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Robert Fabbri
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The Crossroads Brotherhood: A Crossroads Brotherhood Novella from the bestselling author of the VESPASIAN series (The Crossroads Brotherhood Series Book 1) Kindle Edition

by Robert Fabbri (Author) Format: Kindle Edition
4.2 out of 5 stars 534 ratings

Rome, AD 25: Marcus Salvius Magnus, Patron of the Crossroads Brotherhood, has a problem. In fact, he has two. One of the brothels under his protection has been raided by a rival Brotherhood, and valuable merchandise has been stolen. He can't lose face and let the attack go unpunished, but how can he retaliate without igniting a gang war?

At the other end of the social spectrum, Lady Antonia - the emperor's sister-in-law - has let Senator Gaius Vespasius Pollo know that she has a score that only blood will settle, and Magnus owes the Senator a favour. Now, a simple assassination wouldn't be a problem for a man like Magnus, but the instruction is that this death has to be a little more... inventive... than the usual knife-in-the-back-in-a-dark-alley.

Perhaps the Patronus of the Crossroads Brotherhood can kill two birds with one stone?

A VESPASIAN NOVELLA
______________________________________________

Don't miss Robert Fabbri's epic new series Alexander's Legacy

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  1. Print length
    59 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Publisher
    Corvus
  4. Accessibility
    Learn more
  5. Publication date
    25 Dec. 2011
  6. File size
    1.8 MB
  7. Page Flip
    Enabled
  8. Word Wise
    Enabled
  9. Enhanced typesetting
    Enabled
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Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B006G0VH1E
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Corvus
  • Accessibility ‏ : ‎ Learn more
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ 25 Dec. 2011
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 1.8 MB
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 59 pages
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0857897251
  • Page Flip ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Customer reviews:
    4.2 out of 5 stars 534 ratings

About the author

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Robert Fabbri

Robert Fabbri

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Robert Fabbri read Drama and Theatre at London University and has worked in film and TV for 25 years as an assistant director. He has worked on productions such as Hornblower, Hellraiser, Patriot Games and Billy Elliot. His life-long passion for ancient history inspired him to write the Vespasian series. He lives in London and Berlin.

Customer reviews

4.2 out of 5 stars
534 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers find this novella to be a great short read that provides excellent insight into Roman life, with one review noting it's a clever prequel to Vespasian. They appreciate the characters and setting, and consider it good value for money. The violence level receives mixed reactions, with one customer describing it as gruesome.

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49 customers mention ‘Readability’45 positive4 negative

Customers find the book highly readable, describing it as a great short read.

"...a troublesome competitor makes 'The Crossroads Brotherhood' an excellent read...." Read more

"...An adequate read if you are on a short haul flight, but it isn't really absorbing enough to stand alone." Read more

"...introduced in the following series of Vespasian novels, whilst a good little romp by itself" Read more

"...I've read, and found 'The Crossroads Brotherhood' novella an entertaining aside into the adventures of Rome's rank and file as Magnus, the firm-but-..." Read more

35 customers mention ‘Story quality’27 positive8 negative

Customers enjoy the story quality of the book, appreciating it as a nice prequel that provides good back story material, with one customer noting it demonstrates the background to the author's excellent novels.

"A really clever prequel to Vespasian set in Rome prior to Vespasian entering the city in Tribune of Rome...." Read more

"...Robert Fabbri is quickly establishing himself as a great story teller, who so smoothly allows the reader to picture the environment he discusses in..." Read more

"...The story is competent as far as it goes, and provides an interesting view of life in Ancient Rome if you weren't one of the ruling classes...." Read more

"this is a great starter for the Vespasian main courses as it introduces characters and alliances that would have been difficult to digest if..." Read more

7 customers mention ‘Insight’7 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the book's insight into Roman life, with one customer noting its well-researched content and another highlighting its combination of military history.

"...Great characters and a fascinating insight into Roman life including the sleazy underworld...." Read more

"...around life on the streets of Rome, which proves to be a fascinating insight, well researched and authentic in the telling...." Read more

"...story is competent as far as it goes, and provides an interesting view of life in Ancient Rome if you weren't one of the ruling classes...." Read more

"...It gives an excellent insight into Roman Life and the book ends with the main characters meeting Vespasian as he takes his first visit to Rome...." Read more

5 customers mention ‘Character development’5 positive0 negative

Customers like the characters and setting in the book.

"...Great characters and a fascinating insight into Roman life including the sleazy underworld...." Read more

"...is a great starter for the Vespasian main courses as it introduces characters and alliances that would have been difficult to digest if introduced..." Read more

"...are reading the series, this is a great addition, gives you some background to the characters, and for £1 is a great deal!" Read more

"...Magnas a great fictional character portrays his part extremely well. Enjoyed Roberts writing flare with the lead up to Vespasian. Book 2 ...." Read more

3 customers mention ‘Value for money’3 positive0 negative

Customers find the book offers good value for money.

"...It's a short story but easily worth the few pounds it can be purchased for on Kindle...." Read more

"...addition, gives you some background to the characters, and for £1 is a great deal!" Read more

"Good value, happy with the product. I would purchase this author again when I look for future Roman Era books" Read more

3 customers mention ‘Violence level’3 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the level of violence in the book.

"...Amusing politics of Roman villainy, intrigue, suspense, murder and a good climactic conflagration. Enjoyable read." Read more

"...Rather violent ,a historical sign of the times I expect.Brilliant. Maria@brettells.co.UK" Read more

"...Good short read. Just as gruesome as the rest of the series!" Read more

Top reviews from United Kingdom

  • Jamako
    5.0 out of 5 stars Brilliant but very different to Vespasian
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 21 April 2012
    Verified Purchase
    A really clever prequel to Vespasian set in Rome prior to Vespasian entering the city in Tribune of Rome. Great characters and a fascinating insight into Roman life including the sleazy underworld. Should be pointed out that Vespasian does not figure at all in this book but do not let this put you off. I loved it.
    3 people found this helpful
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  • superscribe
    4.0 out of 5 stars An entertaining start.
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 23 March 2014
    Verified Purchase
    A short story that confused me to start with (not difficult) despite reading 'Vespasian: Tribune of Rome' first, but once I remembered who Magnus was I enjoyed this stand alone story. The way Robert Fabbri portrays the seedy side of Roman life with gangs protecting their 'turf', offering their dubious services to cash customers and looking after the interests of a victim(?) of their protection racket by removing a troublesome competitor makes 'The Crossroads Brotherhood' an excellent read. There are plenty of Ancient Rome adventures about and if you enjoy this genre the Vespasian series wont disappoint.
    One person found this helpful
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  • Je Salter
    5.0 out of 5 stars The Crossroads Brotherhood
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 24 January 2012
    Verified Purchase
    Robert Fabbri's first book last year, Vespasian: Tribune of Rome was without doubt one of the novels that I enjoyed the most last year. The Crossroads Brotherhood is a prequel to that story which is touched upon in the debut book and revolves around life on the streets of Rome, which proves to be a fascinating insight, well researched and authentic in the telling. It's a short story but easily worth the few pounds it can be purchased for on Kindle.

    Robert Fabbri is quickly establishing himself as a great story teller, who so smoothly allows the reader to picture the environment he discusses in his books. For anyone interested in this era, I would highly recommend his books, I for one can't wait for the sequel to Vespasian: Tribune of Rome, a fantastic story that mirrors history and the life of one of Rome's greatest personalities.
    5 people found this helpful
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  • Camembaert
    3.0 out of 5 stars OK, but not great
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 7 June 2013
    Verified Purchase
    This extended short story tells of the Crossroads Brotherhood in the South Quirinal district of Ancient Rome. Readers of the Vespassian series by the same author will be familiar with Vespassian's sidekick, Magnus, and this describes his "day job" in the days before Vespassian first arrives in Rome; In fact the last few lines describe Magnus approaching Vespassian's family in order to offer "protection".

    The story is competent as far as it goes, and provides an interesting view of life in Ancient Rome if you weren't one of the ruling classes. Magus has a morality of his own, but this must be tempered with the knowledge that moraility in that pagan society was very different to 21st century UK. In terms of providing a back stroy for Magnus it doesn't really shed any more light than the descriptions in the Vespassian novels. Magnus's past is hinted at, but how he came to be the patronus of a Crossroads Brotherhood isn't really covered. Given that few such people died in their sleep we are left to assume the worst.

    An adequate read if you are on a short haul flight, but it isn't really absorbing enough to stand alone.
    One person found this helpful
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  • Harry
    4.0 out of 5 stars great intro novella
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 28 January 2013
    Verified Purchase
    this is a great starter for the Vespasian main courses as it introduces characters and alliances that would have been difficult to digest if introduced in the following series of Vespasian novels, whilst a good little romp by itself
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  • Mr. Natural
    5.0 out of 5 stars Short and Sweet
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 27 August 2013
    Verified Purchase
    I've enjoyed the couple of Vespasian books I've read, and found 'The Crossroads Brotherhood' novella an entertaining aside into the adventures of Rome's rank and file as Magnus, the firm-but-fair, friendly neighbourhood mobster and his colleagues, engineer some creative mayhem to service some tricky demands handed down from on high. Amusing politics of Roman villainy, intrigue, suspense, murder and a good climactic conflagration. Enjoyable read.
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  • Mike In Tokyo
    5.0 out of 5 stars Addictive - excellent addition to the Vespasian series
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 3 January 2015
    Verified Purchase
    I can't speak highly enough of Robert Fabbri's Vespasian books. Going off at a bit of a tangent it's an excellent combination of fictional action and historical fact, making it a stonking good read. My only thought is that it could have been longer but then there are more to follow.
    One person found this helpful
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  • Rob and Lyn
    4.0 out of 5 stars The Crossroads Brotherhood
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 21 June 2012
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    Anyone who has thought about reading the first of the Vespasian books should read this first. It gives an excellent insight into Roman Life and the book ends with the main characters meeting Vespasian as he takes his first visit to Rome. Only a short book but a good read.
    2 people found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

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  • Aristotle
    5.0 out of 5 stars Enjoyable!
    Reviewed in the United States on 26 December 2011
    Verified Purchase
    Robert Fabbri has written this novella as a prequel to his very enjoyable novel `Vespasian: Tribune of Rome'. It is set in Rome around 25 AD, the year before Vespasian left his family farm (age16) to travel to Rome to seek a patron and join the army. Rome at this time was a difficult place to be in as the ageing Tiberius left the governing of the empire to the commander of the Praetorian Guard, Sejanus who secretly desired to rule as emperor.

    This novella is well written and a microcosm into patronage, political intrigue, murder and some seedy practices during this time in Rome. It involves Lady Antonia, the emperor's sister in law and grandmother to the children of the late Germanicus, the Praetorian Guard, a senator and the Patronus of the Crossroad Brotherhood in the South Quirinal District. Some of these characters feature in Robert Fabbri's full length novel `Vespasian:Tribune of Rome'.

    I liked this novella and would recommend it as an insight to Fabbri's style of writing, a good and informative prequel to his full length novel and for sheer, enjoyable reading.
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  • J. v. Hausberg
    5.0 out of 5 stars Cool sideline addition
    Reviewed in Germany on 1 November 2013
    Verified Purchase
    The hustling and fixing in the historical surrounds of ancient rome, now that makes a cool story. If you like the Vespasian storyline defenative read...
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  • Jennifer90
    4.0 out of 5 stars The Crossroads Brotherhood
    Reviewed in Germany on 6 December 2014
    Verified Purchase
    Nice short story which ties in nicely with the Vespasian series. Sometimes a bit brutal, but good plot and characters.
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  • Denis Hooper
    4.0 out of 5 stars Th Crossroads Brotherhood
    Reviewed in the United States on 4 September 2012
    Verified Purchase
    Great book, excellently written. Totally absorbing with a brilliant storyline. You are transposed into ancient Rome and you can almost smell the streets. The storyline is clever and portrays a quite brutal life of survival where there is no morality or fairness. Just survival of the strongest. Life is cheap and random. The life of slaves in the Rome of the Brotherhood is hardly a life at all. Not all that different to the way many people live in today's world. This book is about ordinary people of Rome with none of the historical names or characters which turn up in so many books of this type.

    The only criticism I have is that this book is too short and a little skimpy at times. I am looking forward to a more detailed follow-up as this is what followers of this genre are craving for. I want to read more and more and immerse myself into the life of ancient Rome.
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  • Permafrost
    3.0 out of 5 stars Gutes Prequel, leider etwas kurz.
    Reviewed in Germany on 27 February 2012
    Verified Purchase
    Ich habe mir dieses Buch gekauft, nachdem ich den ersten Teil der Vespasian-Reihe des Autors als Kindle Deal des Tages erstanden hatten, der mir recht gut gefallen hat. Diese Kurzgeschichte spielt in Rom, kurz bevor Vespasian dort eintrifft, und handelt von Magnus, einem Banditenanführer, der einen Auftragsmord begehen und einen Angriff eines konkurrierenden Knabenbordells auf ein Etablissement auf seinem Gebiet rächen muss. Dabei bleiben die Charaktere hier, dafür, dass eigentlich ihre Vorgeschichte erzählt werden soll, deutlich blasser als im Vespasian-Roman.
    Leider ist die Geschichte mit etwa 100 Seiten (Kindle Schriftgröße 3) für ihren Preis von 2,35€ recht teuer. Ich fand es auch etwas irreführend, dass auf dem ersten Blatt der Vorschau "Magnus' Rome Short Stories" stand, was wohl den Reihentitel darstellen soll. Es handelt sich mitnichten um einen Band mit mehreren Kurzgeschichten, sondern, wie auf dem Titelbild angegeben, um eine einzelne "Magnus-Story".
    Alles in allem aber eine durchaus interessante Geschichte, die etwas die Wartezeit auf den zweiten Teil der Vespasian-Reihe verkürzt.
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