The Song of the Gladiator

By Paul Doherty

Book Overview

313 AD, and tempers are rising in Rome. The Emperor Constantine and his mother Helena are trying to make sense of the new Christian religion which is spreading through the Empire - but the Christians can't agree among themselves. Scholars are locked in a bitter struggle over whether Christ really was the son of God, and Constantine invites delegates from both sides to debate before him at his villa.

Now strange things start to happen. Envoys from both sides are found murdered in a most macabre way. The villa is secretly attacked, and the Holy Sword is stolen. Helena calls on the help of her secret agent Claudia - that shrewd, unobtrusive detective - to untangle the dangerous web of intrigue. As she sets to work, the spy is also facing a crisis in her own life...

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0755307798
• ISBN13: 9780755307791
• Release Date: April 2005
• Publisher: Headline
• Length: 416 Pages
• Weight: 0.51 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.2" x 4.5" x 6.9"

Customer Reviews

An Enjoyable Book

Though I'm sure I have read other books by Paul Doherty, I do not recall them. I will be looking for some in the future. "The Song Of The Gladiator" was a captivating mystery with several subplots, thoroughly enjoyable characters, both heroes and villains, and a reasonably satisfactory conclusion.

A good read

This book is better than its slightly corny title. A murder mystery set in ancient Rome, it brings to life historical and fictional characters during a very interesting time - the transformation of Christianity from a "subversive" sect to the official religion of the Empire. Into this turmoil is injected a healthy mix of politics, theft, murder, and revenge. Gladiators do form part of the book's basis but no more than does the Imperial Court of Constantine the Great served by the agile and inquisitive spy Claudia for the Empress Helena. I can't wait for Claudia to appear in a future installment. Personally I prefer reading historical fact or historical novels that bring the characters to live. This book fits the bill very well.

Thumbs Up!!

As the reader can deduce from the title this novel is about Ancient Rome. Is is set at the time of the Emperor Constantine and his manipulative mother Helena, who is the power behind his "reign". Claudia the leading character is Helena's spy. She is heavily involved with one of the foremost gladiators in the city and he has become the subject of a heavy betting syndicate who are attempting to manipulate his fights in the arena to their advantage. The book is full of the savagery and violence that is well documented for that period of history. Paul Doherty seems to be able to turn his hand to any period of history, be it Rome, Ancient Egypt or Medieval England. This is as good as any of his recent books.