Genre: Historical Mystery
Setting: Rome, 52 BC
Steven Saylor is the author of the Roma Sub Rosa mystery series. His main character is Gordianus the Finder. Gordianus is ancient Rome's answer to the private detective. In his investigations he meets some of Rome's most powerful citizens. Saylor's plots have Gordianus rubbing elbows such well known historical figures as Caesar, Pompey, Marc Antony, and Cicero.
In this novel, two of Rome's most powerful men Publius Claudius and Titus Annius Milo are vying for political control of Rome. When Claudius is found dead on the Appian way Milo is accused of his murder. Gordianus is asked by several powerful people to investigate.
Rome is in an uproar with riots between opposing political forces. Gordianus and his family are in danger from the rioting mobs. His house is ransacked, and his faithful slave Belbo is killed.
In order to quell the lawlessness of the mob, Pompey, a Roman general, takes command of the city. Milo must be put on trial for the murder. Will Gordianus untangle the mystery, find the truth, and save Rome from itself?
I enjoy Saylor's novels. Gordianus is a great character. While he is rubbing elbows with Rome's elite, he must also solve domestic family problems with his wife, daughter, adopted sons, and slaves. These details make Gordianus and believable and likable character. Like many other mystery novel main characters, he must choose between truth and justice to find a solution he can live with.
Saturday, October 29, 2011
Friday, October 14, 2011
Stonehenge by Bernard Cornwell
Genre: Historical Fiction
Setting: England, 2000 B.C.
Bernard Cornwell is a prolific author of historical fiction. He has written over fifty novels.
In this novel, Cornwell tells a fictional account of the building of Stonehenge. While this work is completely fiction, Cornwell does a great job of weaving into his tale the few archeological facts we do know about Stonehenge.
Nobody really knows why Stonehenge was built. It may have been for religious purposes, but we have no direct information of this. We do know that Stonehenge was built, and rebuilt, several times. Many stones were brought from hundreds of miles away, then discarded. The large stones that finally comprised Stonehenge weigh as much as forty tons. They were dragged over twenty miles to create the monument we know today.
Cornwell's story tells the fate of three brothers. It is a tale of brotherly rivalry, madness, and the will of the gods.
The oldest brother a warrior filled with lust, hatred and revenge. He murders his father and betrays his youngest brother. And slaughters at will.
The middle son suffers from physical deformities which drive him into madness. He becomes a priest in service to fierce god Slaol. It is his madness which drives the building of great temples, and eventually the building of Stonehenge.
The youngest son, Saban (the main character) is betrayed by his older brothers, sold into slavery, and driven far from home. Along the way the women he loves (two wives and a daughter) are taken from him by his brothers, and the gods. In the end he is driven to build the incredible monument that is Stonehenge.
I enjoyed this novel. It is a nice easy read. The plot moves along and keeps you reading.
Setting: England, 2000 B.C.
Bernard Cornwell is a prolific author of historical fiction. He has written over fifty novels.
In this novel, Cornwell tells a fictional account of the building of Stonehenge. While this work is completely fiction, Cornwell does a great job of weaving into his tale the few archeological facts we do know about Stonehenge.
Nobody really knows why Stonehenge was built. It may have been for religious purposes, but we have no direct information of this. We do know that Stonehenge was built, and rebuilt, several times. Many stones were brought from hundreds of miles away, then discarded. The large stones that finally comprised Stonehenge weigh as much as forty tons. They were dragged over twenty miles to create the monument we know today.
Cornwell's story tells the fate of three brothers. It is a tale of brotherly rivalry, madness, and the will of the gods.
The oldest brother a warrior filled with lust, hatred and revenge. He murders his father and betrays his youngest brother. And slaughters at will.
The middle son suffers from physical deformities which drive him into madness. He becomes a priest in service to fierce god Slaol. It is his madness which drives the building of great temples, and eventually the building of Stonehenge.
The youngest son, Saban (the main character) is betrayed by his older brothers, sold into slavery, and driven far from home. Along the way the women he loves (two wives and a daughter) are taken from him by his brothers, and the gods. In the end he is driven to build the incredible monument that is Stonehenge.
I enjoyed this novel. It is a nice easy read. The plot moves along and keeps you reading.
Saturday, October 8, 2011
The Haunted Monastery and The Chinese Maze Murders by Robert Van Gulik
Genre: Historical Mystery
Setting: China in the seventh century
Robert Van Gulik was a diplomat and orientalist. While serving in China, he discovered the traditional Chinese detective story. In the these stories, the main character is a magistrate. In each story the magistrate investigates and solves three different crimes. In many of these stories the main character is Judge Dee. Judge Dee was a historical figure who was revered for solving mysteries.
Van Gulik modeled his stories on the the Chinese detective story. He uses Judge Dee as his main character. Dee, with his trusty lieutenants, investigate crimes and dispense justice in ancient China. While Van Gulik's stories are works of fiction, he used Chinese sources to suggest mysteries for Dee to solve.
This volume contains two separate Judge Dee novels:
The Haunted Monastery
While returning to his home after a trip to the capital, Judge Dee's carriage breaks an axle during a severe storm. Fortunately, there is a monastery nearby where he and his family can take refuge. While at the monastery, Dee begins to notice some strange happenings. He is already aware of three untimely deaths which have occurred at the monastery in the past year. The monastery and the storm outside create a mysterious setting as Dee questions his suspects and solves three interwoven crimes.
The Chinese Maze Murders
Judge Dee has been assigned to a town on the frontier. When he arrives he finds that the previous magistrate has left, and the town in in the control of a local strongman. Immediately, he has to take control of the town using guile rather than the force of arms. In the next few days he solves a sealed-room murder, unravels a contested will, locates a missing girl, discovers the murderer of a previous magistrate, and defuses an imminent attack by the local barbarian tribesmen. All in a week's work for the intrepid Judge Dee.
Setting: China in the seventh century
Robert Van Gulik was a diplomat and orientalist. While serving in China, he discovered the traditional Chinese detective story. In the these stories, the main character is a magistrate. In each story the magistrate investigates and solves three different crimes. In many of these stories the main character is Judge Dee. Judge Dee was a historical figure who was revered for solving mysteries.
Van Gulik modeled his stories on the the Chinese detective story. He uses Judge Dee as his main character. Dee, with his trusty lieutenants, investigate crimes and dispense justice in ancient China. While Van Gulik's stories are works of fiction, he used Chinese sources to suggest mysteries for Dee to solve.
This volume contains two separate Judge Dee novels:
The Haunted Monastery
While returning to his home after a trip to the capital, Judge Dee's carriage breaks an axle during a severe storm. Fortunately, there is a monastery nearby where he and his family can take refuge. While at the monastery, Dee begins to notice some strange happenings. He is already aware of three untimely deaths which have occurred at the monastery in the past year. The monastery and the storm outside create a mysterious setting as Dee questions his suspects and solves three interwoven crimes.
The Chinese Maze Murders
Judge Dee has been assigned to a town on the frontier. When he arrives he finds that the previous magistrate has left, and the town in in the control of a local strongman. Immediately, he has to take control of the town using guile rather than the force of arms. In the next few days he solves a sealed-room murder, unravels a contested will, locates a missing girl, discovers the murderer of a previous magistrate, and defuses an imminent attack by the local barbarian tribesmen. All in a week's work for the intrepid Judge Dee.
Sunday, October 2, 2011
Pirate Latitudes by Michael Crichton
Genre: Historical Fiction, Pirate Fiction
Setting: 1665, the Caribbean Sea
The British colony of Port Royal in Jamaica in the 1665 was a nest of knaves and cutthroats. Captain Charles Hunter makes Port Royal his home port. Now, the difference between being a privateer or a pirate depends on what side you are on. Piracy is illegal. Privateering is approved by the government. Hunter is a privateer.
Hunter is a well liked captain. His crew mates trust his fairness and unique planning skills. The ladies of Port Royal admire his dashing good looks. And his successful ventures make lots of people rich, including his crew, many of the towns businessmen, and local British government officials.
When he gets wind of a Spanish galleon laden with gold and ripe for the picking, Hunter is ready to go. His voyage across the the Caribbean reads like the plot of a blockbuster pirate movie. He is captured by an evil Spanish captain. He and his crew make several dramatic escapes. There are desperate sea going battles. Hunter and his crew face cannibals, a hurricane, and the dreaded kraken sea monster. When they return to port, they face piracy charges and are condemned to death. How Hunter survives each challenge makes this book hard to put down.
After his death in 2008, this novel was discovered as a complete manuscript in his files. It was a nice read. There was lots of great action without too much unneeded description. I enjoyed the book. Many of Crichton's novels have been made into movies. This novel would make a great film.
Pirate Latitudes
Setting: 1665, the Caribbean Sea
The British colony of Port Royal in Jamaica in the 1665 was a nest of knaves and cutthroats. Captain Charles Hunter makes Port Royal his home port. Now, the difference between being a privateer or a pirate depends on what side you are on. Piracy is illegal. Privateering is approved by the government. Hunter is a privateer.
Hunter is a well liked captain. His crew mates trust his fairness and unique planning skills. The ladies of Port Royal admire his dashing good looks. And his successful ventures make lots of people rich, including his crew, many of the towns businessmen, and local British government officials.
When he gets wind of a Spanish galleon laden with gold and ripe for the picking, Hunter is ready to go. His voyage across the the Caribbean reads like the plot of a blockbuster pirate movie. He is captured by an evil Spanish captain. He and his crew make several dramatic escapes. There are desperate sea going battles. Hunter and his crew face cannibals, a hurricane, and the dreaded kraken sea monster. When they return to port, they face piracy charges and are condemned to death. How Hunter survives each challenge makes this book hard to put down.
After his death in 2008, this novel was discovered as a complete manuscript in his files. It was a nice read. There was lots of great action without too much unneeded description. I enjoyed the book. Many of Crichton's novels have been made into movies. This novel would make a great film.
Pirate Latitudes
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