Rubicon, Steven Saylor
Rubicon, Steven Saylor
List: $19.95 | Sale: $13.97
Club: $9.97

Rubicon

Author: Steven Saylor

Narrator: Geoffrey Howard

Unabridged: 8 hr 48 min

Format: Digital Audiobook Download

Published: 08/01/2013


Synopsis

As Caesar marches on Rome and panic erupts in the city, Gordianus the Finder discovers, in his own home, the body of Pompey's favorite cousin. Before fleeing the city, Pompey exacts a terrible bargain from the finder of secrets: to unearth the killer or sacrifice his own son-in-law to service in Pompey's legions—and certain death. Amid the city's sordid underbelly, Gordianus learns that the murdered man was a dangerous spy. Now, as he follows a trail of intrigue, betrayal, and ferocious battles on land and sea, the Finder is caught between the chaos of war and the terrible truth he must finally reveal.Rubicon, set in early days of the Roman Civil War, is a pivotal novel in Saylor's bestselling and critically acclaimed series of novels set in late republican Rome.

About Steven Saylor

Steven Saylor is a freelance writer, editor, and the author of novels set in ancient Rome. He studied history at the University of Texas at Austin. Saylor’s writing has appeared in the Threepenny Review, San Francisco Bay Guardian, Ellery Queen’s Mystery Magazine, and the Magazine of Fantasy and Science Fiction. He lives in Berkeley, California, and Austin, Texas.

About Geoffrey Howard

Geoffrey Howard (a.k.a. Ralph Cosham) (1936–2014) was a British journalist who changed careers to become a narrator and screen and stage actor. He performed in more than one hundred professional theatrical roles. His audiobook narrations were named “Audio Best of the Year” by Publishers Weekly, and he won seven AudioFile Earphones Awards, and in 2013 he won the coveted Audie Award for Best Mystery Narration for his reading of Louise Penny’s The Beautiful Mystery.


Reviews

Goodreads review by Kathy on July 30, 2015

My sixth in the Roma Sub Rosa historical mystery series and revolving around Gordianus the Finder, a private detective. The story is set in ancient Rome in January of the Year of Rome 705 (49 B.C. to us). Chronologically, it's MY sixth and Saylor's seventh because the technical sixth, The House of......more

Goodreads review by Read By Kyle on August 08, 2022

The first six of these books were fun, but the mystery aspect was always pretty lacking,which is a glaring flaw in a mystery book. But damn if the mystery in this book didn't completely surprise and shock me. Well done all around. Plus, just by the name of the book alone, you can guess what time per......more

Goodreads review by Kyo on July 14, 2016

2.5 / 5 stars Mehh.. This book turned out to be a disappointment to me. I really love the Roma Sub Rosa series, because I love the Antiquity and detectives. Just like the other books, this book begins with a mysterious murder and Gordianus tasked with solving it. Throughout this whole book there seeme......more

Goodreads review by Mary on November 13, 2023

This is the best yet. Don't want to give away too much but this book completely floored me. Gordianus (now 62) is now virtually retired but on the day we meet him again he is in trouble. There is a dead body in his garden and worst of all the Dead man is a relative of Pompey the Great. As if things......more

Goodreads review by Logan on July 15, 2020

Great story, although these books are becoming less about the actual mystery and more about describing the historical events taking place. I enjoy that, because I can't get enough of the late Roman Republic, but those reading this just for the murder mystery might be disappointed. I enjoyed how well......more


Quotes

“Saylor has the rare ability to make history comprehensible but also entirely personal and terrifying.” Oregonian

“Even readers not drawn to historical settings should explore Saylor’s impressive series set in ancient Rome…Saylor writes about ancient Rome as naturally and comfortably as if he had lived there, capturing both its glory and brutality. Finely shadowed characters and an action-packed finale make this a praiseworthy addition to a series that deserves wide attention.” Publishers Weekly (starred review)

“The depth and realism of detail and ambience, the superbly crafted plot, the sense of excitement and adventure, and the way Saylor makes ancient Rome—its people, politics, customs, sights, and sounds—come alive add up to a gripping read that’s as intense as it is satisfying.” Booklist

“The reader is once again caught up in a world of murder, intrigue, and history…This novel is an excellent blending of mystery and history.” Library Journal

“Once again, Saylor resourcefully uses a single crime to focus the story of a civilization gone mad.” Kirkus Reviews

“[Ralph Cosham] gives the novel a full-voiced reading.”  SoundCommentary.com