Assaph Mehr's Blog, page 59

Book Review: Eno and the Pirates

[image error]

If you’re reading this blog, you probably figured out that I have a thing for Historical-Fantasy Mysteries. No big surprises, really. So when I came across CB Pratt’s Eno and the Pirates, I was immediately excited! Another historical-fantasy hero from the ancient world.

Since I had a cold and was not in the mood for writing, I started reading it. And immediately fell in love!

Before I even finished the book, I invited Eno and CB Pratt to The Protagonist Speaks. Expect an interview in the com...

YES!!! (Wherein I explain how to read reviews)

[image error]First, a big WOOHOO!! I’ve just got another 1-star review on Amazon! Yippee!

No, I’m not crazy, I know how the star system works. This particular verified purchase review says:

One Star
do not recall this book and I cannot give a fair critic [sic] of it.

So, basically, someone bought my book, maybe read it, can’t remember it, and gave it a one-star review because they can’t remember if they read it.

Seriously, if the intent was to troll me — don’t they realise that ANY review is a good one? I...

The Immortality of the Mystery

[image error]

A guest post I have written as part of Mystery Thriller Week, originally published on Rae’s “A new Look on Books” blog.

What’s in common between the latest scientific research about virus propagation, genetic modification for interstellar colonisation, and ancient priests poking about in animal entrails to predict the favour of the gods? More on this later.

This is Mystery Thriller Week, so I’d like to talk a little about writing mysteries. I’ll start with a small introduction. My name is...

The Work In Progress

[image error]

Just a few words about the current work-in-progress, In Numina. If you’d like to learn more about Felix’s next big case – and this one is very much in the limelight – you should head over to Errin Krystal’s blog.

Errin was kind enough to interview me, and instead of answering about Murder In Absentia as usual, I’ve chosen to make it about the my current work.

Here’s a small excerpt:

What was one of the most surprising things you learned in creating your book? Anything weird you needed to res...

Book Review: SPQR by Mary Beard

[image error]

This is book I wanted to read for a while, and finally got down to sit and read it. Beard is a Professor of Classics at Cambridge, and this novel is the culmination of 50 years of love and research into Roman culture.

What to expect

A review of the first millennium of Roman history. From the sketchy beginnings till the 3rd century, Beard covers many aspects of Rome’s development.

The book deals with how much we know, and more importantly don’t know, about the early beginnings. How much of Ro...

The Friday 13 with Assaph Mehr

One of the more enjoyable interviews, courtesy of Jesse Teller ☺

What character from your work frightens you, makes you feel dirty to write?

I don’t often write people who are “evil” as such, or are truly psychopathic. Mostly I write people who end up at cross purposes to each other, and hence the tension. You should at least be able to understand – and possibly even sympathize – with the antagonist and their aims.

Then again, there is Araxus, with his curse afflicted mind…

Full interview: ...

Book Review: Murder in Absentia by Assaph Mehr

Latest glowing review ☺

A young man from a politically powerful family is found dead under strange circumstances. A wily investigator with wit and resourcefulness to spare is hired to investigate the matter and help the boy’s family keep the sordid details from a gossip-hungry public. Sounds like the makings of a great detective story, right? Absolutely! But did I mention the tale takes place in a fantasy city called Egretia (inspired by Ancient Rome) where magic, mythology and intrigue aboun...

Book Review: Salt in the Blood, by N. B. Williams

[image error]

I’ve met Nikki Williams through Twitter. We’ve exchanged a few messages, discussed books and publishing, and became friends.

I knew she was writing a horror novella, and was curious about it. She was kind enough to give me an ARC copy late last year.

Now that she has finally published it, I was happy to put my review up. I’ve replicated it below, for readers of this blog.

TL;DR: if you like horror stories and are after a quick-read, give it a shot!

A great debut novella, that makes me want t...

Life up a Creek

[image error]This is a different style of creative writing, hopefully reminiscent of Gerald Durrell (whose books I admired as a child).

As some of you may know, we have recently moved houses. The new place is wonderful, with a large backyard that has a creek running through it. You can see itin the background in the attached picture, providing a charming background to our Sunday afternoon tea.

Work also hasbeen very busy in the past few weeks. Yesterday was hectic in particular, but at leastat the end of...

Historical Facts as Inspiration for Fantasy

[image error]

As part of Virtual FantasyCon (that awesome event where Murder In Absentia received an unprecedented five awards