If you had told me that I would be five starring a murder mystery book with little romance, that borders on fantasy and science fiction, AND written by a man, no less, I might have been a bit incredulous. And then this book happened. And it kept on happening.

There was a lot to take in. What started off as a murder mystery unfolded into something much grander. It involved the political machinations of an Empire that also happens to be facing monstrous sea creatures of calamitous proportions every few seasons. It centered around an eccentric investigator and her trainee assistant and the hazards that come with investigating crimes that seem much more dangerous than what they've signed up for. And honestly, all that chaos melded into one spectacular masterpiece. Don't even get me started on the mushrooms.

The dynamic between Ana and Din was definitely my favorite bits of this book, and Ana is a neurodivergent creature of beauty. I loved her chaotic character the moment she entered the scene. And I greatly respected Din for the fact that in those few months he's known her, he's managed to match her in conversation with the monotone way he speaks and reacts to her chicanery. I felt like this duo was a match made in Sherlock Holmes heaven. And to be honest, the lack of a romance between them--despite the blatant hints of protectiveness between mentor and trainee--really helped in this case.

Can't wait to read the next book! Absolutely devoured this zombie velociraptor murder mystery apocalypse!