When the FBI wants to sweep the murder of a US Senator under the rug, Alex Lockerby must navigate the halls of political power and corruption in order to catch a professional killer and uncover dark conspiracy that threatens the very foundations of government.
Hired by the widow of a murdered US Senator, Alex Lockerby is shocked to find out that she’s the only one who seems to want the crime solved. Between the local police and the FBI, everyone wants this case over and done with, even if they have to sweep it under the rug just to make it go away.
Not satisfied with the answers he’s getting, Alex dives into the world of high stakes power politics and the inherent corruption that goes with it. Quickly he finds himself with more motives and suspects than he can manage, all while being pursued by a professional killer, a murderous thief, and a powerful crime lord from his past.
With time running out to find the true motive for the Senator’s murder, Alex must find the link between a bizarre theft, a missing alchemist, and legislation the murdered Senator was working on. If he succeeds, Alex might just have a chance to uncover a dark conspiracy that threatens the government itself, unless they get him first.
Dan is an award-winning, best-selling author who has been writing for most of his life. He wrote for the long running DragonLance series and has worked in the board game and video game industries as well. His current work is the Arcane Casebook series, a fantasy twist on the 1930’s noir detective story.
Oh, now I get why the prequel came when it came! Such a nice trick *laughs* Because, of course, the cases in these two books are profoundly related and I'm so happy that, for once, I got the proper order :P
And the story is fantastic, thrilling and suspenseful, fast-paced and filled with action and danger. And, as always, with the right amount of humour. I really like the way in which the events of the time are entwined with this magic world and how the rune writing keeps building at a very steady pace.
The Legion is a very worthy adversary, one that will have Alex on his toes. And, OMG! Sorcha! I like her a lot, and now, I'm afraid her life might be in danger.
Yeah, the stakes are high, I can't wait to listen to the next book.
I've been falling behind on my reviews! To make things even more challenging for me, I will not only try to catch up - I will work my way backwards through the back-log.
To sum things up: Arcane Casebook is my new absolute favourite urban fantasy series with a private detective. It's everything I've ever wanted from Dresden Files, that I've never gotten.
Alex Lockerby manages to be both sassy, clever, and solidly rooted in where he came from as he levels up, magically.
Sorcha is a lovely counterpart. I'm totally shipping these two and that adds another layer to the series, but I do like that they aren't rushing anything. Or, should I say, Sorcha isn't rushing into anything. I find her very interesting and I'm looking forwards to knowing more about her.
The way the different magic systems develop and intertwine is really entertaining. I also like how the rune magic evolves a little bit in every book as Alex discovers new things.
I'm really excited about book 8, but I will save it for a while. I really want to savour it when I finally decide to press play. Alex Knox is the perfect narrator, really. The kind that adds even more value to an already fun story and elevates the entire experience.
What I wanted: I have been hooked on this series ever since I accidentally found the first one on my kindle. I have loved every single one. The author has always done an amazing job of blending the real world with one where magic is real. He's able to tie these mysteries together in a clever way where it all makes sense at the end, but still surprises you. Plus, I love all of his characters, so I had high expectations for where their story would go.
What I got: Once again, the author was successful in writing a book that is as good as the others, does my favorite characters justice, and it had an ending that leaves me wanting for the next one. If you're looking for a long series that you can dive into, then I definitely recommend this one.
Alex, the runes wright detective, is at it again. If you enjoyed the other books in the series this will not disappoint you. Magic and murder become a high stakes gamble, and payoff keeps you wanting more. A great read and good pacing puts you on the edge of your seat. I can't wait for the next book.
I... I just failed to be able to connect with the MC anymore. And that was part of the appeal of this series. He just keeps doing monumentally stupid shit that seems totally out of character for reasons... I can't fathom. Aside from possibly... poor writing to force a plot point... Or maybe Im being blind. Either way lost enjoyment.
Dan Willis’s seventh installment of the Arcane Casebook series, Capital Murder, thrusts Alex Lockerby into the corrupt heart of Washington, D.C., when he travels there with the sorcerer Andrew Barton to consult on a business proposal. As is typical with Lockerby, trouble descends quickly, and before he can blink, he’s entangled in a trifecta of high-stakes investigations. Returning to his hotel, freshly released from his part in the business proceedings, he finds the widow of a US Senator in his room, wanting to hire him to investigate the Senator's death. Later, he is pressured into finding a missing person for a nefarious individual. Finally, he is implored to recover stolen property for a prominent museum. Capital Murder drives Alex deep into confusing political conspiracies, murky shenanigans, and tenuous agreements with powerful criminals. I found the story to be fast-paced and thoroughly entertaining. However, I’m docking my rating by a half-star for two related reasons. While an overarching plot can be engaging, the narrative could stand more firmly as standalone adventures. While compelling, the cliffhangers and ever-growing arch-villains threaten to overshadow the excellent current case dynamics. Despite my small reservations, this is a solid entry in the series that fans won’t want to miss. I’m ready for the next novel.
I've just reached the end of the Arcane Casebook series (number 8 coming soon, apparently) and it's been one of the most enjoyable few weeks I've spent in literature for a long time.
The well-worn premise of a hard-boiled, 30s-style gumshoe carving out a living in a world of magic has been given a new lease of life by these books. Evocatively bringing out the feel of New York in the 1930s that many of us consider we recognise from old movies and/or the old detective books we read as kids, the books are a wonderful fusion of fantasy and detective with likeable and believable characters (maybe not so true of some of them) and a decent storyline in each one that seems to balance the excitement and the humdrum nicely.
The magic system within the Alex Lockerby universe is well-crafted and much more believable than the systems used in some works. It's an expanding system with new yet consistent tweaks added throughout the series so far and I'm a fan of the series in a big way.
Definitely one of the better experiences if you like fantasy and/or detective fiction and are willing to experiment. If you already know and love the genre then it's a great addition to your favourites.
Lets remove the detective from New York and plop him right in the middle of Washington, D.C. We set up nicely with a reason to go down there and then the runewright gets dropped off and left to his own devices. And it results in three semi related cases. We ratchet up the tension as the plot thickens and the stakes get higher and higher.
We also don't really live in a rose colored world prior to our WWII now. Real life people get mentioned such as Mengele and Bill Donovan. Its catnip for people like me who just wanted more gun magic from Harry Dresden. Here, Lockerby has a rune engraved Thompson, Shotgun and 1911. And I'm slightly sure that the third act help is supposed to be Lt. Col Custer of the famous last stand but the time line is very much off.
More Andrew Barton back story however! The villians seemed a bit too obvious in this story, it they are supposed to be all secretive and hidden, this is an out and out blitzkrieg.
Again, the only plot holes have to do with the metaphysical aspect. I got confused there. The author clearly reads noir tropes as well.
I will admit that I’m in love with Alex Lockerby…. He is a runewright that is also a private detective…. In 1930’s alternate universe. This world knows there is magic and it’s in the everyday living. The series up until this book mostly has taken place in New York. This book takes place in New York and Washington D.C. Alex learns how crooked politics can get! Every book in this series is a delight to get sucked into. Each story gets more action packed and the stakes get higher. I wouldn’t say they end on cliffhangers, but you do want to know what is going to happen next to this PI and his friends! It is also a must that you read them in order. These books are not hard hitting deep dive books. They are 1930’s style PI books with magic. You get action, banter, whodunnit mysteries that get wrapped up… mostly, magic system that is evolving as the main character learns more, quirky characters that you love and some you hate. They are fun to read and easy to get sucked into Alex’s world. I will always recommend these books to anyone. They are not spicy. But they are a good time.
Ok, so it was well-written, but I did notice some typographical errors that detracted a bit. Some intriguing details teasing about what's to come, but it ended on a bit of a cliffhanger, and I am not a fan of those. Spoilers part: Alex is being pretty careless about how he uses his vault and how many people know about it. The disappearing door to the brownstone is concerning. The subplot about the gangster seemed unnecessary and only there to link Alex to organized crime in future books. The change in perspective to Sherry and the Legion was something new, I'm not sure how I feel about that. Interesting that Sherry may be a big threat. Finally, the whole spike rune thing with Sorcha ended on a cliffhanger and I hate that. So, a good continuation overall, and I look forward to the next Arcane Casebook (hopefully without a cliffhanger ending, although that seems unlikely as the timeline approaches WW 2).
The stakes are getting higher. At the novels resolution a lot of dominos are being set up, War is looking both against secret societies and the third Reich. And the MC is being set in direct opposition to these forces by foiling their plans.
It’s a great story - fast paced and action packed. And the author finds time in the thick of it all to progress the relationship between the MC and the sorceress. Well worth the read.
If I have one criticism in general is that each novel contains too many disparate threads. While it all works somehow, it still leaves me the feeling that things are being rushed. There’s never any room for scenes to breathe or events to be properly digested.Maybe that’s intentional but I would love to see a novel where all the conflicts are actually interrelated into a cohesive whole,
Hard bitten PI? Lots of booze? Mobsters, crooked cops, even crookeder politicians and a sexy dangerous woman he's falling for? This series checks all the fun boxes of a noir PI series, with the fun addition of some twisty magic. Enough to give some great plot points but not so much that it overshadows the historical dressing for the books. I love that mundane cases, such as lost dogs, get interwoven with Big Plot Points in a funny way that really does a lot to explain how he pays the bills, solves the crimes, and deals with Mysterious Organizations Out to Get Him.
Very enjoyable series thus far, and I am looking forward to more cozy mysteries/magical noir twists as the plot lines race toward WW2.
If you have read my previous reviews, then you know I can't say enough about buying all the books in this whole series by Dan Willis & he makes some interesting shorts on the ole Facebook.
I was supposed to be asleep 4 hours ago, but I had to finish this story! Totally worth me spending tomorrow chugging 5 hour Energy drinks. I found this book a bit different from the others in the series, but it was better in some ways for those differences!
Take your money & throw it at your screen, you need this book in your life & as much as I want to tell you all about it, I can't because I don't want to ruin the surprise. Now run along & call in for tomorrow & read this book!
Mr Willis has me spellbound by his rune writing PI who runs into more mysteries every time he seems to turn around. Mix in the torrid, just not yet begun, love affair with the Ice Queen and the mentor, the author and rune write who created the original detective Sherlock Holmes, and each tale in this series builds and builds … Now, if that’s not enough, throw in the mysterious “Moriarty” an immortal on one side - who chose our man Alex to be his “lever” - and both the Legion (We Are Many) AND Josef Mengele & his Nazi cohorts on the other side and this series looks like it is primed and ready to explode!!!
Wow I tried to stay up to finish this but fell asleep. There is so much going on. So much you have been waiting for to happen. Alex has so many different things going on, he agrees to go on his first trip out of New York and he an Sorcha barely set foot in town and agree to stay away from each others reason for being there and the bad things begin to happen. Alex needs to weave all the killings, the werewolf and the kidnapped nephew of the crime boss and the murdered Senator and the museum thefts to find out how to stop Legion. So good I can't wait to start the next book.
I read this on a plane flight. And it was a week ago so I'm dredging my memory a bit to write this.
I did like how Alex got a chance to do much of this on his own. The writing is similar to the previous books and shows a well enough developed style to remain engaging. The threatened relationship with Sorsha is growing and Willis found a way to equalize the power levels between her and Alex in this story without continually making Alex more and more powerful.
According to the Egyptian, Alex is capable of becoming a Rune Lord which is apparently one of the most powerful magic users possible, even though in this world Sorcerers are seemingly more powerful.
I'm going to keep this generic because the series is so great that either you've already read your way through to book 7 and I'm preaching to the choir or you're thinking about getting started and I'd just have to send you back to book 1 anyway. Capital Murder is a great continuation on the theme, keeping the mysteries percolating while moving the bigger, deeper and more sinister plot forward. It manages to be fun and suspenseful and just as much of a bane to my productivity as each of the other books has been. I'm not current on the reading list because of this exact reason. If I buy one of Dan Willis's Arcane Casebook novels, I will literally get nothing done until I'm finished!
How do you write detective novels with no sex or profanity? Check out Dan Willis' Arcane Casebook stories. Set in an alternate New York in the 1930's, where sorcerers supply the electricity, transportation and refrigeration and Runewrights provide lesser magics to find the lost, mend the broken and clean away the blood. Alex Lockerby develops his talent in this so-far eight novel series until he has the sorcerers - and local police - consulting him. I binge-read this series and can hardly wait for the next volume. I'll be looking for other Dan Willis novels.
In this seventh entry in the series, PI and Runewright Alex Lockerby is in Washington DC, where he’s drawn into three different cases— the murder of a US senator, a mysterious theft at the Smithsonian, and the apparent kidnapping of an alchemy professor who happens to be the nephew of a mob boss. [The grifters in my title are the politicians Lockerby deals with in Washington.]
Actual historical characters of the era appear, including an Army Lieutenant Colonel named Patton and a man named Bill Donovan…
Not my favorite in the series but still a page turner. Our hero Alex goes to DC and he is quickly in the deep end with a few cases. This one got a bit tangled. Good and bad as it adds intrigue to the storyline. A quick reread and I was back on track. The case books are developing nicely and I think we might have a breakthrough on the mysterious cabal soon. More people are in the know with Alex's secrets but not for the worst.... Yet. Definitely will continue the series and not disappointed with this entry.
Dan Willis has done it again! Capital Murder is a masterpiece!
It was a hard book to put down. I could have read it in a day but stopped myself. The story kept you wanting more. All of the Arcane Casebook series are worth the read. Everyone loves a Mystery! Everyone loves Magic! The two together are a success! I'm drinking a single-malt scotch toast to Dan Willis! Please keep the stories coming.
Willis puts these out fast and at pretty high quality. Impressive.
Lockerby is off on a new adventure, with bigger stakes and a new setting. Good stuff. Lots of threads from previous books woven in, and expansion/combination of previous lore.
It is reaching the point that the reader may need to reference older books occasionally, maybe a "dramatis personae" would help?
A slightly more magical USA than you had ever imagined
This was a totally absorbing read. All characters and settings well-drawn and detailed. Alex takes on a world filled with characters who are complex, the good and the bad in them dance together. In a world where magic is a thriving aspect of everyday living, people are playing games of power. The story is too good to disclose because the fun is in the reading. Go have some fun!
Another great story by Dan Willis. This is a great series and while I’m not a fan of cliffhangers, I could see that this story was so packed with action that it was going to run into the next book. I’m glad Iggy made an appearance because we don’t want to lose him as a main character. I’m enjoying Andrew’s character and hope to see more of him. I’m looking forward to the next book in the series.
Well, apart from 2 or 3 typos.....yes, that's being picky but it's irritating! I simply love everything about this series. If you enjoy this genre ( or even if you think you don't), then Dan's books are a no brainer. That's really all you need to know. Go ahead and read them and you'll see what all the fuss is about. Must dash, book number 8 beckons........
When the Lightning Lord asks Alex to accompany him to DC to potentially expand his electrical business it seems innocent enough. Within a few hours of arriving he finds himself with 3 cases. The Legion is involved, along with a wolfman, a mobster, and looking into the murder of a US Senator. Lots of sleuthing, avoiding being killed himself and another confrontation with the Legion makes for an exciting trip.
I know I am coming to the end of this series and it makes me sad. I am really liking the characters and the world that Dan Willis has built. There is growth, and the characters don't remain one note like in so many other series. Even the cliche elements are written well enough that I am not rolling my eyes when I come across them. I eagerly look forward to the next few books and whatever is to follow in the future.
Oh my Dan, you are getting clever. Oh yes, you are. Didn't realize til just now.....you are leaving little then bigger cliff- hanger's each time. I can't wait even though it's 1am, I have to start the next book. You are a very clever and talented writer. I hope that I can read everything that you have written. Dean Koontz is one of favorite authors you are pretty dang close.
Fun series but it's getting a bit old that the MC is a doormat all the time to everyone. He's supposed to be growing in power and but everyone takes the mickey out of him.
Ice queen gets to shout at him and bitch when she's in the wrong, yet he takes it and just placates her instead of being honest. Being nice and being a doormat are different things.
Hope the MC grows some balls otherwise will probably drop the series. Unlike Dresden the MC is barely growing.
There is one problem I have with this series - There is SO MUCH going on in each book!! I thoroughly enjoy them when reading them at the time but with so many plots running concurrently (3 in this book alone) plus the overlapping story arcs, it's hard to keep track of who did what when and to whom. I still thoroughly enjoy these and will read the remainder but will keep in mind not to wait too long, otherwise I will be playing the "who are they, and what happened last time" game again.