In a far-flung corner of the worlds-spanning Empire, Ser Kellan tor Iaestus is a Highwayman, sworn to keep the peace in the rugged Outlands. Armed with a revolver from a forgotten war and a hidden Talent to see truth, he is an agent of justice and peace in a wild land... so long as he keeps his talent hidden, lest he be pressed into the service of the Empire.
When Prospero, an Imperial Magus, arrives in the Outlands hunting for a magical truth-teller, Kellan is assigned as his guide. Certain he can keep his Talent concealed and maintain his freedom, Kellan escorts the magus on his journey. All goes well until a string of seemingly unrelated murders exposes demons, dark powers, and a warlock weaving cruel designs in the shadows. As Kellan and Prospero investigate, they follow a thread that leads from the Outlands to the city of Victar de Reya, links whores and politicians, and takes them from fine restaurants to piratical celebrations.
Saddled with a suspicious young seer and facing demons clawing at them from the Unreal, the two must work together to unravel the warlock's conspiracy before he kills again. But can Kellan locate the killer without exposing his own power, and surrendering the independence he's fought so hard to protect?
Duty demands truth. Survival demands secrecy. Kellan can't have it both ways... and time is running out.
"A Sense of Murder (Road Mage 1) by Sam Robb-review & interview" at The Reading Cafe
"Magical Buddy-Cop Fantasy: Sam Robb on A Sense of Murder" on LegendFiction
"Sam Robb Brings A Sense of Murder to Selene Press" on The Science Fiction and Fantasy Factory
"Episode 219: Sam Robb – A Sense of Murder" on The Worldshapers
Paperback ASIN: B0H1HR8V6F
Paperback ISBN: 979-8995462538
Ebook ASIN: B0H1TL57P7
Ebook ISBN: 979-8995462521
Publisher: Selene Press, NY, United States, 2026
BISAC Categories
FIC002000 FICTION / Action & Adventure
Sam Robb grew up in Pittsburgh preferring books to football — a choice that, in hindsight, explains a lot. He attended Carnegie Mellon on a Navy ROTC scholarship, married the most amazing woman in the world, and promptly shipped out to the Pacific Fleet. After helping decommission the USS WABASH, he returned to Pittsburgh, decided people were overrated, and retreated into software development.
Then he ran for President as a Libertarian. He describes this period as "instructive."
These days, Sam channels his restless curiosity into SF/F, prowling Pittsburgh's back alleys with a camera and an overactive imagination. His flash fiction collection One October Night and his urban fantasy novel Sigils prove that graffiti, old buildings, and questionable life choices make excellent creative fuel.
He lives with his wife, three daughters, and several quadrupeds who remain unimpressed by his publishing credits.