A Gladiator Dies Only Once - first US edition
by Steven Saylor - signed
As in The House of the Vestals (1997), Saylor's previous collection featuring
Gordianus the Finder, these nine carefully researched stories cover the early
phase of the ancient Roman sleuth's career, affording fans the chance to witness
the growth of some important personal and political relationships, including
Gordianus's connection with the legendary orator Cicero. Though Saylor's novels
in this acclaimed series allow him more scope to describe settings and develop
his secret Roman history, he still manages, especially in the book's highlights,
"The Cherries of Lucullus" and "The White Fawn," to suspend disbelief and make
all his characters feel real. Some story mysteries prove to have a non-criminal
resolution, but the twisty fair-play plotting that marks Saylor's best novels (Catilina's
Riddle; A Murder on the Appian Way; etc.) is very much in evidence. A partial
chronology and historical notes round out this excellent volume.
Book gray boards with gold-stamped lettering on the spine. Signed and dated June
4, 2005, by the author on the title page. Jacket is in as-new condition.