The House of the Vestals

"The House of the Vestals," by Steven Saylor, is a collection of short stories set in his Roma Sub Rosa series during an 8-year period (80-72 BCE) between the first and second novels in that series. Most of the stories were originally published in Ellery Queen’s Mystery Magazine, which is where I read them first, but I quite enjoy having the stories all in one place, in chronological order. One great thing about Saylor’s work is that he always includes historical notes at the end of the book, and this collection is no exception; that addition really pleases the historian in me, while the stories themselves are both very entertaining and historically accurate. Highly recommended!

This is a reasonably good and varied collection of mystery short stories set in Rome during the years 80 BC to 72 BC. For those who have read any of Steven Saylor's Roma sub rosa series of novels, these stories all fall into the time period following the first novel in the series, Roman Blood. Of the 9 short stories, all but one appeared in Ellery Queen's Mystery Magazine in the years 1993-1995. My knowledge of Roman history is pretty weak, and stories like these give me good glimpses into the times. I've only read two of Saylor's novels before this, and I enjoy learning the history within the stories and I plan on reading more of them.

A collection of short stories with simple, but well constructed plots, written in a entertaining style. I found this to be excellent travel reading. The characters of course lack the depth that they get in one of the longer books, they are quickly sketched. But they are believable.

In The House of the Vestals, Rome’s best finder Gordianus is back in a series of short stories full of political intrigue, murder, theft, and mystery. Set in between the novels Roman Blood and Arms of Nemesis, The House of the Vestals update readers on what Gordianus has been up to in the years that pass between the two books.

In Death Wears a Mask, Gordianus tracks a murderer who targeted an actor in between play scenes. Bethesda tells the story of a King’s missing treasure in The Tale of the Treasure House. Rich Patrician Lucius Claudius, who soon becomes a close friend of Gordianus, first comes to him with a mystery about a will, a supposed dead young man, and a sighting of the supposedly dead man in A Will is a Way. The Lemures show more is about two separate households plagued with spirits of the dead, which Gordianus must figure out even as he has his own wits scared out of him. Gordianus’ life is once again put in danger when he is sent to ransom a kidnapped young boy from pirates in Little Caesar and the Pirates. The Disappearance of the Saturnalia Silver once again involves Lucius Claudius and his missing Saturnalia gifts-- this one is solved by Bethesda. In an attempt to get away from the chaos of the city, Lucius Claudius and Gordianus escape to the country in King Bee and Honey, but death and mystery follows. To entertain Lucius Claudius, Gordianus tells him the story of The Alexandian Cat and how he saved the life of a fellow Roman in Egypt after the murder of a sacred cat. Finally, in the namesake story, The House of the Vestals, Gordianus must help Cicero by solving a murder that happened in one of the most sacred buildings of Rome.

I was very eager to read this book because Roman Blood is such a good book and now one of my favorites. When I got The House of the Vestals, I didn’t know it was a novel of short stories until I opened it up. Each story is short enough that it is to the point with no tangents or intertwining plotlines to stray from the one major plot focus, the mystery. Novels can get complex because they require a lot of build up and climax, as well as a lot of details, but short stories need very little of any of that and can get to the point quickly. I like short stories because they are like instant gratification, plus you can sit down and read one in between other things. Sometimes my attention span needs a break.

There are also some good character developments within the short stories. First, there is the introduction of Lucius Claudius, a new character. Second, we get to see how Gordianus and Eco are progressing in their relationship, which is almost father and son. Third, the story Little Caesar and the Pirates tells of how Gordianus got his bodyguard Belbo. And fourth, Bethesda once again shows herself to be more than a mere slave-- indeed, she is quickly showing herself to be the equal of Gordianus and very perceptive. All in all, I just really like Gordianus-- he is realistic, witty, imperfect, and practical. Like Roman Blood, the history is rich and subtle, not shoving facts in your face so much as using them for setting but teaching you about the time nonetheless. If you like short stories and Roman mystery, there is no way that you won’t like The House of the Vestals. show less

A great collection of short stories from, in my view, the master of Roman murder mystery fiction - interesting, amusing and at times horrible and grotesque. A great read.

'The House of the Vestals' is Steven Saylor's first collection of short stories that fill in the gaps in the history, personal and professional of Gordianus the Finder. (Saylor later wrote 'A Gladiator Dies Only Once' to fill in even more of the blanks.)

Fans of the Roma Sub Rosa series that began in 'Roman Blood' will love these short stories. Saylor's stories are easy on the brow, enjoyable, not too taxing - the 'mysteries' are often pretty simple - but you root for Gordianus because he is a good and decent citizen.

Saylor's stories do have a serious side - they paint an admirably convincing portrait of late Republican Rome. I am by no means a scholar of ancient history, but I have read a half dozen or so histories of this era (such show more as 'Rubicon' by Tom Holland and 'Caesar' by Adrian Goildworthy) and he has me convinced. Saylor has a reputation for scrupulous accuracy and often cast his stroies admidst some actual event in history. show less

Written out of chronological order, these stories fill in a gap between Roman Blood and Catilina's Riddle. Among the stories the reader learns about the relationship between Gordianus and his Egyptian slave, Bethesda, and his adopted son, Eco. Each story gives the reader a glimpse into life in ancient Rome. One takes place during the Saturnalian celebration where slaves and masters swap positions. Another story talks about the time when Julius Caesar was abducted by pirates. Another shows the reader how fearful and superstitious Romans were in regards to cats. Yet another describes bee keeping and the last gives us a glimpse into the world of the Vestal Virgins. Each time Gordianus is given, or comes across a mystery to solve.