The Wizard's Brew is a rollicking fantasy PI murder mystery by Jordan Reed. Released 24th May 2022, it's 312 pages and is available in paperback and ebook formats. It's worth noting that the ebook format has a handy interactive table of contents as well as interactive links and references throughout. I've really become enamored of ebooks with interactive formats lately.
This is fantasy noir aimed at the folks who enjoyed the Garrett Files (Glen Cook) and Kevin Anderson's oeuvre. There's a mean streets vibe with a battle worn veteran protagonist sidelining as a PI who gets drawn into a deeply unpleasant magical murder and corruption plot trying to get to the bottom of his friend's death. Main character Kane's an imperfect anti-hero in the classic mold. He's addicted to painkiller potions/drink, has PTSD leftover from the Ghoul Wars, and he's sort of possessed by a sultry voice who lives rent free in his head and provides the sarcastic Greek chorus to his thoughts.
I found more appeal and a stronger rapport with the book's secondary characters, Kane's ally Alyssa and the goblin alchemist Fex than with the main character. The dialogue is rough, and the writing is choppy and disjointed, staccato really. The whole book would benefit from a couple rounds of editing. Still, the bones of a good story are there and I enjoyed the read overall. I have a special soft spot for PI noir and especially fantasy PI noir and I will definitely pick up and read any follow-ups to the series.
Three and a half stars rounded up for the good story. I'm looking forward to what comes next.
Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes
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