A Murder on the Appian Way

A Mystery of Ancient Rome

By: Steven Saylor

Narrated by: Scott Harrison

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)

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.

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.

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.

Ugh.. The Narrator

When a book series goes so wrong only because of the narrator. I was looking forward to listening to this for so long and then gah.. the narrator just butchered it. He turned The Finder into a crotchety old bastard and lost all interest.