When renowned archaeologist Trevor Martin vanishes after examining an ancient artifact, a private investigator is hired to track him down. But the search takes a deadly turn when Martin is found brutally murdered in a Valletta hotel room. His death sets off a chain of events that pulls the investigator into a shadowy world of art smuggling, lost civilizations, and dangerous men who will stop at nothing to protect their secrets.

From the windswept deserts of Tunisia to the narrow alleys of Malta, the novel unfolds like a puzzle—each revelation more unsettling than the last. At its heart lies an enigmatic artifact: a black goddess idol carved centuries ago, its true significance buried beneath layers of deception and greed. As the investigator peels back the mystery, he finds himself entangled in a game where every player has something to hide, and no one can be trusted.

David Roberts’s storytelling pulses with tension, his prose sharp and cinematic, carrying the weight of a world steeped in intrigue. Each set is painted with striking detail, from candlelit trattorias to the sun-scorched ruins where history’s ghosts still whisper. Nota Bene is a gripping tale of obsession and betrayal, where the past refuses to stay buried—and those who dig too deep may not live to tell the tale.