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evailonak's review against another edition
I might pick it up later. I liked it but was not in the mood for it
suzemo's review against another edition
3.0
The book is pretty much what the title implies - a story regarding the Catiline Conspiracy - wherein some Roman senators/officials/aristocracy try to overthrow the Roman government.
This particular historical fiction involves Decius Caecilius Metellus the Younger, a fictional questor, who decides to investigate some odd murders and gets himself entangled with the conspiracy.
I wanted it to be more of a mystery, but it really wasn't. I still enjoyed it, though maybe not the casual misogyny (which I have sadly come to expect out of a white author dude, particularly an older white dude's writing from the early 90s). I eye rolled a bit, but I do love me some Roman historical fiction.
This particular historical fiction involves Decius Caecilius Metellus the Younger, a fictional questor, who decides to investigate some odd murders and gets himself entangled with the conspiracy.
I wanted it to be more of a mystery, but it really wasn't. I still enjoyed it, though maybe not the casual misogyny (which I have sadly come to expect out of a white author dude, particularly an older white dude's writing from the early 90s). I eye rolled a bit, but I do love me some Roman historical fiction.
sandin954's review against another edition
3.0
An enjoyable historical mystery that used the same historical event for the plot as [b:Catilina's Riddle|102715|Catilina's Riddle (Roma Sub Rosa, #3)|Steven Saylor|https://d202m5krfqbpi5.cloudfront.net/books/1316125219s/102715.jpg|99033] which I read a number of years ago. Roman intrigue and politics are always interesting and the young hero of this series is very engaging. Listened to the audio version which was ably narrated by Simon Vance.
cheshir42's review against another edition
3.0
Эта книга заставляет меня задуматься зачем вообще я учился читать если трачу время на такое?
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Пойду третью часть прочту
raptorimperator's review against another edition
3.0
Not much of a mystery in this one, especially for those who know the history surrounding the latter days of the Roman Republic. In fact, Decius Ceacilius Metellus the Younger discovers the culprits rather quickly, and spent most of the book inserting himself within their ranks to unravel their conspiracy in service to the State, quite on his own initiative. Decius's character improved from he previous book, I think, but he still has a weakness for beautiful women (which I don't blame him for), and remarkably seems to stumble into important historical events and famous/infamous historical figures quite often. I'd read another book a while back on this same subject, Steven Saylor's [b:Catilina's Riddle|102715|Catilina's Riddle (Roma Sub Rosa, #3)|Steven Saylor|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1390066117s/102715.jpg|99033]. I enjoyed it far more, and found Saylor's take on it and mystery he developed around the Catiline Conspiracy superior, though Roberts's take with Decius was still entertaining, especially the incorporation of Decius's responsibilities as quaestor, and along with other rituals he must perform. Clodius is still a nasty little thorn, and I rather enjoy Roberts's fictional take on this historical figure.
usbsticky's review against another edition
4.0
I'm re-reading this old series which I've owned for 25 years. I've also re-read it many times which means I like it. But I feel differently after reading it this time with fresh eyes.
Spoilers/Summary: Our protagonist Decius Caecilius Metellus the Younger is an amateur sleuth in ancient Republican Rome. He solves mysteries, murders and political conspiracies. He's a nobleman which means we see ancient Rome from an aristocratic point of view. In a sense, he's a time travel guide giving us a contemporary lowdown to Republican Rome's politics, culture and historical figures from his point of view. I mean that's basically why I like the series, because he's guiding us through Rome as if I time traveled back a few thousand years with a chatty guide.
In this book he infiltrates the Catiline conspiracy which is the historical attempt of Catilina to overthrow the government. I've always enjoyed this book but in the latest reading I find the plot a bit simplistic. Decius infiltrates the conspiracy and acts as an undercover conspirator but the way that he does it is a bit simplistic and overly easy. But this book is only 288 pages and I expect a more realistic rendition would run 3-4 times as long. As it is, it's a light hearted and at times irreverent piece of historical fiction dealing with an actual event.
To use another reviewer's words, I learned a lot about ancient Rome and its culture, events and festivals and enjoyed it!
Spoilers/Summary: Our protagonist Decius Caecilius Metellus the Younger is an amateur sleuth in ancient Republican Rome. He solves mysteries, murders and political conspiracies. He's a nobleman which means we see ancient Rome from an aristocratic point of view. In a sense, he's a time travel guide giving us a contemporary lowdown to Republican Rome's politics, culture and historical figures from his point of view. I mean that's basically why I like the series, because he's guiding us through Rome as if I time traveled back a few thousand years with a chatty guide.
In this book he infiltrates the Catiline conspiracy which is the historical attempt of Catilina to overthrow the government. I've always enjoyed this book but in the latest reading I find the plot a bit simplistic. Decius infiltrates the conspiracy and acts as an undercover conspirator but the way that he does it is a bit simplistic and overly easy. But this book is only 288 pages and I expect a more realistic rendition would run 3-4 times as long. As it is, it's a light hearted and at times irreverent piece of historical fiction dealing with an actual event.
To use another reviewer's words, I learned a lot about ancient Rome and its culture, events and festivals and enjoyed it!
mgcco's review against another edition
4.0
I enjoyed this second installment of J.M. Roberts' SPQR series. Though I was familiar with Catilina's character (the bearded suspects were no suspense for me anymore), there were a lot of very good parts in the novel; I had a good fill of history, witticisms, useful Latin adages, and plain clever humor (that made me laugh out loud a number of times).
The Catiline Conspiracy makes me look forward to the third book in this series, which is a great thing. It only means more of Ancient Rome for me.
The Catiline Conspiracy makes me look forward to the third book in this series, which is a great thing. It only means more of Ancient Rome for me.
ubalstecha's review against another edition
4.0
Decius Caecilius Metellus the Younger is back in Rome, and although he is in charge of the treasury now, a chance discovery leads him to a conspiracy to topple the Roman government. When he links this to a series of murders, Decius' investigations lead him into a dangerous game of spying and infiltration that could lead to his own demise or that of one of his oldest allies.
Another excellent mystery set in the time of Rome. The complex nature of Roman society is easily explained by the author, yet the reader is not left feeling that they are reading a textbook. A great read for mystery and historical fiction fans.
Another excellent mystery set in the time of Rome. The complex nature of Roman society is easily explained by the author, yet the reader is not left feeling that they are reading a textbook. A great read for mystery and historical fiction fans.
staceylynn42's review against another edition
3.0
Decius is back in Rome and almost immediately stumbles on a conspiracy against the state. He falls in with Catiline to investigate the grumblings of men who think they are being denied their birth right to rule by new men like Cicero. Bodies pile up as the conspiracy moves forward Decius himself is expected to prove his loyalty to the cabal by killing a friend.
There isn't much of a mystery with this book as it is based on a real conspiracy and the outcome is known. It's more a matter of "will Decius survive?" But it is a good tale, told with wit, humor and a lot of period detail.
I'm currently reading SPQR by Mary Beard and she opens with the Catalina conspiracy & that made me reread this book.
There isn't much of a mystery with this book as it is based on a real conspiracy and the outcome is known. It's more a matter of "will Decius survive?" But it is a good tale, told with wit, humor and a lot of period detail.
I'm currently reading SPQR by Mary Beard and she opens with the Catalina conspiracy & that made me reread this book.