A Witch's Guide to Business

A Witch's Guide to Business is an engaging and well written fantasy mystery with elements of steampunk by Alex Evans. Released 28th April 2024, it's 242 pages and is available in ebook format. It's worth noting that the ebook format has a handy interactive table of contents as well as interactive links throughout. 

Intricate world building featuring a thriving mercenary principality as the setting for this mystery featuring two disparate protagonists;  one a dedicated surgeon and the other a "retired" mercenary spy - brains and brawn. Both are gifted with the ability to sense and use (to a degree) magical force, aka Power. They run an investigative business together, with an emphasis on magical adjunct and occult cases. 

The plot is well paced and controlled with two main plot threads which entwine throughout the story to a satisfying denouement and resolution. The author has an eye for detail and the book is full of small descriptions which add a lot of atmosphere (steam powered magical rickshaws, potions for specific uses, minute world-building political history, and character backstories (even for relatively minor characters). It's a believable multi-layered setting. 

It's a complex story, with a large cast of characters, and would've benefited if the author/publisher had added a list of dramatis personae; expect to use the ebook reader search function as needed. It's an indie published book, and as such, probably could've benefited from an objective outside editorial process. That being said, it *is* eminently readable and enjoyable. 

It's not derivative at all, but readers who enjoy Marshall Ryan Maresca, Lois McMaster Bujold, and Curtis Craddock will find a lot to like here. This one isn't directly teased as a series opener, but it could be. 

Four stars. One for the readers of political city-state fantasy.

Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.