Time-Marked Warlock

The Chronos Chronicles #1

by Shami Stovall, Annie Ellicott (Narrator), Jeff Hays (Narrator)

Adair Finch is the most powerful warlock in the world, and one of the best private investigators for hire. He has dealt with corporate vampires, murderous werewolves, and even fae royalty. Everything was perfect until he lost one case—the case where he also lost his brother.

So Finch retired. From magic. From PI work. From everything.

Bree Blackstone, a twelve-year-old witch, doesn’t know or care about any of that except Finch’s reputation. In the middle of the night, she bangs on Finch’s door. Her mother has been murdered, and now the assassin is after Bree as well.

Reluctantly, Finch agrees to help, only to discover something sinister has been brewing in town while he ignored the world… He’ll need to dust off all his old skills and magic before it’s too late.

Genres: Fantasy, Urban Fantasy, Magic, Mystery, Paranormal, Audiobook, Fiction

10 pages, Audiobook

Published August 20, 2024

About the author

Shami Stovall is a multi-award-winning author of fantasy and science fiction. Before that, she taught history and criminal law at the college level, and loved every second. When she’s not reading fascinating articles and books about ancient China or the Byzantine Empire, Stovall can be found playing way too many video games, especially RPGs and tactics simulators.

If you want to contact her, you can do so at the following locations:

Website: https://sastovallauthor.com/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/GameOverStation/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SAStovall/
Email: s.adelle.s@gmail.com

Reviews

[Kealyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Time-Marked Warlock by Shami Stovall

5/5 stars

First of all I want to thank The Write Reads for gifting me a copy of Time-Marked Warlock in exchange for an honest review. I am forever grateful.

When I read the blurb of Time-Marked Warlock I was immediately interested in reading it. And sometimes that scares the crap out of me. Because, like most of us, sometimes your hopes are so high that the book fails to reach those high hopes. But Time-Marked Warlock delivered and gave me so much more than what I expected. 

The book starts with Adair Finch waking up at 4.34 A.M. Someone is banging on his door and he marks the time with his magic. When he opens the door 12-year-old Bree Blackstone is standing there begging for his help. Her mother just got murdered and her father got kidnapped. Her mother Vera told her that if she ever needed help she needed to go to Adair Finch, the most powerful warlock in the world.

At first he is hesitant. But eventually he agrees to help her.
And even though it's a serious scene. I also had a huge smile on my face when Bree asks if Adair is a hobo.
Adair lost his brother ten years ago. And since that happened he gave up his job as a PI and locked himself in his house. He hasn't taken care of himself in a long while. 

And so the two set off to investigate the murder of her mother. And that is what kickstarts the book. 

This book is written in such an easygoing style. It completely enraptured me. The characters are so likeable. And all of them have such great character growth and arc within them. 
I love how grumpy Adair is. And Bree is such a radiant strand of sunshine. I love how positive she is. And how big her need is to save everyone. And how they both make each other stronger and grow.

And don't get me started on Kull. Kull has my entire heart. Kull is a spirit who can change her looks. She is a fierce pigeon, a stunning black cat. And when she turns into a.. no, no I won't spoil that!

Those three together are just pure and utter magic. 
Speaking about magic. I love how the magic system works in this book. And the time wielding magic is the backbone of this amazing story. 
This book is an epic quest of love and friendship. And I adore every single chapter! 

If you haven't read this beauty then please pick it up! It deserves to be read by many!

5 huge stars from me for this wonderful book that completely stole my heart!

And there is an opening for a sequel. So I truly hope Shami will write a second one. I would definitely buy it and devour it! 

[Jamedi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Review originally on JamReads

Time-Marked Warlock is a fast-paced urban fantasy novel, written by Shami Stovall, with an interesting narrative that makes a really smart use of the powers of the main character, the retired PI and warlock Adair Finch, the most powerful warlock on the world. Well, until he decided to retire after his brother's death, a moment that is still torturing him; he retired from everything.

But Bree Blackstone doesn't know about that, only that she should find Finch if she ever needs help. After witnessing her mother's assassination, Bree's only option is visiting Finch in the middle of the night; Finch reluctantly agrees to help her, but after being for so long disconnected from the world, he will need to dust off his abilities while taking care of Bree, whose curiosity will lead to new problems.

With this premise, Stovall weaves a fast-paced story that makes the best use of the premise of temporal loops, as Finch has a pact with Chronos, allowing him to rewind time until a previously marked point in time (in this case, 4.34am, the moment he finds Bree); personally I found the execution to be really smart, constantly going back to the same time loop but extending the actions our characters are doing, in a successive addition of complexity, in a style that remembers me to The Sexy Brutale (if you like videogames, try it).

The interactions between Adair and Bree are really fun, especially because they reflect the collision between two different generations and worlds; Finch is definitely not made for society, but he does his best in order to protect Bree. At some point, we have a third character added to this dynamic, making it funnier while still keeping the focus on solving the murder and the conspiracy behind.
There are hints of a bigger world-building outside of the particular case Finch is investigating, but the novel is more focused on our characters.

The pacing is excellent, keeping the loop structure, but skipping the parts that are deemed as unnecessary after some repetitions; and while Finch is a totally overpowered character, it is balanced with his own problems to deal with the world.

Time-Marked Warlock is an excellent and fun urban fantasy proposal; if you want to read a well-structured time loop story, definitely give this one a try. Hopefully, this won't be the last Adair Finch case we can read!

[Sherry Fundin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Everything about Time Marked Warlock by Shami Stovall appealed to me and I got more than I expected. I love the combination of private investigator and magic. I do love some light heartedness with my murder and Shami supplies plenty.

I really enjoyed the characters Adair Finch, a warlock and private investigator, a young girl, Bree, and Kull, a spirit. I love how they learned to work together. Bree brought Adair back to the world of the living. He had isolated himself after his brother’s death, feeling he was responsible. Bree came to him after her mother was murdered and her father was kidnapped. Her mother had told her that he could be trusted. She is so cute and determined. He soon finds he cannot deny her anything.

Adair also has the ability to turn back time, and it really came in handy. If something went hinky, he would rewind time and fix whatever didn’t work the first time. And it definitely came in handy, seeing there was so much going on he could never be prepared for everything.

Time Marked Warlock by Shami Stovall is fast paced, unputdownable.

If you like the paranormal and mysteries, Time Marked Warlock is sure to fit on your reading list. I feel this can stand alone, but there is more than one mystery and only one has been solved. Because I don’t know if I’ll be around to find the answers for the unsolved mystery, the book has to pay the price, the lack of that fifth star for an excellent rating.

See more at http://www.fundinmental.com

[Helen · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’d never read a Shami Stovall book before so I was really looking forward to this.
Before I read a new author I always research them and their books before I do anything else. I liked what I discovered and even before I started the book I had a list of her books that I needed to read.
I found the cover really interested me and made me want to pick the book up.
And what a great story.
Adair Finch is the most powerful warlock in the world, and one of the best private investigators for hire. He has dealt with corporate vampires, murderous werewolves, and even fae royalty. Everything was perfect until he lost one case—the case where he also lost his brother.

So Finch retired. From magic. From PI work. From everything.

Bree Blackstone, a twelve-year-old witch, doesn’t know or care about any of that except Finch’s reputation. In the middle of the night, she bangs on Finch’s door. Her mother has been murdered, and now the assassin is after Bree as well.

Reluctantly, Finch agrees to help, only to discover something sinister has been brewing in town while he ignores the world… He’ll need to dust off all his old skills and magic before it’s too late.

This is a truly amazing book with the promise of a second book. This reminded me a lot of my favourite ever film Groundhog Day.

I loved how different the main characters Adair and Bree were and how they worked extremely well together,there were some great comic moments between them which on more than one occasion had me chuckling along.
The book really starts to get going when they start to investigate Bree’s mum murder.
This is so easy to read and was such an enjoyable experience.All the characters were likeable.
So now I plan on starting other books by this author while I wait for book 2.

[Jonathan Koan · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a delightful book by Shami Stovall. Very much an Urban Fantasy book heavily inspired by the Dresden Files. But it works so well!

The book is a mystery about who killed Bree's mother. I thought that the way that Shami handled the mystery was fascinating and kept me interested throughout.

The book also has an element of "Groundhog Day" to it, where the main character Adair Finch keeps reseting the day. Because he had the power to do it or not to do it, that made it especially interesting and a new dynamic to the story.

The dynamic between Adair and Bree was fun, and it seems to be a trope in fantasy books now to have an adult male main character who has a child/girl sidekick and they have great quips and humor between them.

There is also a ton of references and pop culture jokes that Shami sneaks in. Many made me laugh out loud, especially the "Fox Song" reference.

Overall, a very delightful book that was a fun quick read. Really enjoyed it and intend to get to the second book eventually! 8.5 out of 10!

[Sam Harrison · Rating 5 out of 5]

Witches, warlocks, a talking pigeon and a time loop? Sign me up to the sequels because I had so much fun with this book.

[Hayley Chow · Rating 5 out of 5]

Let’s see what did I like?
Everything

This is a book I will be recommending to literally everyone. Smart magic, fun characters, & a mystery to solve. Also, the narration was amazing. 10/10 will be recommending.

[Graff Fuller · Rating 5 out of 5]

Time-Marked Warlock by Shami Stovall - First in a new series

Adventurous, challenging, emotional, funny,
hopeful inspiring, mysterious, reflective, sad, tense.

Fast-paced - engaging, always!

Plot or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters are a main focus? Yes

5.0 Stars

This book is FANTASTIC.

I laughed, cried, cheered, and was thoroughly entertained. It was a perfect book for me.

Now, I love this type of time novel. I love the move Ground Hog Day. I seen this done in many different ways, and this was done PERFECTLY.

I also love "buddy cop" stories. This isn't really a Buddy Cop story, but it really is. When you read it, you will see.

I love reading Crime Thrillers, especially the ones written by Lee Child. Reacher and how he deals with the people in his investigations. Adair is different from Reach in many ways, but his intelligence has been equaled in my mind.

I also love the Alexander Southerland, P.I. series by Douglas Lumsden. It is a Detective Noir series in an Urban Fantasy world, too. 

So, when you mix the brilliance of Reacher and Alexander Southerland, but make him a Warlock, in this Urban Fantasy world (which is an alternate universe of Stockton, California), it is just perfect. 

I just wanted to become a citizen in this town, so that I could experience and possibly meet the great Warlock, Adair Finch.

Now, the character of Bree is precious. Her age, and her background, and her situation...all work to "work on" Finch...and he will proceed with this case. Loved their banter and how he had to humble himself a bit for Bree, for she's a victim in this story, and he knows what he has to do, but he also has to be mindful to do it right. Not just for righteousness sake, but because he's got eyes on him...and he NOW is responsible for her. So well written and revealed through the story.

There are so many great moments in this story, but I want you to have it revealed to you...like it was to me.

Needless to say, I want a sequel...and what I hear from the author, that it's already finished, and will have a release later on this year.

Now, with that being said...I wouldn't mind it going on for 20+ books/stories, either. That may be asking for too much, but from what we've been exposed to in this ONE story, my mind is reaching for the many ways that stories can be explored in the future novels (at least twenty more).

#NetGalley eArc

[Piper · Rating 5 out of 5]

I just wanted to express my gratitude to @TheWritesRead for taking me on a tour of Time-Marked Warlock. I am absolutely loving this book, especially the connection between how warlocks obtain their powers and Chronos. It made me smile. I appreciate how the book throws us straight into the action, and I adore Adair Finch. He is kind and caring, but also grumpy, and the scene at the mall made me laugh out loud. Bree is also a fun character. The story is fantastic and easy to follow. I found myself completely engrossed and unable to stop reading, eager to know what would happen next.

#5starread #fantasybooks #bookreview #booktour #thewritereads #5star #timemarkedwarlock

[Joey · Rating 2 out of 5]

I gave this book 2/5. For, me, that’s “eh, not a waste of time if it’s free.” I will say up front that I don’t think it was a horrible book. I think the premise is really interesting. I think the magic system is really interesting. It is not contrived, and is easy to understand, and logically flows. I think most of the main characters are interesting and written well enough. The bones are good. I think maybe some more critical editorial input would have really churned this from a “eh, not a waste of time if it’s free” to “I’d pay $10 for this book.” I really think the author could have done a better job, so in short, my suggestion is: “ehh, pass on this book. But I might check out some of her stuff in a few years and see if she got better.”

Adar Finch is admittedly cliché after cliché. Honestly, not something that hurt the book. I love the tropey “grumpy investigator with a painful past is forced to warm up when someone needs him” stuff, and I don’t know that these sorts of books work without that archetype.

His little precocious assistant, however, was about as grating as they come. Honestly, this character did more damage to the book than anything else inside of it. She is not believable as a twelve year old that just faced a very traumatic event (and faces a few more over the course of the plot). Her interactions with the world bounce between what you’d expect from an eighteen year old, and what you’d expect from a six year old. She’s either pretty dumb or very observant and quick to pick up. She’s got a major soft spot for every creature or she’s a borderline sociopath. Characters can singularly occupy all of these points on a spectrum – if they’re written well enough – and Bree is, bluntly, not.

I actually loved her little spirit companion. I think at first it was an eyeroll, but the little critter's shenanigans really add a lot of affable charm to the story, and bridge a nice gap between the two main characters. Maybe some of the jokes were a bit too much, but they fit in well with the character, and honestly never got to the point of causing friction with my read. If I was rating this character, 4/5. Big fan of the little mischief spirit. If Ms. Stovall becomes prolific, I hope to see a series of children's books with the spirit companion.

Magic systems in books like this range from "unnecessarily convoluted," "really stupid," "logical but too much," and "goldilocks, just right." In a book like this, I don't think anyone wants to have to constantly remember the source of magic, how it should work, etc. Complex magic systems also lend themselves to complications when an author wants to execute something with magic, but has confined themselves so much with a complicated system that they've written themselves out of a compelling moment. Ms. Stovall did a great job with her take on this. The 'sources' all make sense, the properties of warlocks vs. witches all make sense, the differences between them all make sense. They were very easily communicated, and add enough interesting layers of complexity without being abstract. And, most importantly, the 'sources' and how those sources affect the magic itself were important to the marching of the plot. She did a really great job on that front.

The second biggest weakness of this book is some of the major events throughout the plot. Spoiler ahead: one of the things that really took me out of buying into Finch’s ‘expertise’ was the scene in which he found the stored pistol, and took it. Author writes that Finch knew it was given to him because… there was a loaded magazine and no boxes of ammo? Does this author have no idea as to how reckless gun owners store their guns? Very simply, the evidence pictured here does not inevitably lead to the conclusion that Adair was so confident in, and that bugs me. This example is an “author needs to communicate information to us, and just kind of phones it in.” Really takes me out of the ‘investigator’ story line when things are true because they need to be, vs. when things are true because the author took the time to lay the trail in such a manner that only a good investigator would catch on.

Big pet peeve, maybe more subjective than objective: the constant references to things like TikTok and even Pornhub. Yes, we get it, Bree is a kid and Adair is out-of-date. This just comes off as wonky, and I have complete faith the author could have done better.

A smaller pet peeve: “FBOI.” The author is a law school graduate and taught criminal law. She ought to know that the FBI doesn’t just add syllables to their divisions/directorates, and that they all have fairly mundane names. This really doesn’t help to ‘build the world’ in a convincing sense, and felt more like a brainstorming session where someone tossed an obviously ridiculous idea that was actually adopted.

[Tami Wylie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was an absolute cracker of a book! I really enjoyed it. Adair and Bree make the most adorable crime fighting team.Adair is grumpy, grumbly and had given up on solving magical crimes after the death of his brother. He had become reclusive and withdrawn. Enter Bree, a young, feisty, full of beans witch who needs his help to find out who killed her mother and kidnapped her father, all of which she witnessed. They are polar opposites: Adair is negative at all times whereas Bree is always positive and looking on the bright side. You can’t help but adore her. Then there’s Kull, a trickster spirit who Adair makes a pact with. She adores all things human and is full of wisecracks. Adair has to use all of his magical skill to stop the magical coven war that is brewing in the city and solve the murder. I loved the whole concept of this story with Adair being able to rewind time to start over and how he uses this ability to solve the crime. I also liked how Bree softened him him and made him use his powers to save a dog, over and over again. This is the first book I’ve read by this author, but it certainly won’t be the last. I like her smooth, simple writing style that lends itself to creating an uncomplicated, enjoyable story.

[Nicky · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this, Adair Finch a once well known warlock comes out of retirement to help Brie - a 12 year old witch - to solve the murder of her mother and to help her clear up the town of Stockton of corruption.
Adair has the power to rewind time to a specific point in time, with the help of Brie and Kull - a mischievous spirit - together they relive the day until they know what happened and manage to save a few would-be victims along the way.
I love the characters of all 3, Adair in the beginning is abrupt, seemingly uncaring and grumpy, Brie - heartbroken over the death of her mother finds a new dream - to become a warlock like her new hero Adair, her innocence and care for everyone around her slowly lifts the spirit of Adair making him a better person with a reason to want to do good. Kull the mischievous spirit whose only goal was to become human beings humour and of course mischief to the tale.
I can’t wait to read the next instalment.

[Aaron M. Payne · Rating 5 out of 5]

RTC 🦾

[Lara R. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Time-Marked Warlock is a brilliantly crafted urban fantasy mystery set in a world where magic, murder, and time loops collide. The story follows Adair Finch, a grumpy, retired warlock-turned-private-investigator who is pulled back into the game when 12-year-old Bree, shows up at his door with a plea for help—and a deadly case. Armed with time magic and a good deal of emotional baggage, Adair has one day to solve the crime... over and over again.

I listened to the audiobook and was absolutely thrilled to hear Jeff Hays (😍) and Soundbooth Theater doing the narration.

I especially loved:

Kull — snarky, loyal, and surprisingly insightful.

How Adair treats Bree with a gruff but protective tenderness.

That Bree actually sounds and acts like a 12-year-old, not a mini adult—huge win for authenticity.

The wide variety of magical beings, and how naturally they're integrated into the world.

The mystery at the heart of it all—tense, emotional, and full of clever twists.

And especially how the time loop mechanic was used—not just as a gimmick, but to deepen both the emotional stakes and the detective work. Each reset added new layers and kept me fully hooked.


This was smart, heartfelt, and a lot of fun. I'm definitely continuing the series. Highly recommend to fans of magic-infused detective stories, clever time magic, and strong found-family vibes!

[Bruce Parrello · Rating 5 out of 5]

Terrific Start to a New Series

This is an incredibly fun book. The bulk of the action involves three characters trying to solve a murder mystery. The characters are well-drawn and interesting, and you understand them very quickly, so you soon find yourself feeling like you are on an adventure with friends. Each member of the trio has a very different way of looking at the world, and this contrast is what makes the book shine. The bantering makes you smile, and you can see each of them learning from the others and growing throughout the book.

The truly outstanding thing in this book is that the hero is the classic burned-out trauma survivor, and he is called back into action by a plucky girl. This trope has been done wrong a hundred times in recent years, but this book gets it right. Everyone in Hollywood should be forced to study this book until they understand. The hero's journey into the light is slow and subtle. The girl needs him as much as he needs redemption, and rather than being good at everything, she knows her limitations and is eager to learn. And the hero doesn't turn his whole life around, he takes the first steps. This is so much more real, and makes his experience believable in a way most instances of this trope are not. It is incredibly refreshing and it shows the power a good writer can bring to a story.

Highly recommended!

[Carlos Hess · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another hit, in a more familiar world!

As per usual, Shami Stovall wrote a new series that somehow manages to immediately reel you in. The magic is explained well enough and inherently simple enough to understand how it works without having to go too in depth.

Readers of the author's previous works, such as the Frith Chronicles, will recognize some vague and comforting similarities with the magic system, but the modern "real-world" setting helps keep this story grounded in reality, and keep a much different, somewhat gritty, tone.

[Johnny · Rating 5 out of 5]

Book one

I'm not much for mystery books, but this one was good.
You can really tell that the MC is suffering extremely badly from depression. From the lack of care with his apartment, clothing, and appearance.
I think that the girl and the spirit have started to pull him out of it, but don't want to say he is cured because depression is hard to overcome.

The editing was first class. I don't think I found a single mistake to put on Goodreads.

9/10 Dresden he ain't, but new and unique he is.

[Kaisar Kabir · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is just pure fun and entertainment! Can't recommend this more. Time to dive into the second book.

[Sian · Rating 5 out of 5]

Anybody any idea when book two is coming? 😭

[Penny · Rating 5 out of 5]

Frequently, I talk about my absolute favorite genre, and when I saw this book, I was pretty sure this would tick all the boxes. Boy was I right! Adair is still wallowing in the death of his brother when he’s pulled back into the PI business by the daughter of a friend. From then on, this book just took off. Speaking of the beginning, I was immediately pulled in, and the book didn’t let me go until the end. I just love the characters in this, I love how everything played out, and I just love the universe; I loved just about everything. In fact, this book reminds me of one of my top 5 series, The Dresden Files. Anyway, I just loved this book, as I just said (LOL!), and I hope this series lasts a very long time! Very highly recommend! I was provided a complimentary copy which I voluntarily reviewed.

[Karson Lacy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing book! If you are a fan of Urban Fantasy, mysteries or Groundhog Day get this book. Shami keeps you on your toes as you share her world. The magic system is well thought out and the characters are engaging. 10/10

[T · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Time-Marked Warlock, the first iteration within the Chronos Chronicles series by Shami Stovall, follows an infamous private investigator and the most powerful warlock Adair Finch, who is forced out of retirement by a young girl seeking his help. Her mother had been murdered before her eyes and her father abducted. Though rusty and reluctant, Finch agrees to assist her, but soon realises that there is a far more sinister plot unfolding in the background. Can he hone his skills and magic before it’s too late?

I discovered this novel while watching one of Petrik Leo’s Youtube videos and I was captivated by the cover design by Chris McGrath, who has illustrated the Dresden Files and Unorthodox Chronicles. The artwork was incredible. As soon as hearing this I read up on The Time-Marked Warlock to see if it was my cup of tea. Almost immediately I got in touch with Shami Stovall about getting an ARC of the book so I could read it. She was absolutely lovely and was happy to provide me with a copy with no strings attached. So let’s get to the crux of the review shall we?

This review was originally posted on SFF Insiders

[Chris Guptil · Rating 5 out of 5]

[Audiobook Review]

I had low expectations because I got this for free from a Soundbooth Theater giveaway on their discord but this book was excellent! Interesting premise and great world building.

[Hobart · Rating 5 out of 5]

This originally appeared at The Irresponsible Reader.
---
WHAT'S TIME-MARKED WARLOCK ABOUT?
Until a few years ago, the names of warlocks Adair and Carter Finch were famous among the magic community. Private eyes who helped law enforcement as well as private clients dealing with cases large and small—they were pretty close to superheroes. Then they took that one job that put them against an opponent they weren't ready for, things went wrong, and Carter died.

Adair's magic couldn't help. He couldn't even track down everyone who was responsible, so he couldn't get revenge. So...he went home and retreated from life. He became an asocial hermit, doing little more than existing.

Then one pre-dawn morning, a twelve-year-old girl pounds on his apartment door. Her mother always told her that if she was in real trouble to track down Adair or Carter Finch. They weren't close friends by any means, but they did know each other—enough so that her name makes Finch pay attention. Bree's mother was a witch and her father is a warlock, but not in the same league as Finch. Bree tells Finch that her mother has been murdered and her father kidnapped—and she needs his help to rescue her father and get justice for her mother.

Finch is not inclined to do anything but close the door on her face and get back to not interacting with anyone. But he can't turn down her appeal—so he agrees to go to the crime scene (if only so he can determine that she misunderstood what she saw, and that her father actually was the murderer).

The scene isn't what he expected—Bree might have been right. Also, the police detective on the scene knew Finch before he "retired" and neither really appreciated the other. Det. Jenner really rubs Finch the wrong way on the scene.

Between their less-than-pleasant interaction, Bree pulling on his heartstrings just right, and what Finch noticed at the scene of the crime, Finch decides to take the case, wrap it up quickly, and get back to wasting away as soon as he can.

FINCH
Let's get this out of the way real quick: Frequently reminded me of (James J.) Butcher's Huntsman, Leslie Mayflower (and several other retired/depressed heroes, but Mayflower is most recent in my mind, so he gets name-dropped). Is he the Huntsman? No—he's far less inclined to leave a trail of bodies in his wake.* for one thing. But he gives a similar vibe.

* We can argue some other time about how inclined Mayflower really is. Roll with it for now.

He's clearly angry at himself. He's reticent to put himself out there emotionally (or any other way). He's not ready to let anyone else down again (assuming he really did). But something about Bree creates a crack in his defensive shell, and it's great to see purpose emerge from where he'd trapped it down. He's a different guy by the end of the book (probably like what he was years ago)—he's not totally where he should be, but he's on the road to recovery. As the series continues, i look forward to seeing how he grows/recovers.

BREE BLACKSTONE
I don't know how any UF reader is supposed to read her full name and not think of Harry Dresden. Maybe we're supposed to—surely we are right?

Anyway...if Bree doesn't melt your heart right off. If you're not rooting for her to get the answers she seeks and maybe a touch of the retribution she longs for—and to save her dad...there's something wrong with you—go listen to some Whos down in Whoville sing some Christmas songs until your heart is the right size.

She is so frightened by everything—there's a real parallel to Finch there. But she's determined to get the help she needs to save her dad and get the bad guy who killed her mom. And if Finch is the way to get both of those, she'll get him to help her.

Naturally, along the way she picks up a pretty hefty case of hero-worship. Finch doesn't see it for what it is right off—but he eventually does, and knows he's not worthy. Watching him balance helping her, fending off (or trying to) her fangirling over him, and teaching her what she needs to know to be safe in the magic world is a great balancing act.

Bree is really well-conceived and executed by Stovall, and will become one of your favorite characters of the year.

KULLTHANTARRICK THE SNEAK
Kull is a trickster spirit that Finch calls up to help with a little something along the way—she's largely around for comic relief—but she also helps Bree to learn some things about the nature of magic, spirits, and the like that she hasn't learned from her parents yet. Yes, her role is to help make worldbuilding infodumps entertaining. She's well-used that way.

Any spirit of mischief—from Mercy Thompson's Coyote to the Wizard in Rhyme's Max to Al MacBharrais's Buck, or...okay, I'm drawing a blank here—can be a lot of fun. You just set them loose to create havoc and sit back and watch. And Kull is great at that.

But that's not all she is—she wants to be a human, she's seen and done enough as a spirit, and she wants the human experience now. That adds a little depth to her—there's also an affection that develops between her and Bree that adds even more shades of depth to what could've been a disposable character that ends up being so much more.

Really well done there.

THE MAGIC SYSTEM(S)
I don't know how much to say here. This world has a handful of magic systems at play—there's one for witches—like Bree's mother and (presumably) her. There's another one for warlocks—it's similar and not necessarily mutually exclusive to the witch system. And there are some others, too.

One way that Finch uses his abilities (that other warlocks like Bree's father can't) is that he has some ability with time. It's in the title, I feel I can give a vague description here. He's constantly noting the time whenever anything happens. If he "marks" the time, within any 24-hour period he can return to the marked time—retaining the memories and knowledge gained, but getting to start over. Bree compares it to a save point in a video game.

This is brilliant—and so good to see in action. There's part of me that wondered if it'd feel like a cheat—killing tension and so on. Or if it'd just be some Groundhog Day-riff good for comedy and that's it. If you've ever played—or watched someone play—an intense video game with a save point, you know that's not enough to keep someone from getting stressed out about almost dying/dying within the game. Sure they can take another try (or several), but the tension is still there. It works that way for this book (especially if it looks like Finch might not reset in time). And yes, there's some weatherman Phil-esque humor, but not as much as other authors might have indulged in.

All in all, Stovall nailed this part of Urban Fantasy.

SO, WHAT DID I THINK ABOUT TIME-MARKED WARLOCK?
Three great characters (not even counting the antagonists), an even better magic system, and a decent plot with a satisfying central villain. I don't know what else to ask for in a UF novel.

The pacing was on-target—even when revisiting the same day or events over and over, Stovall was able to keep it fresh. She also knew when to say "they did X again" and when to show it. The action scenes worked well. The villain(s) were believable, had compelling motivations, and were enough of a threat to all involved to keep the reader's interest.

There were supporting characters—including villain(s) that ended up not being as terrible as you might initially think—that were just as fully drawn, and you could generate a little sympathy for some of the people associated with the murder once you realized how they were being used, too.

There's a good setup for further books in the series, too.

I really can't think of much that Stovall could've done better—this scratched my UF itch, and I bet it'll do the same for you, too. Keep your eyes peeled for the release and get your hands on this when you can.

[Melissa · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was provided for review by The Write Reads, the publisher CS Books LLC, and the author Shami Stovall. Thank you!

Among the witches and wizards that populate the world, Adair Finch is considered the best. He and his brother Carter worked together and faced countless dangers as private investigators. They solved case after case and lost only one. The same one that killed Carter and left Adair alone.

Adair retired and withdrew from everything and everyone so fully that some believed him dead. He managed to stay out of sight for a long time until a twelve-year-old girl came to him in the middle of the night. Her witch mother had been killed and when she was alive she told her daughter that if she was ever in trouble she could find help with Adair and Carter Finch.

Initially, Adair is reluctant to help but the more he digs into the murder the more he realizes the world he thought he knew has changed.

Time-Marked Warlock is the first novel by Shami Stovall that I have had the opportunity to read. Like many of the books I've reviewed with The Write Reads, I first learned of this book through an email. When I read the blurb I was immediately interested - urban/modern-day fantasy is quickly becoming a genre I enjoy. So while I have quite the list of other books to read and review, I added Time-Marked Warlock to the queue and I am so glad I did.

Adair Finch isn't a nice guy; he's grumpy and slobbish. He could definitely use some therapy. However, under his overly sarcastic outer shell, he has a good heart. When Bree asks him to do seemingly small acts of kindness - saving a dog, deactivating a booby trap for someone else - Adair grumbles and complains but he also does what she asks. He knows what it's like to have gone through the trauma of losing a loved one and he does what he can to help Bree begin to heal.

The action in Time-Marked Warlock is handled in a way I found most intriguing and amusing. Because Adair has the ability to rewind time to a pre-established point, both he and Bree are able to relive the same 24 hours over and over again. Yet every time Adair rewinds time and the day starts over, only certain events are written the same (or at least similar) with each new beginning.

There are a handful of scenes where this rewinding and reliving events are written in an especially amusing way. Anyone who has ever played a video game and gotten stuck on a boss fight would know the frustration of having to go through the same cut scenes and dialogue unable to skip any of it. When Adair and Bree go through this I found myself laughing as I knew exactly how it felt.

It's unclear whether Time-Marked Warlock is the first in a series or will be a stand-alone novel. Personally, I am hoping for the first one as I would greatly enjoy reading more adventures with Adair Finch. For my readers who enjoy modern-day fantasy, I encourage them to give this book a read when it becomes available. As for me, I'll be delving into more of the books written by author Shami Stovall.

[Leigh Brooker · Rating 5 out of 5]

Audio: 9hrs 38mins
Narrators: Annie Ellicott, Jeff Hays and Justin Thomas James.

Mystery, mayhem and a magical groundhog day are the perfect mix for this delightfully funny cozy urban fantasy. I decided to listen to this on audio rather than read the book and I'm so glad I did as the narrators were absolutely fantastic, really bringing the
characters to life making this a thoroughly enjoyable listen. The humor really balances out the more serious tones throughout the story and more than once, I earned a side eye from my manager when I kept bursting into laughter while I was working. I loved this so much that I brought book 2 halfway through listening to this one so I can continue the series straight away.

Adair Finch is a powerful warlock and PI now in retirement after the death of his brother. But when twelve year old witch Bree Blackstone wakes him in the middle of the night after the murder of her mother, Finch reluctantly agrees to help her. Having the ability to manipulate time itself, within the span of twenty-four hours, Finch is determined to solve the case no matter how many times it takes to get it right.

I totally adored Finch right from the start
for all his gruffiness and the fact that he's easily irritated, you can see pretty quickly he has a soft melty side especially when it comes to Bree. The relationship that builds between the two is really endearing and being no stranger to loss himself, makes him more empathetic and protective to the young girl now in his charge.

Bree is also a delightful character and definitely a good influence on the somewhat surly warlock. Bringing out the best in him, her joy and wonder of learning about the magic around her, even in the hardest of times makes it really easy to like her. And of course her quips about his appearance thrown his way every so often are hilarious.

Kull was an absolute blast, the trickster spirit really had some of the best lines throughout the story, making me dissolve on more than one occasion into hysterical laughter and cementing them as my favourite character.

After such a great introduction to not only a new to me author, but a fantastic storyline, I'm looking forward to listening to the second book and seeing what's in store for these guys next. Highly recommend 😁

[NotSoBooshie · Rating 4 out of 5]

4/5 stars. Really solid Urban Fantasy. I recommend this book for fans of:

- Rivers of London
- The Dresden Files

Spoilers below and all that jazz!

What I liked:

Finch. I'm a total sucker for the down on his luck PI thing. Maybe it's a cliché, but it works. I love a sad dude with a tragic backstory. I just can't help it. Plus, it's always refreshing to have a character who's older than twenty-something.

Kull. Delightful character. Fun and funny. Supplied some much-needed sass and did it in spades. Definitely grew on you as the story progressed, and honestly her fear of being forgotten was worked in quite seamlessly, which I appreciated.

The magic system is also really interesting. Unique enough to feel fresh without being overly complicated. I'm curious to see where the author goes with it in future installments. It's a nice mix of hard and soft, and she could take it in a lot of interesting places, but I'm already seeing some intriguing limitations that may help avoid the power creep you see in a lot of similar Urban Fantasies.

What I disliked:

Honestly it's a short list. I felt some of the dialogue here and there got a touch clunky/unbelievable, but it wasn't frequent enough to kill the fun. I was mildly irritated by the repeated use of 'muttered' for Finch - I imagine him speaking ✨sotto voce✨ all the time so you gotta lean in to hear him - but I think it was maybe supposed to be a quirk that just went a bit overboard.

Really very minor shit in the grand scheme. Overall this was a really great introduction to the universe, and I'm definitely interested in reading more in this series.

[Brad O'Connell · Rating 5 out of 5]

I had the opportunity to beta read the first 10 chapters of this book a year ago, and I have been champing at the bit to see the rest of the story. I am a fan of urban fantasy and this protagonist’s powers provide a really interesting, and skewed, perspective on the case, on their relationship with others, and with how they handle grief, which had me really engrossed beyond what I normally appreciate about the genre. I’m already planning on buying a copy to give to my Dad next Christmas, who typically reads mysteries and thrillers, but has really enjoyed the forays into fantasy and sci-fi I gift annually like Jim Butcher’s Dresden Files, Martha Well’s Murderbot Diaries, and John Scalzi’s Red Shirts. Those choices are probably more indicative of my and my Dad’s taste in books than of any other cohesive factor, but I am more than willing to put Shami Stovall up with those writers in terms of quality and personal enjoyment. In fact, absolutely go read The Frith Chronicles if you’re in the mood for epic fantasy/swords and sorcery, and The Nexus Games if you’re in more of a sci-fi/thriller mood.

[A Voracious Reader (a.k.a. Carol) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Book source ~ TWR Tour

Adair Finch,a 30-something jaded and reclusive warlock.

Bree Blackstone, a 12-year-old witch whose mom was murdered and her dad kidnapped.

Kull, a very old mischief spirit.

Before the end these three will be linked together as a crime solving team. Hopefully for many books to come.

Well, butter my ass and call me a biscuit. I actually have no idea what that means, but it seemed appropriate. This story is a whopper of a good tale! You know how Star Trek: TOS (The Original Series) is great. Then comes Star Trek:TNG (The Next Generation) and it’s the same great premise, except different but no less great than the original? Well, I look at Adair Finch as Harry Dresden: The Next Generation. And since I fucking love The Dresden Files that’s the highest compliment I can give Time-Marked Warlock.

I’ve read some good books recently, but since my mom died last July, very few have really held my attention in an iron grip like this one. Thank you for that.

The world, the pacing, the characters, the mystery, and the humor are what keeps the pages turning. These characters feel absolutely real. Like, I could open my door at 4:34am and there they’d be. The magic is original, fresh, and new. The mystery really kept me guessing and I couldn’t turn the pages fast enough to find out whodunnit. I love this world and can’t wait to dive back in. I sincerely hope the author has plenty of stories for Adair and gang brewing in that wonderful brain because I will be the first in line to pick them up. If you like urban fantasy then I cannot recommend this enough!

[Michael · Rating 5 out of 5]

Time-Marked Warlock by Shami Stovall is a perfect blend of a detective story and urban fantasy. It is fast-paced and a lot of fun to read.
Adair Finch is a powerful warlock and private detective with a very unique power. He can reset time, but only for 24 hours. This means that he can have as many do-overs as he needs to solve any case he is investigating. When a 12-year-old girl shows up on his doorstep wanting his help to find her mother's killer things quickly get very complicated. With her help and the help of a very feisty spirit, he will endeavor to solve the case in 24 hours, no matter how many times it takes. A great start to a new urban fantasy series. I am looking forward to reading the next book in this series, Chronos Warlock.