Search the Seven Hills

By Barbara Hambly

Book Overview

In ancient Rome, a poor philosopher races to rescue his kidnapped lover before she is abused by the sinister Christian cultThe son of a wealthy Roman family, Marcus gave up the prestige and riches... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Mass Market Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0345344383
• ISBN13: 9780345344380
• Release Date: October 1987
• Publisher: Ballantine Books
• Length: 309 Pages
• Weight: 0.40 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.9" x 4.2" x 6.8"

Customer Reviews

Romans and Christians and Plots, oh my!

This is a thriller set in Rome, AD 116. The 16 year old daughter of the city prefect is kidnapped, and they're afraid that the Christians have her. Chapter headings from contemporary writings underscore the reason for the fear: cannibalism, infant sacrifice, etc. And, as those practices were parts of other religions of the time and empire, the fears were real rather than outrageous. Marcus, a young philosopy student and friend of the girl, witnessed the kidnapping and becomes involved in the search for her, working with the centurian in charge and enlisting the aid of a reclusive but scholarly retired general/former imperial governor. Hambly has the gift of seeing history as everyday life and people. She never rubs your nose in her research; many the best bits are throw away lines. The action, however, is fast and both hair raising and hilarious. She doesn't wallow in the corruptness of imperial Rome, but she doesn't ignore it either. And, while the Christians aren't quite what you heard about in Sunday school, neither is this an exercis in religion bashing. She's writing about people, and her characters and scenes are vivid and unforgettable.This book reads very well the first time; re-reading is even better. Yes, the re-reader knows what the solution to the mystery is, but the construction is brilliant, and it's breathtaking to read certain conversations again, seeing them from an entirely different perspective.Another great joy is to find someone else who has read the book, and play the game of casting the characters for a movie. Sixtus, of course, is Sir Alec Guinness, but we can't decide between Tommy Lee Jones as Arrius, or Arnold Schwartzeneger. Either would be excellent.I have read this book at least a dozen times, and have given away more than a dozen copies of the paper-back edition (Search the Seven Hills). St. Martin Press, or someone, needs to re-issue this. I've read enough reviews to know that I'm not alone in my devotion to this outstanding novel.

God I Loved This Book

Marcus is the misfit middle son of a disfunctional Roman family circa 118 AD, he insists on studying philosophy of all things! He's also in love with Tullia, who just happens to be the daughter of one of his father's numerous enemies, and worse still is engaged to be married to a rich, vulgar Syrian merchant. Then Tullia is kidnapped, literally before his eyes, and the only clue is a silver fish talisman - emblem of the secret and sinister cult of Christians. Horrified Marcus knows he must rescue her quickly before she's forced to take part in their abhorrent rites. Aided by Sixtus Julianus, an eccentric and aristocratic old recluse and expert on exotic cults, Marcus becomes intimately acquainted with the seamy underside of Roman society and discovers Christians aren't quite what he thought they were. Though she's carefully researched Roman etiquette and customs and early Christian heresies Hambly makes some very elementary mistakes about Roman names but other than that 'Search the Seven Hills' is very authentic. I just *loved* Sixtus, and the cynical Praetor Arrius, not to mention the endlessly bickering Christians.

not enough hambly in the world

Brilliant ! Worth every penny (and it does cost a lot of them). I am amazed that so early in her career you can see all the wonderful elements that light up her later Benjamin January and vampire mystery books. Dark, disillusioning, full of very bad people and protagonists who aren't exactly perfect either. All godd books require a good mystery, and Hambly's mysteries are the very best of the good books out there. They may never reprint this (given how easily offended some Christians get), so sink the money and buy a classic!

This is the same book as the Quirinel Hill Affair

The "Quirinal Hill Affair" was reissued under this new title "Search the Seven Hills". Actually, the title the author wanted was "The Babyeaters", because that is how non-Christians viewed this new religion--when they even differentiated between Christians and Jews! Impeccably researched mystery set in ancient Rome, a young man searches for the kidnapper of his feisty girlfriend. Fascinating glimpse of this time period and a great story that is still searching for a memorable title.

I wish she would try writing this style again.

I have to admit that I don't remember if this is the same book as the title, but I believe this may be a murder mystery set in ancient Rome - similar to the Falco mystery series by Lindsey Davis. If this is that book, then I highly recommend it. A young philosopher and his love seek a murderer. And how is the head of that strange new Christian religion, the Pope, involved? It has been seven years since I checked-out a much-battered book by Barbara Hambly from a library, but if this is that same book I wish she would try writing this style again.