The House of the Vestals, Steven Saylor
The House of the Vestals, Steven Saylor
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The House of the Vestals
The Investigations of Gordianus the Finder

Author: Steven Saylor

Narrator: Geoffrey Howard

Unabridged: 7 hr 47 min

Format: Digital Audiobook Download

Published: 06/01/2013

Synopsis

It is ancient Rome, and Gordianus the Finder has a knack for finding trouble. Known to many as the one man in the ancient world who can both keep a secret and uncover one, Gordianus lays bare some of his most intriguing and compelling adventures.The House of the Vestals collects nine of the award-winning stories of Gordianus the Finder by critically acclaimed, bestselling author Steven Saylor. Filling in some of the gaps between novels, this delightful collection of unique and unforgettable mysteries is Saylor at his finest—revealing the intrigues in the secret history of Rome.In "Little Caesar and the Pirates," Gordianus must act as a go-between for kidnappers, but he begins to wonder who is really being held hostage. In "The Alexandrian Cat," a mischievous girl and a tell-tale sneeze reveal an ingenious plot of murder and thievery. In "The House of the Vestals," blackmail goes horribly wrong, and there is no one to take the blame. These stories and more make up an engrossing collection of finely wrought mystery tales with all the suspense and craft that are the trademark of Saylor's work.

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 Clemens on July 17, 2022

This exciting collection of Roman mysteries is the 5th volume, chronologically wise, of the amazing "Roma sub Rosa" series, featuring the determined seeker of the truth, Gordianus the Finder, while also appearing as a kind of clever detective is his concubine, Bethesda, and not to forget his mute bu......more

Goodreads review by Mary on October 24, 2023

An entertaining collection of.short stories featuring Gordianus the finder. They all take place after the events in book one Roman Blood and are a mix of Gordianus recounting past cases to mysteries which have a very easy solution (once you think on it) it's nice.to.see Gordianus new friend Luscious......more

Goodreads review by Marta on May 22, 2023

Mais uma série de interessantes contos com o nosso Gordiano, o descobridor. São sempre agradáveis estes livrinhos. Steven Saylor consegue muito bem "passar-nos" o ambiente da Roma Antiga. Gostei especialmente da nota histórica final, em que tal como nos outros livros o autor faz um excelente enquadram......more

Goodreads review by Glen on October 11, 2020

A collection of short stories featuring Gordianus The Finder. I felt like the puzzles were a little too easy. The ambience of Ancient Rome makes up for it a little, though.......more

Goodreads review by Vicki on January 17, 2019

This is a series of short stories dealing with Gordianus' life between the end of Roman Blood and the beginning of Arms of Nemesis. Eco is still mute but can communicate well with Gordianus by gesture. Lucius Claudius, Gordianus' patrician friend who leaves him a farm in Catilina's Riddle is in many......more

Quotes

“Saylor’s fluid and probing characterization work as effectively in the short story as they have in his admirable Gordianus novels.” Publishers Weekly 

“Three groups of readers will find these stories irresistible: history buffs who appreciate Saylor’s careful research into Roman politics and Roman mores; fans of his five novels who want to find out how [the Finder] first became Lucius Claudius’ friend, or how he acquired his faithful slave Belbo; and anyone who enjoys leisurely, literate storytelling.” Kirkus Reviews

“As usual, Saylor does a superb job of seamlessly incorporating the tumultuous history of the Roman Republic into the narrative flow. A welcome addition to the ever fascinating chronicles of Gordianus the Finder.” Booklist

“Saylor serves up a collection of short stories designed to fill in some of the gaps that have piqued the curiosity of devoted fans of his popular Roma sub Rosa series…While each brief mystery presented is a gem in and of itself, readers will delight in the informational overview provided by the collection as a whole. As usual, Saylor does a superb job of seamlessly incorporating the tumultuous history of the Roman Republic into the narrative flow. A welcome addition to the ever fascinating chronicles of Gordianus the Finder.” Booklist

“This collection of short stories…shows how a fine hand at historical research can enliven the most traditional and well-titled of genres…Gordianus himself is a compelling character.” Rock Hill (SC) Herald

“Ingenious…Saylor offers rich history with great imagination.” Seattle Times

“Entertainment of the first order.” Washington Post Book World

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