A murder mystery in Roman times but outside of the usual backdrop got me intrigued.

What to Expect

The story takes place outside Antioch, the capital of the Roman province of Syria. Early in Trajan’s reign, a girl is murdered on the road outside the town and the vigiles are called to investigate. Asking the girl’s family for information is met with closed door, and the plot progresses around secrets and sub-cultures.

What I liked

Absolutely loved the setting. Antioch was a great multi-cultural melting pot, an important nexus between Rome, Greece, the Levant, and Parthia. Faurez does an amazing job to bring this to life, into a vibrant cosmopolitan city, and a background you don’t see often in Roman-era historical fiction. The author’s mastery of the period shines through, and gives an enormous depth to the story.

The mystery is excellent, with all the family secrets, cultural tensions, and personality clashes that send our investigators running around.

What to be aware of

This is the author’s first work, and sometimes the writing is uneven. Half the story is told from the main investigator – Sabas – point of view in first-person, while the other half is told in third-person from various other view points (either Xandron, who assists Sabas, or shifting between). As someone who grew up on older style writing (3rd omniscient) it doesn’t bother me too much, but it can detract somewhat from an otherwise good story.

Felix’s Review

Felix very much enjoyed the mystery aspect. He’s done his fair share of travels, and enjoyed seeing the provincial capital with all it’s hodge-podge of cultures. He said people are people and murder is murder, regardless of whether the means were magical or not.

Summary

A very promising first work, an historical mystery in a setting you don’t often see. If you’re a bit forgiving of the writing style, I believe you’ll enjoy it.

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Enjoying the reviews, but wondering who the heck is that Felix fellow? Glad you asked! He’s the protagonist of the Togas, Daggers, and Magic series, an historical-fantasy blend of a paranormal detective on the background of ancient Rome.

Come meet Felix and his world on the free short stories and novels!