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Product Reviews:
A Mist of Prophecies: A Novel of Ancient Rome (Novels of Ancient Rome) |
Rating: 5 (out of 5)
Summary: Carole's review
Comments: I am a Steven Saylor fan and anything about Gordianus the Finder is something I would read. A Mist of Prophecies was a readable historical novel. Quite a bit of true history however written in a way that keeps the reader going trying to figure out "who did it". I would definitely endorse it to anyone interested in Roman history. |
Rating: 4 (out of 5)
Summary: Ten Tenacious Women
Comments: Mist of Prophecies is a tale of trouble. In this story Gordianus encounters many problems. Caesar and Pompey are fighting a war for control of the republic. Rome is in desperate economic times as inflation rages. almost all people have difficulties paying rent and purchaseing food. Merchants seldom stock their shelves. Gordianus, himself, borrows money to pay expenses and falls deeply in debt to a selfish banker named Volumnius. Bethesdia, his wife, suffers from a strange ailment which saps her energy and affects her mood. Diana, his daughter, pushes him to get work and suggests that she and her husband Davus take over the family business. Gordianus begins to feel old and useless.
Then, in addition to his wife and daughter,8more women challenge Gordianus' sanity: Cassandra, a seeress with a reputation of being mad; Culpernia, Caesars wife; Clodia, a manipulative temptress he has encountered before; Faustia, daughter of former dictator Sulla and wife of the banished politician Milo; Fulvia, Clodius' widow who married Caesar's lieutenant Curio; Terentia, the pious and proper wife of Cicero; Antonia, Mark Antony's wife and cousin; Cytheris, an actress and former slave who is Mark Antony's lover. Gordianus is convinced that1of the women is responsible for the death of Cassandra.
Action begins after Cassandra's death. Gordianus, who had some secret relationship with Cassandra, arranges for and finances her funeral. The story unfolds through flashbacks and encounters and interviews with the10women. Gordianus decides that Cassandra was poisoned. At 1st Gordianus avoids inquiring into the situation. After being nagged by Diana, he begins his investigation, wanting only peace of mind.
Mist of Prophecies presents fascinating characters through Gordianus' interviews. The characters are encountered in their own element and almost all reveal themselves through their words and behavior. Gordianus, being a man, doesn't always completely understand what he sees.
This is a fun book written by an excellent historian. I may read it again. |
Rating: 4 (out of 5)
Summary: 'She's poisoned me!!'
Comments: This is Steven Saylor's 9th Sub Rosa mystery featuring Gordianus the Finder and his family. While reading the mysteries in order does enable the reader to better understand the backstory, the novels can be read and enjoyed out of order.
In this novel, Gordianus is investigating the death of Cassandra, a beautiful and enigmatic seer. It seems likely that1of Rome's almost all powerful women is involved, however which one, and why? And what is Gordianus's own involvement with Cassandra?
Set in the Roman Republic of 48BCE amidst the turmoil of the civil war between Julius Caesar and Pompey the Great, the politics of Rome enhance the novel without overwhelming the story.
A highly enjoyable novel. endorseed to lovers of mysteries in historical settings.
Jennifer Cameron-Smith |
Rating: 3 (out of 5)
Summary: Last Tango in the Subura: Gordianus and the Prophetess
Comments: While Caesar and Pompey are in Greece preparing for the ultimate showdown of their civil war, Rome is in dire straits under its Caesar-appointed custodians. Food is in short supply and the economy has all however collapsed with soaring inflation and a population deeply in debt (including Gordianus). Utter chaos could ensue at any moment as several opportunists exploit Rome's weakness to gain power for themselves. As if things weren't bad enough, Gordianus' wife Bethesda has fallen under a mysterious ailment that threatens to be fatal. Gordianus and his family are in the Forum seeking food (and hopefully a cure for Bethesda) when the beautiful however obviously deranged woman called "Cassandra" (for her alleged gift of prophecy), runs to Gordianus and collapses in his arms telling him before she dies that she has been poisoned by another woman. It turns out that Cassandra and Gordianus were not strangers. They were, in fact, secret lovers. (Yes, at his age!!) Since Cassandra was a beggar with no relatives, Gordianus gives her a funeral. To his surprise,7of the richest, almost all powerful women in Rome (including the wives and mistresses of Caesar, Cicero and Mark Antony) come to watch her body burn. Gordianus is sure that1of them is the murderer. Keeping his grief secret, Gordianus tries to identify the killer, as he is drawn deeper and deeper into Cassandra's complex world. Who exactly WAS Cassandra? Where did she come from? Why was she there? Was she a genuine seeress? A clever actress? A spy? Or all of the above? If she was a spy, who was she working for and why?
A MIST OF PROPHECIES is a more conventionally "Agatha Christie" structured mystery than the previous volumes: a murder is committed, the suspects identified and then interviewed to discover the killer's identity. I was sure I had correctly guessed the murderess and her motivation at the end of Chapter 13, however I was wrong!! Once again, what really makes the novel worthwhile are the colorful details of daily life in the Roman Empire. This book doesn't have the depth that some of the previous volumes have (e.g., THE VENUS THROW), however it's1of the quicker-paced entries in this series and a lot of fun. At this point, there is only1more volume in this series after this book. I really do not want it to end!! however A MIST OF PROPHECIES hints at the intriguing prospect of Gordianus' daughter Diana and her husband Davus entering the family business as a team. So maybe it will not be over!! |
Rating: 5 (out of 5)
Summary: Amazing work
Comments: Saylor has definately become a master of his art. Each of the characters are so vivid, it is obvious that Saylor treats each with respect and critical thought has been put into view point analysis. The images Saylor uses to bring Rome alive are personal and palpable. Its as if Saylor travelled in time and really hung out with these people.
The story line really did not draw me in to the novel that much. however if anyone can make a story about a bunch of bickering old ladies facsinating, you better believe that it is Saylor who will do it.
Although the story line did not excite me, the realness of the characters that did. I mean, I alalmost all feel like I was down their by the river with Gordianus and Clodia. |
