This is a fast paced murder mystery and a race against time to catch a murderer who is after magical hearts. Set in London and Cairo in1886, this book is filled with a magic system very similar to Newt Scamander's world from Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them. There are romantic elements in the story but it is a very slow development. Nevertheless, if you want a queer version of a secret magical world based in the UK, this is the book for you.

In The Wizard and the Welshman, Laura Rayndrop has created a magical world with compelling queer characters and a brilliant mystery. From the very beginning, the setup is intriguing and Hal is a riveting, conflicted character.
One of the reasons I connected so strongly to the world was that there were very rich historical aspects that brought to mind Sherlock Holmes and some of the detective novels I love. I also liked that the writing was authentic with regards to being gay in the 1800’s, that it was not acceptable to be in love with a person of the same gender in that time. Weaving that with the magical world was well written and extremely enjoyable. The secondary characters, in particular Donogue, were fun and I loved the resolution of the mystery. There are a lot of twists and turns as we learn the truth behind the killer.
If you like LGBTQ stories with magic and mystery, I really recommend this first in the series. Hal is compelling, November is full of mystery and the ending is full of twists and turns. The details of the magical world are full of depth and the relationship is authentic and beautiful. I can’t wait for the next book.

An inspector finds himself on his most difficult case when he discovers a woman who is gruesomely murdered and missing an organ from her cracked open chest... and soon finds himself in a world of paranormal creatures and dark magic as well as meeting a wizard who might be the key to solving it all.... and whom he might be falling in love with. inspector Hal Hawthorne finds himself working his most complicated case in December 1886 when he finds a woman murdered with an open chest and a missing organ. He soon finds out that the victim wasn't human and that her killer might not be either. When he runs into a beautiful wizard named November and saves him... Hal soon finds himself thrust into the world of magic and dark creatures, can he and November stop the killer before it's too late? This is the first book in a series and unfortunately I will not be continuing the series. I wish I liked this more but I found myself getting bored and skimming the book just to make it to the end. It wasn't as interesting as I had hoped it would be and the story didn't capture me as much as I would have liked. Sadly, this is a miss for me but I do think that if you like queer historical fantasy murder mysteries I think you should give this a go.

Release Date: Oct 31,2024

Publication/Blog: Ash and Books (ash-and-books.tumblr.com)

*Thanks Netgalley and Independently Published for sending me an arc in exchange for an honest review*

A wizard, A Policeman, a Murder and a Queer love story set in 1880's London.

The mystery of the deaths and pursuit of the killer was a thrilling journey that kept the plot moving while still giving the main characters the room they needed to breathe and develop throughout the course of the narrative. I felt the queer element of the book was handled very well, it was accurate to the period setting but had enough wriggle room to not get too wrapped up in the sadness and persecution of the time.

I really enjoyed reading this book, I found the writing style very easy to follow and the world building was very solid.

I would reccomend this to anyone who enjoys a good murder mystery story, with magical elements that are still grounded in an element of our world.

This had potential as a fantasy mystery, but it missed the mark in a few ways. First, it leaned too heavily on the protagonist’s sexuality, with constant reminders that he’s gay and seemingly everyone in the story trying to "get" him for it. And it seems weird because the author is a woman, not a gay man.

The relationship between the main character, Hal, a detective, and his love interest, November, also didn’t sit right with me. There’s a clear power imbalance: Hal is a much older detective, while November is ten years younger and a sex worker, creating an awkward dynamic that felt uncomfortable rather than romantic. Hal is painted as the central problem, with November often coming off as clingy or overly dependent, which left me feeling kinda icky.

The mystery itself was just okay, and the magic was basic. It was frustrating that the story didn’t spend much time developing the magic or even giving depth to the investigation, which often felt like a subplot.

Overall, if you’re looking for a well-rounded fantasy mystery, this one may not deliver.
I really wanted to love this, but alas...

Thanks Netgalley and the publishers for the ARC

*I got this book for free, but this my own opinion.*
The pace of the book was fantastic. It started with a nice murder mystery. It have seemed familiar, but it was fun and kept me reading.
The story kept me invested despite some mistakes. I loved the mix of magic and history.
Also, I was worried it would lose its sparkle when the love interest was introduced. It didn't. In fact, there's very little romance in the book. It focused mostly on its worldbuilding, which was superb.
The characters were interesting, but I think they'll develop more in the upcoming books. What I can say is that I could relate to main character and how he hid what he was. It makes a lot sense knowing the stakes.
All in all, this is a good book. I enjoyed reading it.
You can find my review on Goodreads at https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/6965658464 on the 30th of October.

I love the darkness of this book, it really kept me hooked throughout, looking forward to reading more in the series.

Summary:
The Wizard and The Welshman is the first book in The Hawthorne Mystery series, set in London in 1886. A woman is gruesomely murdered, her chest cracked open and a mysterious organ missing. When Inspector Hal Hawthorne, Kensington’s top investigator, starts probing the case, he quickly realises the victim—and her killer—aren’t human. In the course of his investigation, Hal saves a captivating wizard named November from becoming the next target. This encounter pulls Hal into a world of dark magic and nightmarish creatures. But as Hal becomes entangled in this supernatural web, he starts to believe that November holds the key to solving the case. Now, Hal must protect November, solve the mystery, and decide what he’s willing to sacrifice to stop the killings and save the man he’s come to care for.

Plot & Pacing:
The Wizard and The Welshman is the first book in the Hawthorne Mystery series, blending fantasy and mystery in a way that’s both enchanting and utterly captivating. The story follows Hal, a detective with a past he’s trying to keep hidden, as he encounters November—a powerful and enigmatic figure from another world. With parallel universes, a hint of darkness, and plenty of twists and turns, this book had me hooked from the first page.

As a fan of both fantasy and mystery, I was immediately drawn to this book’s premise, and it absolutely delivered. The plot is layered with suspense, magic, and darker elements that pack an emotional punch. There were twists I didn’t see coming and moments that genuinely brought tears to my eyes. I love that the story doesn’t shy away from exploring darker themes, which only deepened my attachment to the characters and my hope for their happiness.

The pacing was nearly perfect, and I found myself flying through the pages. I was so engrossed that I made it halfway through in a single sitting! The only downside was that the chapters were quite long, which occasionally interrupted the flow. But overall, it was a smooth, engaging read that I didn’t want to put down.

World-Building:
Parallel worlds can be tricky to execute, but Rayndrop handles it beautifully. The magical world and its systems were both fun and immersive, and I loved discovering the details of this universe bit by bit. The balance of mystery and fantasy worked perfectly, and I hope we get to see even more of the magic in future books. Rayndrop’s world feels layered and enchanting, making it easy to lose yourself in the story.

Characters:
The characters are the heart of this book, and I was completely captivated. Hal is a compelling protagonist—strong yet fragile, as he navigates his place in the world and tries to hide parts of himself. November, on the other hand, brings a mix of power and vulnerability that adds depth to his character. The chemistry between Hal and November is fantastic; they’re both characters you want to root for, and their dynamic is magnetic.

Special mention to Hal’s new partner on the police squad, who is a true ride-or-die character that I couldn’t help but love. His loyalty and sense of camaraderie brought warmth to the story, adding a sense of team spirit amidst all the supernatural chaos.

Romance:
The romance between Hal and November had me hooked from the start. Instant attraction can be hit or miss, but here, it worked beautifully. I found myself as enchanted by November as Hal was as soon as he entered the stage, and I’m already looking forward to watching their relationship deepen. Their connection felt real and compelling, and I’m eager to see how their bond will evolve in the next books.

Writing Style:
Rayndrop’s writing style is both accessible and immersive, which I especially appreciated as a reader with dyslexia. The prose flows smoothly, making it easy to stay engaged and invested in the story. Even with the longer chapters, the writing felt natural and was a joy to read.

Overall Thoughts:
The Wizard and The Welshman is a brilliant start to what promises to be a wonderful series. With its compelling characters, enchanting world, and a romance that’s both heartwarming and keeps you on the edge of your seat, this book has left me eagerly anticipating the next instalment. There are still so many questions, mysteries, and emotional journeys waiting to unfold, and I can’t wait to spend more time with these characters.

Plus the cover is gorgeous!

I will also get a physical copy of this book!

I had the wonderful opportunity to read this book as an ARC reader through NetGalley, for which I want to express my gratitude! This review is my honest and voluntary opinion, and I am thrilled to share my thoughts.

The review is online on my Goodreads account (meltriestowriteastory) and it will be placed online on my TikTok account with the same name on Saturday October 26th. I will also place a review on Amazon as soon as it is avaible for purchase.

Set in 1886 London, Hal Hawthorne is a detective who has a couple of secrets. When a woman is murdered and her chest surgically opened he finds that neither the victim or the murderer are not exactly human. This leads him to save a young Wizard named November.

Hal and November then work together, although with Hal's new partner Sergeant Robert Donoghue. Hal and November have instant chemistry but Hal is trying to hide the fact that he's gay.

I felt the story got off to a really fast paced and exciting start. I really enjoyed the magical world and how Hal and November were able to share magic. I really enjoyed Donoghue, who wasn't what I was expecting and was so fun and a great side character.

The mystery was creative and interesting. I enjoyed how everything was slowly revealed . The story was interesting and a lot of fun. The ending was perfect to continue on to the next book while still being satisfying. It was nice seeing Hal find two people who he could be open and comfortable with.

Thank you to NetgGalley and the author for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I really tried to like this book. Overall I just did not, the plot wasn’t well put together and the characters were not up to par. It feels like the rough draft of a first novel

A really fast paced and fun book full of magic and mayhem. I LOVED the characters in this book, I found them to be incredibly sweet and loveable. The plot was easy enough to follow without being predictable, I read it all with-in a day and I really enjoyed it, it was a good time, and I look forward to the next book.

okay i know ive said this a lot recently but GOD i adored this. this was such a lovely and calming read, it reminded me so much of my favorite childhood book/movie, howls moving castle. it interwoven the discovery of magic with romance in that same way that fill you with longing, unsure whether for the partnership or the magic itself or both. it brings the magic to life in a newer way than other fantasy books do, it makes it almost into something within the reader’s grasp if they simply get in the right mindset. that magic isn’t about the powers but about the essence and feeling of it. running off to a cottage in a long coat and a crown of vines is the goal that can be achieved and include sorcery and witchcraft if only you let it. i don’t know, i think none of this makes any sense to anyone but me but this is my favorite type of fantastical magic. when it’s so romantic and whimsical and stunning. the romance between hal and november was beautifully written. the slow burn was there but the yearning was too, letting us see how hal truly cared for november but also definitely wanted to jump his bones LMFAO. the way their romance was written is literally my favorite way to read a love story. yearning and slow burn my very openly pining!! the ending was absolutely insane. in the best way. the way it reversed everything the reader had seen from the two so far but somehow in a way that made sense and was realistic. i can’t recommend this enough, it was such a cozy and sweet experience and it definitely provided a lovely reprieve from the stress of life. this was so wonderful and i can not WAIT for the next book

I really enjoyed this as a romance novel, it had that mystery element that I was looking for and was hooked from start to finish. I thought the characters were everything that I was looking for in a historical setting and glad I was able to start this series. Laura Rayndrop is able to weave a great story and it had that writing style that I wanted.

I received an ARC and this is my unbiased opinion.
While the story and the concept here was decent, the execution definitely needs more work. Historical fiction and fantasy needs to make sense, and this one just didn't.

This book is one of the worst things I read this year. It reads like a non edited first draft of that first novel you set to write at 14 (I´m sorry, but these are the vibes I get and I´m going to explain in a sec).

I almost DNF after just 1 chapter because the crime investigation is awfully done, unrealistic at best. Here are my overall issues:

- We are in London, 1886. A corpse is found at night (a bit before dawn) in a street. And, when Hal (our inspector / protagonist) arrives at the scene there is already a crowd of people interfeering. Neighbours and journalists alike, much in the vibe of those TV series and movies when someone famous dies in a violent way. I maybe could buy this scenario if it was in the middle of the day (even though our victim here is definitely not famous and we just got another -oh, so boring- Jack the Ripper retelling). But, being this happened at night, how the hell there is so many people at the streets?
- The crime was commited near or practically in front of the newspaper´s print... How come no one saw anything? Right, because it was night and maybe no one was working. But in that case, again, where did all these people came from?
- The doctor who is called to examine the body puts his hands on the mutilated corpse. Like. Inside her guts to check all organs were there, at the crime scene, in the middle of the street, as if this were an improvised preliminary autopsy. Suffice to say this is not accurate either in 2024 nor in 1886.
- The inspector also searchs the body. There at the crime scene. And takes things from it. (Why wait for the autopsy and for the doctor to give him those things anyway? Let´s pull an Ace Attorney and just take the proofs and run before the prosecution gets called, so we can have an advantage in the trial!)
- I was surprised to find there was people taking photos of the scene (not only police but also journalists). And although in 1886 photos existed, they were still at its early stages of being used on a crime scene. Not to mention papers wouldn´t have published the pictures of a mutilated body (wtf)
- A white blanket over the corpse (okay, a minor thing this one, but isn´t it weird they had such a blanket in 1886 for that use out of the autopsy room?). Oh, well...
- The guns. The inspector and police in general have a tendency to pull out their guns as if this were the Wild West. Perhaps the author forgot (or doesn´t know) that in this place and time it was extremely uncommon for police to carry weapons with them. They might have an special permit to use them on night patrol, in a very special / dangerous situation, but as a day to day habit? No way! I cannot explain to you how weirded out I was when I got to that scene where the inspector, his police partner and November are sitting at Hal´s place eating breakfast, a cup breaks (for whatever reason) and the first instinct of the two officers is pulling the guns out.

To be brief: The accuracy with the historical context and place on this one is practically nonexistent.
If you come here liking historical, or liking to read murder mysteries, I strongly sugest you to run the other way.

The fantasy part of this book is also a mess in its own way. I liked it a tiny bit better, but probably that´s only because since it´s fantasy, there is not much you can do to get things wrong... right? Anyway, I still gonna complain, so hold on there:

- November is the most strange character in this book. He is a wizard, but he barely knows anything about magic or its own world. He is portrayed as a victim constanty, but we briefly saw he has somewhat strong powers. He is called a young wizard, treated as if he were a teen by everyone and Hal is set to protect him at all costs (not that he has much reason to), but he is already a 24 yo adult. It´s like November only exists to give the inspector a love interest... and little else.
- The fantasy part of this book is a mess in a level that while I was reading I was convinced all the things happening, the magic beings and places could have perfectly come up from a random person´s dream. Well, actually no, not a random person: Someone with good imagination (I´ll give this to the author at least). What do I mean by this? I mean it all looks very cool and pretty in the surface. Can you imagine putting your foot in a puddle and then reappear at some magic place in Egypt? But then you begin thinking stuff -because you actually need your brain to work if you are reading / writing a murder mystery-, and you are like, why this place exists? How does that work in this world? Does this mean something beyond the exotic? Is it even relevant to the plot? Short answer: No, and it doesn´t get explained.
It´s like reading some fantastical dream someone had. No background of any kind.
- The murder mystery shift in a very (well, you know) wtf way from a duty to find the murderer in the streets of London, to a quest of "go to this magical place to get this" or "to speak to someone". For me, it was boring and it didn´t make sense.
- There are monsters that seem created at random without much thought. Let me put an example to this: At a certain point, Hal faces a monster, a sort of shadow if I remember correctly. He is not able to kill him with a gun (despite several bullets impacted on it) but he does manage to ultimately kill it by a stab in the heart... with a pencil. Where do these monsters come from or why are they created this way? No idea.
It all seems half baked when it comes to the fantasy part. And it´s okay to leave certain things for later and keep some suspense but, I don´t know, I expected at least some context for a few things.

I´m doing this review 40% in.
I might continue in my slow pace, but I know this is not going to improve. Because, let´s be realistic: If you fail with something so simple as to check you got correct the historical context, I cannot expect for this to be better later.

Right away the magic system drew me in, it was well down and unique, I liked the romance but it felt like there was more to be desired, I'm really hoping we see more of them in another book or novella, it was tied up nicely, but still open enough for more if that is a future possibility.

So, I was given a chance to review The Wizard and the Welshman by Laura Rayndrop, and I have many thoughts.
The book is the story of Hal Hawthorne, a detective in London who is investigating the death of a woman and is drawn into a world of magical creatures and spells. He partners with a mysterious mage and quickly develops feelings for the young man that could lead to his downfall in Victorian society.
The book is rough and uneven. It wants to be both a mystical retelling of Jack the Ripper while also having the whimsy of a Harry Potter novel. I was never much of a fan of Harry Potter, even before J.K. Rowling's turn, and the change of theme as they move between the gritty streets of London and the magical places was a little jarring. The romance also comes on very quickly, and there is not much original to be had. The book very much feels like a first-time author writing a bunch of stuff they liked in other novels.
All that being said I ended up enjoying the book more than I thought I would at the beginning. There were a few moments of interesting world building, and I grew to like the characters. I would be interested in to see where the author takes the series from here and hope she can grow in craft and originally.
If you are a fan of m/m paranormal romance and are willing to give some time for a book to woo you over this is not a bad choice.

3.5 Stars Rounded Up. Thank you to Netgalley and the author for providing an advanced digital copy.

The world of The Wizard and the Welshman was enchanting and immersive, pulling me in with its rich magic system and intriguing mystery. I loved how the setting felt alive, filled with wonder and suspense. However, the romance aspect left me wanting more. The relationship between the characters felt rushed, almost like insta-love, with little time to explore deeper emotional connections. With so much action happening throughout the book, there wasn’t enough space to develop the characters’ personalities or allow them to truly bond. While I enjoyed the excitement and magical elements, I wished there had been more balance with slower, more intimate moments to flesh out the characters and their relationships.

I wanted to like this. It had all the elements I like. Most of the elements in this book in other books are five star reads.
Unfortunately for this one I couldn't care less for either character. And it made it hard to read.

The Wizard and the Welshman is THAT girl of a book. Loved every single second of it. I rated it 5 stars because it really is that good. I recommend everyone to read this book as fast as they can because it's really good.