by Martin Scott
First published 1999
Thraxas works as a private investigator in the bustling fantasy city of Turai. Once a respected sorcerer and soldier, he now finds himself overweight, cynical, and struggling to make ends meet in the rougher districts of the city. When a case lands on his doorstep, Thraxas must navigate the dangerous underworld of Turai, where magic and murder intertwine. He faces corrupt officials, deadly assassins, and supernatural threats while trying to uncover the truth. Armed with his remaining magical abilities and hard-won street smarts, Thraxas discovers that solving crimes in a world of orcs, elves, and wizards requires more than just detective skills. The investigation forces him to confront his own past failures and find redemption in a city that seems determined to crush anyone trying to do the right thing.
Genres: mystery, fantasy, detective, urban-fantasy
Vibes: atmospheric, gritty, suspenseful
Tropes: flawed-protagonist, found-family
Setting: Turai
224 pages · Paperback · Orbit