The Curse-Maker (Arcturus) - Dark Fantasy Novel for Adults | Mystery & Supernatural Thriller | Perfect for Halloween Reading & Gothic Literature Fans

The Curse-Maker, set in Bath during the Roman period, blends a twisting, exciting mystery with a vivid Roman setting. Stanley combines her background as a classicist with a passion for noir mystery. Her "sleuth," Arcturus, the doctor for the Roman governor of Britannia, narrates in a hard-edged Dashiell Hammett style. Arcturus arrives in Bath with his beloved but troubled wife Gwyna in order to vacation and restore his wife's well being. He stumbles instead upon a dead man in the sacred spring outside the baths--that being only the first of many things he discovers that are rotten in Bath.The romantic relationship between Gwyna and Arcturus intertwines with the unraveling of the mystery and provides depth to their characters. The Roman politics and corruption revealed in the mystery are compellingly developed and, like many things Roman, echo modern life while retaining their uniquely Latin flavor. Stanley skillfully creates a wide cast of characters--some we like, others are delightfully despicable. I certainly kept turning the pages. For more reviews of historical mysteries and historical fiction go to [...]