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Arcane Casebook #11
Equal & Opposite
Specters of the past have come calling and Alex is squarely in their crosshairs. Can he put the disparate pieces of history together in time to save the city, his relationships, and his own reputation?
Equal & Opposite is the thrilling 11th book in the Arcane Casebook series. It should be out in the summer of 2024, but because of Amazon Rules, the “official” release date is set much further out. I apologize for that, but I don’t make the rules, I just follow them.
Equal & Opposite is the thrilling 11th book in the Arcane Casebook series. It should be out in the summer of 2024, but because of Amazon Rules, the “official” release date is set much further out. I apologize for that, but I don’t make the rules, I just follow them.
325 pages, Paperback
First published October 15, 2024
199 people are currently reading
78 people want to read
About the author
Dan Willis
60 books314 followersDan is an award-winning, best-selling author who has been writing for most of his life. He wrote for the long running DragonLance series and has worked in the board game and video game industries as well. His current work is the Arcane Casebook series, a fantasy twist on the 1930’s noir detective story.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 79 reviews
November 28, 2025
3.5 stars
I pretty much consider these characters family by now.
This might be my favourite long-running series out there and I feel like I'm all settled in for the foreseeable future. I will stay with Alex and the rest until the very end!
With that said, I didn't quite enjoy this book as much as I would have liked.
I struggle with the domestic "issues" between Alex and Sorsha. The problem, for me, is that I really couldn't care less about their lovey-dovey home life. It's utterly unexciting and somehow lacking in chemistry.
The power imbalance between them is still rather weird, too. Sorsha is so powerful, yet Alex's powers are still benched for now.
All in all, this did feel like an "in-between" book. Like a transit story that I truly hope will come to life and flower into something a bit more exciting in the next book.
Considering the cliffhanger, I think I will jump onto book #12 pretty soon.
I pretty much consider these characters family by now.
This might be my favourite long-running series out there and I feel like I'm all settled in for the foreseeable future. I will stay with Alex and the rest until the very end!
With that said, I didn't quite enjoy this book as much as I would have liked.
I struggle with the domestic "issues" between Alex and Sorsha. The problem, for me, is that I really couldn't care less about their lovey-dovey home life. It's utterly unexciting and somehow lacking in chemistry.
The power imbalance between them is still rather weird, too. Sorsha is so powerful, yet Alex's powers are still benched for now.
All in all, this did feel like an "in-between" book. Like a transit story that I truly hope will come to life and flower into something a bit more exciting in the next book.
Considering the cliffhanger, I think I will jump onto book #12 pretty soon.
October 23, 2024
Dan Willis once more brings Alex and Co. Racing after villainous perpetrators in his best book yet.
Have the Boom brothers returned, fear and grief abound as someone is killing with letter Rune bombs among the upper crust to the despicable, along the way Alex is asked to look into a seeming simple Drowning that may not be so simple when it involves the Tennis Pro's and the super rich who support them.
Have the Boom brothers returned, fear and grief abound as someone is killing with letter Rune bombs among the upper crust to the despicable, along the way Alex is asked to look into a seeming simple Drowning that may not be so simple when it involves the Tennis Pro's and the super rich who support them.
October 25, 2024
This eleventh book in the series set in the early 1930's has the runewright PI Alex Lockerby still unable to access his magic due to events in the previous book.
Alex works 2 cases in this book, one for a client, trying to prove who had murdered a friend, and the other working with the police chasing down a magical bomber
Alex works 2 cases in this book, one for a client, trying to prove who had murdered a friend, and the other working with the police chasing down a magical bomber
October 27, 2024
Fun noir detective stories
All of the books are well crafted and he has built quite the world. If you like noir these are all great books and a lot of fun imo.
All of the books are well crafted and he has built quite the world. If you like noir these are all great books and a lot of fun imo.
October 23, 2024
Amazing
This book was well written and leaves you wanting more. Would highly recommend to those looking into historical and urban fantasy.
This book was well written and leaves you wanting more. Would highly recommend to those looking into historical and urban fantasy.
March 13, 2025
Though the investigation Alex is involved in come to a head and we get to see them come to a conclusion. Now a much more interesting predicament arise a the very end of this book and I NEED the next book to find out. ot quite a cliffhanger, but I need the next book!! Narrator as usual does a Great job with the various characters voices and the entire storyline.
February 12, 2025
The magic is gone
In this latest novel in the Arcane Casebook series, the author took many of the things that make the other books so awesome and removed them from the story, including the protagonist’s magical abilities. Instead of being a paranormal detective story it was very much just a standard detective story that happens to take place in a magical universe. If this was the first book in the series I probably wouldn’t have read the second book. Fortunately it ends on a bit of a cliffhanger that bodes well for the next book in the series, which hopefully will be more interesting.
Not recommended. I give it 3/5 stars.
[This review is for the book “Equal and Opposite” by Dan Willis]
In this latest novel in the Arcane Casebook series, the author took many of the things that make the other books so awesome and removed them from the story, including the protagonist’s magical abilities. Instead of being a paranormal detective story it was very much just a standard detective story that happens to take place in a magical universe. If this was the first book in the series I probably wouldn’t have read the second book. Fortunately it ends on a bit of a cliffhanger that bodes well for the next book in the series, which hopefully will be more interesting.
Not recommended. I give it 3/5 stars.
[This review is for the book “Equal and Opposite” by Dan Willis]
February 5, 2025
And Then There Were Three…
ArcaneCasebook11
This is a much needed breather of a book.
We have been through so much with Alex - from a making ends meet (barely) detective who used runes, to a man who earned the moniker “Runewright Detective”, to a man who constructs runes with no thought of his life costs, who routinely works with sorcerers.
Now, locked out of his magic to preserve his life, Alex has to trust the runewrighting to others, and depend on his above average detecting skills to solve his cases. He can still use runes, he just can’t “feel” the magic. And, he hates that. But, there are other changes that he is growing used to — Sorsha Kincaid on his arm, and in his life.
This book is full of domestic mysteries, some tied to Pound Of Flesh, that keep us moving forward, at a less dramatic pace. I needed that. The reason Alex’s magic is locked away, is because he. has become allergic to it - his body needs to be purged of magical and alchemical residues that have built up from the shear volume of magic he was processing.
Alex craves solving puzzles with a terrior-like tenacity; a tenacity that pushes him refine his execution and use of runic forms. He is also a vanguard of what can be imagined, but, not all imagination is constructive. Not everyone has managed growth, influence and respect for their skills, as Alex has. But, they can taste it…
ArcaneCasebook11
This is a much needed breather of a book.
We have been through so much with Alex - from a making ends meet (barely) detective who used runes, to a man who earned the moniker “Runewright Detective”, to a man who constructs runes with no thought of his life costs, who routinely works with sorcerers.
Now, locked out of his magic to preserve his life, Alex has to trust the runewrighting to others, and depend on his above average detecting skills to solve his cases. He can still use runes, he just can’t “feel” the magic. And, he hates that. But, there are other changes that he is growing used to — Sorsha Kincaid on his arm, and in his life.
This book is full of domestic mysteries, some tied to Pound Of Flesh, that keep us moving forward, at a less dramatic pace. I needed that. The reason Alex’s magic is locked away, is because he. has become allergic to it - his body needs to be purged of magical and alchemical residues that have built up from the shear volume of magic he was processing.
Alex craves solving puzzles with a terrior-like tenacity; a tenacity that pushes him refine his execution and use of runic forms. He is also a vanguard of what can be imagined, but, not all imagination is constructive. Not everyone has managed growth, influence and respect for their skills, as Alex has. But, they can taste it…
January 15, 2025
I've been reading the Arcane Casebook series for a while now (I didn't just start at book 11, hah). I love the noir feel to the novels, and this is what originally got me into the series. I was looking for something with a little bit of supernatural or paranormal content, but not so much so that it took away from the plot of the mystery. I genuinely like Alex, Iggy, and Sorsha. They make great characters.
I think that this book was better than some of the others in the series, mostly because I was genuinely surprised at some of the outcomes and tribulations that the characters had to go through. I found it really interesting. The only thing that I'd hope for in future novels is some explanation about how much of our world is mirrored in that one. Obviously, we don't have magic in our world, so there's that, but it also seems as though certain aspects are different. Take, for example, how New York is laid out. It seems as though the development of the city went through a little different set of phases than our New York in the 1930s and 1940s. I'd love to see Mr. Willis explore how that happened (to some extent), or give some narrative about where the split happened between our world and that one.
Regardless of whether that's included, I'll be continuing to read the upcoming books. I've already pre-ordered #12, and am only disappointed because I have to wait a year.
I think that this book was better than some of the others in the series, mostly because I was genuinely surprised at some of the outcomes and tribulations that the characters had to go through. I found it really interesting. The only thing that I'd hope for in future novels is some explanation about how much of our world is mirrored in that one. Obviously, we don't have magic in our world, so there's that, but it also seems as though certain aspects are different. Take, for example, how New York is laid out. It seems as though the development of the city went through a little different set of phases than our New York in the 1930s and 1940s. I'd love to see Mr. Willis explore how that happened (to some extent), or give some narrative about where the split happened between our world and that one.
Regardless of whether that's included, I'll be continuing to read the upcoming books. I've already pre-ordered #12, and am only disappointed because I have to wait a year.
October 18, 2024
I love this series. Alex is on the trail of a runewright sending explosive runes and along the way, he and Sorcha whom he loves but isn't keen to commit any time too soon to, run in to her brother and he helps sort that mess out because her family aren't upstanding citizens and that's why she left them, but her brother came calling and Alex is smart enough to figure out what he wanted.
In this one, he is still suffering from the limelight overuse, his foot and having to rely on others, but it doesn't stop him investigating and working out whodunnit and why. Sadly wasn't the butler in the parlor! The dead tennis player/umpire who starts off the whodunnit is a good tale and a worthy read.
Then the book has the absolute cheek to finish on a cliffhanger. It started with a quest that gets put aside, it finishes with the quest and then ...... nope. We actually have to wait for Dan to write it to find out what happens next. So cruel.
In this one, he is still suffering from the limelight overuse, his foot and having to rely on others, but it doesn't stop him investigating and working out whodunnit and why. Sadly wasn't the butler in the parlor! The dead tennis player/umpire who starts off the whodunnit is a good tale and a worthy read.
Then the book has the absolute cheek to finish on a cliffhanger. It started with a quest that gets put aside, it finishes with the quest and then ...... nope. We actually have to wait for Dan to write it to find out what happens next. So cruel.
June 18, 2025
3.75.
Another rolicking Alex Lockerby story. I really enjoyed this one.
The only issue I have is that it seemed to be such a huge thing, having his magic locked away, but now it just seems an inconvenience.
The author REALLY likes " he turned left". When I started counting that trope, then I noticed it, just like mentioned in the book.
The end of the book with a massive twist and MacGuffin felt... well... like to get me to read the next one.
But instead of being curmudgenly, it was an enjoyable book! It felt real, lived in, with motives and murder that would play here. I did have the thought how would these people in runewrights 1930s New York react to a werewolf, or a vampire? What I mean is that this feels grounded even with the magic. It brings up a fascinating idea of the idea of adaptable magic, that others will discover what was once secret to only you.
Nice middle of the series.
Another rolicking Alex Lockerby story. I really enjoyed this one.
The only issue I have is that it seemed to be such a huge thing, having his magic locked away, but now it just seems an inconvenience.
The author REALLY likes " he turned left". When I started counting that trope, then I noticed it, just like mentioned in the book.
The end of the book with a massive twist and MacGuffin felt... well... like to get me to read the next one.
But instead of being curmudgenly, it was an enjoyable book! It felt real, lived in, with motives and murder that would play here. I did have the thought how would these people in runewrights 1930s New York react to a werewolf, or a vampire? What I mean is that this feels grounded even with the magic. It brings up a fascinating idea of the idea of adaptable magic, that others will discover what was once secret to only you.
Nice middle of the series.
October 23, 2024
An excellent multifaceted detective yarn
Having gotten accustomed to the setting and lore, Willis takes us on a journey in which his protagonist is largely dereft of his supernatural talent, and is forced to wade through cases like an ordinary gumshoe. In one instance, one of the antagonists is fairly easy to mark, but in another case, a tangled web of deceit unfurls among the rich and well-to-do crowd in the Hamptons.
I enjoyed this departure from form tremendously and I think it speaks well of Willis’ talent as an author that he can play around in an urban fantasy world that’s just a backdrop, instead of a central player in a large part of the story.
There’s also enough foreshadowing here to make me anticipate the next book in the series “Gangster” - a book I’m looking forward to reading soon.
Having gotten accustomed to the setting and lore, Willis takes us on a journey in which his protagonist is largely dereft of his supernatural talent, and is forced to wade through cases like an ordinary gumshoe. In one instance, one of the antagonists is fairly easy to mark, but in another case, a tangled web of deceit unfurls among the rich and well-to-do crowd in the Hamptons.
I enjoyed this departure from form tremendously and I think it speaks well of Willis’ talent as an author that he can play around in an urban fantasy world that’s just a backdrop, instead of a central player in a large part of the story.
There’s also enough foreshadowing here to make me anticipate the next book in the series “Gangster” - a book I’m looking forward to reading soon.
March 11, 2025
Another great book in the Arcane Casebook series. While this book lacks some of the direct violence that some of the others in the series have, it’s refreshing to focus more on the mysteries and cases presented to Alex. Though the lack of direct physical conflict should not be held against it, the book more than makes up for it in thrills and page turning events. Also, surprisingly this novel delves into a little of the sorceress Sorsha Kincade’s history, giving use a glimpse of what some of her life was like before Alex met her.
As always, there are several cases the main character is working on at the same time, but the author portrays them in a way that is both easy to keep track of and realistic to the reader.
I very much enjoyed this book and encourage anyone who is a fan of fantasy/mystery to read this entire series. Hope you enjoy it as much as I have
As always, there are several cases the main character is working on at the same time, but the author portrays them in a way that is both easy to keep track of and realistic to the reader.
I very much enjoyed this book and encourage anyone who is a fan of fantasy/mystery to read this entire series. Hope you enjoy it as much as I have
September 23, 2025
3.5 Stars
This one was a bit of a dude for me, to be honest. Dan Willis still does a really good job with his prose, but the mysteries in this one fell a little flat for me. They didn’t just wrap up in a satisfying way for me this time around. I feel as if they weren’t set up as cleanly. In previous entries you could put the pieces together and reasonably figure things out, but not so much in this case. It wrapped up rather abruptly at the end. Still, all the characters are super charming and entertaining. Looking forward to the next one!
This one was a bit of a dude for me, to be honest. Dan Willis still does a really good job with his prose, but the mysteries in this one fell a little flat for me. They didn’t just wrap up in a satisfying way for me this time around. I feel as if they weren’t set up as cleanly. In previous entries you could put the pieces together and reasonably figure things out, but not so much in this case. It wrapped up rather abruptly at the end. Still, all the characters are super charming and entertaining. Looking forward to the next one!
November 6, 2024
A great read
There is so much I can say about the book, but you need to read the entire series. It has traveled from just another detective book to more . I would like to see more of the characters' backgrounds expanded. I hate cliffhanger ending. Will I keep reading the series? YES, I am hooked. I know it takes time to write a good story for each book, but can you write faster, please?
There is so much I can say about the book, but you need to read the entire series. It has traveled from just another detective book to more . I would like to see more of the characters' backgrounds expanded. I hate cliffhanger ending. Will I keep reading the series? YES, I am hooked. I know it takes time to write a good story for each book, but can you write faster, please?
December 15, 2024
Bombers and poisoners and false identities, oh my
Another enjoyable book in the Arcane casebook series. I enjoy the characters in this series. There are always several cases and mysteries going on in each book. This one kept me guessing and I didn’t figure out the right answers before they were revealed. I love that I didn’t guess the ending in advance. I look forward to the next book in the series.
Another enjoyable book in the Arcane casebook series. I enjoy the characters in this series. There are always several cases and mysteries going on in each book. This one kept me guessing and I didn’t figure out the right answers before they were revealed. I love that I didn’t guess the ending in advance. I look forward to the next book in the series.
January 2, 2025
I love Dan Willis
There is something about an Alex Lockerby book that I can't resist. The mysteries are not predictable. The characters are thoroughly engaging and their actions are believable. The world building continues to be just awesome. His friends (and foes) are so absorbing that I started this book when I woke up this morning and read for an hour. I finished it after work in a single sitting in 2 and 1/2 hours before I left to come home.
There is something about an Alex Lockerby book that I can't resist. The mysteries are not predictable. The characters are thoroughly engaging and their actions are believable. The world building continues to be just awesome. His friends (and foes) are so absorbing that I started this book when I woke up this morning and read for an hour. I finished it after work in a single sitting in 2 and 1/2 hours before I left to come home.
March 2, 2025
It's been a while since I read the previous book and thankfully I was straight back into the story after only a few pages. The continuation of the cursed storyline makes for some interesting changes to how Alex does things and combined with two storylines that don't come to the same conclusion or link together made for a nice change. I don't know if I was disappointed or was particularly frustrated about the ending as it does set up very nicely for the next book - It just seemed so sudden!
April 18, 2025
Runewright detective without runes.
Alex has been limited magically and physically, but his skills are still sharp and his chapter has deepened. This reminds me of Odin sending Thor to earth with a limp to teach him humility... Alex and friends work the cases finding the guilty, but not always catching them. It is the characters we love at their best, being made better. Looking forward to book 12!
Alex has been limited magically and physically, but his skills are still sharp and his chapter has deepened. This reminds me of Odin sending Thor to earth with a limp to teach him humility... Alex and friends work the cases finding the guilty, but not always catching them. It is the characters we love at their best, being made better. Looking forward to book 12!
October 18, 2024
great series
This one of the better books in the series. Always well written and the characters are believable for a sci-fi/steam punkish story. This story with 3 different story lines running concurrently each one worthy of his own book plus a few extra side story lines. This was as perfect a tale as anyone could ask for.
This one of the better books in the series. Always well written and the characters are believable for a sci-fi/steam punkish story. This story with 3 different story lines running concurrently each one worthy of his own book plus a few extra side story lines. This was as perfect a tale as anyone could ask for.
October 22, 2024
Wonderful
I have been waiting for this next in TBE series book.
I have missed all the regulars and as always was wrong on who was the bomber. Anna second murderer thrown in as a bonus.
Alex and Scorcha are now out in public with their relationship and about time.
Read the blurb to prepare together lost in this book.
I really enjoyed it and highly recommend it to you.
I have been waiting for this next in TBE series book.
I have missed all the regulars and as always was wrong on who was the bomber. Anna second murderer thrown in as a bonus.
Alex and Scorcha are now out in public with their relationship and about time.
Read the blurb to prepare together lost in this book.
I really enjoyed it and highly recommend it to you.
November 11, 2024
A good read even if the whole damnation rune is getting a bit old at this point. I always find the characters and the world more interesting than the cases as they’re fairly straight forward.
Hoping the mad bomber pops up to lend a hand later on down the line. Be cool to see her bring the boom against the Nazi fight that’s brewing.
Hoping the mad bomber pops up to lend a hand later on down the line. Be cool to see her bring the boom against the Nazi fight that’s brewing.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 18, 2024
Readers who have enjoyed the preceding books in the series will enjoy this title - like reuniting with an old friend. Any new readers will want to read the series from the beginning - otherwise they will not catch the wit or know the alternate history of New York to which the plot makes reference. Recommended.
November 27, 2024
Love this series!
If you like old radio detective shows and film noir, add in a bit of sci/fi, and you'll find Dan Willis's, Arcane Casebooks as fun to read as I do. This book is just as good as the last one. I've already pre-ordered Casebook 12. Every book is another story in the life of Alex Lockerby, along with his friends and colleagues.
If you like old radio detective shows and film noir, add in a bit of sci/fi, and you'll find Dan Willis's, Arcane Casebooks as fun to read as I do. This book is just as good as the last one. I've already pre-ordered Casebook 12. Every book is another story in the life of Alex Lockerby, along with his friends and colleagues.
January 2, 2025
It honestly becomes a bit too much with the misogyny
When Alex decided he absolutely knew better than Sorscha about her family, it was just the final nail in the coffin
Of course, with the way Dan writes, she will end up loving it, because Alex, a manly man, always knows better. He is, after all, a MAN
When Alex decided he absolutely knew better than Sorscha about her family, it was just the final nail in the coffin
Of course, with the way Dan writes, she will end up loving it, because Alex, a manly man, always knows better. He is, after all, a MAN
January 2, 2025
Boom, mischief and mayhem
Another great adventure in the world of Alex Lockerby. As the eleventh book in the series it makes great use of past books while leaving hints of the greater arc. While the story is self contained (except for the jumping off point for the next story) it is best read as a series. Great job, looking forward to the next book.
Another great adventure in the world of Alex Lockerby. As the eleventh book in the series it makes great use of past books while leaving hints of the greater arc. While the story is self contained (except for the jumping off point for the next story) it is best read as a series. Great job, looking forward to the next book.
January 20, 2025
Another great read from Dan Willis! I love the combination of mystery and magic that are woven together in this alternative United States. I love the characters and enjoy seeing how they work together to solve the mysteries and problems that arise.This is a great series and I have enjoyed reading every book.
July 14, 2025
Another one (#11) of the author's terrific arcane detective novels. Sort of Sam Spade/Philip Marlowe with a touch of magic, set in an alternate New York City in the 1930s where on the international scene Nazi Germany exists. The writing is great and frequently results in lost sleep if you start reading before bedtime! I heartily recommend the entire series.
October 18, 2024
Delightful mysteries!
So well written I could all almost feel the pain in my foot. The cliff hanger ending is a thing of beauty. I hope we don't have to wait to long for the next trip through this alternate reality
So well written I could all almost feel the pain in my foot. The cliff hanger ending is a thing of beauty. I hope we don't have to wait to long for the next trip through this alternate reality
October 19, 2024
Loved it!
Poor Alex, so grumpy with out his magic, although there were hints of it getting better. Yes! There's a cliffhanger at the end ( Dan how could you? 😁). I can't wait for the next book!!!!!!
Poor Alex, so grumpy with out his magic, although there were hints of it getting better. Yes! There's a cliffhanger at the end ( Dan how could you? 😁). I can't wait for the next book!!!!!!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 79 reviews