The Seven Wonders by Steven Saylor
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

THE SEVEN WONDERS by Steven Saylor, is a prequel to the series of historical Crime fiction, Roma Sub Rosa, featuring his Roman private Eye, Gordianus. Set in around 110 B.C. this novel is set in a time when Gordianus had just attended manhood, at the age of 18. On becoming a man, as decreed by law he sets sail with Antipator of Sidon, who is travelling incognito for reason best known to himself (which eventually gets revealed in the last chapter). The novel set in a format of a collection of short stories sees Gordianus visiting the seven wonders of the Ancient worlds with Antipator. Every city he steps in adds a new chapter to his life, as well as bringing a new problem for him to solve, thereby adding to his experience which would make him a trained Finder in the coming days.

One thing that struck me while reading this book was that though being marketed as a mystery, this one comes out more strongly as a travelogue. With an undercurrent of mystery present in every chapter. Steven Saylor was himself a student of history, who wanted to write a literary fiction based on Rome, which by chance and good luck of the readers got transformed into a series of crime novel. So, it doesnt comes as a wonder that the descriptions of the places which remain till date(only the great Pyramid), and the ones which were present during the days of Antipator, not to forget those which werent there in 110 B.C. as well ( the Hanging Gardens) were such vivid and wonderful that it overshadows the crime solving part, thereby turning this into a very enjoyable account of the travels among the ancient Seven Wonders.

But what is so admirable, also takes away the shine from Gordianus, the protagonist. The vivid imagery created through words about the places visited, pushes Gordianus to a side character. Though enjoyable as a protagonist, with every chapter springing a new lesson in form of a woman, man or a crime, he never becomes as powerful a character as say Brother Cadfael or Marcus Falco. Throughout the book he remains in the shadow of either the travelogue or his master Antipator. Antipator of Sidon, though a real human being who lived, is presented here as the teacher of Gordianus. This character is much more vivid though the presence he gets in the book is less than his student. Travelling incognito he creates an aura around him with his wisdom and poetry. Even when his reason for change of name is revealed, one cannot stop from feeling sorry for him, and for Gordianus as well.

A well written book, which if read with an open mind stating that this should be read as something more than just a mystery novel, will be enjoyed by all.


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More Twisted: Collected Stories Vol. II by Jeffery Deaver
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Jeffrey Deaver, has been wasted, and he is himself responsible for this waste of his talent. Had he written anything, by which I mean “SERIOUS” literature, he would have got himself shortlisted for any number of awards which puts the mark, “I AM A LITERARY SNOB” on ones lapel. He is that good. Had he written some obscure literature he would have been heralded as a genius, whose book makes you a better human being, and forces you to write 4000 words long reviews, and if you do read his books, you would be sure to be branded as an intellectual. In short he is a F***ing talented guy, who has simply wasted his talent writing crime novels.

But, he is also a compassionate guy. He realised that by wasting his talent, he would basically bring joy of tears on the faces of intellectually handicapped fatsos like me who just cant give up on crime fiction. He sacrificed his stardom for charity. He is such a great and straight man, yet he called his short story collection TWISTED, and MORE TWISTED, because he may be a great guy, but his short stories are really TWISTED, and time and again they proved that come what may, he remains and will always remain as one of the best short story writer of all times (this fact would have been more publicised had he been a “SERIOUS FICTION” writer, one of them did write short story and got herself a Nobel).

Now, to the book, and to the stories. Ratings are given on a total of 5,

1. CHAPTER AND VERSE – 2.5
Nice story, with more than enough twists. But an ending which doesnt justifies the tension the story created.

2. THE COMMUTER – 5.0
A pure work of art. The story shows us to be good to everyone, not to be rude, and to speak softly on your cellphone.

3. THE WESTPHALIAN RING – 3.5
A bit long and tedious, but the end justifies the length. And the use of a famous fictional detective(not created by Deaver) adds spice to the story, and saves it from becoming boring and plain.

4. SURVEILLANCE – 4.0
A Heist story, with a predictable ending. But the way to the dusty end creates enough twisty moments to keep the reader hooked.

5. BORN BAD – 5.0
A story which will make you feel, that you might know whats gonna happen, but the style of Deaver makes you second guess, and in the process makes the ending highly enjoyable.

6. INTERROGATION – 10.0
Pure work of bondage art. This is the kind of story which makes me realise that at the end of the day a good crime story doesn’t necessarily means the good guys winning.

7. AFRAID – 2.0
A story with a moral, and with a loose plot.

8. DOUBLE JEOPARDY – 5.0
A legal thriller, which makes not liking it almost illegal.

9. TUNNEL GIRL – 3.5
As inside a tunnel, this story is dark and chilling with a nice twist to end it.

10. LOCARD’S PRINCIPLE – 3.5
A Lincoln Rhyme short story, which gets tangled un in the gadget blabber, but without it, comes out with a nice plot, but a predictable ending.

11. A DISH SERVED COLD – 5.0
Once again, please be polite to people around you.

12. COPYCAT – 4.5
Its not always rosy and safe being a writer. A short story which is kept short and sharp, with an ending which cuts through.

13. Voyeur – 4.0
A sad story, which highlights the plea of a middle age bachelor.

14. THE POKER LESSON – 5.0
A long drawn short story, which ends with a twist worthy of a standing applause.
15. NINETY-EIGHT POINT SIX – 3.5

An OKAY sort of story, featuring an escaped convict, a salesman, and a family.

16. A NICE PLACE TO VISIT – 3.5
This was a good story about a family extracting revenge. But, not the best story to end the book with.









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