In Numina

""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 of author of Dragonlance: Legends of Huma ""Hardcore Historical Fantasy - Felix the Fox is Sherlock Holmes in Ancient Times"" -- Jonathan Maas, award-winning author of Flare ""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 can't 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 Roman Mysteries series ""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 ""For a history buff like me, it was the perfect blend of historical trivia and good old-fashioned murder mystery. A sheer delight to read."" -- W. Klijn., Australia