”Thirty-two going on ninety. That’s how old I was feeling. Losing my partner Ezra, DS Isax, in the way I had, while on a job down in East Devon, had finished me off. I’d been with the Ministry of Witches Police Department for thirteen years, and on their Magickal murder squad for eight of those. I’d become jaded even before that final investigation, but I hadn’t been remotely ready for the emotional toll that the death of a former partner can take.”
And so, the story of Detective Inspector Elise Liddell begins. It is told effectively in the first person with some inner dialogue which helps to give a strong insight into the character of Elise.
The plot is intriguing with plenty of twists and turns, danger lurking around the corner and many questions to answer.
The tension is built up effectively and the jeopardy is engaging. The story is well paced and the dialogue very good. We meet some quirky, well-drawn characters along the way.
Surprisingly, we don’t learn anything about Elise’s former partner, Ezra, especially since his death affected her so badly, but I’m guessing more will be revealed about him further into the series.
I had expected much more magic and evidence of the paranormal as the story got underway. Elise had, after all, been in the Ministry of Witches and her world is described as a place of rogues and villains: wizards, witches, warlocks, faeries, goblins, mages, sages and soothsayers.
Magic and ghosts appear more in the latter part of the book,and these were some of the most enjoyable and memorable scenes. It would have been good to have had stronger paranormal elements earlier.
The story has some excellent descriptive passages, and they are woven in well to give an effective sense of place and atmosphere.
I liked the way Elise is flawed and has to find her way back from the weight of grief. She is a likeable character and readers will identify with some of her struggles.
‘Dead as a Dodo’ is the first book in a series: ‘Wonderland Detective Agency’.
The story builds to a tense and exciting climax which leads well into a promise of the further adventures and challenges Elise Liddell will encounter in the rest of the series.
I enjoyed the book and, apart from wishing for a bit more magic, The Book Dragon awards it 4 stars, well deserved.
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