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Despite endorsements from Gayle Lynds, James Rollins and Ken Bruen, Stanley's debut offers little new that fans of ancient historicals-in particular, the detective series set in Roman Britain of Rosemary Rowe and Ruth Downie-haven't seen before. Julius Alpinus Classicanus Favonianus (aka Arcturus), a doctor whose mixed ancestry gives him insight into both the Romans and the Britons, serves Britannia's governor, Agricola, in first-century London. When a Syrian, Vibius Maecenas, is found with a slit throat in a temple, Arcturus is under intense pressure to solve the case. Maecenas was a messenger from Roman emperor Domitian bearing news threatening Agricola's position. In the end, Arcturus relies on a trick rather than any detecting skills to expose the killer. Readers should be prepared for a routine plot and prose ("They loved one another. Somewhat unusual. Love always is"). (July)
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.The life of a medicus-healer-in first-century Londinium could be a dreary round of minor complaints and bad weather. Unless, of course, that healer happens to be a half-Roman, half-British doctor to Agricola, the governor of Britannia. Arcturus is more than a healer, of course-he also solves "problems"-in this case, quite a large and labyrinthine problem. A beautiful woman brings him tidings of a messenger from the emperor who is bringing bad news to Agricola. That messenger-a corpulent Syrian-is soon found dead, his body desecrating a temple to Mithras, the Roman soldier's god, and his message nowhere to be found. Arcturus is under orders from Agricola to find the culprit-fast! If he fails, the result may be full-scale rebellion and the removal of Agricola from power. The novel starts a bit slowly, but the pace soon picks up. The author, with her background in classics and archaeology, has a good sense of time and place. The staccato movement of the narrative is very reminiscent of the hard-boiled detective genre she is trying to reinvent as "Roman noir," but the story itself doesn't come off quite as tough and gritty as such a novel should. Readers who like Roman-era mysteries, like those by Steven Saylor or Ruth Downie (Medicus), may enjoy this. As the series continues, the author may fully realize her vision of Roman noir. Recommended for libraries with large mystery collections, especially those where early-era historical mysteries are popular.
—Pamela O'Sullivan
Anonymous
Posted July 4, 2008
In 83 AD Londinium, doctor Julius ¿Arcturus¿ Favonianus learns from widow Claudia ¿Gwyna¿ Catussa that his prime employer and friend Britannia Governor, Agricola is in trouble with Roman Emperor Domitian. Apparently the Emperor has sent fat avaricious Syrian Vibius Maecenas with papers demanding Agricola to resign. Gwyna further explains that the odious Syrian freeman is her sponsus.It was arranged by her dying father for her to marry the pig she will kill herself before she allows him to impregnate her. --- After she leaves, Arcturus sends his servant Bilicho to follow her. Not long after that, the Romans arrive to escort Arcturus to a hidden forbidden temple where Maecenas is dead looking like a ghastly imitation of Mithras slaying the bull. Arcturus with Bilicho to assist investigates the homicide that could lead to civil war between the Roman legion and the British even as he is attracted to the prime suspect Gwyna. --- Although the resolution is weak fans of ancient historical mysteries will enjoy this entertaining Britannia Noir as Arcturus escorts the audience to places not normally found in Roman Empire whodunits. Little things like a Roman name and a native name enhances a sense of time and place. The story line is fast-paced from the moment the soldiers take the lead character to the crime scene and never slows down as he investigates the homicide while fearing if he takes too long to resolve, hostilities will turn ugly. NOX DORMIENDA is an enjoyable first century amateur sleuth. --- Harriet Klausner
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Posted June 18, 2008
Ms. Stanley signed a ARC for me at BEA in Los Angeles, so I'm lucky to have read it before it hits the stores. Simply put, this book will keep you up at night. Arctutus is a fascinating character. I don't want to spoil it, but fasten your seatbelt and hang on. Nox will take deep into a world you've never seen, or even knew exsited. Kudos, Ms. Stanley. I'm a fan for life!
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Posted July 11, 2008
In Nox Dormienda, Kelli Stanley brings Roman Britain in the first century A.D. to life with deft writing and deep knowledge of the times. The story follows half-Roman, half-Briton Arcturus, physician and informal investigator to the Roman governor Agricola, as he delves into the death of a shady merchant. The trail creeps through Londinium's seedy underbelly, shining a light in dark corners from the lowliest prostitute's crib to the highest seats of Roman power. The setting is crisply-drawn, the characters rich and engaging, and the mystery tight and enthralling, with Arcturus' wry humor and keen observations leading the way through this gritty page- turner. If you enjoy classic noir, or you enjoy your mystery with a classical setting, you won't be disappointed. It may be A Long Night for Sleeping, but don't plan on any sleep until you finish this gem.
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Posted June 12, 2008
...and they decide to write a novel together. If they did, this would certainly be the result. Kelli Stanley calls her book Roman Noir and she has definitely captured the Noir voice here. Arcturus has the perfect world-weary tone, slightly cynical but deep down wanting to believe in the very people he mistrusts. In the course of his investigation, he even crosses paths with a beautiful femme fatale who may or may not be aiding his investigation with her cryptic clues and seductive gazes. In Nox Dormienda (A Long Night for Sleeping), Arcturus investigates the murder of Vibius Maecenas, a Syrian merchant who was carrying a message for Agricola, Roman Governor of Britain and Arcturus' mentor. The mystery is well-paced and kept me guessing right up to the end. Kelli Stanley brings Roman London to life with her vivid descriptions of life at the time, and I enjoyed the liberal peppering of Latin phrases throughout.
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Posted April 27, 2008
I was lucky enough to get a copy of the ARC of this book, and I echo the sentiments of writer Ken Bruen, who quoted 'it nigh cost me a night's sleep!'. The first Roman mystery I've read that is so immediate I didn't realize I was reading a historical. Raymond Chandler's my favorite writer, and this has a similar literary, visceral style. I'm psyched that this will be a series!
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Overview
Winner of the Bruce Alexander Award for best historical mystery of 2008, Nox Dormienda is critically-acclaimed author Kelli Stanley's debut novel and the first book in a new series and new genre: Roman Noir.Set in first century AD Londinium (London), Nox Dormienda introduces Arcturus, private physician for the governor of Britannia as well as his reluctant sleuth.
Vibius Maecenas, spy for Emperor Domitian, lies on an underground altar ... his throat slit to the spinal chord. Arcturus has one week to find out who ...