FOLK-SPELLED

A lowly constable has the chance to clear legendary detective Sherlock Holmes of murder charges in Forthright’s steampunk mystery, the first in a series.

The self-sufficient walled city of Newcomb largely ignores “the rest of the world.” Varti Weller is one of the “badges” who protect the city, which teems with clockwork inventions. His fellow badge, best friend, and roommate Philtrum Kemp currently heads an investigation into a string of brutal murders; Varti is relegated to managing files and evidence. This is due to his curse, a hex that forces him to either “lash out” at or lie to others, which he handles by speaking as little as possible. Varti’s workload increases when a stranger enlists him to find a missing dog—likely the same beastly canine Varti has already encountered, whom he names Doggerel. He also meets a consultant who once worked on criminal cases hundreds of years ago (in Newcomb, time is framed a bit differently). His name is Sherlock Holmes, and he needs a new assistant; Varti can land the job if he can prove that Holmes, who has ties to the recent murder victims, isn’t a killer. The author jampacks this novel with vibrant characters. Many are “Folk,” mythical beings that include Varti’s pal, Ramage, who’s a harpy; charming sprite Purdle, who rides a newt; and a generally mean-spirited gorgon. Varti’s curse, in this story, is an amusing quirk—his lies come across as sarcasm (“I enjoy embarrassing myself. It endears me to all the best people”). Forthright immerses the cast in a rich environment with hints of a more familiar world beyond the steam-powered machines and the constant whirring of gears. But this superb worldbuilding nearly threatens to obscure the mystery; it’s hardly surprising that Varti is often confused, even by things he himself says.

This delightful opening installment introduces an eccentric, magical world.