Wrath of the Furies by Steven Saylor, Book Review

Ok, ok, here is yet another Roman mystery. I just can’t help myself, I love historical crime, and especially the Roman period. 

Steven Saylor is on good form with this new Finder mystery. Gordianus, our Roman spy, is living in Alexandria with his two pals, retired eunuchs from the Egyptian royal court, when he receives a cryptic note from his erstwhile mentor. What a lot of bother this note leads to, including a sea voyage to Asia Minor, another wonderful historical arena full of danger. 

It is 88 BC, when much of the Empire was rebelling against Rome, causing chaos and blood shed, so perhaps not the time to go on a trip. Even in Egypt there had been a coup and a new Pharao had ascended the throne. A sensible spy would take a sabbatical, keep his head down, and stay in the comfort of his host's house, spoiled by his personal slave.  

I’d say, leave the old man to die, but Gordianus is loyal to a fault and ventures behind enemy lines into Ephesus, into the realm of a sadistic tyrant, accompanied only by the sexy Bethesda, his personal slave. Some of you may know that being a Roman citizen was like winning the lottery of life, however, in this fraught situation, being a Roman was a short-cut to a gruesome death. 

Will our hero survive his undercover mission? And my constant worry, (unlike the people in 88 BC, I can afford to be squeamish) - will he be tortured before they kill him?

Steven Saylor, the American author of a number of mysteries set in Ancient Rome, captures the period with great skill and entrances us with his knowledge of Roman social history. He has appeared on the History Channel as an expert on Roman politics and life. 

Published in paperback in March 2017 by Constable.