A Mist of Prophecies
The brutal Roman Civil War pitted the followers of the upstart Julius Caesar against the equally determined supporters of Pompey the Great. Rome and her territories were torn asunder, and the Roman world took on a very different look with Caesar’s victory. Saylor’s indefatigable Gordianus the Finder must navigate his way through the dangerous political world of this unstable Rome in the latest adventure of our ancient “Shamus.” Gordianus is presented with a dilemma in attempting to resolve the untimely death of a lovely young prophet of whom our hero has more than a passing acquaintance. Family members of those close to both rival political camps are implicated, and the task of Gordianus is made infinitely more complicated by the intrigue of civil conflict as well as by his previous relationship with the murdered woman (which is best kept secret from the Finder’s wife and family!).
Saylor knows his Rome and succeeds once again in bringing this city and time period to life as Gordianus steers his usual uncertain course between truth and survival. A fair amount of knowledge of Rome and Roman society will benefit the reader, but a patient novice will find the effort rewarding.
