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Wilde Investigations #1
Fallible Justice
First in the compelling paranormal mystery When those who pronounce judgment are omniscient, can a verdict ever be overturned?
In Old London, where paranormal races co-exist with ordinary humans, criminal verdicts delivered by the all-seeing Heralds of Justice are faultless. After a man is declared guilty of murder and sentenced to death, his daughter turns to private investigator Yannia Wilde to do the impossible and prove the Heralds wrong.
Yannia escaped a restrictive life in the Wild Folk conclave where she was raised, but her background marks her as an outsider in the city. Her origins lend her the sensory abilities of all of nature, yet Yannia is lonely and struggling to adapt to life in the city. The case could be the break she needs.
She enlists the help of her only friend, a Bird Shaman named Karrion, and together they accept the challenge of proving a guilty man innocent. So begins a breathless race against time against all conceivable odds. Can Yannia and Karrion save a man who has been infallibly judged guilty?
In Old London, where paranormal races co-exist with ordinary humans, criminal verdicts delivered by the all-seeing Heralds of Justice are faultless. After a man is declared guilty of murder and sentenced to death, his daughter turns to private investigator Yannia Wilde to do the impossible and prove the Heralds wrong.
Yannia escaped a restrictive life in the Wild Folk conclave where she was raised, but her background marks her as an outsider in the city. Her origins lend her the sensory abilities of all of nature, yet Yannia is lonely and struggling to adapt to life in the city. The case could be the break she needs.
She enlists the help of her only friend, a Bird Shaman named Karrion, and together they accept the challenge of proving a guilty man innocent. So begins a breathless race against time against all conceivable odds. Can Yannia and Karrion save a man who has been infallibly judged guilty?
330 pages, Kindle Edition
First published November 8, 2018
43 people are currently reading
491 people want to read
About the author
Laura Laakso
8 books48 followersI am a Finn living in Hertfordshire with my two dogs. When I am not writing, editing or plotting, I work as an accountant and train and compete with my young Australian Shepherd.
My debut novel, Fallible Justice, was published by Louise Walters Books in November 2018 and it began my Wilde Investigations series. The sequel, Echo Murder, will be released in June 2019 and the third instalment, Roots of Corruption, in March 2020.
My debut novel, Fallible Justice, was published by Louise Walters Books in November 2018 and it began my Wilde Investigations series. The sequel, Echo Murder, will be released in June 2019 and the third instalment, Roots of Corruption, in March 2020.
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March 15, 2024
Check out all my reviews at: https://www.avonnalovesgenres.com
FALLIBLE JUSTICE (Wilde Investigations Book #1) by Laura Laakso is the first book in a new paranormal mystery/urban fantasy series by a new to me debut author. I was immediately immersed in this new world and all the compelling magical characters.
Old London is the domain of the magical races and New London is where the ordinary humans live. The two occasionally overlap, but the humans have a distrust of the magical beings, but they do trust the all-seeing Heralds of Justice to pronounce an infallible justice that no magic can pervert on any who commit a crime.
Yannia Wilde is a member of the Wild Folk working in Old London as a private investigator. When one powerful mage is convicted of murdering another, the convicted mage’s daughter comes to Yannia. She begs her to not only prove her father did not commit the murder, but that the Heralds have made a mistake and her father must be freed. With the help of her new apprentice, Karrion who is a bird shaman, the two set out to prove the impossible in just four short days with some help from their magical friends and Jamie, a human detective from New Scotland Yard.
Two things hit me immediately as I fell into this magical world, I could not believe this was the author’s first book and the worldbuilding was fantastic. The mystery plot in this story is as well written and paced as the worldbuilding throughout. It all flowed together effortlessly.
Yannia is such a complex protagonist needing the wild to recharge her magic when surrounded for too long in the city, running from a mysterious heritage in her Wild Folk conclave and if that is not enough she has a rare genetic disorder called Ehlers-Danlos syndrome. Karrion is a wonderful character that not only helps Yannia in her investigation, but is also a smart and caring friend as well as apprentice. All the secondary characters are as fully fleshed as Yannia and Karrion and I hope they are all carried over into future books in this series.
I highly recommend this book and I am looking forward to the next book in this series. Quite frankly, it is one of the best new paranormal mystery/urban fantasy books I have read in quite a while.
FALLIBLE JUSTICE (Wilde Investigations Book #1) by Laura Laakso is the first book in a new paranormal mystery/urban fantasy series by a new to me debut author. I was immediately immersed in this new world and all the compelling magical characters.
Old London is the domain of the magical races and New London is where the ordinary humans live. The two occasionally overlap, but the humans have a distrust of the magical beings, but they do trust the all-seeing Heralds of Justice to pronounce an infallible justice that no magic can pervert on any who commit a crime.
Yannia Wilde is a member of the Wild Folk working in Old London as a private investigator. When one powerful mage is convicted of murdering another, the convicted mage’s daughter comes to Yannia. She begs her to not only prove her father did not commit the murder, but that the Heralds have made a mistake and her father must be freed. With the help of her new apprentice, Karrion who is a bird shaman, the two set out to prove the impossible in just four short days with some help from their magical friends and Jamie, a human detective from New Scotland Yard.
Two things hit me immediately as I fell into this magical world, I could not believe this was the author’s first book and the worldbuilding was fantastic. The mystery plot in this story is as well written and paced as the worldbuilding throughout. It all flowed together effortlessly.
Yannia is such a complex protagonist needing the wild to recharge her magic when surrounded for too long in the city, running from a mysterious heritage in her Wild Folk conclave and if that is not enough she has a rare genetic disorder called Ehlers-Danlos syndrome. Karrion is a wonderful character that not only helps Yannia in her investigation, but is also a smart and caring friend as well as apprentice. All the secondary characters are as fully fleshed as Yannia and Karrion and I hope they are all carried over into future books in this series.
I highly recommend this book and I am looking forward to the next book in this series. Quite frankly, it is one of the best new paranormal mystery/urban fantasy books I have read in quite a while.
August 16, 2018
Many thanks to Louise Walters Books for providing me with a review copy of this book. All opinions are my own despite being well disposed towards people who give me books.
This is a very strong 4.5 stars rounded up
I've read a fair bit of urban fantasy and a fair bit of crime fiction too, but I don't think I've read anything that combines the two genres in quite this way. This is very definitely a crime-mystery novel with a clear investigative thread. However the world in which Fallible Justice is set has two communities living cheek by jowl - humans and magic wielders. The magic users are 'out' and there is a shared set of law and order governing both communities. They occupy the same space and share the same facilities - schools, work places, public transport etc. That's not to say there isn't a bit of friction and perhaps a little prejudice on both sides because there definitely is, but it's not a case of one set being specifically oppressed by the other, as you see in so many urban fantasy novels.
Yannia Wilde is one of the Wild Folk - magic users who can draw power from the natural world. The wings of a bat or a cat's night vision for example. Brought up in a strict and somewhat secluded conclave - because Wild Folk do not like to mix with outsiders and eschew the modern world and technology where possible - she is now struggling to make a home for herself in Old London amongst the other magic folk, working as a private investigator. When a man is wrongly convicted of murdering a fellow mage, Yannia and her apprentice Karrion (a bird shaman) find themselves working against the clock to prove his innocence before he is executed.
This was a delight to read from beginning to end. It does follow a standard crime novel structure but somehow manages to hit the right beats for urban fantasy as well.
Yannia is a great character - a magic user whose power doesn't protect her either from her conflicted feelings about the home she left behind or from the genetic condition which causes her chronic pain. (As someone who suffers chronic pain as part of a serious lifelong condition, I really appreciate good depictions of what living with constant pain is like without the author seeking to magically resolve it.) Yannia also reads as Pan sexual to me. She never actually says that she is or puts a label on her sexuality but she does say 'Does my night with Ilana (a female mage) make me gay? Sometimes it's about a person not their gender.' in response to something Karrion says (which together with said night with a female mage, reads as pan to me.) There are other LGBTQIAP+ characters here too and it was just really refreshing to see a pansexual female MC and various other sexualities without it being the point of the story. And that's the interesting thing about the magical community of Old London (as opposed to the human one of New London) - they accept equality between sexes and don't bat an eyelid at various sexualities, but have managed to maintain a regressive mindset with regard to magical classism. I rather liked the fact that their inborn prejudices arose out of their society in the same way that ours do. It was also really nice to see a genuine male-female friendship that was affectionate but not sexual between Yannia and Karrion.
There was a host of other great characters too - Lady Bergamon, Wishearth, Jamie - to name but a few.
My final verdict is that this novel did exactly what it set out to do. It set up the start of an exciting new series of crime-urban-fantasy, introducing us to characters who will no doubt return in future books. The world building was seamless, the pace was good (unless you're looking for the frenetic pace found in certain YA fantasy nowadays) the characters were engaging and Yannia's backstory is intriguing - nor is it fully resolved here so be prepared to wait. Fallible Justice wraps up the main story of this episode in a satisfying if somewhat unexpected (and potentially upsetting way) and then sets the series up for the next book without resorting to too much of a cliffhanger.
Final note on the prose - it sometimes veers into more lyrical descriptions especially when Yannia is using her powers. Personally I really liked this and thought it added a unique dimension to the story. Balance, nature, the wild, freedom, family and of course justice are all strong themes here, well explored in the course of the story. I highly recommend this engaging and unusual read. Can't wait for the next one now!
This is a very strong 4.5 stars rounded up
I've read a fair bit of urban fantasy and a fair bit of crime fiction too, but I don't think I've read anything that combines the two genres in quite this way. This is very definitely a crime-mystery novel with a clear investigative thread. However the world in which Fallible Justice is set has two communities living cheek by jowl - humans and magic wielders. The magic users are 'out' and there is a shared set of law and order governing both communities. They occupy the same space and share the same facilities - schools, work places, public transport etc. That's not to say there isn't a bit of friction and perhaps a little prejudice on both sides because there definitely is, but it's not a case of one set being specifically oppressed by the other, as you see in so many urban fantasy novels.
Yannia Wilde is one of the Wild Folk - magic users who can draw power from the natural world. The wings of a bat or a cat's night vision for example. Brought up in a strict and somewhat secluded conclave - because Wild Folk do not like to mix with outsiders and eschew the modern world and technology where possible - she is now struggling to make a home for herself in Old London amongst the other magic folk, working as a private investigator. When a man is wrongly convicted of murdering a fellow mage, Yannia and her apprentice Karrion (a bird shaman) find themselves working against the clock to prove his innocence before he is executed.
This was a delight to read from beginning to end. It does follow a standard crime novel structure but somehow manages to hit the right beats for urban fantasy as well.
Yannia is a great character - a magic user whose power doesn't protect her either from her conflicted feelings about the home she left behind or from the genetic condition which causes her chronic pain. (As someone who suffers chronic pain as part of a serious lifelong condition, I really appreciate good depictions of what living with constant pain is like without the author seeking to magically resolve it.) Yannia also reads as Pan sexual to me. She never actually says that she is or puts a label on her sexuality but she does say 'Does my night with Ilana (a female mage) make me gay? Sometimes it's about a person not their gender.' in response to something Karrion says (which together with said night with a female mage, reads as pan to me.) There are other LGBTQIAP+ characters here too and it was just really refreshing to see a pansexual female MC and various other sexualities without it being the point of the story. And that's the interesting thing about the magical community of Old London (as opposed to the human one of New London) - they accept equality between sexes and don't bat an eyelid at various sexualities, but have managed to maintain a regressive mindset with regard to magical classism. I rather liked the fact that their inborn prejudices arose out of their society in the same way that ours do. It was also really nice to see a genuine male-female friendship that was affectionate but not sexual between Yannia and Karrion.
There was a host of other great characters too - Lady Bergamon, Wishearth, Jamie - to name but a few.
My final verdict is that this novel did exactly what it set out to do. It set up the start of an exciting new series of crime-urban-fantasy, introducing us to characters who will no doubt return in future books. The world building was seamless, the pace was good (unless you're looking for the frenetic pace found in certain YA fantasy nowadays) the characters were engaging and Yannia's backstory is intriguing - nor is it fully resolved here so be prepared to wait. Fallible Justice wraps up the main story of this episode in a satisfying if somewhat unexpected (and potentially upsetting way) and then sets the series up for the next book without resorting to too much of a cliffhanger.
Final note on the prose - it sometimes veers into more lyrical descriptions especially when Yannia is using her powers. Personally I really liked this and thought it added a unique dimension to the story. Balance, nature, the wild, freedom, family and of course justice are all strong themes here, well explored in the course of the story. I highly recommend this engaging and unusual read. Can't wait for the next one now!
July 17, 2018
I wasn’t at all sure I was going to enjoy this book and didn’t really know what to expect from a novel described as ‘paranormal crime’. I’m glad I didn’t allow my prejudices to affect my judgement, because this is a very fine novel. What I want from a novel is a great story, great writing and great characters, and this novel ticks all the boxes.
The central character, Yannia Wilde, works as a private investigator in a London divided into New and Old, peopled respectively by ordinary humans and those with magical powers. With the assistance of her friend and apprentice Karrion, Yannia has just a few days to prove the innocence of a man found guilty of murder before the sentence of execution is carried out.
The world-building is beautifully and elegantly done. I believed in the world created by Laura Laakso. The twists and turns in the case as Yannia and Karrion investigate the crime are worthy of the best detective fiction.
The ending came as a shock – certainly not the neat ending I was expecting – and led me to think about the fallibility of our own judicial system, and the nature of justice itself.
I received an ARC from the publisher but my views are my own.
The central character, Yannia Wilde, works as a private investigator in a London divided into New and Old, peopled respectively by ordinary humans and those with magical powers. With the assistance of her friend and apprentice Karrion, Yannia has just a few days to prove the innocence of a man found guilty of murder before the sentence of execution is carried out.
The world-building is beautifully and elegantly done. I believed in the world created by Laura Laakso. The twists and turns in the case as Yannia and Karrion investigate the crime are worthy of the best detective fiction.
The ending came as a shock – certainly not the neat ending I was expecting – and led me to think about the fallibility of our own judicial system, and the nature of justice itself.
I received an ARC from the publisher but my views are my own.
October 9, 2018
Yannia Wilde has escaped from the restrictions of life in her people’s conclave and instead is living in Old London where people from many different magical races co-exist with humans. Yannia is a fledgling Private Investigator and in this story takes on her biggest case yet - to prove the innocence of a man found guilty by the Infallible Justice system.
The cast of characters includes both human and magical races including Mages, Spirits and Shamans. Yannia’s best friend, Karrion is a great character and the depth of their friendship reveals itself as the story progresses.
I loved Wishearth and Lady Bergamon, both enigmatic and secretive but completely compelling characters. I hope to see more of them in future books.
Laura Laakso’s Old London beautifully combines both the modern world as we know it, complete with internet and mobile phones, and the paranormal and traditional aspects such as magical wards and sword bearing guards.
This genre is not one I often read but I was very quickly swept up in Yannia’s story and raced through to the finish.
Overall I really enjoyed this story and Laura Laakso’s style of writing. Her descriptions, particularly of Yannia’s thoughts and experiences when in her ‘wild’ form are evocative and thoroughly draw you in.
I would definitely recommend this book and look forward to reading the second story next year.
Fallible Justice is the debut novel by author Laura Laakso. I received an ARC from the publisher but my views are my own.
The cast of characters includes both human and magical races including Mages, Spirits and Shamans. Yannia’s best friend, Karrion is a great character and the depth of their friendship reveals itself as the story progresses.
I loved Wishearth and Lady Bergamon, both enigmatic and secretive but completely compelling characters. I hope to see more of them in future books.
Laura Laakso’s Old London beautifully combines both the modern world as we know it, complete with internet and mobile phones, and the paranormal and traditional aspects such as magical wards and sword bearing guards.
This genre is not one I often read but I was very quickly swept up in Yannia’s story and raced through to the finish.
Overall I really enjoyed this story and Laura Laakso’s style of writing. Her descriptions, particularly of Yannia’s thoughts and experiences when in her ‘wild’ form are evocative and thoroughly draw you in.
I would definitely recommend this book and look forward to reading the second story next year.
Fallible Justice is the debut novel by author Laura Laakso. I received an ARC from the publisher but my views are my own.
August 7, 2018
I loved this book! Forget what you think you may know about a "paranormal mystery" and dive into this one. In Fallible Justice I was treated to a world where humans and magic folk abide in a wary co-existence. Magic born must step carefully under the scrutiny of a human world that views them with alternating fear and fascination. Yannia Wilde, our protagonist PI, is a woman out of her native world within the crowded city of Old London. She must struggle with finding her place both personally and professionally. When she is given a case that questions the infallible justice of the divine Heralds it may be the case that makes her career or breaks it.
From the savagely strange and misunderstood Wild Folk protagonist to the bewitching Feykin this is a world flush with enchantment along with a fast paced and clever plot that pulls you along on a ride faster than Aladdin’s magic carpet. Laako has certainly chosen her magical archetypes with care and an eye for the unusual. Paladins, Heralds, Mages, Shamans, they are all exceptionally well drawn along with some newer types that deepen the depth of this sorcerous storytelling.
The plot is fast paced but still rich with detail along with characters that are vivid and memorable. It’s a must read for both fantasy and mystery readers
From the savagely strange and misunderstood Wild Folk protagonist to the bewitching Feykin this is a world flush with enchantment along with a fast paced and clever plot that pulls you along on a ride faster than Aladdin’s magic carpet. Laako has certainly chosen her magical archetypes with care and an eye for the unusual. Paladins, Heralds, Mages, Shamans, they are all exceptionally well drawn along with some newer types that deepen the depth of this sorcerous storytelling.
The plot is fast paced but still rich with detail along with characters that are vivid and memorable. It’s a must read for both fantasy and mystery readers
September 4, 2018
The first in a paranormal crime series, Wilde Investigations, this is simply one of the best and most original books I’ve read in a very long time. And yes, you did read that right, the bit about “paranormal crime”. It’s a million miles away from my usual reading – you know, this person who usually never usually touches anything with “paranormal” in its description, and doesn’t read much crime either? But this book totally blew me away…
And now I’ve decided to write a review, I really don’t know where to start – I’ve never written about wild folk, shamen, heralds and paladins before. But the first thing that caught my attention about this book was its intense richness and the literary quality of the writing – it opens with what feels almost a sensory overload, and then opens up into an unfamiliar imagined world, the product of a quite extraordinary imagination.
Old London is the home for a collection of paranormal races: I almost said “creatures”, but that would be so wrong, as their differences from the humans who inhabit New London are only their heritage and their magical powers. Yannia borrows the senses of nearby animals to detect the powers of others, distinguishing by smell – but she also enjoys a packet of custard creams and a cup of tea with her apprentice (who just happens to talk to birds). The paranormal beings have frailties and faults that are all too human – Yannia struggles with the pain of EDS (so well woven into the story), both she and Karrion need reading glasses, and others show a whole range of arrogance, pride, selfishness and more. The justice system in Old London is totally different – paladins rather than police, infallible verdicts delivered by heralds, prisoners’ magical powers subdued by powerful chains – and magnificently imagined. I loved some of the little details too – the magic detectors above doorways, the hotel with its corridor reserved for those with magical powers.
The characters are simply wonderful. Yannia instantly won me over – her background and its secrets, the joy of recharging her powers by absorbing the natural world, her loneliness and determined self sufficiency, her struggles with pain control, her yearning for justice. And then there’s Karrion – their relationship is an absolute joy, Morse and Lewis in another dimension, with him finding his way, swelling with pride when he gets things right, and a real affection between them. And then there are the other characters – I just loved the diversity of the shamen, their different characteristics and subtle differentiation between their powers. And I’m anxious that I shouldn’t spoil this book for anyone, but just wait until you come across Wishearth and Lady Bergamon…
And a word about the crime investigation that drives the story, and with so many twists and turns and a relentless pace and sense of desperate urgency as they race against time to find the evidence to prevent an execution. There’s a familiarity about the way they follow leads (and some red herrings), conduct interviews, back their hunches – and I loved the interaction with the “human” police force when that proves necessary. This isn’t an entirely familiar world, but it’s one I inhabited and totally believed in.
Just in case I’ve left you in any doubt amid all that enthusiasm, this was one of the very best books I’ve read this year – and I’ve hardly mentioned the exceptional quality of the writing, the unexpected emotional depth, the breathtaking descriptions. I read little crime, the paranormal usually has me running in the opposite direction, and there are no series that I follow – but I can’t wait for the next Wilde Investigation. Don’t miss this wonderful book, whatever you do…
And now I’ve decided to write a review, I really don’t know where to start – I’ve never written about wild folk, shamen, heralds and paladins before. But the first thing that caught my attention about this book was its intense richness and the literary quality of the writing – it opens with what feels almost a sensory overload, and then opens up into an unfamiliar imagined world, the product of a quite extraordinary imagination.
Old London is the home for a collection of paranormal races: I almost said “creatures”, but that would be so wrong, as their differences from the humans who inhabit New London are only their heritage and their magical powers. Yannia borrows the senses of nearby animals to detect the powers of others, distinguishing by smell – but she also enjoys a packet of custard creams and a cup of tea with her apprentice (who just happens to talk to birds). The paranormal beings have frailties and faults that are all too human – Yannia struggles with the pain of EDS (so well woven into the story), both she and Karrion need reading glasses, and others show a whole range of arrogance, pride, selfishness and more. The justice system in Old London is totally different – paladins rather than police, infallible verdicts delivered by heralds, prisoners’ magical powers subdued by powerful chains – and magnificently imagined. I loved some of the little details too – the magic detectors above doorways, the hotel with its corridor reserved for those with magical powers.
The characters are simply wonderful. Yannia instantly won me over – her background and its secrets, the joy of recharging her powers by absorbing the natural world, her loneliness and determined self sufficiency, her struggles with pain control, her yearning for justice. And then there’s Karrion – their relationship is an absolute joy, Morse and Lewis in another dimension, with him finding his way, swelling with pride when he gets things right, and a real affection between them. And then there are the other characters – I just loved the diversity of the shamen, their different characteristics and subtle differentiation between their powers. And I’m anxious that I shouldn’t spoil this book for anyone, but just wait until you come across Wishearth and Lady Bergamon…
And a word about the crime investigation that drives the story, and with so many twists and turns and a relentless pace and sense of desperate urgency as they race against time to find the evidence to prevent an execution. There’s a familiarity about the way they follow leads (and some red herrings), conduct interviews, back their hunches – and I loved the interaction with the “human” police force when that proves necessary. This isn’t an entirely familiar world, but it’s one I inhabited and totally believed in.
Just in case I’ve left you in any doubt amid all that enthusiasm, this was one of the very best books I’ve read this year – and I’ve hardly mentioned the exceptional quality of the writing, the unexpected emotional depth, the breathtaking descriptions. I read little crime, the paranormal usually has me running in the opposite direction, and there are no series that I follow – but I can’t wait for the next Wilde Investigation. Don’t miss this wonderful book, whatever you do…
August 21, 2018
I've had the honour and privilege to read the first book published by "Louise Walters Books", "Fallible Justice" written by Laura Laakso, a most talented writer of paranormal crime, and I'm so grateful that there will be two sequels, for I just have to know what's going on with the characters. What on earth are they up to now? They must be plotting and doing all kinds of exciting things and I'm not privy to them - darn.
Laakso had me by the first sentence, a splendid opening scenario revealing to us readers the gist of both the personality and background of the main character. "I'm running through the wilderness, and the wilderness is running through me"! How fabulous is that sentence!
It reminds me of the days of being 11 or 12, when we were carefree children old enough to go exploring on our own, pretending to be a mixture of Peter Pan, Tarzan and the Pirate Queen we wanted to be after the latest matinee we went to. Actually children are most often far from carefree, and neither is Yannia, who is a grown young woman, pretty, I'm sure, and one of the Wild Folk, stranded or in exile in London, far from her native wild woodlands and rivers, separated from the animals and her own kind. She's smart, too, which is lucky, because she's a detective and needs clients and their fees, so it's paramount that she solve this unsolvable case presented to her, a case of a culprit that there can be no doubt committed the crime - because justice is infallible! Well, if not, it wouldn't be justice, now would it?
The book takes place in London, but did you know that there are two Londons? For people of magic there is Old London, and for the others, us poor schmucks who are comparable to the Muggles in the Harry Potter books, there is New London. Only, the two worlds are intermingled, sort of like the dimensions we readers all live and breathe in, knowing that all the special stuff is really going on in the 4th or 5th one instead of our own 3D world. Through Yannia we get a whiff of those other dimensions, but watch out, they're not all faries and unicorns! And whoever also made you think that fairies were sweet, just because they're pretty, some of them at least.
If you're a creature of magic, and especially one of the Wild Folk, city life can be daunting and energy stealing, so why on earth does Yannia choose to stay in these unfriendly and harsh surroundings? Could it be for love, or money, or because she's an explorer, a foreign correspondent sent out by the Wild Folk to study the ways of us normal and boringly tame folk? I certainly won't tell you, so you'll have to guess and decide for yourself, or of course read the book when it comes out in November.
Laakso reminds the reader of Neil Gaiman's urban mystery novel "Neverwhere", but she's totally her own and has a special elegant prose, a witty style, and characters you find believable and want to have a cuppa with, or a meal and pint at the pub. The latter would be great especially if it's the pub that the smoky hot whatshisname frequents. But I digress. Read the book, and don your protective cloak or whatever you would usually wear or use to evade and avoid spells. It may be London, but in some sense it's a jungle - a place of danger and mystery!
Laakso had me by the first sentence, a splendid opening scenario revealing to us readers the gist of both the personality and background of the main character. "I'm running through the wilderness, and the wilderness is running through me"! How fabulous is that sentence!
It reminds me of the days of being 11 or 12, when we were carefree children old enough to go exploring on our own, pretending to be a mixture of Peter Pan, Tarzan and the Pirate Queen we wanted to be after the latest matinee we went to. Actually children are most often far from carefree, and neither is Yannia, who is a grown young woman, pretty, I'm sure, and one of the Wild Folk, stranded or in exile in London, far from her native wild woodlands and rivers, separated from the animals and her own kind. She's smart, too, which is lucky, because she's a detective and needs clients and their fees, so it's paramount that she solve this unsolvable case presented to her, a case of a culprit that there can be no doubt committed the crime - because justice is infallible! Well, if not, it wouldn't be justice, now would it?
The book takes place in London, but did you know that there are two Londons? For people of magic there is Old London, and for the others, us poor schmucks who are comparable to the Muggles in the Harry Potter books, there is New London. Only, the two worlds are intermingled, sort of like the dimensions we readers all live and breathe in, knowing that all the special stuff is really going on in the 4th or 5th one instead of our own 3D world. Through Yannia we get a whiff of those other dimensions, but watch out, they're not all faries and unicorns! And whoever also made you think that fairies were sweet, just because they're pretty, some of them at least.
If you're a creature of magic, and especially one of the Wild Folk, city life can be daunting and energy stealing, so why on earth does Yannia choose to stay in these unfriendly and harsh surroundings? Could it be for love, or money, or because she's an explorer, a foreign correspondent sent out by the Wild Folk to study the ways of us normal and boringly tame folk? I certainly won't tell you, so you'll have to guess and decide for yourself, or of course read the book when it comes out in November.
Laakso reminds the reader of Neil Gaiman's urban mystery novel "Neverwhere", but she's totally her own and has a special elegant prose, a witty style, and characters you find believable and want to have a cuppa with, or a meal and pint at the pub. The latter would be great especially if it's the pub that the smoky hot whatshisname frequents. But I digress. Read the book, and don your protective cloak or whatever you would usually wear or use to evade and avoid spells. It may be London, but in some sense it's a jungle - a place of danger and mystery!
December 29, 2018
... tremendously satisfying urban fantasy ...
The detective is one of the Wild Folk, hurting and lonely in the city of an Olde London where magic reigns. Her apprentice is a Bird Shaman. They need to solve the murder and work out how the justice system can be corrupted before an innocent man is executed. They have five days.
Fallible Justice is a joy to read: intriguing characters and deft world buildingwhirl around a strongly plotted whodunit. I did find myself grabbing moments here and there over these holidays to plunge back into the world of of Private Investigator Yannia and her side kick, Karrion. Laura's Finnish background brings a satisfying depth to her alternative Old London world where paranormal races live alongside humans; and the intricate weaving of relationships between the characters is smoothly done. She also allows us to have some fun with secondary characters such as Lady Bergamon with her extraordinary garden and Wishearth sitting at his usual table in the pub.
My only, very slight, quibble is with the prologue. I would have preferred to plunge straight into the action and I did wonder whether the slower pace of this opening would put people off. Hopefully not - the rest of the book is a cracker.
Highly recommended.
Laura Laakso is a Finn who has spent most of her adulthood in England. When she is not writing or working in her day job as an accountant, she is training and competing with her two dogs. As she says on her website : "With two degrees in archaeology, she possesses useful skills for disposing of or digging up bodies, and if her internet search history is anything to go by, she is on several international watch lists."
Cover design moment : The cover design is by Jennie Rawlings. I love the typeface which complements the book's themes.
Fallible Justice was published on 8 November 2018 by Louise Walters Books. It's the first in the paranormal crime series, Wilde Investigations. The next, Echo Murder, is due to be released in June 2019.
I was sent a proof copy by Louise Walters in return for an honest review. I think it is worth saying I often get approached to write reviews. I refuse most offers because of other commitments and, quite frankly, because they don't appear to be "my thing". When I do accept an ARC, many get a thoughtful but apologetic email back explaining why I will not be posting a piece - I do not publish negative reviews. So for Laura to get a review from me is some kind of accolade in itself!
The detective is one of the Wild Folk, hurting and lonely in the city of an Olde London where magic reigns. Her apprentice is a Bird Shaman. They need to solve the murder and work out how the justice system can be corrupted before an innocent man is executed. They have five days.
Fallible Justice is a joy to read: intriguing characters and deft world buildingwhirl around a strongly plotted whodunit. I did find myself grabbing moments here and there over these holidays to plunge back into the world of of Private Investigator Yannia and her side kick, Karrion. Laura's Finnish background brings a satisfying depth to her alternative Old London world where paranormal races live alongside humans; and the intricate weaving of relationships between the characters is smoothly done. She also allows us to have some fun with secondary characters such as Lady Bergamon with her extraordinary garden and Wishearth sitting at his usual table in the pub.
My only, very slight, quibble is with the prologue. I would have preferred to plunge straight into the action and I did wonder whether the slower pace of this opening would put people off. Hopefully not - the rest of the book is a cracker.
Highly recommended.
Laura Laakso is a Finn who has spent most of her adulthood in England. When she is not writing or working in her day job as an accountant, she is training and competing with her two dogs. As she says on her website : "With two degrees in archaeology, she possesses useful skills for disposing of or digging up bodies, and if her internet search history is anything to go by, she is on several international watch lists."
Cover design moment : The cover design is by Jennie Rawlings. I love the typeface which complements the book's themes.
Fallible Justice was published on 8 November 2018 by Louise Walters Books. It's the first in the paranormal crime series, Wilde Investigations. The next, Echo Murder, is due to be released in June 2019.
I was sent a proof copy by Louise Walters in return for an honest review. I think it is worth saying I often get approached to write reviews. I refuse most offers because of other commitments and, quite frankly, because they don't appear to be "my thing". When I do accept an ARC, many get a thoughtful but apologetic email back explaining why I will not be posting a piece - I do not publish negative reviews. So for Laura to get a review from me is some kind of accolade in itself!
August 24, 2018
I received this book as an advanced reader copy, and I consider myself lucky not to have missed it, because sometimes a book sneaks up on you and steals your heart. Fallible Justice stole mine within the first couple of chapters. Why? Quite simply because it’s unlike anything I’ve ever read: a detective story set in contemporary London in which the protagonists, a private detective and her assistant, are magical. The detective, Yannia Wilde, is of the Wild Folk and can tap into animal senses to increase her own, which can be a welcomed experience (tapping into a nearby fox to see better at dusk) or an unwanted one (who in their right mind would want to experience being a fly on a cadaver?). Her best friend and assistant, Karrion, is a bird shaman who - besides attracting the unwanted attention of London’s pigeons - reads into Yannia as easily as he connects with birds. Using both their magic and their investigative skills, the detective duo must prove that a man about to be executed for murder is innocent.
The murder investigation brings us deep into the magical world of New and Old London, where aristocratic and magical families lead double lives, and all legal judgements are unquestioned and binding. When it appears that in one case the magical judges were wrong, Yannia and Karrion must prove, within days and against all odds, not only that the Heralds of Justice are mistaken, but how the situation came about. To complicate matters Yannia suffers from Hypermobile EDS, a painful connective tissue disorder that weighs heavily upon her everyday existence. Her genetic disorder partially explains why she no longer lives with her fellow Wild folk in their self-sufficient conclave, as their natural medicine isn’t strong enough to prevent her constant pain.
Fighting chronic pain, fear of failure and the loneliness of being without her kind, Yannia’s investigation is helped by human law enforcement agents and other magical beings, interactions with which allow her to understand the strength of her powers and the dangers that lurk in the depths of Old London.
To my utter delight, this is the first book of a series. While I feel that I already know the characters well, there are interesting plot lines to come. I’m certain Laura Laakso will capture my attention in the second (and third) books as much as she’s captured my attention with this one.
The murder investigation brings us deep into the magical world of New and Old London, where aristocratic and magical families lead double lives, and all legal judgements are unquestioned and binding. When it appears that in one case the magical judges were wrong, Yannia and Karrion must prove, within days and against all odds, not only that the Heralds of Justice are mistaken, but how the situation came about. To complicate matters Yannia suffers from Hypermobile EDS, a painful connective tissue disorder that weighs heavily upon her everyday existence. Her genetic disorder partially explains why she no longer lives with her fellow Wild folk in their self-sufficient conclave, as their natural medicine isn’t strong enough to prevent her constant pain.
Fighting chronic pain, fear of failure and the loneliness of being without her kind, Yannia’s investigation is helped by human law enforcement agents and other magical beings, interactions with which allow her to understand the strength of her powers and the dangers that lurk in the depths of Old London.
To my utter delight, this is the first book of a series. While I feel that I already know the characters well, there are interesting plot lines to come. I’m certain Laura Laakso will capture my attention in the second (and third) books as much as she’s captured my attention with this one.
October 28, 2022
*I received a free proof copy of this book, with thanks to the author, and Louise Walters of Louise Walters Books. The decision to review and my opinions are my own.*
I love love love this book. I cannot tell you how much I love this book… er, except that I’m going to try, of course!
Fallible Justice is an urban fantasy murder mystery, in which the main character is a private investigator but also one of the Wild Folk, and out of her natural environment trying to survive the big city.
The worldbuilding is amazing, as we are introduced to a wide variety of mages, shamans, spirits and fae, all with their own distinct powers, personalities and scents (one of Yannia’s special gifts). The setting and background information on this fantasy world is filtered in naturally through plot and dialogue so I felt that I was living in Old London myself, and was disappointed to surface and find I wasn’t!
I loved all of the side characters, especially Karrion, Wishearth and Lady Bergamon, but even some of the shadier sorts. Yannia herself was an immediately engaging main character and I loved that while she suffers from a chronic genetic illness (Ehlers-Danlos syndrome) and had an open approach to sexuality (perhaps pansexuality from the information in the text, although it isn’t directly specified), neither of these aspects of her character are essential to the plot and they do not define her. Her sexuality and illness are, like her magic and her preference for a simple lifestyle, just that – aspects of a complex whole person.
There was clearly a story behind Yannia’s move from her home to Old London which is hinted at throughout this story, and the cliffhanger ending suggests that this history may form some of the basis for the next book in the series.
The murder mystery plot in this instalment is gripping and fast-paced, with a deadline of just four days to prove a guilty man innocent and an infallible justice system fallible. There were some twists and turns along the way, and one particular shock which I, like the character, should have seen coming but didn’t! The whole setup with the Heralds and Paladins forming their own magical-being justice system is fascinating and I hope this will be developed further in the future.
On the whole, this was right up my street. It had magic of all flavours, murder most mysterious, a sniff of sex and romance, fantastic well-rounded characters and a twisty-tight plot. I can’t praise it enough and am desperate for the next book in the series already!
The woman from earlier is leaning against the bonnet of a black Mercedes, eyes glued to her phone. She does not look up until I disengage the central locking of my car and she appears startled by my silent approach.The phone disappears into the pocket of her jacket and she pushes herself off the bonnet to face me.
At first, I think she is human, but then I catch the scents of frost, moss and autumn leaves. A North Mage. Interesting. Mages are far more likely to wield their magic in libraries or laboratories than on a deserted beach. As much as there is a stereotype about uncultured Wild Folk living in forests, so there is one about North Mages occupying lofty towers that bring them close to wide open skies and the power behind weather patterns.
– Laura Laakso, Fallible Justice
Review by Steph Warren of Bookshine and Readbows blog
https://bookshineandreadbows.wordpres...
I love love love this book. I cannot tell you how much I love this book… er, except that I’m going to try, of course!
Fallible Justice is an urban fantasy murder mystery, in which the main character is a private investigator but also one of the Wild Folk, and out of her natural environment trying to survive the big city.
The worldbuilding is amazing, as we are introduced to a wide variety of mages, shamans, spirits and fae, all with their own distinct powers, personalities and scents (one of Yannia’s special gifts). The setting and background information on this fantasy world is filtered in naturally through plot and dialogue so I felt that I was living in Old London myself, and was disappointed to surface and find I wasn’t!
I loved all of the side characters, especially Karrion, Wishearth and Lady Bergamon, but even some of the shadier sorts. Yannia herself was an immediately engaging main character and I loved that while she suffers from a chronic genetic illness (Ehlers-Danlos syndrome) and had an open approach to sexuality (perhaps pansexuality from the information in the text, although it isn’t directly specified), neither of these aspects of her character are essential to the plot and they do not define her. Her sexuality and illness are, like her magic and her preference for a simple lifestyle, just that – aspects of a complex whole person.
There was clearly a story behind Yannia’s move from her home to Old London which is hinted at throughout this story, and the cliffhanger ending suggests that this history may form some of the basis for the next book in the series.
The murder mystery plot in this instalment is gripping and fast-paced, with a deadline of just four days to prove a guilty man innocent and an infallible justice system fallible. There were some twists and turns along the way, and one particular shock which I, like the character, should have seen coming but didn’t! The whole setup with the Heralds and Paladins forming their own magical-being justice system is fascinating and I hope this will be developed further in the future.
On the whole, this was right up my street. It had magic of all flavours, murder most mysterious, a sniff of sex and romance, fantastic well-rounded characters and a twisty-tight plot. I can’t praise it enough and am desperate for the next book in the series already!
The woman from earlier is leaning against the bonnet of a black Mercedes, eyes glued to her phone. She does not look up until I disengage the central locking of my car and she appears startled by my silent approach.The phone disappears into the pocket of her jacket and she pushes herself off the bonnet to face me.
At first, I think she is human, but then I catch the scents of frost, moss and autumn leaves. A North Mage. Interesting. Mages are far more likely to wield their magic in libraries or laboratories than on a deserted beach. As much as there is a stereotype about uncultured Wild Folk living in forests, so there is one about North Mages occupying lofty towers that bring them close to wide open skies and the power behind weather patterns.
– Laura Laakso, Fallible Justice
Review by Steph Warren of Bookshine and Readbows blog
https://bookshineandreadbows.wordpres...
September 22, 2018
I received this book as a review copy and I'm really delighted to read the book. I'm a fan of fantasy fictions and I don't really read crime fictions that much, but I find myself very intrigued by the mystery of this book.
This book takes place in Old London, a place where two types of folks live, the normal humans and the magic "users".
Yannia Wilde is a Wild Folk, the kinds who use animal senses to know unseen things and sometimes, to defend themselves.
Yannia is a small Private Investigator who's hired to prove a man's innocence who's been judged guilty of a murder. The real challenge is, she only has 4 days to gather all the evidences to show the Heralds wrong. With the help of her fellow "apprentice" , Karrion, they'll soon face unexpected events and find out truths that deceive the whole public.
This book really has me hooked, I was very intrigued that I lost track of the time reading this. By the time I saw my clock, I was surprised to see how late it was and I certainly never expected the plot twist at the end of the book, I was certain it would go as I thought lol.
This book hasn't been published yet I'm already very excited to read the second book! I guess I gotta wait 😂
What a perfect job, Laura!
This book takes place in Old London, a place where two types of folks live, the normal humans and the magic "users".
Yannia Wilde is a Wild Folk, the kinds who use animal senses to know unseen things and sometimes, to defend themselves.
Yannia is a small Private Investigator who's hired to prove a man's innocence who's been judged guilty of a murder. The real challenge is, she only has 4 days to gather all the evidences to show the Heralds wrong. With the help of her fellow "apprentice" , Karrion, they'll soon face unexpected events and find out truths that deceive the whole public.
This book really has me hooked, I was very intrigued that I lost track of the time reading this. By the time I saw my clock, I was surprised to see how late it was and I certainly never expected the plot twist at the end of the book, I was certain it would go as I thought lol.
This book hasn't been published yet I'm already very excited to read the second book! I guess I gotta wait 😂
What a perfect job, Laura!
August 6, 2018
A marvellous urban fantasy set in an alternate London where the world knows about the existence of magic and lives next to it on a daily basis. Themes that are touched upon and handled beautifully include racism in the form of magic wielders vs non magic wielders and living with a chronic disease which is a fantastic counter point to an otherwise very powerful character.
Really enjoyed the magic and following the crime. Lots of good feels in this book.
Really enjoyed the magic and following the crime. Lots of good feels in this book.
April 24, 2020
Please note I received a free uncorrected bound proof of this book back in 2018...but have only just got to reading it. The review is based solely on my reading experience.
I have been using the current lockdown in the UK to catch up on my TBR books from my shelves. I'm usually too distracted by new offerings in the library, or acquisitions from charity shops to dedicate time to the books that have been sitting unread for a while.
Fallible Justice opens with a breath-takingly evocative scene of the protagonist Yannia running, vivid descriptions of each animal that can influence her. Yannia is a member of the Wild Folk, meaning she can harness the power of animals. Within Old London there are many different type of magic folk, Shamans who are linked to specific animals, Mages, and Paladins and the Heralds who govern the laws, in the hope to keep peace between the magic and non-magic people.
Yannia is a Private Investigator, living away from her conclave. She has been asked to investigate a seemingly impossible case: a man has been found guilty of murder by the Herald - whose judgements are always correct. The daughter of the man swears his innocence and the more Yannia and her apprentice Karrion (a pierced Bird Shaman) investigate, the more they believe the justice system has been corrupted. The paranormal elements that feature in the novel are well crafted and authentic to the world that has been built. The structure of the book
into specific days is a great way of turning up the tension as the execution date looms.
I am not a connoisseur of this genre of fiction so I can't comment on any tropes/clichés that might be present, but I found this a thoroughly engaging read. There were questions left unanswered about Yannia's past and I hadn't even finished reading the book before I bought the second and third books.
I have been using the current lockdown in the UK to catch up on my TBR books from my shelves. I'm usually too distracted by new offerings in the library, or acquisitions from charity shops to dedicate time to the books that have been sitting unread for a while.
Fallible Justice opens with a breath-takingly evocative scene of the protagonist Yannia running, vivid descriptions of each animal that can influence her. Yannia is a member of the Wild Folk, meaning she can harness the power of animals. Within Old London there are many different type of magic folk, Shamans who are linked to specific animals, Mages, and Paladins and the Heralds who govern the laws, in the hope to keep peace between the magic and non-magic people.
Yannia is a Private Investigator, living away from her conclave. She has been asked to investigate a seemingly impossible case: a man has been found guilty of murder by the Herald - whose judgements are always correct. The daughter of the man swears his innocence and the more Yannia and her apprentice Karrion (a pierced Bird Shaman) investigate, the more they believe the justice system has been corrupted. The paranormal elements that feature in the novel are well crafted and authentic to the world that has been built. The structure of the book
into specific days is a great way of turning up the tension as the execution date looms.
I am not a connoisseur of this genre of fiction so I can't comment on any tropes/clichés that might be present, but I found this a thoroughly engaging read. There were questions left unanswered about Yannia's past and I hadn't even finished reading the book before I bought the second and third books.
November 11, 2018
I shall start by being perfectly honest - a crime/fantasy novel is not something I would ordinarily read. However, when I read the synopsis for Fallible Justice there was something in it that sang to me, and I knew that I had to read it!
The author, Laura Laakso has created an entirely different reality in this novel. Her main character Yannia Wilde, is a Private Investigator living completely out of her element in Old London, where magic folk co-exist with ordinary humans. Underpinning their tentative co-existence is the infallible justice system, where verdicts are delivered by the all-seeing Heralds. When Yannia and Karrion work together on a case to prove that a man declared guilty of murder is actually innocent, what begins is one hell of an exciting race against time!
Fallible Justice is definitely ambitious, and it feels very much in the same vein as a pilot episode for a top new television show; its fabulous, I'm hooked but I feel as if there is so much more to come! The plot is great and it really draws you in, but it's the creation of this whole new, amazing world which is the very soul of the novel.
It is the type of book that you could easily pick up and binge read; the characters are authentic with the friendship between Yannia and Karrion in particular taking centre stage. It is fast paced, with the weighting between 'action' and scene setting perfectly weighted and the writing is beautiful. The descriptive prose is just lovely and wonderfully evokes the senses; the scenes in Lady Bergamon's garden being a particular favourite of mine.
My only very small gripe would be that as the author is creating an entirely new reality, I as the reader could have done with a glossary to keep track of all the new terminology. As much as I would have loved to have sat and read in one sitting, I sadly picked the worst week to pick up Fallible Justice and my time with this fantastic novel was punctuated with A&E visits and sick kids. As a result, as well as being unused to this genre I felt a bit disconnected to the novel early on and felt that I paid far too much attention trying to remember or flipping back to fact check, rather than just losing myself in the story. I found that as soon as I had got everything sorted in my mind, I fell into the novel headlong and could not wait to sit and read! I just wonder if I had a glossary to refresh my mind if I could have fallen for this novel earlier?
That said, the story is so incredibly enjoyable. As I've said above, it felt very much like an introduction and I was so intrigued by the tantalising tidbits and hints woven throughout of what is to come in future novels. I nearly cried in frustration at the ending as it is left on the very precipice of the follow up, Echo Murder, which I will definitely be reading! I closed the novel feeling fully invested in this new reality and in Yannia. I am very excited about what is to come! As wonderful as Fallible Justice is, I feel very strongly that the best is yet to come, Laura Laakso is definitely an author I will be keeping a very close eye on!
The author, Laura Laakso has created an entirely different reality in this novel. Her main character Yannia Wilde, is a Private Investigator living completely out of her element in Old London, where magic folk co-exist with ordinary humans. Underpinning their tentative co-existence is the infallible justice system, where verdicts are delivered by the all-seeing Heralds. When Yannia and Karrion work together on a case to prove that a man declared guilty of murder is actually innocent, what begins is one hell of an exciting race against time!
Fallible Justice is definitely ambitious, and it feels very much in the same vein as a pilot episode for a top new television show; its fabulous, I'm hooked but I feel as if there is so much more to come! The plot is great and it really draws you in, but it's the creation of this whole new, amazing world which is the very soul of the novel.
It is the type of book that you could easily pick up and binge read; the characters are authentic with the friendship between Yannia and Karrion in particular taking centre stage. It is fast paced, with the weighting between 'action' and scene setting perfectly weighted and the writing is beautiful. The descriptive prose is just lovely and wonderfully evokes the senses; the scenes in Lady Bergamon's garden being a particular favourite of mine.
My only very small gripe would be that as the author is creating an entirely new reality, I as the reader could have done with a glossary to keep track of all the new terminology. As much as I would have loved to have sat and read in one sitting, I sadly picked the worst week to pick up Fallible Justice and my time with this fantastic novel was punctuated with A&E visits and sick kids. As a result, as well as being unused to this genre I felt a bit disconnected to the novel early on and felt that I paid far too much attention trying to remember or flipping back to fact check, rather than just losing myself in the story. I found that as soon as I had got everything sorted in my mind, I fell into the novel headlong and could not wait to sit and read! I just wonder if I had a glossary to refresh my mind if I could have fallen for this novel earlier?
That said, the story is so incredibly enjoyable. As I've said above, it felt very much like an introduction and I was so intrigued by the tantalising tidbits and hints woven throughout of what is to come in future novels. I nearly cried in frustration at the ending as it is left on the very precipice of the follow up, Echo Murder, which I will definitely be reading! I closed the novel feeling fully invested in this new reality and in Yannia. I am very excited about what is to come! As wonderful as Fallible Justice is, I feel very strongly that the best is yet to come, Laura Laakso is definitely an author I will be keeping a very close eye on!
October 12, 2018
Thrilling and gripping read
I would class this book as Paranormal Crime meets Urban fantasy, not genres I typically read from but after being sent this and reading the blurb I felt intrigued, especially by the Wild Folk element. As a nature lover myself I think there’s a part of me that always feels a wild affinity with the outdoors, even when the human world tries to tame us, so I felt a rapport with the main character, female protagonist Yannia. I am so pleased I chose to give this book a try as it was thrilling, gripping, vibrant and ingenious.
Yannia is haunted by memories of her upbringing in the Wild Folk conclave, where her choices were limited and her suffering unbearable. Torn between a painful past with her own kind and living as an outsider, she tries to survive as a private investigator in the city, but finds something more important along her journey.
Yannia is hired for a seemingly impossible job, to find an unquestionable judgment to be false. The judgement in question is a guilty verdict of murder passed by the infallible Heralds; otherworldly beings who know all truths and serve judgement over all humans and magical folk, this is how they live in a relatively tolerant coexistence. Time is against her and her newly appointed apprentice (and only friend) Karrion to find out the truth, but they soon find that so much is at stake on this dangerous quest.
I admired the bravery and innovation of Yannia and her magic, along with the banter with loyal Karrion; this was an unusual but equally brilliant partnership that provides the backbone of a compelling series that I am looking forward to reading more of. Similarly, the characters of Wisheart and Lady Bergamon were delightful and I hope will feature more in the following books.
With the phenomenal descriptions of the enhanced senses that Yannia borrows thanks to her magic, you can picture the scenes and characters vividly. There was also some of the most accurate descriptions of decomposition/crime scene analysis that I have read in a book (gruesome in parts, but death isn’t like it looks in Silent Witness). The themes of loyalty, loss, honour and duty run throughout the plot, which keeps you guessing and provides an exhilarating conclusion.
I would class this book as Paranormal Crime meets Urban fantasy, not genres I typically read from but after being sent this and reading the blurb I felt intrigued, especially by the Wild Folk element. As a nature lover myself I think there’s a part of me that always feels a wild affinity with the outdoors, even when the human world tries to tame us, so I felt a rapport with the main character, female protagonist Yannia. I am so pleased I chose to give this book a try as it was thrilling, gripping, vibrant and ingenious.
Yannia is haunted by memories of her upbringing in the Wild Folk conclave, where her choices were limited and her suffering unbearable. Torn between a painful past with her own kind and living as an outsider, she tries to survive as a private investigator in the city, but finds something more important along her journey.
Yannia is hired for a seemingly impossible job, to find an unquestionable judgment to be false. The judgement in question is a guilty verdict of murder passed by the infallible Heralds; otherworldly beings who know all truths and serve judgement over all humans and magical folk, this is how they live in a relatively tolerant coexistence. Time is against her and her newly appointed apprentice (and only friend) Karrion to find out the truth, but they soon find that so much is at stake on this dangerous quest.
I admired the bravery and innovation of Yannia and her magic, along with the banter with loyal Karrion; this was an unusual but equally brilliant partnership that provides the backbone of a compelling series that I am looking forward to reading more of. Similarly, the characters of Wisheart and Lady Bergamon were delightful and I hope will feature more in the following books.
With the phenomenal descriptions of the enhanced senses that Yannia borrows thanks to her magic, you can picture the scenes and characters vividly. There was also some of the most accurate descriptions of decomposition/crime scene analysis that I have read in a book (gruesome in parts, but death isn’t like it looks in Silent Witness). The themes of loyalty, loss, honour and duty run throughout the plot, which keeps you guessing and provides an exhilarating conclusion.
November 3, 2018
I was very lucky to be given a copy of this novel by Louise Walters, the publisher. Thank you very much.
First of all, I did not read the blurb, I like to do that sometimes so that I have no clue as to what to expect and I am so glad I did that because the book surprised me from the start.
The first couple of pages had me intrigued and totally engaged. I found the descriptions of the Yannia running, sensual and totally visual in my head, as well as curious as to what/who she was. Then, because I had not read the blurb, I found myself in modern times and in our own world, which I was not expecting and really excited me.
Laura wove a page-turner that had all the elements of a great crime novel but with something unique sewn within the pages. She had magic, which could have been clunky in the wrong hands, but it didn't detract from the crime and it all read seamlessly; I didn't want to put the book down.
The characters were well drawn and I could hear each voice and want to get to know them (well some of them :) I'm itching to find her local pub and meet Wishearth, I loved that character, and if Lady Bergamon would reveal her house, I'd want to explore her garden and have tea and cake in the sun. Yannia has a background that I need to find out and her own personal challenges reveal her strength and make her a well-crafted character.
As with crime, things are solved but this does not mean the end of the story of this world and I am so glad. Dearon has my heart pulsing and really looking forward to the next book, yay there's another one!
I strongly recommend this read because it is different from other crime thrillers and although it shouldn't work, the element of the paranormal really does.
First of all, I did not read the blurb, I like to do that sometimes so that I have no clue as to what to expect and I am so glad I did that because the book surprised me from the start.
The first couple of pages had me intrigued and totally engaged. I found the descriptions of the Yannia running, sensual and totally visual in my head, as well as curious as to what/who she was. Then, because I had not read the blurb, I found myself in modern times and in our own world, which I was not expecting and really excited me.
Laura wove a page-turner that had all the elements of a great crime novel but with something unique sewn within the pages. She had magic, which could have been clunky in the wrong hands, but it didn't detract from the crime and it all read seamlessly; I didn't want to put the book down.
The characters were well drawn and I could hear each voice and want to get to know them (well some of them :) I'm itching to find her local pub and meet Wishearth, I loved that character, and if Lady Bergamon would reveal her house, I'd want to explore her garden and have tea and cake in the sun. Yannia has a background that I need to find out and her own personal challenges reveal her strength and make her a well-crafted character.
As with crime, things are solved but this does not mean the end of the story of this world and I am so glad. Dearon has my heart pulsing and really looking forward to the next book, yay there's another one!
I strongly recommend this read because it is different from other crime thrillers and although it shouldn't work, the element of the paranormal really does.
May 16, 2020
Here is a book I was never meant to read but by some fluke I got the chance to read and even be a part of the Blog Tour! Fallible Justice by Laura Laasko is a fantasy crime thriller which is out of this world, in more ways than one.
Yannia Wilde is a Private Investigator in Old London who is better at her job than many others, not only because she is determined but also because she doesn't need to just rely on normal methods for investigation. She has magical powers to aid her when she is stuck. Karrion is her 'apprentice', again with lesser if you can say that, magical powers but still paranormal. Yannia takes a case that seems to be impossible. A man, convicted of murder by the infallible All-Seeing Heralds Of Justice, who says he is innocent but would not provide his alibi due to the consequences of doing so. His daughter employs Yannia and Karrion to prove the unprovable as the heralds are never wrong, and she has a few days to do it!
This sends the pair of to every corner of Old London were they come across every type of magical and human characters.
I cannot say how much I loved this book. I was unsure at first but then willingly fell into a world of magic! Mages, Shamans, Wild Folk and Feykin... I wrapped myself around this world and didn't want to let go, even to the last page. The imagery in the first chapter alone grabs you immediately.Then Old London which is sort of familiar, the normal and paranormal living together still a little uneasy with the bounds of magic.
Fallible Justics is Laura Laakso's debut, well, what can I say! Wow! So well written, the style, pace and tension in the story kept me in that world until long after I finished the book. With massive thanks to Damp Pebbles Blog Tours for the chance to be a part of this magical Blog Tour!
Yannia Wilde is a Private Investigator in Old London who is better at her job than many others, not only because she is determined but also because she doesn't need to just rely on normal methods for investigation. She has magical powers to aid her when she is stuck. Karrion is her 'apprentice', again with lesser if you can say that, magical powers but still paranormal. Yannia takes a case that seems to be impossible. A man, convicted of murder by the infallible All-Seeing Heralds Of Justice, who says he is innocent but would not provide his alibi due to the consequences of doing so. His daughter employs Yannia and Karrion to prove the unprovable as the heralds are never wrong, and she has a few days to do it!
This sends the pair of to every corner of Old London were they come across every type of magical and human characters.
I cannot say how much I loved this book. I was unsure at first but then willingly fell into a world of magic! Mages, Shamans, Wild Folk and Feykin... I wrapped myself around this world and didn't want to let go, even to the last page. The imagery in the first chapter alone grabs you immediately.Then Old London which is sort of familiar, the normal and paranormal living together still a little uneasy with the bounds of magic.
Fallible Justics is Laura Laakso's debut, well, what can I say! Wow! So well written, the style, pace and tension in the story kept me in that world until long after I finished the book. With massive thanks to Damp Pebbles Blog Tours for the chance to be a part of this magical Blog Tour!
September 26, 2018
I adore the concept behind the world in which this book is set. Magical people live alongside humans and London is divided into Old London and New London. The concept is portrayed so effortlessly that it is utterly believable. Hotels have rooms for magical people in separate corridors because humans are sometimes uncomfortable being around them. Magical people consist of many different kinds, including animal Shamans and Spirits of the elements, and have their own hierarchy. Yannia Wilde is the only member of the Wild Folk in the city, because most Wild Folk can't manage to be away from Nature. She works as a private investigator, assisted by her friend and Bird Shaman, Karrion. The Fallible Justice of the title refers to the paranormal criminal justice system, in which Heralds are summoned to deliver a verdict. Yannia and Karrion set out to prove that infallible justice must, in some circumstances, be questioned.
The characters are engaging and compelling and I loved the descriptions of how they use their magical powers. I also love the interwoven aspects of magical and human lifestyles. I've chosen to award four stars instead of five for the simple reason that I'm not a detective-story fan on the whole. Having said that, I recommend this book to detective novel readers, as well as social Sci-Fi fans.
The characters are engaging and compelling and I loved the descriptions of how they use their magical powers. I also love the interwoven aspects of magical and human lifestyles. I've chosen to award four stars instead of five for the simple reason that I'm not a detective-story fan on the whole. Having said that, I recommend this book to detective novel readers, as well as social Sci-Fi fans.
October 4, 2018
The challenge thrown out was for those who 'don't read fantasy' to read this and have their minds changed! The copy I read was an uncorrected proof which I had requested, and it was provided for no payment and with no conditions attached.
To my surprise, I did really enjoy Fallible Justice. Yannia and Karrion are very likeable and easy to identify with, even though they are magical people. The story bowls along nicely and I looked forward to finding out how it ended. There was fun to be had in the connections between the characters' names and their type of magical being, and I am always impressed by novels that play visually in my mind as I read, this being one of those. Well worth the four stars, in fact four and a half, the only reservation being (possibly my fault) that I became a little confused with the different types of being and sometimes had to check back. My suggestion to readers is to be sure to absorb the info about the different types of beings, e.g. Shamans, Mages, when they are first introduced.
A literal 'Good Read' here. Recommended.
To my surprise, I did really enjoy Fallible Justice. Yannia and Karrion are very likeable and easy to identify with, even though they are magical people. The story bowls along nicely and I looked forward to finding out how it ended. There was fun to be had in the connections between the characters' names and their type of magical being, and I am always impressed by novels that play visually in my mind as I read, this being one of those. Well worth the four stars, in fact four and a half, the only reservation being (possibly my fault) that I became a little confused with the different types of being and sometimes had to check back. My suggestion to readers is to be sure to absorb the info about the different types of beings, e.g. Shamans, Mages, when they are first introduced.
A literal 'Good Read' here. Recommended.
October 16, 2018
Thank you to Louise Walters Books and Laura Laakso for providing me with an advanced reading copy of Fallible Justice. This skillfully written paranormal crime novel would not usually be something I would choose for myself, but I am so glad I read it. Being the first in a series, I can't wait for the next installment of the Wilde Investigations. The detail, pace, plot and structure is masterful and as a sufferer myself, I particularly applaud the description of a chronic pain condition suffered by the main character. Private investigator Yannia Wilde and her apprentice Karrion take us on a magical journey; a race against time to find the truth and save a life. The blend of mystical and magical winds a thread throughout the story with an imaginative, but believable world where old ways and new live side by side. A brilliant debut from a very talented writer. Superb.
April 10, 2019
I wasn’t sure I was going to enjoy this as much as I did, as I’m not too into supernatural fiction, but it’s less supernatural than it sounded, and more fantasy. Plus the private investigator angle really worked for me!
I really thought how the investigation plays out in a way that allows you to learn about the world and how the magic works is very clever! I really wanted to find out more the Wild Folk though.
It’s not always the best writing, but the theme and story are excellent. I’m really looking forward to the next book :)
I really thought how the investigation plays out in a way that allows you to learn about the world and how the magic works is very clever! I really wanted to find out more the Wild Folk though.
It’s not always the best writing, but the theme and story are excellent. I’m really looking forward to the next book :)
May 5, 2019
I really loved this book!
When I read the prologue I thought it was going to be too 'fantasy' for me. It even crossed my mind to wonder how I'd rate it on here as it was a gift from a friend who knows the author 😂
However, by the time I got to chapter 2 I was hooked! It was a great detective story and the fantasy side was a bonus.
I can't wait to read book 2 :)
When I read the prologue I thought it was going to be too 'fantasy' for me. It even crossed my mind to wonder how I'd rate it on here as it was a gift from a friend who knows the author 😂
However, by the time I got to chapter 2 I was hooked! It was a great detective story and the fantasy side was a bonus.
I can't wait to read book 2 :)
August 31, 2018
An absolutely brilliant genre-busting book!
Fantastic writing. Superb plot. Fast and furious pace. An original! I loved it.
You don't need to read any more about this book (and spoil all the surprises) just pre-order it now for when it comes out in November. 👍
Fantastic writing. Superb plot. Fast and furious pace. An original! I loved it.
You don't need to read any more about this book (and spoil all the surprises) just pre-order it now for when it comes out in November. 👍
September 16, 2018
Urban fantasy at its best!
This is a beautifully crafted novel with multi-layered characters, carefully drawn to make them eminently believable, and an intricate mystery at its heart. Laakso has a gift for effortlessly
drawing you into her imaginative world. Highly recommended.
This is a beautifully crafted novel with multi-layered characters, carefully drawn to make them eminently believable, and an intricate mystery at its heart. Laakso has a gift for effortlessly
drawing you into her imaginative world. Highly recommended.
October 10, 2018
Short one while I write the proper one. It reminds me beautifully of the place I wish Dresden files had gone. It also evokes Patricia Briggs and Charles de Lint (making me want to read them again) and a bit of Anne Bishop.
August 31, 2018
Well written and intriguing. Pulls you in from the very start all the way to the end. The characters are diverse but blend together well.........Is this a universe we don't know about??
December 28, 2022
“Not everything magical resides in Old London. I would imagine that for some people here, Wild Folk are little more than creatures of tales and songs, yet we are as real as you are. Who knows what else resides in the remaining wild places?”
I often find it difficult to suspend disbelief when constructed worlds are governed by magic, because I can’t envision a physical world that can exist without some kind of scientific underpinning. However, I didn’t have that problem with this book, because it’s really an alternate universe, where the normal city of London coexists with a magical London embedded in its heart. Even the most magical of characters are governed by DNA just like the rest of us, and they all use modern technology like cell phones and the internet.
I also prefer 3rd person narration to 1st person, but I had no problem in this book. It’s also written in the present tense, not a technique often utilized, but I adapted to it quickly and it was not a barrier to understanding.
The depth of characterization was one of the best things about the book. Yannia (the MC) is one of the Wild Folk, who live in a natural forest world and are rarely seen in the magical enclave of Old London. She has several reasons for leaving, including a genetic illness that can be better treated by human technology. She has set herself up as a private investigator, and so becomes involves in a case where a Mage has been wrongly convicted. The characters range all the way from the Wild Folk, with their ability to smell the type of magic confronting them as well as to change into creatures with claws and teeth – to Yannia’s sidekick (a young Bird Shaman named Karrion who laughably hates pigeons), to Mages of various power levels, to Paladins (who keep the peace and administer justice), to strange spirit beings. These last produced two of the most memorable characters, Lady Bergamon (a Plant Shaman or spirit) and Wishearth, a mysterious and charismatic being who is a Hearth Spirit and seems to know all. In the midst of all this, Yannia’s character and her backstory are incrementally sketched out – no big info dumps – even while the mystery part of the plot proceeds flawlessly.
I can’t say enough good things about this book. I enjoyed it more than anything I’ve read lately (even though the ending was heart-breaking), and I look forward to reading the 2nd volume in the series. A resounding 5 stars!
I often find it difficult to suspend disbelief when constructed worlds are governed by magic, because I can’t envision a physical world that can exist without some kind of scientific underpinning. However, I didn’t have that problem with this book, because it’s really an alternate universe, where the normal city of London coexists with a magical London embedded in its heart. Even the most magical of characters are governed by DNA just like the rest of us, and they all use modern technology like cell phones and the internet.
I also prefer 3rd person narration to 1st person, but I had no problem in this book. It’s also written in the present tense, not a technique often utilized, but I adapted to it quickly and it was not a barrier to understanding.
The depth of characterization was one of the best things about the book. Yannia (the MC) is one of the Wild Folk, who live in a natural forest world and are rarely seen in the magical enclave of Old London. She has several reasons for leaving, including a genetic illness that can be better treated by human technology. She has set herself up as a private investigator, and so becomes involves in a case where a Mage has been wrongly convicted. The characters range all the way from the Wild Folk, with their ability to smell the type of magic confronting them as well as to change into creatures with claws and teeth – to Yannia’s sidekick (a young Bird Shaman named Karrion who laughably hates pigeons), to Mages of various power levels, to Paladins (who keep the peace and administer justice), to strange spirit beings. These last produced two of the most memorable characters, Lady Bergamon (a Plant Shaman or spirit) and Wishearth, a mysterious and charismatic being who is a Hearth Spirit and seems to know all. In the midst of all this, Yannia’s character and her backstory are incrementally sketched out – no big info dumps – even while the mystery part of the plot proceeds flawlessly.
I can’t say enough good things about this book. I enjoyed it more than anything I’ve read lately (even though the ending was heart-breaking), and I look forward to reading the 2nd volume in the series. A resounding 5 stars!
April 16, 2020
Fallible Justice has been on my bookshelf, unread, for far too long and I’m so glad I have finally had the chance to read it! It has made a wonderfully refreshing change to read something quite different to most of the books I tend to gravitate towards.
This is an Urban Fantasy which is generally out of my reading comfort zone (I have no idea why though), but I found it completely captivating. I have thoroughly enjoyed reading it during the last few days (mostly in the comfort of my back garden, in the sunshine). 😊
Fallible Justice is similar to most of what I read, in the sense that it is a crime thriller of sorts. There is still a mystery to solve and an investigation to follow and to become immersed in. I loved the supernatural side of this investigation and the many fascinating characters we meet along the way. It is very cleverly written, and I happily escaped real life to lose myself within the pages of this book.
Given what is going on in the world right now particularly (COVID-19 - in case we need a reminder in years to come), it was a very welcome distraction.
The main character, Yannia Wilde, is a Private Investigator and is hired by the daughter of a man who is due to be executed for a crime she believes he is innocent of. Yannia is her last hope of saving her father’s life. Can she prove his innocence in less than a week? They don’t have the luxury of time and despite her initial reluctance Yannia decides to take on the case with the help of her friend, Karrion (a bird shaman) who becomes her new apprentice. I was as determined as they are to find out the truth.
Yannia is one of the Wild Folk who escaped the conclave to make a life for herself in the city of Old London. I was very much drawn to Yannia and fascinated by her story. I really warmed to Karrion too and I’m very much looking forward to catching up with them both in book 2 (which I have already purchased).
Pure escapism!
I look forward to reading more books in this genre in future.
Many thanks to Louise Walters for my review copy.
https://chataboutbooks.blog/2020/04/1...
This is an Urban Fantasy which is generally out of my reading comfort zone (I have no idea why though), but I found it completely captivating. I have thoroughly enjoyed reading it during the last few days (mostly in the comfort of my back garden, in the sunshine). 😊
Fallible Justice is similar to most of what I read, in the sense that it is a crime thriller of sorts. There is still a mystery to solve and an investigation to follow and to become immersed in. I loved the supernatural side of this investigation and the many fascinating characters we meet along the way. It is very cleverly written, and I happily escaped real life to lose myself within the pages of this book.
Given what is going on in the world right now particularly (COVID-19 - in case we need a reminder in years to come), it was a very welcome distraction.
The main character, Yannia Wilde, is a Private Investigator and is hired by the daughter of a man who is due to be executed for a crime she believes he is innocent of. Yannia is her last hope of saving her father’s life. Can she prove his innocence in less than a week? They don’t have the luxury of time and despite her initial reluctance Yannia decides to take on the case with the help of her friend, Karrion (a bird shaman) who becomes her new apprentice. I was as determined as they are to find out the truth.
Yannia is one of the Wild Folk who escaped the conclave to make a life for herself in the city of Old London. I was very much drawn to Yannia and fascinated by her story. I really warmed to Karrion too and I’m very much looking forward to catching up with them both in book 2 (which I have already purchased).
Pure escapism!
I look forward to reading more books in this genre in future.
Many thanks to Louise Walters for my review copy.
https://chataboutbooks.blog/2020/04/1...
November 2, 2024
I inhaled this book! Perfect easy-read murder mystery with a good sprinkling of magic and fantasy world mixed with reality. I am straight onto the next one :)
December 16, 2018
Fallible Justice by Laura Laakso is not the kind of book that I would normally go for, but I was totally drawn in by the beautiful cover and I couldn’t resist it. It turns out that the words between the pages are just as great as the cover, and I thoroughly enjoyed Fallible Justice and I’m pleased to have discovered a great new author.
Laakso has combined crime fiction with fantasy and magic and it works really well, not least because of her talent for writing and character and world building. Fallible Justice is really well written with prose that draws you in to the world Laakso has created.
Yannia Wilde is a private investigator living in Old London. When she and her apprentice, Karrion, are asked to investigate the trial of a man who may have been wrongly condemned to death for the murder of a high-ranking council official it proves to be a challenging case, to say the least.
At first, this sounds like a fairly straight-forward idea for a story but what makes Fallible Justice different is the fact that nothing is of this world. The blurb explains it best when it states that ‘paranormal races co-exist with humans in Old London’. Yannia is a member of the Wild Folk and her apprentice is a Bird Shamen. Laakso’s writing is such that you completely believe in the characters, the fact that paranormal folk exist and you become part of that world. I adored Yannia, she is, despite being magical, very human with vulnerabilities and strengths like everyone else. I also warmed to Karrion immediately and loved the humour that Laakso injected into his character.
The other issue that makes the investigation difficult is the fact that the magic population’s justice system is deemed to be infallible. This concept really interested me from the perspective that almost everything is corruptible but would this be the case when magic and otherworldly powers are involved? And if so, how? While set in a time and place different to the one we inhabit, Fallible Justice’s themes are ones that we can all relate to.
Laakso’s writing is wonderful and she demonstrates a soaring imagination. I loved her portrayal of nature and the juxtaposition between brutality and beauty that comes with the natural world. Everything has been so carefully and well-thought out down to how Yannia uses her Wild Folk power to the descriptions of Old London.
It’s fair to say that I’m now a fan of the world that Laakso has created and I’m delighted that this is the first in a series. Laakso has created created enough intrigue with Yannia that you want to read the next book immediately, but, alas, we have to wait.
If you love crime fiction and fantasy or even if you love crime fiction but fancy a change and are not sure if fantasy is your thing, give Fallible Justice a try. I promise, you will not be disappointed. A brilliantly constructed and wonderfully written debut.
Laakso has combined crime fiction with fantasy and magic and it works really well, not least because of her talent for writing and character and world building. Fallible Justice is really well written with prose that draws you in to the world Laakso has created.
Yannia Wilde is a private investigator living in Old London. When she and her apprentice, Karrion, are asked to investigate the trial of a man who may have been wrongly condemned to death for the murder of a high-ranking council official it proves to be a challenging case, to say the least.
At first, this sounds like a fairly straight-forward idea for a story but what makes Fallible Justice different is the fact that nothing is of this world. The blurb explains it best when it states that ‘paranormal races co-exist with humans in Old London’. Yannia is a member of the Wild Folk and her apprentice is a Bird Shamen. Laakso’s writing is such that you completely believe in the characters, the fact that paranormal folk exist and you become part of that world. I adored Yannia, she is, despite being magical, very human with vulnerabilities and strengths like everyone else. I also warmed to Karrion immediately and loved the humour that Laakso injected into his character.
The other issue that makes the investigation difficult is the fact that the magic population’s justice system is deemed to be infallible. This concept really interested me from the perspective that almost everything is corruptible but would this be the case when magic and otherworldly powers are involved? And if so, how? While set in a time and place different to the one we inhabit, Fallible Justice’s themes are ones that we can all relate to.
Laakso’s writing is wonderful and she demonstrates a soaring imagination. I loved her portrayal of nature and the juxtaposition between brutality and beauty that comes with the natural world. Everything has been so carefully and well-thought out down to how Yannia uses her Wild Folk power to the descriptions of Old London.
It’s fair to say that I’m now a fan of the world that Laakso has created and I’m delighted that this is the first in a series. Laakso has created created enough intrigue with Yannia that you want to read the next book immediately, but, alas, we have to wait.
If you love crime fiction and fantasy or even if you love crime fiction but fancy a change and are not sure if fantasy is your thing, give Fallible Justice a try. I promise, you will not be disappointed. A brilliantly constructed and wonderfully written debut.
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