A Murder on the Appian Way

A Mystery of Ancient Rome

By: Steven Saylor

Narrated by: Scott Harrison

Length: 16 hrs and 36 mins

Publisher's summary

Ancient Rome has been in a state of turmoil as the rival gangs of Publius Clodius, a high-born, populist politician, and his arch-enemy, Titus Milo, have fought to control the consular elections. When Clodius is murdered on the famed Appian Way and Milo is accused of the crime, the city explodes with riots and arson, and even the near sacrosanct Senate House is burned to the ground.

As accusations and rumors fly, Gordianus the Finder, whose famed investigative skills and integrity make him sought after by all sides in the escalating conflict, is charged by Pompey the Great with discovering what really happened. Who is really responsible for Clodius' death? And should his murderer be despised as a villain or hailed as a savior of the Republic?

©1996 Steven Saylor (P)1996 Blackstone Audio, Inc.

Critic reviews

"In Steven Saylor's lively imagination, Rome - both glorious and grimy - is revived." ( Seattle Times)
"The plotting is deft and the action - both physical and intellectual - is nonstop." (Amazon.com)

Painful to listen to.

Is there anything you would change about this book?

The narrator- I've read cookbooks he could read.

How did the narrator detract from the book?

Its was painful. His narrating sucked. "See Jane. See Jane run. Run Jane run. " That is how this entire book feels.

If this book were a movie would you go see it?

No

Any additional comments?

Very disappointed. This is the only Steven Saylor book I have listened to but it was so difficult to make it through because of the narrating I don't think I will get another.

The reader does a great job

I almost didn't buy this book because of the reviews about the narrator but he does a really good job! I don't understand why there are so many negative reviews. This is also a great book. Maybe the best one so far. It kept me entertained but I am obsessed with learning about ancient (2,000+ years ago) history.

Pretty good

Very culturally and historically accurate novel that explains the murder of Clodius very realistically. I only wish that someone had told the reader how to pronounce Latin names.

Great Story - Terrible Narrator

I would have given this a 5 but for the narrator, Scott Harrison. He simply is one of the worst readers I have ever encountered. He not only tends to read with little expression, but he often mispronounces words which is very annoying. The fascinating story is a great look at Rome on the eve of the coming of Julius Caesar. It gives an excellent view of Roman Society and customs as well as providing an excellent mystery -- although the mystery portions are really seconday to the narrative of civil disorder in Rome.

The narrator fails on some many accounts. Not only is he basically a monotone, but he unable to make the characters come alive with his voice. His female characters all sound as if they were hoarse. It is too bad that this will never be redone as it an excellent book. I am sorry that Scott Harrison is the narrator in so many of the Saylor Roman Mysteries.

If you can ignore the reader, as I did, this book is still worth it.

Love the series but hate this narrator

I've read or listened to every book in the series up to this point and love the narration by Ralph Cosham. This narrator, Scott Harrison, is so bad that I quit listening and got the written version instead. He is way too shrill, making Gordianus sound angry and harsh most of the time. He mispronounces Grodianus (says "Gordi- Anus" instead of "Gordiahnus") and generally is impossible to listen to. Stick with the Cosham readings, you will have a much better experience. The stories are wonderful and the history blended in seamlessly. It's really too bad that this narrator mars the experience so badly.

Have some fun!

"Gordianus the Finder Series" is a blast. If you want to put a smile on your face and step out of your worries, buy this series. It's better than medications. I wish they had all the series. Start with the first book and enjoy.

One of the top cases of The Finder, book 5

Even when trapped in a hole in the ground with your adult son for 40 days… you STILL gotta beat cock. The betrayal and intrigue in this episode or installment is ripe and juicy, most of them you can figure out before hand as you proceed, this one left the details and culmination at the end, leaving a good story throughout. When your friend betrays you and ask that Timoni about it, when you have to turn to a general for help, when the city is in disarray… The Finder finds a way

An older actor with a little gravitas is needed.

This book wasn’t for you, but who do you think might enjoy it more?

Actually, it was for me.

What was one of the most memorable moments of A Murder on the Appian Way?

The beginning.

How did the narrator detract from the book?

He sounded like a San Francisco bistro waiter. But seriously, Novels set in Rome are inherently alien. I think British actors are best at this as they impart enough separateness while being understandable. We are all now used to hearing Romans portrayed as British via I Claudius, etc. that it is oddly more natural.

If you could play editor, what scene or scenes would you have cut from A Murder on the Appian Way?

None that I can remember.

Overall Fun but deeply flawed

This was a fun little book about Rome. If you are a Rome fanatic, you will love this book.

Not much of a mystery, but then, if you know anything about Rome, the murder on the Appian Way was not a mystery.

I liked the surprising characters who where in this very character driven story. Tiro, for instance, very different from his characterization in Imperium or Lustrum.

I really didn't like the characterization of Cicero as a vain pawn of Pompey and Caesar. And, the characterization of Caesar as such a hero was simply shocking. Caesar was no hero anymore than Sulla was...he just wasn't as blatantly bloodthirsty to his opponents. But then, Caesar for me will always be as he was in Rome...on HBO.

And, well, I just can't do Rome with an American accent! I know...it sounds awful, and many Americans are wonderful people. Hell, I'm NOT married to one. :) But, I was once, which is why I am a freed slave, I suppose.

But, they just sound so...well...not Roman. And, I know that sounds stupid...Latin sounds more like Spanish or Portuguese (both that I speak) than the British and Irish accents that I love for all Ancient World audiobooks.

It is just such a Midwestern accent is just, well, not Roman in my mind! I'm as American as Tiro, I suppose...but I don't wear my toga as a freedman with much pride.

But, still...a fun ride...well researched and interesting. He got so many details so well. I still suggest Imperium and Lustrum by Robert Harris for the best Roman novels. He celebrates Cicero while seeing his flaws, like Tiro did in this book. And, of course, a noble Plebeian like Gorgianius would never have married an Egyptian slave or adopted slaves and freed them, and probably would have killed his slave and possibly his daughter for her getting pregnant. I'm just saying. Maybe a low-born pleb who did not live near Cicero would have done that.

I'm glad he saw that Clodius and Milo were both horrible people but Cicero would never have locked up someone like that. As for Clodia...she really came alive and her grief for her horrible brother was genuine. But, what about Milo being a little more sympathetic?

Pompey was shallow and the whole "great one" really annoyed me. He would have called him "Emperado" or "General" or maybe "Counsel"

At least he avoided glorifying violence like so many Roman books written by American men seem to love. What is it with you Yanks and violence?

It was unclear what Gorgianus was exactly. Was he in the Equestrian order? The class conscious Roman world would have talked about this a little more.

Gotta love poor Daves and the two little slave boys were hilarious. This was a character driven story...not a mystery, not a drama, more or a period piece with a narrator who "finds" things, as detectives didn't exist back then. But, why wasn't it Clodius's defence attorney that hired him? Why would Pompey care? He HATED Clodius, who once laid siege to his house and threatened his life daily.

Great book, bad reader

I love Steven Saylor's books, I have read them all. So I was delighted to see this audio book in the Audible collection.

Unfortunately, I didn't check out the reader before purchasing the audiobook. The thought didn't even cross my mind as I am so use to having good readers on Audible.

The reader has a boring voice completely lacking any depth. He is unable to create different characters so I am constantly in doubt as to who is talking. Finally, his delivery is mechanical without any of the suspense or mystery that a good reader can offer.

My advice is to check out the audio sample for yourself. As for myself, I will stick with the actual books until a new reader comes through.