"A terrific tale"
In wintry Turai, the Transport Guild hires Thraxas the
Investigator to uncover which of the sorcerers is stealing
precious dragon scales. Thraxas freezes his butt off
hiding at the docks to observe what happens. He captures
Rexox in the act and refuses a bribe although the criminal
confesses owning senators to do his bidding; all Turai
wants is a warm bed by a fire perhaps with a beer to ease
his going to sleep. Deputy Consul Cicerius hires the Investigator as an
Observer at the upcoming Sorcerer's Assemblage that
gathers to elect a new leader. The city trying to regain
its once influential position insists the next chief come
from Turai; however the best candidate Lisutaris is
addicted to thazis. Named a tribune so he can get inside,
Thraxas is to insure Lisutaris is elected. However, the
Tribune has a new issue to deal with; an unknown assassin
has stealthily begun murdering folks using sinister magic,
but the sorcerers are all at a lost as to how, who or why.
Thraxas is on the case. The eighth Thraxas private investigator fantasy is a
terrific tale as the hero seems as fresh as ever. This
time he "defeats" the daughter of his client in a battle
of words, stops a connected thief, embarrassed to be
amongst the sorcerers having flunked their entry test
years ago, and challenges a silent serial killer. The
story line is action-packed and the magical world of Turai
seems genuine (a trademark of the series). However, the
reason this tale and its predecessors are fun and
intelligent is the consistent asides based on observations
and conditions from the beer-bellied star. Reviewed by Harriet Klausner
Posted August 6, 2005
Reviewed by PNR Group Member
Posted January 25, 2007
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