Rubicon (original 1999; edition 2011)

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. ( )

This story cleverly manages to twist itself in amongst historical characters and situations - Caesar, Pompey and Cicero and the threat of civil war. Although the detective element of the plot gets a bit lost in the middle because of those events it is worth reading to the end. ( )

This one was pretty action-packed. I loved the ending, as I totally didn't see it coming. Great book. Someone should really think of making this series into a tv series. I would SOOOO love to watch this. ( )

Another cracking book in this series, with a shocking twist near the end. Shorter than his others, but very pacy and tense, so no worse for that (one or two have felt a bit padded). ( )