, Cicero asks Gordianus to keep a watchful eye on the radical. Although he distrusts both men, Gordianus is forced into the center of the power struggle when his six-year-old daughter Diana finds a headless corpse in their stable. Shrewdly depicting deadly political maneuverings, this addictive mystery also displays the author's firm grasp of history and human character.
Customer Reviews
Catalina's Riddle
Incredible journey into history.
More political manifesto than novel … boring
Large portion is boring political manifesto of rich v. poor, with zero impact on the story. Seems like few authors can resist using at least one of their books, and our time, to vent their ideology. The rest is, well, also boring.
A very good read
Thoroughly enjoyable with Mr. Saylor's usual intriguing plot twists and turns. Highly recommended.