Product Details
Arms of Nemesis: A Novel of Ancient Rome

Arms of Nemesis: A Novel of Ancient Rome
By Steven Saylor

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Product Description

The hideously disfigured body was found in the atrium. The only clues are a blood-soaked cloak, and, carved into the stone at the corpse's feet, the word Sparta . . . The Overseer of Marcus Crassus's estate has been murdered, apparently by two slaves bent on joining Spartacus's revolt. The wealthy, powerful Crassus vows to honor an ancient law and have his ninety-nine remaining slaves slaughtered in three days. Gordianus the Finder is summoned from Rome by a mysterious client to find out the truth about the murder before the three days are up.

Product Details

  • Amazon Sales Rank: #309925 in Books
  • Published on: 2001-02-15
  • Original language: English
  • Dimensions: .88" h x 4.16" w x 6.76" l, .38 pounds
  • Binding: Mass Market Paperback
  • 336 pages

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly
Set in 72 B.C., during the slave revolt led by Spartacus, Saylor's ( Roman Blood ) second historical mystery follows Roman PI Gordianus the Finder to the resort of Baiae on the Bay of Naples. The cousin and factotum of Marcus Licinius Crassus, the wealthiest man in Rome, has been bludgeoned to death, apparently by two slaves who have run away. An ancient Roman law decrees that when a master is killed by a slave, the remainder of the household's slaves must be slaughtered. Gordianus and his adopted son Eco have three days to find the real murderer and save the villa's other 99 slaves. A convoluted plot reveals fraud, embezzlement and arms smuggling (spears and swords traded for silver and jewels); sensuously written subplots hinge on arcanic poisons and clandestine love affairs among a cast that includes a Crassus's second-rate philosopher-in-residence and a retired actor who doubles as a female impersonator. Richly detailed bacchanalian feasts and mesmerizing visits to the Sybil at Cumae lead to the spellbinding conclusion, reached during fierce gladiatorial combat. 35,000 first printing; BOMC alternate; paperback rights to Fawcett; author tour.
Copyright 1992 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From AudioFile
Gordianus the Finder, detective par excellence of the Roman world, narrates the story of his attempts to find the murderer of a Roman patrician, cousin to Marcus Crassus; find the two missing slaves accused of the patrician's murder; and avert the slaughter of the remaining 99 slaves in the household. Harrison differentiates among the characters by using slight changes in inflection and by reading the narrative in a loud, matter-of-fact tone, which reflects the caustic nature of Gordianus. Saylor's elaborate description of Roman villas and countryside illustrates the tale, while Gordianus's use of logic and deduction brings the mystery to its inevitable conclusion. M.B.K. © AudioFile 2002, Portland, Maine-- Copyright © AudioFile, Portland, Maine

Review

A compulsively entertaining whodunit."—The New York Book Review

"Saylor interweaves history and suspense into another seamless thriller . . . A marvelously authentic slice of antiquity that will serve as a savory treat for fans of both mystery and historical fiction."—Booklist

"Steven Saylor impeccably recreates life in Imperial Rome . . . an intriguing mix of historical accuracy and tense drama."—St. Louis Post-Dispatch

"Sensuously written . . . Richly detailed baccanalian feasts and mesmerizing visits to the Sybil at Cumae lead to the spellbinding conclusion."—Publishers Weekly

"Captivating descriptions of Roman customs and mythologies, and interesting characters, enlivened from the pages of history."—San Francisco Sentinel