Arms of Nemesis (Ring)

by Steven Saylor | Mystery & Thrillers |
ISBN: 185487974x Global Overview for this book
Registered by Mastulela of Nuneaton, Warwickshire United Kingdom on 6/29/2005
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9 journalers for this copy...
Journal Entry 1 by Mastulela from Nuneaton, Warwickshire United Kingdom on Wednesday, June 29, 2005
Second in Steven Saylor's Roma Sub Rosa series.

South of Rome on the gulf of Puteoli stands the splendid villa of Marcus Crassus, Rome's wealthiest citizen. When the estate overseer is murdered, Crassus concludes that the deed was done by two missing slaves, who have probably run off to join the Spartacus Slave Revolt. Unless they are found in five days, Crassus vows to massacre his remaining ninety-nine slaves.

To Gordianus the Finder falls the fateful task of resolving this riddle from Hades.


A blend of mystery and history.

Netstation
Loopy1
Wistfuldragon
CoolboxUK
Tehuti <----
Rillaith
YowlYY
Mastulela

Journal Entry 2 by wingNetstationwing from Coventry, West Midlands United Kingdom on Sunday, July 17, 2005
Having only recently discovered Steven Saylor and his hero Gordianus, through the good advice of Mastulela, I was really pleased to find this book set aside for me at the Unconvention. Sorry to be so long in getting round to journal its receipt, but I haven't wasted any time as I took it with me on my last trip and will finish it in the next couple of days - I need a status that says 'Being read' - enjoying it so far!

Journal Entry 3 by wingNetstationwing from Coventry, West Midlands United Kingdom on Wednesday, August 31, 2005
Hmmm! The problem with reading quickly is that one forgets the book is finished, and then also forgets to send it on to the next in the ring :o(

Sorry Loopy, and Mastulela, but it's on its way today.

I really enjoyed this book, as others of Steven Saylor that I've read. Here I think the character development is better, and particularly that of Crassus. You know from the first that you're not going to like his high-handed, almost imperious, manner, but by the end of the book there is a sort of grudging admiration for a man who sticks to his principles come hell or high water. Gordianus is up against it this time. Not only an almost insoluble problem but a time limit press down upon him. Can he solve the riddle and save the lives of 99 innocents? ...

Journal Entry 4 by wingNetstationwing from Coventry, West Midlands United Kingdom on Wednesday, August 31, 2005
Off to Loopy1. Sorry for delay :o(

Journal Entry 5 by loopy1 from Herne Bay, Kent United Kingdom on Thursday, September 1, 2005
This book arrived safely in Kent this morning, along with a letter for someone a few streets away!

I'm looking forward to this, and DH will read it as well, so I'd better sneak it on the top of the pile he took out of a bookbox yesterday :-)

Thanks!

Journal Entry 6 by loopy1 from Herne Bay, Kent United Kingdom on Tuesday, September 27, 2005
DH read and enjoyed this book, then it was my turn.

I really enjoyed it - a good insight into Roman life and a good mystery to boot.

There were lots of interesting snippets in this story, and like Netstation I enjoyed the character development.

Thanks for this!

Journal Entry 7 by WistfulDragon from Streatham, Greater London United Kingdom on Saturday, October 8, 2005
Collected from Loopy at the meetup today - thank you!

Journal Entry 8 by WistfulDragon from Streatham, Greater London United Kingdom on Friday, October 14, 2005
Excellent book! There was some nice follow-through from the first book, as well as some decidedly political changing of attitudes - I would have been hard pressed to be as cool around some of the characters as Gordianus was, considering what had happened in that first book! But then I'm not living in his world, and don't have to deal with the same pressures and consequences - and it's nice that the author has recognised the realities of that time well enough not only to have Gordianus being cool (well, as cool as he ever is), but also not even giving his attitude a passing thought.
Or maybe I'm a complete nincompoop, and am the only one who thinks this way?
Anyway, a thoroughly good read, even with a couple of frustrations thrown in (a couple of times I wanted to say, THINK, man!) in a thoroughly well-realised and self-consistent world. (I can't actually comment on historical accuracy as I have little historical knowledge, but it certainly appears to reflect the place and times accurately!)
Will contact CoolboxUK for an addy.

Journal Entry 9 by rem_XGD-219596 on Tuesday, October 18, 2005
Arrived today and looking forward to reading this (reading "Falco" Venus in Bronze at the moment, so this will be nice staying the same genre...).

Journal Entry 10 by rem_XGD-219596 on Sunday, October 23, 2005
Absolutely great read! I've enjoyed all the Gordianus riddles so far but think this was his best yet. The deadline effect makes it even more thrilling - of course you expect the outcome: Gordianus will solve it all in the last possible minute, or won't he??? - which really keeps you on your toes and makes you want to read on and on. Caused me a couple of really late nights! Worth every minute, though!
As usual, well researched and well presented, makes you feel transported back to ancient Roman times. Also liked the mysterious bits in it, just my kettle of fish.

Journal Entry 11 by tehuti from Swansea, Wales United Kingdom on Wednesday, November 2, 2005
Having read the first book, I'm looking forward to a new Gordianus mystery. Incidentally, I got yet another Gordianus book, "The Venus Throw" in a job lot I bought on Ebay. If any of the current ring members would like a read, let me know and I'll start a ring or ray for it sometime soon I hope.

Journal Entry 12 by tehuti from Swansea, Wales United Kingdom on Friday, January 20, 2006
I enjoyed the first Gordianus mystery, but this one is even better. It was a real attention grabber, full of suspense. I stayed up to a silly hour in order to finish it. I feel proud of having been able to solve some of the subplots in the book if not the main whodunnit. Apologies for holding it up so long. I will send it on as soon as possible.

Journal Entry 13 by tehuti from Swansea, Wales United Kingdom on Friday, January 27, 2006
Posted to Rillaith today

Journal Entry 14 by Rillaith from Wokingham, Berkshire United Kingdom on Friday, February 3, 2006
Arrived several days ago, but can#'t access BC from home. I've got 4 ring books all arrived at the same time, though (2 of which I'd forgotten about!) so it will be a few days before I can start this one. Really looking forward to it *bounce*

Journal Entry 15 by Rillaith from Wokingham, Berkshire United Kingdom on Tuesday, February 14, 2006
I love these books - going to be adding the rest to my wishlist!

I have never been to Rome (yet!) so I didn't have such a good idea of the locations in Roman Blood as this one. Based near the bay of Naples, I could almost feel the balmy sunny days while I read it. A great whodunnit, teasing the reader with hints and red herrings along the way.

Actually finished this last week, but didn't make it to the post office before and left it at work over the weekend - oops! Still, from the sounds of YowlYY's Mount TBR, that's probably not a bad thing...


Journal Entry 16 by YowlYY on Monday, February 20, 2006
Rillaith is sooo right! The book has just reached me (along with a yummy pack of coffee beans in dark chocolate, thanks so much!!), and although I am dying to read the new adventures of Gordianus, this is No.7 on my Mount TBR. However, if some of the books in line do not pass the "100 pages" test, I will be able to jump to this one sooner than expected. Thanks for organising this ring to Mastulela... with all the mystery books featuring ancient Roman detectives, I feel more and more that another trip to Rome is soon due...

Journal Entry 17 by YowlYY on Friday, April 7, 2006
I enjoyed this one more than the first Gordianus mystery, hence the 9 :)
I took it with me to Sardinia, and finished it staying up late at night until the very last epilogue page...what a read! The fact that this time Gordianus had only three days to solve the mysterious murder of Lucius, and events are not on his side, makes the read even more compulsive. Again, I got to know better some of the characters portrayed in the first book - although it was a surprise to see that this second book's events are a few years away from the conclusion of "Roman Blood". I wonder what the third one will be like? I am addicted, can't you tell?
Thanks for this great read!

The book is ready to be returned to Mastulela...I only need to PM her for the address.

Journal Entry 18 by Mastulela from Nuneaton, Warwickshire United Kingdom on Wednesday, April 12, 2006
Arived back safely. Glad to see that everyone enjoyed it, because I am rather fond of Gordianus and his entourage.

Journal Entry 19 by Mastulela from Nuneaton, Warwickshire United Kingdom on Wednesday, October 25, 2006
Postal release to sdkelley today. I hope you enjoy it as much as the previous readers have.

Journal Entry 20 by sdkelley on Tuesday, November 7, 2006
Received as part of the First Sentences book box. Looks to be interesting - I love historical books!

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