Saylor's Way Is Insightful

A Murder on the Appian Way by Steven Saylor

Steven Saylor is on my list of authors to purchase whenever he publishes a new novel. My husband and I first discovered him through the short stories he published in Ellery Queen and hurried to buy his first novel, Roman Blood when it was first published. We have rarely been disappointed in any of Saylor's offerings.

This novel, A Murder on the Appian Way combines the best aspects of Saylor's Roma Sub Rosa series. His "detective"--Gordianus the Finder--is a Roman citizen who has worked for many of the Roman republic greats. He pursues one of the important mysteries of the time--to find the murderer of Publius Clodius and prevent the inevitable political explosion that is brewing in the streets of Rome.

But Saylor's book takes us beyond just the intriguing current events of 52 BC and into the personal life of Gordianus, a Roman citizen. His family--a very unusual one by Roman standards as it is made up of mostly freed slaves--changes in many ways during this book, as does Gordianus' alliances.

Saylor also handles the explosive issue of slavery in a very sensitive manner, tackling the issue without giving Gordianus modern interpretations on the all-too-common institution.

Historical mysteries must find that balance between fiction and fact, and Saylor has done his homework. He combines incredible research and accuracy with an interesting story of a fascinating personality. He richly develops his characters and keeps his fans running to the bookstore to see what is going to happen to them next.

While I would highly recommend A Murder on the Appian Way to anyone who enjoys mysteries, Roman history, or novels of intrigue, I wouldn't recommend anyone reading it before they have read the others in the series. Start with Roman Blood and work your way forward. It will be well worth the read.

--B. Redman