In this last entry in highly enjoyable “Saevus Corvax” trilogy, all the things Saevus has been running from since we first met him on a battlefield post-battle catch up with him in a big way.

The novel opens much as the previous two: After mopping up after a battle, the team heads to a town where Sarvus knows they can sell their salvage and have some downtime. They hear rumours of war, and Saevus begins thinking of where to take the team to hole up while the Sashan and their enemy beat the crap out of each other and anyone caught between them.

Then, Saevus receives a letter from Phantis, his sister. She appeals to him to save her as there are people who want to kill her. Knowing getting tangled up with her mess will negatively affect his team, he divests himself of some of his responsibilities then heads out.

When the siblings reunite, Saevus discovers Phantis has a price on her head for the little inconsequential reason of murdering her husband, a duke. He also finds out that she knew where to find him because a woman had come to her Court with news of the salvager. I immediately figured who this woman was, and was so happy to have my suspicions confirmed when Stauracia makes her appearance later in the narrative. (She is also the only woman Saevus knows who’s a match for his knowledge, strategic thinking and sheer deviousness.)

Phantis has a strange relationship with her brother: on the one hand, she can’t forgive Saevus, or Florian, for killing their brilliant brother, but she also needs Saevus to save her.

Saevus does a lot of running around the land, trying to stay a step ahead of Phantis’ problems and his own, and each time, he sheds a little bit more of his salvager trappings. He also gets pulled into a treasure hunt, must contend with kidnappings, marauding troops once the war kicks off, and the biggest surprise to himself, though not to the reader if they’ve been paying attention to the wry, often blackly funny narration of the ever resourceful Saevus since book one, love.

And, while there is danger, multiple deaths, and duplicity everywhere, author K.J. Parker gives Saevus a few moments of genuine happiness, interesting conversations, and resolutions to situations mentioned in the previous two books, before Saevus actually gets to get away with murder.

I have thoroughly enjoyed this series and its protagonist. His cynicism but also care for those he chose to surround himself with, his wit and near encyclopedic knowledge of different peoples, cultures, histories and lands were strangely endearing, and though where he ends up by the end is a little tragic, it is also oddly perfect, and a great way to wrap up this satisfying and entertaining book and trilogy.

Thank you to Netgalley and to Orbit Books for this ARC in exchange for my review.

Good follow up on Saevus Corax, I just never really fell in love with this character or his challenges. Not a bad read though.

Do you enjoy clever writing, details that add up to something bigger, and an incredibly dark sense of humor? If yes, you will probably love this as much as I do.
It seemed like it couldn't be darker, when I met Saevus and learned that he made money looting dead bodies. Ah no, it got so much deeper and darker. But what makes these books amazing is the little stories mixed in, the plotting, and the personalities. Seriously, I finished this very slowly because now I need to take a few weeks away and then read from the beginning so I can catch all the things I missed the first time, before I saw the big picture.
These three books are relatively short but they're just packed full of details. The tone is casual, and this world is fully drawn. I'm amazed at the accomplishment and impressed that Holt can tell such different kinds of stories.
Thanks so much to NetGalley for letting me read this

Thank you to Netgally, the publishers, and K. J. Parker

When I requested this book I was unaware that it was apart of a series, one that requires you to read the previous books for this one to make sense. I am unable to read all the previous books along with this one before the publish date. Therefore, I will rate this a fair 3/5 stars and will adjust the rating and review when I am able to read all the books in the series along with this one.

If you could get away with any crime what would it be? Be honest, sometimes it works out. Like it does in "Saevus Corvax gets away with Murder" by K. J. Parker, the conclusion to this trilogy.

The downside about being clever is being right about things sometime. If say, you killed your brother, on accident mind you, 17 years ago and your father has been sending bounty hunters after you since you'd understandably be paranoid about most people. And if the same cleverness that let's you perform the geometry of violence has kept you alive all these years is screaming at you to run you'd be a fool to ignore it right? But an unexpected letter for a remaining sibling arrives Saevus of course has to respond, because there is nothing quiet like a sibling to make wisdom depart. And then things get awkward.

Reasons to read:
-I can't believe you pulled all those little bits together, you mad lad Parker
-You've been chasing the big score
-They are good together
-Some times it is dreadful being right
-A very decent chap

Cons:
-Oh, that hurt

On par with the rest of the series. Still has great writing and great characters.

I thought is was a bit repetitive with Saevus being betrayed by a friend again. But the ending was more surprising.

Saevus Corax Gets Away with Murder is a bonkers comedic romp and the third book in the Corax trilogy by K.J. Parker (Tom Holt). Released 5th Dec. 2023 by Orbit, it's 352 pages and is available in paperback, audio, and ebook formats. It's worth noting that the ebook format has a handy interactive table of contents as well as interactive links and references throughout.

Tom Holt, aka Parker, is undeniably quite gifted at drawing humo(u)r from the juxtaposition of elements which would otherwise shock and/or horrify. From accidentally running over a badger and unwillingly becoming the owner of the ring of the Nibelung to this heist caper featuring a battlefield scavenger trying to retire from the business of stripping corpses, the sheer capacity of -imagining- these what if's is mind-boggling. Happily, throughout his oeuvre, he generally manages to fall on the funny side, and is occasionally really funny.

As it's the 3rd book in a trilogy with a fair bit of continuity, this one doesn't work well at all as a standalone and it's strongly recommended to read the books in order. The author -does- provide the necessary backstory for readers who jump in at the end, but it won't be the same experience or nearly as immersive.

This book is more cynical and less funny/witty than the previous books and there was a definite wistfulness to the story here (more than expected for an admittedly grim setup: to wit, a battlefield scavenger who's had everyone from governments to his family trying to kill him or otherwise put him out of commission for years).

That being said, the author's a gifted wordsmith, and it was impressively well written.

Four and a half stars. Recommended for library acquisition (adult fantasy/speculative fiction section), home use, and would make a nice binge/buddy read with the sister volumes.

Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.

Brilliant end to a fantasy trilogy that has it all: action, humor, grit, mysterious locations, and super intense villains. I enjoyed all three books immensely and this culminating volume wraps up all of the threads beautifully. K.J. Parker is an author who never disappoints.

4.5 Stars

This book is little dark compared to the first two. While I liked the complex themes Parker explored in this book, I miss the wittiness we got in the first two books. And surprisingly, this is the saddest I felt at the end of a Parker book. That only shows how much I got invested in these characters.

K. J. Parker (Tom Holt)’s final tale of the rogue, tells how Saevus Corax Gets Away With Murder (paper from Orbit). It starts with the world on the edge of war, cutting back the small wars that kept Saevus’s company in business. Then his sister asks for his help despite the fact she had put a price on his head for years. She had killed her husband and was on the run. After leaving her in a place of safety, his friends talk him into a treasure quest. Unfortunately the devil is in the details, and Saevus has to rely on his usual luck to get him out of impossible danger. This is a nice ending to the trilogy. I grinned through all three books.

Its been a ride this year with all the Saevus books. I did enjoy the final installment, and I liked where the ending went for the most part. The series as a whole was wonderful, and I loved the fourth wall breaking of a writing style. I think there could have been a few more twists at the end, but I appreciated that they had to circle back to how the story started to wrap things up. Like I said, the series is great if you're looking for something smart and pithy and political.

Would definitely pick something up from K. J. Barker again.

Thank you to Netgalley and Orbit for an e-copy,

What a fun, unique, original, exciting book. I enjoyed every minute. The characters were somehow ridiculous and believable. The pacing was good and kept me intrigued the whole time. I'll definitely recommend!

Saevus Corax Gets Away With Murder by K. J. Parker

This final volume of a trilogy felt both incredibly similar and predictable while continuing to surprise me throughout.

A while back, I became a fan of K. J. Parker. I first heard the name of this author via Jo Walton’s monthly reading lists on Tor dot com. So I requested an eARC of A Practical Guide to Conquering the World by K.J. Parker and loved it! It was grabby (in a “can’t put this book down” kind of way) and it was thoroughly enjoyable. I said I’d be looking out for more books by K. J. Parker and I later really enjoyed an eARC of the Long Game and Pulling the Wings off Angels, which were both delightful books! After that, I went back and read Sixteen Ways to Defend A Walled City and How to Rule an Empire and Get Away with It, which were also wonderful. Parker’s books that I have read have been first person tales whose protagonists are usually clever bastards (in a thoroughly enjoyable manner).

The titular Saevus Corax is no different - a man who is too clever by half that runs a business reclaiming armor and other loot from battlefield corpses. In this presumably final novel, Corax’s world effectively falls apart and the book spins off in some unexpected directions. I wasn’t expecting to learn more about his brother, and there were a number of deaths that really saddened me, as well as some fake outs that surprised me. I guess maybe someone could’ve seen the ending coming but I certainly didn’t. This book had the same feel as all of the other Parker books I have read, but it didn’t feel the same, if that makes any sense. A good end to a good trilogy.

Thanks to NetGalley and Orbit Books for the eARC in exchange for an honest review.

The Saevus Corax trilogy concludes with this book. Saevus wants to retire from the battlefield-scavenging business, but first he has to rescue his widowed sister, notwithstanding the fact that she has been trying to kill him for years. There is also a treasure hunt. And Saevus does in fact get away with murder. I am always impressed by how much history (including family, political and military history) the author has created for these fantasies.

The ending of the book/trilogy was satisfying and it stayed true to the generally cynical and non sentimental nature of these books. The book could be read as a standalone, but it’s better to read from the beginning. I wasn’t crazy about the first book, but the next two improved.

I received a free copy of this book from the publisher.

3.5 stars. I never considered what happens to the dead and their belongings after a battle so a series that would follow a company of men whose entire purpose involves cleaning up after battles was a fascinating premise. The inevitable exploration of the economics stemming from the battlefield - recycling arrowheads, clothing, shoes, armor, weapons & valuables - was interesting as well.

Saevus is the philosophical type that has an opinion to share on everything. He’s a well-read character that instructs the reader on the foibles of humanity, & the history and cultures of his world. Unfortunately, his explanations tend to be longwinded sections of information that often interrupt the action. Even though it's framed in a dry, humorous way it became tiresome as the series went on.

He is just trying to make the best of the situations in which he and his men find themselves. My problem is that I didn’t necessarily like the characters enough to enjoy the story although the writing itself was done well, and I didn’t feel that a series of novels was warranted. A series of novellas might’ve been more successful.

*Thank you to Orbit Books and NetGalley for this ARC.

What misadventure will Saevus get into in the newest Saevus Corax adventure?!

What happens when your sister…who has been paying for years to have you brought to her dead or alive needs your help? This is what Saevus deals with as he bumbles his way through another adventure.

Parker has always had a way of writing Saevus that is funny and a bit self deprecating, but you can tell his bravado covers a heart and someone who deeply cares for those around him. So it’s not surprise when his sister comes calling he answers.

The characters we have come to know and love shine in this conclusion to the series. I’m truly sad to see this is the end, but it was a well done finale to the series.

I. F*c|<ing. Loved this series! I want expecting a tidy little bow but I still wasn't ready for the tragically hilarious ending Parker put together. 6/5 stars. Would read the whole damn thing again.

Thank you NetGalley and Orbit for the ARC!

Saevus Corax gets away with Murder by K.J. Parker, a fun read. Well Written, engaging and definitely worth the read. A hunted son, a betrayed brother, and a scrounger to boot, Corax has all the elements you are looking for.

4.5 stars

I laughed, I cried, I haven't stopped thinking about it for days. What a bittersweet but satisfying ending to one of my favorite new series. These could technically work as standalones, they don't have cliffhangers, but I highly recommend reading them all and in order for maximum impact. They're all releasing back-to-back-to-back, so you really have no excuse.

Saevus Corax (aka one of my favorite characters of all time) and his crew of battlefield salvagers are back, but this time The Big War TM is imminent, and he's feeling a little melancholic. Is this really all he should be doing with his life? Has the day finally come when his lack of a moral code has caught up with him?

This installment is still hilarious like the other two, full of biting satire and hijinks, but it manages to give trauma, repression, and complicated family relationships/friendships/romance equal weight. The ending to this series felt very fitting, but also genuinely shocked me. Like, I screamed. Out loud. And then cried and stared at the wall for a few hours. But I promise, I mean that in the most complimentary way possible.

If you like absurd books with unreliable narrators, fourth wall breaks, medieval adventure, sarcasm, moral ambiguity, commentary on the bleakness of the human condition, but also humor, romance, and incredible world-building, please read these. And then come talk to me, because I am not ok. Thank you to NetGalley, the publishers, & the author for an advance copy in exchange for my honest review.

I wish I liked these books, but I don’t. They are boring and the narrator is annoying. I kept waiting for them to pick up and get better and they never did.