The Mercury Idol

by Brendan Walsh

The Rat Tail Inn, a secluded, unremarkable place that few guests remember and even fewer people know about, has just had its first scandal. Amory Kipp, town drunk and general nuisance, has been murdered in his room. Unfortunately for the killer, royal detective Blaise Gideon had chosen to spend the night and assumes control of the case. Before she can even get the investigation started, two of the suspects reveal themselves as pioneers in a new archaeology. The married pair of academics is on the hunt for the legendary artifact known as the Mercury Idol, an item considered to be a gift from the gods. The Idol, if deeming an individual worthy, would allegedly grant them the power of a god.

The archaeologists believe Amory Kipp was looking for the Idol and was killed for it. Desperate, Blaise makes an agreement with them. If they help her find the killer, she’ll help them find the Idol. Skeptical at first, Blaise soon finds there might be some truth to the stories of the Idol. With mounting evidence of the supernatural, local wildlife going crazy, and seemingly no one being who they claimed, Blaise must solve the case before sunrise when all the guests check out or, worse, before there’s a new god in town.

Genres: Fantasy, Mystery

222 pages, Paperback

Published March 14, 2025

About the author

From Glendale, California, Brendan Walsh is the author of The Century's Scribe, The Century's Last Word, and three other books. His next book, a fantasy whodunnit called The Mercury Idol, releases on 3/14 and is the first book of the Blaise Gideon Mysteries.

Brendan is currently an adjunct English professor at Santa Ana College. When he is not teaching or writing, you can find him reading at a coffee shop, browsing bookstores, or traveling around the country. He is also a philosopher and a recreational madman.

Reviews

[Matthew Turrell · Rating 5 out of 5]

“Sometimes there isn't something to figure out. There's not always an intelligence fighting with yours. The universe is just one random thing after another, and we animals cannot comprehend it, so our brains create narratives and binaries where none exist. You're too stuck in a competitive mindset, my friend. Just relax and read a book. Maybe not a mystery.”

This book was wonderful. A captivating mystery, and heartwarming fantasy. A complex puzzle with complex characters. A story with a great ending, that I never wanted to end. I can’t wait to see what Walsh comes up with next!

[J.P. Hostetler · Rating 5 out of 5]

Walsh gets better with every book and this one is no different.

From the first page you're immersed in a world where things are only ever getting at once stranger, and yet, eerily familiar, as if it's not a fantasy at all but something of a twisted parallel of our own world, just layered with rich texture.

Perhaps one of my favorite aspects of this genre-bending tale is the locale, The Rat Tail Inn, in which our protagonist, with the unlikely help of a stranded group of seemingly random guests, must solve a highly curious murder.

Perfect for fans of murder mysteries who also love fantasy and great world-building!

[Kelsey · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thought The Mercury Idol was a fascinating spin on a murder mystery with some elements of fantasy. It had twists and turns that I don’t think anyone could expect! Overall, I would recommend this book!

[Joe Walsh · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am not a particular fan of the sci-fi/fantasy genre. But I am a big fan of murder mysteries and police procedurals. The murder mystery aspect of “The Mercury Idol” combined with the sci-fi/fantasy slant won me over. The characters were multi-dimensional with each compelling in its own way. I highly recommend that you don’t skim over the last 20% of the book’s intricate climax and solving of the murder. I dare anyone to solve the murder before the homicide investigator does.

[Luis · Rating 5 out of 5]

As someone who hasn’t had much experience when it comes to mystery books, I was pleasantly surprised how this book turned out. It kept me guessing all through out and I still did not see that ending coming. Highly recommend this book!

[Scott Wagner · Rating 5 out of 5]

What if Indiana Jones and Hercule Poirot stumbled into Narnia and had to team up to solve a murder? Walsh's latest offering builds off his strong background in fantasy writing as we find ourselves in a world populated by colorful humans and avehos, but in this world, a man has been murdered at the Rat Tail Inn. What seems to start as a fantastical whodunnit turns into a mystery involving not only the killing, but the powerful figurine known as the Mercury Idol. The story moves along at a brisk pace, with Walsh finding time to include more meditative and ruminative dialogues amidst the fast-paced murder mystery. Each of the characters seems to have something to hide -- Walsh's novel kept me guessing until the big reveal. More Blaise Gideon novels please!

[Xiaoqing · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such an exciting read! I am totally lost in the imaginal world of the little rundown Inn with both human and birds and the mystery of solving a murder! The ending is a big surprise but it does make sense, and the author's clever red herring fooled me a few times, which only made the story more enjoyable! I love the vivid imagination, the wonderful world building, the colorful and unique characters and the so many unexpected plot twists. The writing is superb and the adventure unforgettable!

[LINDA BASS · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very interesting tale and I struggled to solve the murder, but too many distractions got in the way. For the life of me I could not fathom why a down and out tavern had that name or why would anyone want to stay as I'd have nightmares of rats in my bed! I loved how detective Gideon, who had the knack for solving murders would separate the clues in this well written story.

[Nicole Collins · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was good interesting kept me wondering what is next, it felt a little spooky with it being like a cottage and the townspeople there its a secluded place I do love me a female main character Blaise Gideon did not disappoint

[Dave · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is a great murder mystery. The setting is unique with birds and humans living together in a kingdom that has magic. Great twists as the detective tries to figure it out, and a great, fast read.

[Nancy Browne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mercury Idol, a fantasy murder, is an interesting take on the game of clue. Everyone has a reason to see Amory dead. While most of the characters are human, two are Avehos, a bird-like creature with human characteristics. I felt the pace of the book was slowed by the overuse of descriptions. Otherwise, an enjoyable story.