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Title: The Venus Throw

Subtitle: A Novel of Ancient Rome, Book 6

Author: Steven Saylor

Narrator: Scott Harrison

Format: Unabridged

Length: 12 hrs and 37 mins

Language: English

Release date: 11-28-12

Publisher: Blackstone Audio, Inc.

Ratings: 4.5 of 5 out of 38 votes

Genres: Fiction, Historical

Publisher's Summary:

Rome, 56 BC. The great general Pompey has conquered the East; Julius Caesar is defeating the Gauls; only Egypt, with its strategic granaries and vast treasuries of gold, still eludes the grasp of Rome. The city itself is becoming ever more corrupt, as the last generation of the Roman Republic indulges in political backstabbing, endless lawsuits, scandalous love affairs, and the occasional murder.

In recent days several Egyptian envoys have been viciously assassinated. Fearing that he will be next, the Egyptian ambassador, Dio, calls on his old friend Gordianus the Finder and all of his special skills for help - but before the night is out, Dio is murdered.

Now Gordianus begins his most dangerous case. Hired to investigate Dios death by a beautiful woman with a scandalous reputation, he will follow a trail of political intrigue into the highest circles of power and the citys most hidden arenas of debauchery. There Gordianus will learn that nothing is as it seems - not the damning evidence he uncovers, not the suspect he sends to trial, not even the real truth behind Dios death.

Poison, betrayals, and long-buried secrets confront Gordianus as one of historys most famous trials races to a close. But even after the verdict is delivered, there are secrets still to be uncovered.

Steven Saylor is a freelance writer, editor, and the author of novels set in ancient Rome. He studied history at the University of Texas at Austin. His writing has appeared in the Threepenny Review, San Francisco Bay Guardian, Ellery Queens Mystery Magazine, and The Magazine of Fantasy and Science Fiction.

Critic Reviews:

"Imaginative. Saylors style is smooth. A[n] absorbing look at a time when men tried to rule themselves wisely and failed." (

San Francisco Chronicle)

"Engrossing. Intensely dramatic. Erotic, funny, compelling. A bona fide page-turner." (

Detroit Free Press)

"Steven Saylor transports you to ancient Rome with spellbinding effectiveness." (

Austin Chronicle)

Members Reviews:

The Clodians at their most entertaining

If you could sum up The Venus Throw in three words, what would they be?

Poison, murder and kinky sex.

What did you like best about this story?

I liked the character Clodia. I knew her and her brother Clodius from history. Saylor paints them into real people. They had a "reputation" and Saylor expands and fills in the blanks for them. I also liked Bethesda, we get to know her backstory.

Which character as performed by Scott Harrison was your favorite?

Clodia as one of the protagonists and Bethesda in a supporting role

Any additional comments?

When I started listening to the sub rosa series of books I disliked the narrator and thought that his voice grated and tended to over act the dialogues, but I got used to him and think he does a fair job. Don't let the negative reviews dissuade you.

I listen during my commute and look forward to it. If there's heavy traffic, even better.

Keeps getting better

I continued the Rosa sub Rosa series a little guarded after disappointment in Saylor's first book.