This story is set at the death of the Roman Republic, and the start of the civil wars from which the Empire emerged. Saylor eschews political analysis or a detailed retelling of the major historical events. Instead he develops a storyline that does bring Gordianus in contact with the famous (Pompeius, Caesar, and Cicero) but still retains a personal and intimate character.

It is well done. Arguably that plot is somewhat contrived and implausible, and serves to create dramatic scenes far more than the puzzle of a whodunnit. As to the murder at the center of the personal story, it is fairly obvious who did it, if you think logically. Saylor as usual tries to hide the truth in plain sight. The resolution is too heart-wrenching to be entirely satisfactory, but fits the author’s development of a complex dynamic between Gordianus and Meto, which spans several books.

There are too many implausibilities to make this a great story, but it is a fun book if you have any interest in Roman history. ( )

"Alea jacta est.". César ha cruzado el Rubicón, el pequeño río que separa la provincia gala de la península itálica, y se dirige con sus ejércitos hacia Roma, donde su rival, Pompeyo, está a punto de abandonar la ciudad y dejar a los romanos sin protección ni gobierno. En medio de la creciente confusión, uno de los primos favoritos de Pompeyo aparece muerto en el jardín de Gordiano el Sabueso, el más célebre investigador de Roma, quie´n no tendrá otra opción de hacerse cargo de unos de los casos más difíciles y comprometidos de su carrera. Gran conocedor de la naturaleza humana y peculiar páter familias -sus hijos adoptados y esclavos manumisos retratan a un hombre indiferente a los valores tradicionales-, no hay rincón de la ciudad eterna que se resista a la mirada indagadora de Gordiano. Sin embargo, a sus sesenta y un años, en un clima de guerra civil enrarecido por la volatilidad de las alianzas políticas, Gordiano deberá hacer acopio de todas sus fuerzas y demostrar que no ha perdidoni un ápice de su renombrada inteligencia.

Probably not the best of the series with which to start. Interesting main character, but hardly any sleuthing to this mystery. I may try one of the earlier Gordianus novels. Way more history (and not clear on how accurate it is) than there is mystery.

For me, this did not work as well as the other Gordianus novels I have read. The story did not have the usual investigative process with the answer becoming apparent towards the end of the novel, rather, we had a tour (well written, well researched, and intense—admittedly), through civil war Italy, but then BANG, the answer to the mystery thrown into our laps. All in all, a bit of a let down. ( )

In this episode of Gordianus, the Finder's stories, he finds himself walking a tightrope between the armed camps of Caesar and Pompey. One of Pompey's close advisors shows up at Gordianus's house and is killed in minutes. Why had he come? A close search of his body turns up some incriminating encoded papers. With his daughter, Diana's help, he deciphers one and finds intimate information about his adopted son, Meta, who is Caesar's personal secretary. The implication is that Meta is a spy for Pompey.

Gordianus has to find his son and determine the truth and falls in with Tiro, Cicero's protege, who has a pass signed by Pompey. The two proceed to Brundidium to find Meta. When they reach their destination, Caesar has laid siege to the city where Pompey and his troops are secure behind fortress walls. Caesar is also building rafts to close off the harbor to prevent Pompey from escaping by sea.

Gordianus gives us a close up view of the battle that ensues, both from Caesar's camp and then from inside the fortress. History was never so interesting (at least for me).

Saylor continues to weave the story of Gordianus and his family with the real history of the time placing us in the middle of the action. ( )