The Small Hands of Chokedamp

The Hexologists #0.5

by Josiah Bancroft

In “The Small Hands of Chokedamp,” Josiah Bancroft gives us the first glimpse of the world of The Hexologists, his upcoming novel.

Isolde Wilby, captain of the newly minted Office of Ensorcelled Investigations, is on a merry chase when she happens upon an unlikely suspect: a potter smuggling a doll’s arm that radiates magic. Captain Wilby’s investigation is soon derailed by wealthy interests who underestimate her resolve. Finding herself far from help or the light of day, Isolde has little choice but to rely upon her wits, her hexes, and her bag of charmed relics to help her unravel the potter’s plot.

Genres: Fantasy, Fiction, Short Stories, Mystery, Steampunk, Urban Fantasy

24 pages, ebook

First published January 1, 2023

About the author

Before settling down to write fantasy novels, Josiah Bancroft was a poet, college instructor, and aspiring comic book artist. When he is not writing, he enjoys recording the Crit Faced podcast with his authorial friends, drawing the world of the Tower, and cooking dinner without a recipe. He lives in Philadelphia with his wife, Sharon, their daughter Maddie, and their two rabbits, Mabel and Chaplin.

Reviews

[Allen Walker · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'd read an entire anthology just of these short stories about social injustices wrapped in magical relic investigations.

[Marc *Dark Reader with a Thousand Young! Iä!* · Rating 3 out of 5]

A short story to accompany The Hexologists. It was published first to whet readers' appetite for Bancroft's brand new series, coming off the well deserved critical success of his Tower of Babel series (Senlin Ascends and sequels). The lovingly showy prose, style of magic and action, and core character traits are faithful samples of what the series holds.

It takes place years before the related novel's events and spoils nothing. You can safely read it either before of after, or not at all. It's quite enjoyable, but brief and not strictly necessary. 'Chokedamp' tells of Isolde Whitby's younger days working, unappreciated, for the powers that be and the episode explains somewhat why she no longer does so by the events of the novel.

It's a free e-book available from the publisher: https://subterraneanpress.com/chokeda...

[L.L. MacRae · Rating 5 out of 5]

I haven’t read anything by Bancroft since finishing the Books of Babel. I am beyond excited for The Hexologists, and was over the moon to receive The Small Hands of Chokedamp free!

Immediately we are immersed into a world not dissimilar to the fabled tower, with clockwork automations, corruption, and a Pratchett-flavoured absurdism.

We follow Captain Isolde Whitby as she dives into a case that covers hexes, necromancy, and clockmaking. It’s short but punchy, with every sentence dripping with world-building tidbits that I absolutely adored.

Unthank is a brilliant side character, and I hope we get more of him and Isolde in the main series - which I am more excited for than ever!

Brilliant read!

[Riju Ganguly · Rating 4 out of 5]

This short stand-alone case acts as a brilliant introduction to a steampunk world full of injustice, corruption, apathy, magic, and someone determined to find answers. World-building is magnificent. Characters are realised with depth and vigour. Plot is pacy. It’s only the short length that compels me to drop a star.
Otherwise, recommended.

[christina · Rating 4 out of 5]

A really fun novella that makes me excited to learn more about this world and the characters in the first novel!

[Michael Frasca · Rating 4 out of 5]

Magic, union busting, and Jewish folklore wrapped up in a steamuink-ish bundle.

Fun read.

[Adam · Rating 4 out of 5]

A wonderful short story about Izzy's time in the police department, as referenced in The Hexologists. A fun, all-too-brief prequel story for those looking to add some more color to this world. Bancroft's lyrical prose is always a delight.

[Graham Dauncey · Rating 4 out of 5]

Josiah Bancroft has such a distinctive voice and it is interesting to see it transferred from The Books of Babel into his new world for The Hexologists. This short story is part of the SubPress monthly free short story ebook they have recently taken to doing and it is a fun little crime story about the import of fake watches and a series of bombings. The gaslamp/steampunk setting is an intriguing one, different enough from the world of Babel but definitely Bancroftian in its flights of whimsy.

All in all this is a good short story, self contained whilst giving a nice introduction to a new world. I remain excited to read The Hexologists!

[Lata · Rating 3 out of 5]

So, Josiah Bancroft’s writing has improved somewhat. His sentences are still easy to get lost in, and there are some weird constructions present in his prose. At least Isolde Wilby is interesting, unlike the boring nothing main character in the first unreadable book (https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...) in his first series.

[Cooper · Rating 5 out of 5]

So I am very biased towards this short story for a number of reasons. Bancroft is my favorite author working right now. I love what he writes, what he writes about, who he writes about. The words on the page are just so so god always. As such, my main bias in favor of this is as a result of following his patreon. He had a little challenge 5 months back to suggest a hex for his hexologists series, and it just so happens that the one I suggested not only appeared here, but was in fact very important to the plot! That gave me warm fuzzy feelings so I cannot be fair to this. That said, the actual story is very enjoyable, a solid introduction to Isolde Wilby, some cool pro-union stuff, fun magic, and little mysteries. Its super worthy of the time of those interested in the upcoming Hexologists, and its completely free!

[Kiro Selanor · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a short story that serves as a prelude to the novel "The Hexologists". The main characters of that novel are the married couple Iz and Warren Wilby. "The Small Hands of Chokedamp" is set a decade before the novel, when Iz is a police detective in charge of the Office of Ensorcelled Investigations. She investigates a case that brings her in contact with powerful interests, and although she solves the case, the lack of support from her superiors at the police make her decide to become the independent operator that we later see in "The Hexologists".

The story is fine, as good as can be expected from a short story.

[Kam Yung Soh · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fascinating detective story involving Isolde Wilby, a police captain with the ability to cast hexes, during her line of work at the Office of Ensorcelled Investigations. During an unrelated investigation, she stumbles upon an unusual magical item: a doll's arm. But she is then forced to release it to a very highly paid lawyer, which makes her curious. Her investigations into the purpose of the arm, and how it might be related to a dispute between a union and a company over high-classed watches, who lead her to discover a form of slavery. And it would need all her wits to finish the investigation.

[Abby Misfeldt · Rating 3 out of 5]

-I love Warren so much, even when he's not here. Men deserve flowers too.
-Why is there always a temperance society?
-Famous father who disappeared? Perfect.
-Clock people are up to something sus.
-Seatbelts? Who needs 'em.
-This sergeant is so prepared.
-This bag has "unholy depths." lol iconic.
-Isolde! You haven't tested this thing?
-Prince Eric, this you?
-"Detests an unsettled mystery more that she cherished her own life." Pippa in a different font.
-Golem? (I'm a genius.)
-Immediately wants to go back to wife. Love that. Love him.
-So this is why she's not a cop anymore.
-I hope this sergeant appears in the book.

[Isaac Wetenkamp · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’ll take a free book whenever I can get it, especially from an author I love. This book is definitely what he said it was: an introduction. I’m excited to read the Hexologists now to get more of this new world Bancroft thought up. It’s comforting that it seems to be along similar lines as the Tower of Babel (Victorian style, and just kind of weird sometimes). I feel like this short story lacked a proper plot (it was maybe just too short) but overall still fun to just discover a new thing. I’m ready for more!

[Iris · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Mysteries were recursive because the universe had contrived sentience only to admire its own inconceivability. The human race had been born into bafflement and would one day amble into the abyss beyond time with nothing to show for itself but a marginally more nuanced bemusement"


A wonderful little story! I definitely recommend reading this before starting The Hexologists. Makes for a compelling tale to get you immersed into the world.

[Ada]

***downloaded for free from the Subterrean Press website ***
Illustration By Ian Leino

Something about the author's name makes something in my brain itch (that saying sounds so much better in Dutch). I think I don't want to read his other works because of the writing style? But that cover...Oomph. Subterranean Press has some of the most beautiful cover art for their books.

[Mayumi · Rating 3 out of 5]

Peguei esse conto de graça na Subterranean Press e li sabendo que era prequência de um livro que eu não li. Foi um conto bem escrito, mas eu não me importei muito com nada do que estava acontecendo. Achei legal o sistema de magia, o mistério e a resolução... mas não sei... faltou algo que talvez eu tivesse se já conhecesse os personagens.

[Kry Tiger · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting opening to an interesting series. I love all things magic so this caught my attention. Captain Isolde Wilby is on the hunt for magical relics being snuck into the city. But when wealthy hands start making things harder for her, she soon realizes this case won't be as easy as it seems. I would definitely like to continue this series.

[Celeste · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.75 stars

This very much reads as the prologue chapter for the first novel and it’s doing its job in making me excited to pick it up off my shelf.

Love the mystery angle, the characters, the humour and will definitely be continuing on with the main story in the near future.

[Dave Butler · Rating 4 out of 5]

satisfying and well written short (ish) story which I believe is an excerpt from sexologist novel - I found the conclusion of Babel series a let down and was not too interested in this new series - but I will probably give it a go based on this.

[Stefan · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good intro to this series, I think. Enjoyed the world-building and the writing. (The plot was maybe a touch uneven, but not really a problem.) Looking forward to reading THE HEXOLOGISTS.

[Hurinfan]

As expected from Bancroft this was very good. As I've already read The Hexologists there was a bit of annoying repetition but I can't blame anyone for that.

[Stephen Merrill | Fantology Podcast · Rating 5 out of 5]

A quick read prequel story that explains Isolde's short lived experience with formal law enforcement

[Stewart · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Foozling" is such a wonderful word. This short story has me wanting to read the Hexologists.

[Jacob · Rating 4 out of 5]

A little short story to wet the whistle for the Hexologist full book. I didn't know about before I read Hexologist so I read it after. I enjoyed it but it's so short that it's hard to rate.

[Andrew · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's so nice reading Josiah Bancroft again.

[Lady Fangorn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Short story but love this world and looking forward to more!

[Max · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.25-3.5⭐️

[Rachel Wilcox · Rating 3 out of 5]

This felt unfinished, even for a short story.

[James · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5