A Study in Sorcery

A Study in Sorcery is an alternate history detective novel set in a world where magic, not science, drives technological advancement. The story takes place in an Angevin Empire that spans Europe and the Americas, diverging from our timeline during the reign of Richard the Lionheart. Lord Darcy and his forensic sorcerer companion Sean O Lochlainn travel to New England to investigate the death of an Azteque Prince found on a stone altar. The investigation must determine if this death signals a return to ancient sacrificial practices or indicates political moves by the rival Polish Empire. The novel combines elements of classic detective fiction with alternate history and fantasy, setting a murder mystery against the backdrop of complex imperial politics and magical forensics. The tensions between the Angevin Empire, the Azteque civilization, and the Polish Empire form the geopolitical framework for the investigation. This book continues Kurland's expansion of Randall Garrett's Lord Darcy universe, exploring themes of cultural conflict and the role of traditional practices in a magically advanced society.

Readers found this fantasy/mystery blend entertaining but not remarkable. Most note it delivers a straightforward mystery in an alternate American Southwest setting with magic elements. Readers appreciated: - The blending of mystery and fantasy genres - Details about Native American culture and folklore - Fast-paced plot - Humor scattered throughout Common criticisms: - Characters lack depth compared to earlier books in series - Magic system rules aren't well explained - Plot becomes predictable - Writing style described as "workmanlike" by multiple reviewers Ratings across platforms: Goodreads: 3.5/5 (47 ratings) Amazon: 3.7/5 (9 ratings) One reader noted: "Fun but forgettable - doesn't live up to the promise of mixing Sherlock Holmes with magic." Another commented: "The Native American elements feel researched but the mystery itself is basic." The book maintains a small but steady following among genre fans but hasn't attracted broad readership.

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🔮 The Lord Darcy series, including A Study in Sorcery, was originally created by Randall Garrett, with Michael Kurland later receiving permission to continue the series. 🗡️ The alternate history premise hinges on Richard the Lionheart surviving the crossbow bolt that killed him in 1199, allowing the Plantagenet dynasty to establish a lasting Anglo-French empire. 🧪 The series pioneered the concept of treating magic as a rigorous, law-based science with its own formal rules and principles, influencing many later fantasy works. 🏰 The Angevin Empire depicted in the book represents one of the earliest examples of the "surviving medieval empire" trope in alternate history fiction. 🔍 The character of Sean O Lochlainn is inspired by the traditional role of Irish mystics and scholars in medieval European history, blending historical authenticity with fantasy elements.