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A review by elusivity
Roman Blood by Steven Saylor
3.0
A murder mystery based on Cicero's real trial notes, primarily his rebuttal.
Meticulously researched, vividly brought alive: Rome in its last days, clinging to the title of a Republic despite having had Sulla as dictator for years, and Julius Caesar soon to come. Slaves and freedmen and nobles and politicians, prostitutes and wives and the vissisitudes of lust and love and greed.
The novel itself is full of twists and turns, but the plot and characters are relatively simple to follow. Parts of it could have done with less exposition or lecturing, but over all, an excellent first novel and window into Ancient Rome. Recommended!
Meticulously researched, vividly brought alive: Rome in its last days, clinging to the title of a Republic despite having had Sulla as dictator for years, and Julius Caesar soon to come. Slaves and freedmen and nobles and politicians, prostitutes and wives and the vissisitudes of lust and love and greed.
The novel itself is full of twists and turns, but the plot and characters are relatively simple to follow. Parts of it could have done with less exposition or lecturing, but over all, an excellent first novel and window into Ancient Rome. Recommended!