HIGHLIGHTS
~gravestones are IMPORTANT
~so much opera
~even more tea
~ghosts
~a very unsuitable yellow coat

The first, absolutely most important thing you need to know about this book is: it is not The Goblin Emperor. I think a lot of people are going to be disappointed by Witness just because they’re going to open it up expecting – or at least hoping for – an experience like the one they had with Emperor.

And they’re not going to get one.

If you decide to pick up Witness For the Dead, pretend that you’ve never read Goblin Emperor. Pretend you’ve never even heard of it. The more you separate the two books in your mind – the more clearly you see Witness for what it is, and not what you want it to be – the higher your chances are of enjoying the book.

Do not go into Witness expecting that warm optimistic glow Emperor left you with. Do not expect court politics and princes and treason and an imperial marriage. Do not expect a main character much like Maia, whose lack of education about the court and whose determination to be good made us all fall in love with him.

Pretend you’ve never even heard of The Goblin Emperor.

So: Witness for the Dead is, in essence, a murder-mystery. (It is also written in first-person and has no chapters, only scene breaks. Even structurally it’s vastly different from Emperor.) Celehar, a minor but important character from Emperor, has the ability to ‘ask’ the dead very basic questions – and get answers – if he can touch a corpse that isn’t too old. This makes him ideal, obviously, for investigating suspicious deaths, and also for a number of other more mundane tasks, like determining which of the conflicting versions of a person’s will is the real one. Pretty much immediately as the book opens, he is tasked with both: investigating the death of an opera singer, which his powers confirm was definitely a murder, and sorting out a confusion of wills for a respectable, fairly well-off family. Over the course of the novel, he also undergoes religious trials, pilgrimages, visits the opera, officiates funerals, looks into another, older death to try and figure out if something’s not right about it, and ‘puts down’ ghouls, a kind of monster that come about if graves aren’t taken care of properly.

I have a hard time figuring out whether or not I actually liked it. The ending especially soured my feelings, because I despise Agatha Christie-esque ‘solutions’ to mysteries; ie, when there’s no way the reader could put the answer together, even in hindsight, because the author prefers a ‘le gasp!’ reveal at the second-last moment to working clues into the narrative. And I don’t feel like it’s much of a spoiler to let you know that’s how one of the major plotlines gets wrapped up, because I’m not telling you which one – and it’s something I would want to know, if I was going into a story that is, for the most part, a murder-mystery.

However I felt about the ending, though, I really enjoyed the reading experience. I finished my ARC in about 24 hours, which is rare for me these days, but I just couldn’t put it down. Addison’s writing is beautiful, and I loved the attention to detail that went into the worldbuilding, from street names to terms of address. Celehar himself is a very sympathetic character; I would like to offer him a hug, if the impropriety of it wouldn’t horrify him. He’s an intrinsically honest and straightforward person who is deeply dedicated to his duties – and not just his duties, but what he sees as his duties, which include many things not officially demanded of him, but which he is capable of and which will help people. He carries around a lot of guilt for past ‘indiscretions’, and will work himself to the bone to give comfort or take care of others.

Every other character, as well, no matter how minor, felt impressively fleshed-out. Addison has created an interesting cast – not too big to juggle, but enough to give the reader a bit of an idea of just how diverse Celehar’s city is, and enough that they all get enough page time to feel like real and complete people. It’s really impressive from a writing perspective, and a treat from a readerly one!

Basically, I have nothing but praise for most aspects of this book. But once I take a step back, I find myself hugely unsatisfied with it as a standalone. It reads like the start of a series, maybe, but if that’s supposed to be it – and I think it has been stated that this is supposed to be a standalone – then it’s just… I’m not sure I’ve ever said this before, but if Witness is all we get, then I don’t know what the point of it was. I know it should be enough that it was a fun read, ending notwithstanding…but it doesn’t feel like enough, this time. I like standalones. But this doesn’t feel like a standalone. This feels like a slice-of-life, not a self-contained story; like we saw a few weeks or months of Celehar’s life at random. Does that make sense? In that sense, it doesn’t really feel like a story. It’s just… A bit of Celehar’s life. It doesn’t really build to anything, and closing the final page doesn’t leave me with the vague but happy sense that I know how the characters will get on now the story is done.

Maybe this is very normal of mystery novels, and I’m unhappy because I’m not familiar with what’s actually a perfectly normal structure for a mystery novel – I don’t read mysteries, I don’t know if this is how it’s supposed to go. The closest thing I can think of is that certain sub-section of urban fantasy where you have some kind of detective-y character solving cases, stories which tend to be quite action-heavy, and where each book in the series has its own internal plot that may or may not interlock with the next book. I’m not usually a fan of those, and Witness didn’t feel even like one of them, to me. I’m not sure why, because Celehar is detective-ing too, isn’t he? Maybe it’s just that the tone is so completely different; although Witness moves along briskly, it never feels like being stuck in an action movie. Maybe the more introspective, thoughtful prose undercuts a sense of urgency? Which leaves the ‘cases’ Celehar’s investigating feeling…like this is his everyday-work, rather than something that needs All The Solving RIGHT NOW.

There’s also a few threads which feel like they’re building up to something, but which are cut off by the book’s ending before they can really go anywhere. In particular, Witness seemed to be hinting that one of Celehar’s friendships was going to develop into a romance, but that didn’t happen – which left me feeling like an important thread had just fizzled out instead of becoming something. I don’t care about romantic plotlines, but I don’t like being encouraged to root for one only for it to not happen. That just leaves me confused and frustrated.

Ultimately, my critiques come down to two main points: I think this is a very poor example of a standalone (a critique which obviously becomes null and void if it turns out the plan is to write more Celehar books), and the ending felt very abrupt. Like I said, I was left wondering what was the point? Which is not something I’m used to thinking about books, ever!

On the other hand, I really enjoyed actually reading this book. Addison is a great writer, the cast is wonderful, the worldbuilding flawless. I have to give it four stars for all those reasons, and in gratitude for the hours that disappeared like seconds while I was reading. If you accept Witness for what it is, then there’s no way to call it a bad book.

So basically: if you’re okay with murder-mysteries set in a highly detailed fantasy world? Then absolutely go for it! But if you’re looking for something else, I urge you to look elsewhere. Just because you loved The Goblin Emperor does not mean this is the book for you.

But if you can accept Witness for what it is, then I think you’ll enjoy it.

A welcome return to the world of The Goblin Emperor, albeit one with a different narrator and a new environment and themes to explore. Reading the previous book is recommended, though as this is a stand-alone title not required to understand and enjoy the novel, which stands on its own feet as a delightful experience all on its own.

Thara Celehar (our protagonist and once-ally of Maia, our previous hero in The Goblin Emperor) now works as a Witness for the Dead in the city of Amalo, a role which I am going to try and summarize as a kind of "investigator with religious obligations and standing who asks people a lot of questions, some of whom happen to have recently died (though with the dead this is more of feelings and fragments then a Q&A session)." This is an inelegant summary of the role Celehar plays, and readers of the previous book will have a firmer understanding of what a witness for the dead does, while readers of this novel will be fully immersed in these duties and generally follow along happily.

In terms of how this works in the novel, Celehar basically solves a bunch of minor and not-so minor mysteries in the city he is residing in, engages in minor political/religious battles over his own standing in the community, goes on a few religious pilgrimages (and one dangerous religious duty), and generally tries to live his own life. You get a real feel for the city and the world that these stories take place in, become invested in different characters and their own plotlines, and find yourself rooting for Celehar to succeed in his many different mystery-quests.

A very good read, especially for fans of The Goblin Emperor who have been crawling up the walls trying to get more from that world. There is very little cross-over between the two titles, however, so fans going into the book should be aware this is truly a stand-alone title.

Katherine Addison is back again with another amazing story! This one takes place as a stand-alone sequel to her previous book The Goblin Emperor (but I read it without reading that one and it was perfectly fine). I had read her other work Angels of Crows earlier last year and IT WAS MY FAVORITE SHERLOCK RETELLING EVER. Anyways, this story follows Thara Celehar, a Prelate of Ulis and a Witness for the Dead. Thara has the ability to speak for the dead and after the events of the previous book he is now just working in a semi-exile. He was kicked out as the retainer of his cousin (the former Empress) and even though he tries to avoid as much politics as possible he now finds himself in a new mess. Throw in a mysterious murder and now we have a mystery on our hands. It was a thrilling journey to navigate every clue and witness with Thara and discover how he deals with not only the politics of his job but the politics of the city. Thara was an interesting protagonist and reading from his perspective was great.

*Thanks Netgalley and Macmillan-Tor/Forge for sending me an arc in exchange for an honest review*

There's much to love here if you are fond of The Goblin Emperor.

Instead of continuing Maia's story, The Witness for the Dead focuses on a secondary character: Thara Celehar, the eponymous Witness for the Dead who lost his place in court by virtue of a job well done. Celehar is now based far from the Court, and he exercises his skill in speaking to the dead to serve the people of his new city-- by solving will disputes and even the occasional murder. When the body of a woman is found in the canals and Celehar can only detect a hint of her last moments, he becomes enmeshed in a hunt for the killer.

The Witness for the Dead is a very different book than The Goblin Emperor in plot. Celehar is a sort of priest-detective, and other reviewers have described this as a cozy mystery-fantasy— quite different than the political intrigue of the first novel. That said, both novels are about fundamentally good people trying to do good in an imperfect world and abound with details that make that world seem remarkably detailed and real. Some readers might occasionally find the lengthy descriptions draining (for example, the paragraph of directions to the opera house…), but I delighted in nearly all of them, especially mentions of what various characters' ears were doing. Delightful. I only hope we can return to this world again soon.

The Witness for the Dead by Katherine Addison
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I got the ARC! So of course I had to re-read Goblin Emperor to get myself prepared for the sequel.

BUT. It's not really necessary to have read the first book in the series to enjoy this one. I mean, sure, we get to know the cleric Witness for the Dead in the first book, but only in the capacity for solving the overall mystery.

This sequel does not have the same cohesive worldbuilding and plot as the first, but that's all right, too. What we should expect is a continuation of the humanist feel, an exploration of the world, its peoples, and plenty of side mysteries plagued with politics both big and small.

It's comforting. It's even something of a gentle ramble.

I admit I like the first book better and I'm afraid I expected more out of this one because of it, but it was still quite interesting. The most important part is the feel -- and it felt comforting. It is, after all, a journey.

So, I had some reservations here. Like probably everyone else who wanted a sequel to The Goblin Emperor, I was kind of hoping that we'd pick up where that book left off and stick with Maia as our narrator, and so was a little disappointed to see the book was going to be about Thara Celehar instead. But I'm really glad that I ended up deciding to read this book anyway, because I was barely thirty pages in before I was engrossed.

Addison does a really excellent job here of both propelling the story along at a steady clip, and interweaving multiple narrative strands (which all end up playing out in a satisfying way). There's a lovely mix of action and the business of day-to-day living here, so that you're never overloaded with either too much action or too much detail. Each scene bleeds neatly into the next, and I'm sure people with better endurance than I have will be able to read this in one satisfying sitting.

There were, however, a few negatives here for me: firstly, Thara Celehar's voice, which as the story progressed became more and more similar to Doyle's in The Angel of the Crows and...yeah, I did not love Doyle. It's a voice that's gratingly judgmental - i.e. there would be points where Thara would pass judgment (negative, usually) on a character we would spend maybe three paragraphs with? I don't expect characters to be perfect or 100% likeable, but...what's the point of constant, needling judgment calls (especially from a character that's supposed to be full of compassion) for a barrage of walk-on barely tertiary characters? It was grating (and honestly, probably could've been solved by just having the book be in 3rd person close).

The other big negative for me was how abruptly the book ended. I don't think it needed that much more, but maybe a more definitive sense of ending? Or even just a last walk through the city? In any case, there was a final touch missing here for me.

All this said, it's still an excellent, extremely readable book, and I think anyone who enjoyed The Goblin Emperor will definitely enjoy this too.

I was very enthusiastic about this sequel, which I decided to buy and read a long time ago. I was thrilled to receive this read by Netgalley! Thrilled and a little scared: when one loves so much a read as I loved the first book in the series, "The Goblin Emperor", one is also worried about loving less the sequel.
Anyway, undeterred by the risks, I decided to treat me with a reread of "The goblin emperor" first. It was as good as in my memory. Then, immediately, I began reading this one.
For one or two chapters I was a little disoriented, as the narration is different, the author using the first person this time. Then, even if I knew beforehand that the story wouldn't evolve around Maia, I took some time to admit that he wouldn't be the main character of the book and, even more, not a second character either.
Still Maia's influence remains, as the main theme of the book, through the twists and turns of the story, is the redemption of the narrator, Thara. Depressed and self-loathing, he will learn to realise what troubles him deeply and then to forgive himself for feeling the contradictory feelings he feels, to appreciate life again, to allow himself to live and maybe even, be happy again. The first step of this redemption was clearly his relationship with Maia, and the opportunity the latter gave him to be useful, using his talent and calling again, for a good and even great cause.
If the background of the story is clearly psychological, the story in itself is engaging and fun, a mysteries story, a mix of Agatha Christie and comedy of manners, with a pinch of ghouls.
Yes, ghouls! Awesome!
I thought really interesting Thara's status, half forensic detective and half magical priest. In fact, the story was too short to my taste, I would have loved to read much more! But then it was always the case with the author's books I read so far, she writes wonderfully, with incredibly vivid and touching characters and a story which just roll out under the reader eyes as the most lustrous carpet ever...
I hope for many sequels now!


(I thank Netgalley and Macmillan-Tor/Forge for sending me the ARC in exchange for my honest review)

Being back in the world of the Goblin Emperor books was a delightful breath of fresh air. This was a new perspective, as the main character of this book is about as far from being an emperor as one can get. Thara Celehar serves as a witness for the dead. This book is his journey as he struggles to find answers to several different questions. As with all mysteries it does seem that those questions seem to have intertwining answers. As with the previous book in the series, Witness for the Dead is a detailed look at a wonderful fantasy world. Thara is an amazingly fleshed out character, struggling to make his way in a world that doesn't necessarily want him there. He takes us all over the city of Amalo to find answers. I love his characterization and honestly all I wanted was for him to be able to get a good night's rest and a filling meal. I would read a thousand more pages of these simple adventures. It does have a bit of a different feeling from the first book in the world, but that's to be expected. I had a wonderful time reading this and I expect returning to the world will fill like a comforting hug for many readers. It's definitely something I'm going to reread.

Not sure how I feel about this book. On the one hand I continued to want to read it. On the other, I kept being disappointed when interesting story threads fizzled to nothing much.

Perhaps I was too spoiled by its prequel, The Goblin Emperor—a favourite that I read at least three times a year. Maia was a character that I wanted to meet; Celehar is positively bland in comparison. I hoped that his moroseness was a symptom of his tragic love life, something that would be lessened as time passed, but this proved unfounded. Even my—probably not solitary—wish for a vignette with Maia, or at least an update on his progress was disappointed.

In short, The Witness for the Dead was an ambling minor murder mystery, set in a well-realised world, with forgettable characters and a bizarre supernatural element (seriously, ghouls?). However, it was still good have a new story set in the land of elves and goblins. I would definitely read more regardless of who it was centred around, though I would gladly beg for another that featured Maia.

I feel as though I should probably start this review with the disclaimer that the previous book in this setting, The Goblin Emperor is an absolute favourite of mine, so in some ways The Witness for the Dead was always going to be judged in the light of how much I love that book. Having said that, I should also stress that this is not a sequel, as it only features one supporting character from the previous book who is off having his own adventures here.

This particular story is about Thara Celehar, who played an important role in The Goblin Emperor when it came to unmasking the identities of conspirators against said emperor's father. Thara has the unenviable ability of being able to speak with the recently dead and gain information from them, invaluable in terms of determining guilt or innocence where murder is concerned but also massively unsettling for everyone else.

When we first meet Thara again, he's working in the city of Amalo and grieving the loss of the man he loved. As we find out later on, that relationship was not as clear-cut as it first appears and the guilt around that also haunts him as he goes about his daily business. In this case, he's invited to become involved in a number of situations - the murder of an opera singer, a dispute over inheritance and the death of a woman and her unborn baby whose family believes were murder victims. In a lot of ways, this is a relatively straightforward murder mystery, with Thara as the sleuth putting his abilities to use in a world where it doesn't seem like there's anyone else investigating possible crimes (since the equivalent of the police seem only interested in crimes where there's clear evidence of wrongdoing).

Alongside this, there's also political manoeuvering going on, as various higher ups in the church system that Thara is nominally linked to try and establish just where he is in the pecking order, something that he is sublimely uninterested in, to their utter bemusement. A hint of romance too, as Thara meets someone who seems to be interested in a relationship with him but who is also a potential suspect in the murder case, which I would have liked to have seen developed more.

In some ways, I think this book both benefits and is hindered by my love of the novel which kick-started this universe. It's beautifully written and moves along nicely, with a lot of moving parts, but seems much less of an ensemble piece than The Goblin Emperor and suffers from that a little. The supporting characters in general are slightly less well-drawn than the previous book and, while I enjoyed this book in and of itself, it doesn't hold up as well to comparison. Which feels a bit unfair, to be honest and I still recommend reading it and hope to see more work in this universe too.

I received a free copy of this book from the publisher via Netgalley, in exchange for an honest review.

The Witness for the Dead follows Thara Celehar, a minor character we meet in the Goblin Emperor who helps Maia solve the mystery of what happens to his family. Now he has moved far away and lives in the city of Amalo, far from the court and all its politics. He acts as the witness for the dead, a sort of investigator/priest for the families of people who have died and is drawn into to a web of secrets, lies, treachery and murder.

I really liked the role Thara has, the witness for the dead is such an interesting concept. I always like it when books explore death and what makes a good death - the idea of having someone who will serve as witness to deaths even if the dead have no known family or are one of the forgotten of society was a really great theme to explore. I also really liked how he can talk to recently deceased ghosts and find out the truth of what happened to them.

Thara as a character is great, he has a melancholy soul/tone to his character but I really liked how the author showed little acts that can bring joy, such as feeding the local cats sardines or havin a cup of tea and scones. Watching him try to find his purpose and calling throughout the book, whilst also being an excellent witness trying to live up to his own legacy was very interesting. I also liked how we explored themes of morality and Thara's stubborn persual of solving mysteries, even if this got him into more trouble.

Much like the Goblin Emperor this is a quieter novel, with a lot of focus on the main character just living his life and his interactions with others, as well as intricate world building (I really like the world the author has created, although there are a LOT of complex made up words haha). I did really like the mystery at the heart of this book, although in the middle of the book we do seem to diverge from the main storyline before coming back to it at the end. The main mystery is the death of an opera singer, and I loved classic murder mystery this storyline felt. The girl who has been murdered is very ambitious, has a lot of suitors as well as enemies and likes keeping other peoples secrets in order to blackmail them - which to me just felt so nostalgic for some reason (maybe it gave me alison from pretty little liars vibes lol).

I think I would have liked a bit more exploration of the "romance"/relationship between Thara and Pel-Theraior, I feel like it was teased but never really explicit and I would have liked a bit more at the end and maybe a heartfelt conversation. The ended in general I felt was a little aburpt, I'm someone who likes a bit of padding on my endings rather then them finishing straight after the climax, but that is definitely a personal preference thing.

In conclusion this was a really enjoyable read and I really hope Katherine Addison writes more books set in this world. I would definitely read a whole series of Thara solving mysteries.

The long-awaited sequel to "The Goblin Emperor" did not disappoint. It's another turn in the world where - despite danger and death, murder and malfeasance, petty politics & uncaring bureaucracy - people are kinder than you expect, and the world is hopeful, full of unexpected friendships and connections.

The reader coming directly from "The Goblin Emperor" should be aware that this novel is not about Edrehasivar VII, but instead follows Thara Celehar, the prelate of Ulis who helped to uncover the criminals in the previous novel. Here, he has been sent to Amalo by the Archprelate, to serve specifically as a Witness for the Dead. In this capacity, he investigates deaths, discovers the names of heirs, and is eventually drawn into a murder investigation of a woman with many enemies, and more secrets.

For those readers who have not discovered the joy of "The Goblin Emperor", you may read he sequel without having read the first, but reading them in order will not only introduce you to a a brilliant comfort novel, but will deepen the emotional impact of the second book.

I hope that the author will continue to tell stories in this rich world.

A delightful book from Katherine Addison. Set in the same world as The Goblin Emperor but not a traditional sequel, this book shows another character coming to terms with a life that treats them rather harshly. I really enjoyed it, and enjoyed the characters. As a long-term fan of Addison (including her writing as Sarah Monette), I now how much she loves mysteries, and it's fun to read one she's written.

I think anyone who enjoyed Goblin Emperor would enjoy The Witness for the Dead.

I received a free eARC from the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

Fans of The Goblin Emperor will fall quickly back into that world as they immerse themselves into the daily patterns of Thara Celehar’s new life, far from the imperial court.

Somehow this book felt smaller, but I believe it is simply because Celehar’s existence is smaller than Maia’s. This one is also told in first person rather than third, and it took a moment to figure out why it felt different.

But The Witness for the Dead is just as elaborate—and just as kind—as its predecessor, and I was very glad visit again.

I absolutely loved THE GOBLIN EMPEROR, so when I got the chance to read THE WITNESS FOR THE DEAD, I jumped on it. Addison doesn't disapoint with her empathetic characters and lush worldbuilding. The book follows Thara Celahar, the Witness for the Dead that made an appearance in THE GOBLIN EMPEROR, as he attempts to follow his duties and deal with his unwitting fame in the city of Amalo, far from the Emperor's court. Thara is wonderfully empathetic, and quickly reached cinnamon bun status in my heart: must protect at all costs. He's conscientous and clever and so achingly kind, and unaware of any of these heroic traits in himself. Although we follow him investigating a series of murders, deaths, and intrigue, the book never loses its comfort read feel.

The resolution of the book is a little rushed at the end for my tastes and I dearly wished for more resolution with one possible romantic subplot (readers looking for a clear romance in this will be tantalized but not satisfied; Thara has a lot of emotional baggage to sort through), but Addison does an admirable job keeping a wide cast of characters coherent and tying all the plots together. THE WITNESS FOR THE DEAD, like THE GOBLIN EMPEROR, is a complex high fantasy world wrapped in a soft over-sized sweater. It never loses its heart, and I'm so grateful for that.

It’s no secret that The Goblin Emperor is my favourite novel, so when I heard the news that Katherine Addison was working on a new book set in this world I was a little nervous but, ultimately, so excited—even more so when it was revealed it wasn’t going to be a direct sequel, because The Goblin Emperor is perfect as it is. Instead we follow Thara Celehar, our titular Witness for the Dead who worked for Maia in the previous book to help him discover who murdered his father and brothers, this time as he embarks on his preferred work, helping those who lack the funds and prestige of those at court.

The Witness for the Dead is an odd novel in some ways, and parts of it reminded me of Addison’s other novel, The Angel of the Crows, because this novel feels more like several novellas put together rather than one whole novel. Having said that, it definitely feels more like a novel than The Angel of the Crows did (thankfully, because I didn’t actually enjoy The Angel of the Crows very much!) and the various crimes and events Celehar finds himself getting involved in weave in and out of one another, rather than simply happening one after the other. What I’m trying to get at is that The Witness for the Dead is a very quiet and in some ways cosy novel, not unlike The Goblin Emperor, so if you’re craving more fantasy where the fate of the world isn’t at stake and the focus is on one character’s relationship with the world around him, and the people in it, then this is a book for you.

You could read this novel without first reading The Goblin Emperor, but you’ll get much more out of The Witness for the Dead if you read The Goblin Emperor because you’ll learn Celehar’s backstory; why he lives the way he lives and distances himself from others the way he does.

As a Witness for the Dead, Celehar can essentially read cadavers and human remains to find out what the dead experienced in their last moments and, if foul play was involved, find out who killed them. A kinsman of the previous emperor’s empress, Celehar lost what little favour he had when he agreed to work for Maia, who in return released Celehar from the court to return to the kind of work he prefers. Now in the city of Amalo, far from the emperor and his court, the novel opens with Celehar being asked to attend upon the body of an elven woman that has been pulled from the river. Any thoughts of her death being an accident or suicide are put aside when Celehar discovers a wound on her head.

What follows is a gentle story of Celehar trying to find justice for a woman he comes to discover wasn’t a particularly nice lady, and some of the other jobs he is given or accidentally falls into along the way, but the novel’s main focus is on Celehar himself. He’s a somewhat tragic figure, someone who hasn’t been shown as much kindness as he deserves, and in The Witness for the Dead we slowly start to see him open up to other people and make friends—and a hint that, maybe one day, he might allow himself a second chance at romance, too.

This is a difficult book to review because it’s not really a plot-heavy novel and I don’t want to ruin anyone’s reading experience by accidentally giving something away, but just know that I loved reading it. I loved being back in this world, and seeing a different part of it—not only geographically, but also in terms of the class of people we meet. The entirety of The Goblin Emperor takes place at court, surrounded by noblemen and noblewomen, whereas Celehar associates with other members of his religious order, factory workers and performers at an opera house, just to name a few. Addison’s writing is beautiful, her characters all have such stage presence, regardless of how long we meet them for, and while the mysteries themselves aren’t exactly shocking or full of twists and turns, it’s Celehar’s determination to find the truth, above all else, that makes this book impossible to put down.

As Witness for the Dead, Thara Celehar is tasked not just with bringing solace to the dead and the dying, but also seeing to their unfinished business - including finding out who killed them. Even with the ability to sense the last thought of the dead, though, solving a murder is never simple, especially with scheming coworkers and a skeptical public. Fans of Katherine Addison will appreciate the tranquility and friendliness she brings even to the twists and turns of a murder mystery.

I thoroughly enjoyed The Witness for the Dead. The setting is unique and the story compelling. The protagonist is driven to do his best and he uses his mind as much as his ability to listen to the recently deceased. The multiple plot lines are intricately interwoven, hard to guess but satisfyingly concluded. Highly recommended.

<b>4.25 stars. This is basically a cozy mystery... but fantasy, and I am delightfully charmed.</b> I didn't expect to enjoy this slow, quiet story so much!

<b>I like it much more than the first book, <i>The Goblin Emperor</i>. These two are wildly different in terms of plot. The murder mystery aspect of this drew me in, but they share the same universe and the same type of protagonist: a quiet, kind man who maintains his benevolence and dignity even in the face of tragedy. Both are technically standalones.</b> You don't need to read the first novel to understand this, although it will allow you a better grasp of the setting.

The story is quite straightforward. Thara is a Witness for the Dead, a public cleric-slash-servant who presides over funerary rites and matters of the deceased. Oh, and he also solves murders, because he can touch a corpse and glean their final memories. But don't expect a fast-paced, action-packed thriller; it's a medium-paced story that's just about Thara's relationships with the citizens, and the lives of the deceased victims, as it is about solving the crimes.

Wholesome. This book is wholesome. If you want the type of mystery that values the victim rather than the killer, then this is it.

Thara himself is also immensely likeable. He's a quiet, unconventional protagonist; a man who sticks by his duty and doesn't care for glory. Soft-spoken, an excellent listener, often pushed around but stands up for the denizens under his protection. <b>He's also gay, so I love the casual rep, but there is no central romance here.</b> I actually want to know more about his backstory, which is only hinted on, but maybe that was in <i>Emperor</i>. Idk.

The names are pretty confusing but the worldbuilding is otherwise delightful. Grand in scope, thoughtful, but not overwhelming. <b>Addison's universe is impeccably <i>human</i></b>, warm and lived in, believable.

I only wish it had sped up at times, and that's why I won't give it a full 5 stars. <b>But it's highly recommended if you want a subtle, cozy, character-driven story.</b>

<i>Thank you to Desirae of Tor Books and NetGalley for inviting me to view this ARC in exchange for an honest review.</i>

Sequel to The Goblin Emperor, but this time following the cleric who speaks to the dead as he navigates a hostile ecclesiastical environment, investigates several different deaths, and (much against his inclination) makes a few friends. Like the first book, the goodheartedness of the narrator, despite his learned mistrust, makes this a relatively gentle story even when murder and other nastiness is involved.