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Norwich Map Runners #2
Fire in the Flint
She thought surviving Norwich’s walls was hard. Now the real danger lies within.When Detective Eliza ‘Bish’ Barnaby returns to Norwich, she expects the usual—scheming merchants, whispers of smuggling, and her partner Willoughby’s dry wit. But when a powerful trading patriarch is found murdered, Bish is pulled into a dangerous plot where every clue points to forbidden magic.
The deeper she digs, the clearer the truth someone is manipulating Norwich’s wild magic—and covering their crimes with blood. With rogue practitioner Cade working in the shadows and the city sheriff losing patience, Bish must untangle the conspiracy before the entire city falls to ruin.
Caught between murder, magic, and political intrigue, Bish is running out of time. Norwich is a city built on secrets—and some will kill to keep them buried.
Perfect for fans of Ben Aaronovitch, V.E. Schwab and Jasper Fforde, Fire in the Flint is a supernatural crime thriller that blends murder mystery and magic into a gripping fantasy adventure.
The deeper she digs, the clearer the truth someone is manipulating Norwich’s wild magic—and covering their crimes with blood. With rogue practitioner Cade working in the shadows and the city sheriff losing patience, Bish must untangle the conspiracy before the entire city falls to ruin.
Caught between murder, magic, and political intrigue, Bish is running out of time. Norwich is a city built on secrets—and some will kill to keep them buried.
Perfect for fans of Ben Aaronovitch, V.E. Schwab and Jasper Fforde, Fire in the Flint is a supernatural crime thriller that blends murder mystery and magic into a gripping fantasy adventure.
353 pages, Kindle Edition
First published March 26, 2026
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 42 reviews
April 9, 2026
This second book in the series picks up a month after Bish left Norwich. Now she's back with an official title of Ambassador to Norwich. She's been to see the melded maps, had a run-in with the practitioners and is now back on home turf, ready to tackle the smuggling ring. But then her chief suspect is murdered, and the game changes again.
The same characters are back: Bish's Norwich police colleagues, Restoration-era Willoughby and Victorian Sheriff Hitchman, Bishop Isadora, and the enigmatic practitioner-on-the-run Cade. We learn a bit more about Cade, but not enough.
Bish's sensitivity to magic - her headaches caused by engineered magic and affinity with wild magic - stand her in good stead, helping her on a number of occasions. It's become clear to the reader (and Cade) if not Bish herself that she has magical powers of her own.
The murder mystery steers the plot along, and it appears someone is out to get Bish, too. She has her police duties and her as-yet-undefined duties as ambassador to deal with, and she still doesn't know who Cade is. Then there are the UN observers the practitioners have sent into Norwich with her to get a sense of the place. One is a familiar face, the other is not, and Bish feels responsible for both of them.
This is still an imaginative take on urban fantasy, with great world-building going on. Norwich is a character in itself. Bish is engaging and relatable. The support characters are all individual and serve different purposes. And it ended on a cliffhanger. I'm looking forward to the next book in the series.
The same characters are back: Bish's Norwich police colleagues, Restoration-era Willoughby and Victorian Sheriff Hitchman, Bishop Isadora, and the enigmatic practitioner-on-the-run Cade. We learn a bit more about Cade, but not enough.
Bish's sensitivity to magic - her headaches caused by engineered magic and affinity with wild magic - stand her in good stead, helping her on a number of occasions. It's become clear to the reader (and Cade) if not Bish herself that she has magical powers of her own.
The murder mystery steers the plot along, and it appears someone is out to get Bish, too. She has her police duties and her as-yet-undefined duties as ambassador to deal with, and she still doesn't know who Cade is. Then there are the UN observers the practitioners have sent into Norwich with her to get a sense of the place. One is a familiar face, the other is not, and Bish feels responsible for both of them.
This is still an imaginative take on urban fantasy, with great world-building going on. Norwich is a character in itself. Bish is engaging and relatable. The support characters are all individual and serve different purposes. And it ended on a cliffhanger. I'm looking forward to the next book in the series.
April 4, 2026
I was on the verge of putting this book down after the first 20% or so. I really enjoyed its predecessor and was really looking forward to this. Consequently, I was very disappointed to read a very chaotic first few chapters including a positively juvenile joke regarding the FANY. This failed on so many fronts. Firstly, there are inhabitants of Norwich that hail from the modern age. There is no way they would be innocent of the connotations of the acronym and, if they weren't, no one else in Norwich would be. So this was pointless and crude, and worst of all it wasn't funny. What is more, it doesn't appear again in the rest of the book, so what was the point of it?
After this and after the murder, the book settles down to be a) better written and, b) more cohesive.
Why the first 20% was there is baffling. Did the author feel the book had to be longer? Is the first part just badly written filler? Whatever the reason, it's a good job the rest of the book redeems that initial garbage. Without it I would have given 4.5*. As it is, there is enough in the cliff hanger to make me want to read the conclusion.
As my old school reports used to say. Must try harder.
After this and after the murder, the book settles down to be a) better written and, b) more cohesive.
Why the first 20% was there is baffling. Did the author feel the book had to be longer? Is the first part just badly written filler? Whatever the reason, it's a good job the rest of the book redeems that initial garbage. Without it I would have given 4.5*. As it is, there is enough in the cliff hanger to make me want to read the conclusion.
As my old school reports used to say. Must try harder.
Review of advance copy received from Author
I was lucky enough to be able to read a beta version of this back in September and I loved it. This is the newly released Kickstarter version and this finished story is even better.
Bish's adventures in a Norwich that has suffered at the hands of the magic Practioners who gave no regard to the consequences of their actions continue. She is now the first Ambassador for the UN to Norwich, whatever that means, and whilst she figures it out she has a smuggling ring to take down. This new story picks up from the end of book one (This is NOT a standalone) and is once again full of great characters from all eras and walks of life, trying to get along in the amazing map melded world that Eva has built. There's laughs, heartbreak, explosions and a lot of running and of course, Harry.
Bish's adventures in a Norwich that has suffered at the hands of the magic Practioners who gave no regard to the consequences of their actions continue. She is now the first Ambassador for the UN to Norwich, whatever that means, and whilst she figures it out she has a smuggling ring to take down. This new story picks up from the end of book one (This is NOT a standalone) and is once again full of great characters from all eras and walks of life, trying to get along in the amazing map melded world that Eva has built. There's laughs, heartbreak, explosions and a lot of running and of course, Harry.
July 21, 2026
The Norwich Map Runners series continues with Fire in the Flint and it's just as well done as the first instalment in the series. Keeping to the police procedural urban fantasy roots, the series is somewhat reminiscent of the Dresden Files and Rivers of London series, but with its own distinct flair to differentiate itself and ensure it stands on its own merits. It's got snark and humour in abundance, but also has a fascinating setting and a mystery with teeth to it.
Never has the saying 'Normal for Norfolk' held more true than here. At some point in the not so distant past, the practitioners screwed up when messing with maps and Norwich in particular was the fall guy. The town devolved into time travel chaos with wonderful historical throwbacks like the bubonic plague and smallpox along with shifts that alter the very landscape you stand on. And if an unloved building happens to get sucked into the fabric of time whilst you're standing in it, then it sucks to be you. Detective Barnaby, or Bish, was forced back to her home town on the hunt for a dangerous practitioner. Now she's being sent back as the Ambassador, but the latest murder mystery becomes something more dangerous by far and Bish finds herself unravelling a conspiracy that could shake the very foundations of Norwich. Not that they take much shaking, sadly.
Much like the first novel, this caught me from the opening pages. It's funny in a mostly understated, snarky way which always appeals to me, but it's also full of larger than life but utterly believable characters. The author builds on the existing lore and continues to bring further depth and complexity to the world, particularly to the city of Norwich with it's mishmash blend of contemporaries and those brought in from different eras. This is an excellent example of a place almost becoming a character in it's own right and I loved the way the author continued to layer elements into the city.
The mystery was exceptionally well done, with the same dark edges that existed in the first novel but a wider scope, expanding the investigation out beyond the murder itself or even the suspected smuggling rings. There are the elements of good old police procedural and they are interwoven brilliantly with the more fantastical elements of the magic and how Norwich has evolved and come to terms with its splintered identities over time. The investigation never felt dull and it's well paced throughout, whilst also twisting and turning in unexpected ways.
If you're looking for an unusual slant on urban fantasy, this is well worth taking a look at. I would very much recommend starting with the first novel as whilst the police procedural elements could probably stand on their own, the urban fantasy and personal stories are very much a continuation of the previous novel. This isn't a stand alone mystery novel and a lot of context would be missing if you tried to read it as such. It is however, very much worth reading and I'm looking forward to the release of the third novel in the series.
Never has the saying 'Normal for Norfolk' held more true than here. At some point in the not so distant past, the practitioners screwed up when messing with maps and Norwich in particular was the fall guy. The town devolved into time travel chaos with wonderful historical throwbacks like the bubonic plague and smallpox along with shifts that alter the very landscape you stand on. And if an unloved building happens to get sucked into the fabric of time whilst you're standing in it, then it sucks to be you. Detective Barnaby, or Bish, was forced back to her home town on the hunt for a dangerous practitioner. Now she's being sent back as the Ambassador, but the latest murder mystery becomes something more dangerous by far and Bish finds herself unravelling a conspiracy that could shake the very foundations of Norwich. Not that they take much shaking, sadly.
Much like the first novel, this caught me from the opening pages. It's funny in a mostly understated, snarky way which always appeals to me, but it's also full of larger than life but utterly believable characters. The author builds on the existing lore and continues to bring further depth and complexity to the world, particularly to the city of Norwich with it's mishmash blend of contemporaries and those brought in from different eras. This is an excellent example of a place almost becoming a character in it's own right and I loved the way the author continued to layer elements into the city.
The mystery was exceptionally well done, with the same dark edges that existed in the first novel but a wider scope, expanding the investigation out beyond the murder itself or even the suspected smuggling rings. There are the elements of good old police procedural and they are interwoven brilliantly with the more fantastical elements of the magic and how Norwich has evolved and come to terms with its splintered identities over time. The investigation never felt dull and it's well paced throughout, whilst also twisting and turning in unexpected ways.
If you're looking for an unusual slant on urban fantasy, this is well worth taking a look at. I would very much recommend starting with the first novel as whilst the police procedural elements could probably stand on their own, the urban fantasy and personal stories are very much a continuation of the previous novel. This isn't a stand alone mystery novel and a lot of context would be missing if you tried to read it as such. It is however, very much worth reading and I'm looking forward to the release of the third novel in the series.
July 10, 2026
I really enjoyed Flint in the Bones so it's not surprising that this got a 5-star rating too. I will note that this is more like a 4.489 rounded up to 5. This installment see's DI Bish Barnaby assigned as the official liaison between the "real" world and the mis-mash world of Norwich following the cataclysm that resulted in a mixture of people and buildings from the 10th century to the 18th.
Bish is officially the ambassador to Norwich but also still a detective trying to figure out the source of the smuggling ring that is bringing in magical items to a city that can't withstand the trigger of a magical item and shepherding two UN observers all while still officially searching for the rogue practitioner.
The characters you enjoyed return and grow. Some of them stay true to form and others have surprising character reveals that this reader, for one, did not see coming. The story is nicely paced and character development if a bit slow continues. The plot is interesting; yet as noted in my intro there was something just a bit off here.
Regardless if you like books about magic, police procedurals, the Rivers of London series or the Conrad Clarke series then this is for you. Even if you prefer time travel books this is an interesting take that results in an interesting polyglot of cultures and times in one location with the author's predilections for what wins interesting to consider in light of ones own opinions.
I'll be eagerly waiting for the third book later this year to figure out how it all ends.
Bish is officially the ambassador to Norwich but also still a detective trying to figure out the source of the smuggling ring that is bringing in magical items to a city that can't withstand the trigger of a magical item and shepherding two UN observers all while still officially searching for the rogue practitioner.
The characters you enjoyed return and grow. Some of them stay true to form and others have surprising character reveals that this reader, for one, did not see coming. The story is nicely paced and character development if a bit slow continues. The plot is interesting; yet as noted in my intro there was something just a bit off here.
Regardless if you like books about magic, police procedurals, the Rivers of London series or the Conrad Clarke series then this is for you. Even if you prefer time travel books this is an interesting take that results in an interesting polyglot of cultures and times in one location with the author's predilections for what wins interesting to consider in light of ones own opinions.
I'll be eagerly waiting for the third book later this year to figure out how it all ends.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Detective Eliza "Bish" Barnaby is back, and she’s barely had time to recover from her last outing before she's thrust into a conspiracy involving Norwich’s elite trading families. When a powerful patriarch is found murdered, the investigation quickly moves beyond simple greed. Bish and her partner, Willoughby (whose dry wit remains a series highlight), must navigate a web of forbidden magic and smuggling that threatens to destabilize the city’s magical foundations.
St. John’s world-building is incredibly unique. The idea of "mapping" as a form of magic—where geography, history, and power intersect—is fresh and provides a great framework for the mystery.
While many urban fantasies skew toward YA, Bish is a mature, capable, and wonderfully flawed protagonist. Her relationship with Willoughby feels earned and grounded.
Norwich is rendered with such detail that the city itself becomes a character. The contrast between the mundane merchant life and the shimmering "unusual" world is vivid and immersive.
Fire in the Flint is a rare sequel that surpasses the original. It’s smarter, darker, and doubles down on the fascinating cartographic magic that makes this series so distinct. If you like Ben Aaronovitch’s Rivers of London but want something with a slightly more historical, atmospheric edge, this is your next obsession."
St. John’s world-building is incredibly unique. The idea of "mapping" as a form of magic—where geography, history, and power intersect—is fresh and provides a great framework for the mystery.
While many urban fantasies skew toward YA, Bish is a mature, capable, and wonderfully flawed protagonist. Her relationship with Willoughby feels earned and grounded.
Norwich is rendered with such detail that the city itself becomes a character. The contrast between the mundane merchant life and the shimmering "unusual" world is vivid and immersive.
Fire in the Flint is a rare sequel that surpasses the original. It’s smarter, darker, and doubles down on the fascinating cartographic magic that makes this series so distinct. If you like Ben Aaronovitch’s Rivers of London but want something with a slightly more historical, atmospheric edge, this is your next obsession."
April 21, 2026
Eliza Barnaby known as Bish has returned to Norwich as an ambassador for the UN. She’s accompanied by a pair of “observers” who are to check the health and stability of the Norwich environment after the cataclysmic magical event which destroyed much of city years previously.
During a formal ball given to welcome the new ambassador and the observers, a wealthy and important member of the business community is murdered.
While Bish is an ambassador she is also a detective with the police force so is involved in investigating his death. She’s also investigating a smuggling ring which may be trying to
Import magical artefacts which could seriously destabilise the city. She is also investigating a magical practitioner called Cade who has been charged with murder and who has fled to Norwich.
This is a fast moving tale of wild magic and murder with a twist in its tale. I thoroughly enjoyed it and recommend it and am looking forward to the next book in the trilogy.
During a formal ball given to welcome the new ambassador and the observers, a wealthy and important member of the business community is murdered.
While Bish is an ambassador she is also a detective with the police force so is involved in investigating his death. She’s also investigating a smuggling ring which may be trying to
Import magical artefacts which could seriously destabilise the city. She is also investigating a magical practitioner called Cade who has been charged with murder and who has fled to Norwich.
This is a fast moving tale of wild magic and murder with a twist in its tale. I thoroughly enjoyed it and recommend it and am looking forward to the next book in the trilogy.
April 1, 2026
A unique concept and a well written adventure
The concept this trilogy is built on is the first new idea I have found in fantasy books for years - and what a great concept it is!!
In a word where magic exists, maps have power. A failed magical experiment melds centuries of maps of one city together, opening the timelines between ages. We get to know the main characters dealing with the results of the disaster, and soon see them as our own friends or enemies.
This is a unique and well written series which I highly recommend.
The concept this trilogy is built on is the first new idea I have found in fantasy books for years - and what a great concept it is!!
In a word where magic exists, maps have power. A failed magical experiment melds centuries of maps of one city together, opening the timelines between ages. We get to know the main characters dealing with the results of the disaster, and soon see them as our own friends or enemies.
This is a unique and well written series which I highly recommend.
April 3, 2026
Awesomeness Unleashed
This series is something of a literary unicorn, innovative urban fantasy set in Britain with well crafted believable characters and a colourful.backdrop.
It meshes time travel, magic and a unique history and perceived social structure seamlessly making the entire thing look effortless. Parts of this were obvious but not in a way that made it feel like spoon-fed plot. Loved the ending, guaranteed to make the reader want more. Highly recommend this series.
This series is something of a literary unicorn, innovative urban fantasy set in Britain with well crafted believable characters and a colourful.backdrop.
It meshes time travel, magic and a unique history and perceived social structure seamlessly making the entire thing look effortless. Parts of this were obvious but not in a way that made it feel like spoon-fed plot. Loved the ending, guaranteed to make the reader want more. Highly recommend this series.
Review of advance copy received from Author
I was part way through another book when my Kickstarter copy arrived, so I knew I had to wait before reading this. It was well worth the wait.
The whole team are back, the storyline is great and as characters develop, there are plenty of surprises.
Obviously no spoilers here, but the Author's email asking about cliffhangers set me up for one. I guess that's what sequels are for....
Roll on Kickstarter for book three and more.
The whole team are back, the storyline is great and as characters develop, there are plenty of surprises.
Obviously no spoilers here, but the Author's email asking about cliffhangers set me up for one. I guess that's what sequels are for....
Roll on Kickstarter for book three and more.
April 4, 2026
Great second in this series!
This is a wonderfully written second book. Sometimes a first book outshines what comes after, but this develops the characters expertly, setting up the structure that moves the plot to its satisfying conclusion.
I really do enjoy these characters, and the twists and turns of the magic as it develops and grows and shifts over time.
Looking forward to the third installment of this fine fantasy series!
This is a wonderfully written second book. Sometimes a first book outshines what comes after, but this develops the characters expertly, setting up the structure that moves the plot to its satisfying conclusion.
I really do enjoy these characters, and the twists and turns of the magic as it develops and grows and shifts over time.
Looking forward to the third installment of this fine fantasy series!
April 19, 2026
A little too much, a little too fast
There was too much “And then we caught them” in this book. Solving things was too straight forward. The solutions weren’t clever enough. I am guessing the real results will be in the third book. The characters are delightful. Willoughby’s fame was fabulous. The descriptions of the people and places were wonderful. There was just too many things going on and being solved, at the same time.
There was too much “And then we caught them” in this book. Solving things was too straight forward. The solutions weren’t clever enough. I am guessing the real results will be in the third book. The characters are delightful. Willoughby’s fame was fabulous. The descriptions of the people and places were wonderful. There was just too many things going on and being solved, at the same time.
April 5, 2026
It was amazing and the only fault it had was that we will have to wait for next book. I loved Bish was surprised by her abilities and betrayal from someone she considered her protegé. The story was interesting, the murder uncanny and there were some light and funny moments. Really great storytelling and even greater world.
April 8, 2026
The most excellent read!
A seriously good read!
There's magic in a most thought provoking way, and understated romance. Blummin love it!
Only problem, I waited on the 2nd book, and I suspect I need to wait longer for the 3rd!
It will absolutely be worth the wait.
Thank you Eva St. John x
A seriously good read!
There's magic in a most thought provoking way, and understated romance. Blummin love it!
Only problem, I waited on the 2nd book, and I suspect I need to wait longer for the 3rd!
It will absolutely be worth the wait.
Thank you Eva St. John x
April 25, 2026
Ends on a cliffhanger!?! I should've known. 😆
Next book out in November. I'm looking forward to it!
This series has been fun! The magic is cool, and the characters are great. The only downside is having to Google british slang, but I suppose that's an American problem. 😀
I'm enjoying this series just as much as I enjoyed her Quantum Curators series.
Counting down to November....
Next book out in November. I'm looking forward to it!
This series has been fun! The magic is cool, and the characters are great. The only downside is having to Google british slang, but I suppose that's an American problem. 😀
I'm enjoying this series just as much as I enjoyed her Quantum Curators series.
Counting down to November....
May 7, 2026
I loved the first book in this series like absolutely truly loved and the concept was so interesting and the characters. This just didn’t get anywhere for me. The murder mystery provided an interesting back drop but Bish did provide the same pull for me, the other characters felt more frustrating, it felt like it dragged a lot more. I am still curious to read the next one.
July 18, 2026
I think I enjoyed this evening more than book 1. I certainly felt it moved forward with greater pace and developed the characters further. I love the mix of characters from different eras in Norwich. I was expecting another chapter after the final line of the final chapter, but I guess it's just setting things up for book 3 when we might finally find out who he really is.
March 30, 2026
brilliant as ever!
I read this in two days flat out. I love all of Eva’s books and this did not disappoint in any way. Now I have to wait for the last installment to find out about… mmmmmph (hand firmly over mouth, eyes squeezed shut)
I read this in two days flat out. I love all of Eva’s books and this did not disappoint in any way. Now I have to wait for the last installment to find out about… mmmmmph (hand firmly over mouth, eyes squeezed shut)
March 31, 2026
Enjoyable
This was a good read. Lots going on, following on from the first book. They should be read in order as then you can get to know all the characters.
Looking forward to the next few one.
This was a good read. Lots going on, following on from the first book. They should be read in order as then you can get to know all the characters.
Looking forward to the next few one.
March 31, 2026
Exciting second book
Brilliantly written story continuing Eliza's the adventures in Norwich. It is fast paced with humour and intelligent plot lines, ending in a surprising climax. Brilliant book by a very talented author.
Brilliantly written story continuing Eliza's the adventures in Norwich. It is fast paced with humour and intelligent plot lines, ending in a surprising climax. Brilliant book by a very talented author.
April 5, 2026
The continuing adventures of Bish, Willoughby, Harry and the mysterious Cade finds them unraveling a practitioner plot to harvest Norwich's wild magic. The book ended with a cliffhanger that led me to yell "that's not fair!" & shake my fist heavenward.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 9, 2026
really enjoyed this book
built on the first, the characters coming into their own
built to a great ending with a lovely twist
will definitely get the next book when it comes out to see who Cade is
fantastic
built on the first, the characters coming into their own
built to a great ending with a lovely twist
will definitely get the next book when it comes out to see who Cade is
fantastic
April 16, 2026
Love it!
I’m so glad a discovered this series. The writing is great. The world and characters are wonderful. The first two books have resolved one of the mysteries but what will happen next? I’m looking forward to the next book.
I’m so glad a discovered this series. The writing is great. The world and characters are wonderful. The first two books have resolved one of the mysteries but what will happen next? I’m looking forward to the next book.
April 26, 2026
Just as good as the first.
Brilliant series. I love the idea behind the story - I've always thought that maps were slightly magical , but this carries it to a logical conclusion. I can't wait for the next one.
Brilliant series. I love the idea behind the story - I've always thought that maps were slightly magical , but this carries it to a logical conclusion. I can't wait for the next one.
May 15, 2026
So good I forgive the cliff hanger
Exciting story! Bish is coming into her own, but what that will be is yet to be determined. A great story of magic, time travel, police work, mysteries and yes murder. The setting is a town that is composed of its history.
Exciting story! Bish is coming into her own, but what that will be is yet to be determined. A great story of magic, time travel, police work, mysteries and yes murder. The setting is a town that is composed of its history.
July 29, 2026
This book picks up pretty soon after the first one ends with Bish returning to Norwich in her new ambassador role. There is a smuggling ring to investigate, a murder, and her own life is put in danger.
These books are written in a way that you can fly through them (or I do, at least).
Every character is so well-done you get a sense of their personality within a few lines. I don't think I could pick a favorite character. Also, the setting of Norwich is like a character itself.
These books are written in a way that you can fly through them (or I do, at least).
Every character is so well-done you get a sense of their personality within a few lines. I don't think I could pick a favorite character. Also, the setting of Norwich is like a character itself.
December 27, 2025
I can’t wait for book nr 3!!! Brilliant.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Fantastic, once again left wanting more.
March 27, 2026
Murder and Magic
A really enjoyable return to the Norwich of Flint in the Bones that leaves you wanting more. Read it all in one go.
A really enjoyable return to the Norwich of Flint in the Bones that leaves you wanting more. Read it all in one go.
March 27, 2026
loved this. fab sequel and sets up the next book perfectly! really hope there is a third!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 42 reviews