In Numina: Urban Fantasy in Ancient Rome (Stories of Togas, Daggers, and Magic) - Softcover

Mehr, Assaph

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0994449348 ISBN 13: 9780994449344

Publisher: Purple Toga Publications, 2018

Synopsis

This is a story of Togas, daggers, and Magic – for lovers of Ancient Rome, Hardboiled detectives, and Urban Fantasy.

A rich landlord finds tenants are abandoning his apartment buildings, spouting tales of horrific events and whispering that the old gods - the numina - came alive and cursed the buildings.Enter Felix, a professional fox. Dressed in a toga and armed with a dagger, Felix is neither a traditional detective nor a traditional magician - but something in between. Whenever there is a foul business of bad magic, Felix is hired to sniff out the truth. Now he must separate fact from superstition - a hard task in a world where the old gods still roam the earth.

In Numina is set in a fantasy world. The city of Egretia borrows elements from a thousand years of ancient Roman culture, from the founding of Rome to the late empire, mixed with a judicious amount of magic. This is a story of a cynical, hard-boiled detective dealing with anything from daily life to the old forces roaming the world.

PRAISE FOR STORIES OF TOGAS, DAGGERS, AND MAGIC:
“Mehr creates a vivid cast and an equally vivid setting in which magic just seems to fit in perfectly.”
-- Richard Knaak, NYT best-selling author of Legends of Huma

"Mehr's imagined world based on ancient Rome feels at once familiar and dreamlike."
-- Ruth Downie, author of the acclaimed Medicus series of Roman mysteries

About this title

From the Author

Having caught the bug of writing (and it is a kind of illness) and seen Murder In Absentia receive a modicum of success, there was nothing left for me to do but write a new Felix adventure. This time, I took pleasure in researching witchcraft and curses in the ancient world, as well as using (and abusing) Cicero's courtroom oratory for a dramatic climax.
 
If you like any two out of the three passions shaping this book - Ancient Rome, Dark Fantasy, and Murder Mystery - give this book a shot. I trust you will enjoy reading it as much as I enjoyed writing it.
 
Videas Lumen!
Assaph

Review

Praise for In Numina:
"In Numina was a dark, intriguing adventure in a well-crafted setting. It's like an ancient Matlock battling a curse while he seduces ladies and deals with criminals. If you like magical murder mysteries, dark magic, or Roman culture, break out your toga and prepare for some fun."-- J. Zachary Pike, SPFBO-winning author of Orconomics
"In Numina provides readers a bit of everything -- chills, thrills, mystery, and romance. Highly recommend for readers of alternate history, mystery, action-adventure, and similar genres."-- N.B. Willilams, author of Salt in the Blood
"Felix the Fox. Investigator, magician, lover, compulsive payer of debts.This fascinating tale from 'not Rome' mixes whodunnit, with magic, with an elusive love story.Highly recommended."-- Jane Jago, author of Dai and Julia alternate Roman history
"In Numina - if you love a great mystery, fascinating characters with enough plot twists and turns to rival any theme park ride - this is the book for you! 5 stars all the way - highly recommended."-- Rosie Chapel, author of The Hannah's Heirloom Trilogy
"In Numina is going to be one of those books I read again and again."-- Anais Chartschenko, author of Bright Needles
Rich scenery, interesting plot twists, and enough danger to keep turning the pages. This story should be enjoyed by candlelight and with a glass of red wine.-- CC Dowling, author of The Dharkstar Dragon Saga

Praise for the Stories of Togas, Daggers, and Magic series:
"For those who like to cross genres a bit, Murder In Absentia by Aussie writer Assaph Mehr is a skillful blending of historical fantasy with mystery set in a realm very much like ancient Rome. In fact, fans of the Falco mysteries by Lindsey Davis should very much enjoy this novel, first in a series featuring the intriguing Felix the Fox. Mehr creates a vivid cast and an equally vivid setting in which magic just seems to fit in perfectly."-- Richard Knaak, NYT best-selling author ofauthor of Legends of Huma
"Mehr's imagined world based on ancient Rome feels at once familiar and dreamlike. In Egretia, magic is real and potentially deadly. While rival incantatores have been banned from calling up competing winds to speed ferries across the bay -- they've drowned too many innocent sailors -- the powers of magic appear to have fallen into malevolent hands. Failed incantator Felix the Fox is investigating a mysterious death in a growing atmosphere of menace. I cant help thinking the idea of Death by Magic might be closer to the mindset of some of the ancient world than our modern rationality."-- Ruth Downie, author of the Medicus series of Roman mysteries
"YESSS! Harry Dresden in a toga. A bit lighter on the magic usage, but every bit as colorful and intriguing!"-- Leslie Conzatti (author of Princess of Undersea), Erin Michelle Sky (author of The Intuitives), and a surprising number of Dresden Files fans
"Hardcore Historical Fantasy - Felix the Fox is Sherlock Holmes in Ancient Times"-- Jonathan Maas, award-winning author ofFlare
"Mehr is a master alchemist, blending the real and surreal on a captivating flight of fantasy."-- Cynthia Celmer
"This book gave me a 'book-hangover' - I could not get my head out of the world of Felix for days after finishing it! I hope that there will be more stories coming, of Felix's past and future. I like authors that create real human characters!"-- R.M., Israel

Edition details

• Publisher: Purple Toga Publications
• Publication date: 2018
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0994449348
• ISBN 13: 9780994449344
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 362