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Roman Noir #2
The Curse-Maker
The Curse-Maker is the sequel to he award-winning Nox Dormienda, the first book of the Roman noir series created by Kelli Stanley (City of Dragons). Wedding impeccably researched history to prose and themes reminiscent of classic hard-boiled writers, The Curse-Maker is a thrilling and suspenseful journey into a dark corner of Roman Britain you've never seen before.
When Roman physician Arcturus and his stunning wife, Gwyna, arrive at Bath for a holiday, a dead body is floating in the sacred spring. It turns out that the murdered man is a curse-maker whose invocations actually come true, and as murder follows murder, it looks like there's now a curse on Arcturus.
This is an exciting and exotic story of a spa town where people go to heal...only to wind up dead. And it takes the doctor-investigator on a dark road -- into Roman cemeteries, silver mines, and underground water tunnels -- to comprehend the twisted mind of a killer bent on revenge.
When Roman physician Arcturus and his stunning wife, Gwyna, arrive at Bath for a holiday, a dead body is floating in the sacred spring. It turns out that the murdered man is a curse-maker whose invocations actually come true, and as murder follows murder, it looks like there's now a curse on Arcturus.
This is an exciting and exotic story of a spa town where people go to heal...only to wind up dead. And it takes the doctor-investigator on a dark road -- into Roman cemeteries, silver mines, and underground water tunnels -- to comprehend the twisted mind of a killer bent on revenge.
300 pages, Hardcover
First published February 1, 2011
6 people are currently reading
91 people want to read
About the author
Kelli Stanley
21 books108 followersAn award-winning author of crime fiction, Kelli Stanley's first novel in the Miranda Corbie series, CITY OF DRAGONS, was met with overwhelming critical acclaim. It won the Macavity Award (Sue Feder Historical Mystery Award) and was a finalist for the prestigious Los Angeles Times Book Prize and the Shamus Award. CITY OF SECRETS, her second novel in the series, won the Golden Nugget Award for best mystery set in California. CITY OF GHOSTS--the long-awaited third Miranda Corbie book--will be published August 5th, 2014.
Stanley also writes a highly-praised series set in Roman Britain, the latest of which is THE CURSE-MAKER. Her debut novel, NOX DORMIENDA, won the Bruce Alexander Award for best historical mystery of 2008.
She makes her home in Dashiell Hammett's San Francisco, earned a Master's Degree in Classics, and loves jazz, old movies, fedoras, Art Deco and speakeasies.
For more information about Kelli's books, please visit her website at http://www.kellistanley.com
About CITY OF GHOSTS:
June, 1940.
Art. Spies. Murder.
For Miranda Corbie, private investigator and erstwhile escort, there are debts to be paid and memories-long-suppressed and willfully forgotten-to be resurrected.
Enter the U.S. State Department and the man who helped her get her license. A man she owes. And playing along may get her a ticket to Blitz-bombed England, if she survives ...
Through sordid back alleys and art gallery halls, from drag dress nightclubs to a Nazi costume ball, Miranda's journey into fear takes her on the famed City of San Francisco streamliner and a ticket to Reno, Nevada, the Biggest Little City in the World ... where she finds herself framed for a murder she never anticipated.
Miranda must learn the difference between reality and illusion, from despair to deceit and factual to fake, as she tries to get her life back ... and navigates a CITY OF GHOSTS.
Miranda's back. And noir will never be the same.
Stanley also writes a highly-praised series set in Roman Britain, the latest of which is THE CURSE-MAKER. Her debut novel, NOX DORMIENDA, won the Bruce Alexander Award for best historical mystery of 2008.
She makes her home in Dashiell Hammett's San Francisco, earned a Master's Degree in Classics, and loves jazz, old movies, fedoras, Art Deco and speakeasies.
For more information about Kelli's books, please visit her website at http://www.kellistanley.com
About CITY OF GHOSTS:
June, 1940.
Art. Spies. Murder.
For Miranda Corbie, private investigator and erstwhile escort, there are debts to be paid and memories-long-suppressed and willfully forgotten-to be resurrected.
Enter the U.S. State Department and the man who helped her get her license. A man she owes. And playing along may get her a ticket to Blitz-bombed England, if she survives ...
Through sordid back alleys and art gallery halls, from drag dress nightclubs to a Nazi costume ball, Miranda's journey into fear takes her on the famed City of San Francisco streamliner and a ticket to Reno, Nevada, the Biggest Little City in the World ... where she finds herself framed for a murder she never anticipated.
Miranda must learn the difference between reality and illusion, from despair to deceit and factual to fake, as she tries to get her life back ... and navigates a CITY OF GHOSTS.
Miranda's back. And noir will never be the same.
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Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews
February 14, 2011
This was a disappointment as I enjoyed the first in this series.
The murder mystery solution was fine but the setting could have been anywhere; very little of the history was incorporated (unlike the first book).
You don't know who these people are, or why you should care about them, unless you've read the first/previous book.
Still, looking forward to the next in her 1940's San Francisco series.
The murder mystery solution was fine but the setting could have been anywhere; very little of the history was incorporated (unlike the first book).
You don't know who these people are, or why you should care about them, unless you've read the first/previous book.
Still, looking forward to the next in her 1940's San Francisco series.
February 18, 2016
I felt this to be too derivative. For "Roman noir" David Wishart with his Marcus Corvinus series has a touch of humor, lacks the profanity in this one and is on the whole better. Ruth Downie's doctor, Ruso, has Arcturus beat by a mile.
In Aquae Sulis [today's Bath, England] bodies pile up and it is reported the nearby lead mine is haunted. Arcturus, doctor to Governor Agricola sets out to solve the murders beginning with that of Bibrax, a curse-writer, whose curses have the notoriety of coming true. Also he unravels the secret of the mine. Many folks in the town were involved in one way or another, but there was a "kingpin." The writing was pedestrian, and the solution too complicated. I didn't warm to any of the characters. I'd advising skipping this series and read the other two I mentioned in my first paragraph.
In Aquae Sulis [today's Bath, England] bodies pile up and it is reported the nearby lead mine is haunted. Arcturus, doctor to Governor Agricola sets out to solve the murders beginning with that of Bibrax, a curse-writer, whose curses have the notoriety of coming true. Also he unravels the secret of the mine. Many folks in the town were involved in one way or another, but there was a "kingpin." The writing was pedestrian, and the solution too complicated. I didn't warm to any of the characters. I'd advising skipping this series and read the other two I mentioned in my first paragraph.
March 6, 2011
Don't know I've read " The city of Dragons by Kelli"
I read about 1/2.. of this one,, just didn't care for it
That's just my opinion...It did get a good review from other Goodread members...
Sorry.. she is a goog writer..looking forward to other books from Kelli...
June 10, 2017
When I picked up this book I was unaware that it was a sequel. Nevertheless, this story was still enjoyable without reading the first installment. The novel is set as a period piece from when Roman Britannia were in their heyday. A physician and his wife are reunited after he comes back from a military deployment. They desire to be refreshed and restored, so they journey to a spa town known for its healing waters. When they arrive a murder has taken place which sucks them into an undesirable situation of solving who killed a temple curse maker and left the body floating in the scared waters in the first place.
A worthy whodunit full of thrilling moments, climbing body count, scandalous elite scoundrels and a shocking outcome that is worthy in any Sherlock Holmes or Inspector Poirot novel.
A worthy whodunit full of thrilling moments, climbing body count, scandalous elite scoundrels and a shocking outcome that is worthy in any Sherlock Holmes or Inspector Poirot novel.
November 23, 2017
Awful, just awful
This is almost a good book, but it needs some severe editing. It is way too long. The characters and dialog show great promise, but the plot just gets lost. It is a long slow slog to the great reveal, and frankly by then I just didn't care who did what and why. Too long. Too slow. And not at all worth the effort of reading.
This is almost a good book, but it needs some severe editing. It is way too long. The characters and dialog show great promise, but the plot just gets lost. It is a long slow slog to the great reveal, and frankly by then I just didn't care who did what and why. Too long. Too slow. And not at all worth the effort of reading.
April 2, 2019
She used the title to allow endless curses herself, some gratuitously. Metaphors abound abound, many worth a chuckle. There are better books about Roman Britain to read.
January 6, 2020
Well plotted and well written but I never could warm to Stanley's writing style or her characters.
September 10, 2023
Really good. Wasn't too lost despite not having read the first one.
March 2, 2011
First Sentence: The man was floating, serene, tunic swirling in the undulating waves like clouds against a blue sky.
Arcturus, a Roman physician, and his beautiful wife, Gwyna, have come to Acquae Sulis (Bath) for a holiday and to repair the breach in their marriage. Before they even arrive at their residence, they come across a dead body of a curse-maker floating in the sacred bath. Instead of a holiday, Arcturus is drawn into the world of curse-makers, deception, attempted seductions, attempts on his and his wife’s lives, and many more murders.
Kudos to Ms. Stanley for the author’s notes, a cast of characters—albeit frustratingly incomplete--and a glossary. They were tremendously helpful.
Ms. Stanley has written a book set in Ancient Times that makes us realize how little some things have changed. Even with the different customs and religion the plot, and certainly the motives, was quite contemporary and I had to keep reminding myself of the period in which the story was set. Even the reference to Stonehenge already being ancient during this time, didn’t help cement the feeling of the period. While with some books set in an earlier period are able to capture the feel of that time through the syntax of speech, that isn’t possible with classical Latin, but it did leave me with a feeling of the story being somewhat anachronistic.
On the other hand, there was so much to like about this book. Arcturus is a wonderful character. His style is brusque with a wry humor; he’s both intelligent and tough, he is kind and loves his wife. Gwyna may be beautiful but is certainly not vapid or weak. The marriage may be going through a rough patch, but it will be resolved. The relationship is a critical element of the story and is used to enhance to story. The household domestic scenes provide both insight to the characters and a respite from the action but did, at times, threaten to divert the mystery.
I particularly liked Ms. Stanley’s ability to create a sense of place. Her descriptions of both places and actions are rich and vivid…”I threw the thought against a wall. It made a small red splat of fear and slowly oozed down to the floor.” Now, how much more powerful is that than saying “It’s like throwing spaghetti against the wall.” I shall certainly always remember her phrase instead.
I have never particularly cared for books set in Ancient Times due, I believe, to the difficulty of creating a realistic sense of time. What Ms. Stanley did achieve was writing a story I very much enjoyed, mainly due to the characters. I was pleasantly surprised just how much I did like the book and would definitely read another book in the series.
THE CURSE-MAKER (Hist Mys-Arcturus-Aquae Sulis (Bath), England-Roman Occupation/Ancient Times) – G+
Stanley, Kelli – 2nd in series
Minotaur Books, ©2011, US Hardcover – ISBN: 9780312654191
Arcturus, a Roman physician, and his beautiful wife, Gwyna, have come to Acquae Sulis (Bath) for a holiday and to repair the breach in their marriage. Before they even arrive at their residence, they come across a dead body of a curse-maker floating in the sacred bath. Instead of a holiday, Arcturus is drawn into the world of curse-makers, deception, attempted seductions, attempts on his and his wife’s lives, and many more murders.
Kudos to Ms. Stanley for the author’s notes, a cast of characters—albeit frustratingly incomplete--and a glossary. They were tremendously helpful.
Ms. Stanley has written a book set in Ancient Times that makes us realize how little some things have changed. Even with the different customs and religion the plot, and certainly the motives, was quite contemporary and I had to keep reminding myself of the period in which the story was set. Even the reference to Stonehenge already being ancient during this time, didn’t help cement the feeling of the period. While with some books set in an earlier period are able to capture the feel of that time through the syntax of speech, that isn’t possible with classical Latin, but it did leave me with a feeling of the story being somewhat anachronistic.
On the other hand, there was so much to like about this book. Arcturus is a wonderful character. His style is brusque with a wry humor; he’s both intelligent and tough, he is kind and loves his wife. Gwyna may be beautiful but is certainly not vapid or weak. The marriage may be going through a rough patch, but it will be resolved. The relationship is a critical element of the story and is used to enhance to story. The household domestic scenes provide both insight to the characters and a respite from the action but did, at times, threaten to divert the mystery.
I particularly liked Ms. Stanley’s ability to create a sense of place. Her descriptions of both places and actions are rich and vivid…”I threw the thought against a wall. It made a small red splat of fear and slowly oozed down to the floor.” Now, how much more powerful is that than saying “It’s like throwing spaghetti against the wall.” I shall certainly always remember her phrase instead.
I have never particularly cared for books set in Ancient Times due, I believe, to the difficulty of creating a realistic sense of time. What Ms. Stanley did achieve was writing a story I very much enjoyed, mainly due to the characters. I was pleasantly surprised just how much I did like the book and would definitely read another book in the series.
THE CURSE-MAKER (Hist Mys-Arcturus-Aquae Sulis (Bath), England-Roman Occupation/Ancient Times) – G+
Stanley, Kelli – 2nd in series
Minotaur Books, ©2011, US Hardcover – ISBN: 9780312654191
October 12, 2011
The second in Stanley’s Roman noir series finds Arcturus in Aquae Sulis (modern Bath, England). Arcturus, physician to the governor and crime solver, knows his wife, Gwyna, is suffering, but not exactly sure why. Ardur, as Gwyna calls him, makes a trip from Londinium to the baths and the temple of the goddess Sulis—a.k.a. Minerva—for her sake.
When a body is encountered at the baths, Philo, an unmarried, local doctor who is attracted to Gwyna, asks Arcturus to help determine the cause of death. The dead man, whom no one seems to know much about, was Bibax, a local curse maker. There seem to be a lot of these curse makers, whom the citizens pay to inscribe curses on thin sheets of tin that get dropped into the water. People also drop expensive jewelry into the spring, seeking the goddess' favor. A disproportionate number of Bibax's curses have resulted in convenient deaths.
Ardur has two problems: Gwyna's depression—is it partly his fault? And what is responsible for the atmosphere of fear and rot at Aquae Sulis? When he and his wife become targets, the urgency is ratcheted up. A possibly corrupt governing body, the managers and drain cleaners of the baths, that doctor that Ardur dislikes so much, a lazy but ambitious lawyer of the upper class, plus a necromancer all fall under suspicion, until some of them turn up murdered. As this quote states: "Wherever you turned in Aquae Sulis, whatever mean, crooked street you walked down, you always came back to the temple."
If you liked the award-winning first of this series, “Nox Dorrnienda”, you'll love this one.
Reviewed by Kaye George, author of “A Patchwork of Stories” for Suspense Magazine
When a body is encountered at the baths, Philo, an unmarried, local doctor who is attracted to Gwyna, asks Arcturus to help determine the cause of death. The dead man, whom no one seems to know much about, was Bibax, a local curse maker. There seem to be a lot of these curse makers, whom the citizens pay to inscribe curses on thin sheets of tin that get dropped into the water. People also drop expensive jewelry into the spring, seeking the goddess' favor. A disproportionate number of Bibax's curses have resulted in convenient deaths.
Ardur has two problems: Gwyna's depression—is it partly his fault? And what is responsible for the atmosphere of fear and rot at Aquae Sulis? When he and his wife become targets, the urgency is ratcheted up. A possibly corrupt governing body, the managers and drain cleaners of the baths, that doctor that Ardur dislikes so much, a lazy but ambitious lawyer of the upper class, plus a necromancer all fall under suspicion, until some of them turn up murdered. As this quote states: "Wherever you turned in Aquae Sulis, whatever mean, crooked street you walked down, you always came back to the temple."
If you liked the award-winning first of this series, “Nox Dorrnienda”, you'll love this one.
Reviewed by Kaye George, author of “A Patchwork of Stories” for Suspense Magazine
February 18, 2011
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 historical mysteries and fiction reviews go to www.judithstarkston.com
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 historical mysteries and fiction reviews go to www.judithstarkston.com
August 23, 2013
Roman doctor Arcturus and his wife, Gwyna, travel to Bath England to visit the spas there. When they arrive they find a body floating in the sacred spring. It is the body of Rufus Bibax, a noted local curse maker. The town officials ask Arcturus to assist in finding out who committed this evil but he finds more murder, political intrigue, blackmail and treachery than he expects. This was a very good book. A quick read with elusive solutions. The characters are very well written and the mix of history and fiction is well blended.
March 4, 2011
a mystery set in ancient Britain during the governorship of Agricola. The main character is a doctor, Arcturus. He takes his wife to Bath after he returns from a bloody battlefield. There they stumble over the body of a murder victima and he is asked by the town fathers to find out what happened and who did it. He finds a nest of evil that takes some time to uncover and untangle. He finds the villains and solves the mystery but along the way finds out his wife's darkest secret and heartache.
October 23, 2011
In this clever follow up to Nox Dormienda, Arcturus travels to Bath with his wife for a holiday and ends up getting sucked into a local murder mystery. Something stinks in the Roman spa town and it's up to medicus Arcturus to figure it out.
I love Kelli Stanley's work. This is the second in her Roman Noir series (noir-esque mystery set in ancient Roman ruled England).
I love Kelli Stanley's work. This is the second in her Roman Noir series (noir-esque mystery set in ancient Roman ruled England).
July 1, 2011
While this book had a slow start, I enjoyed this very much. That being said, I find the writing in Stanley's Miranda Corbie series to be much stronger, and Corbie is a stronger protagonist than Arcturus. However, anyone writing this well in an Ancient Roman setting is all right by me!
April 27, 2011
It was quite good, but the ending- I couldn't figure out who done it or exactly why. Thought it was well written, though I could see passages where she overwrote- made it too perfect. As good as the others I read- Davis, Downie, Saylor. Am tempted to read the others.
July 4, 2014
This was a really excellent book. Kelli Stanley is well able to establish the look and feel, not to mention the sound and smell, of Roman Britain. The book is a little talky in the middle, but it more or less moves along briskly to a hugely satisfying conclusion.
December 23, 2011
Stanley does a very good job of historical fiction. This was a very complex and engaging story.
December 30, 2012
Long and full of conniving people. This book is so simple yet complex.
September 14, 2013
Good Roman mystery in first century Britannia. Immediately went on to get and read the second in the series, hoping for m ore.
April 19, 2014
This was a good sequel to the series. Looking forward to the next one. Can almost picture Bogie as Arcturus.
January 23, 2016
This book is thin on plot. Don't bother.
June 9, 2018
Nicely shown Roman Bath & baths. Corruption is eternal.
Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews