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Where Memories Lie
One fractured partnership stands in the way of a magical conspiracy that threatens the system holding society together.
Elias Sinclair's memory magic has never lied to him. Until the night it did, and seven agents died in an explosion he should have seen coming. His partner Alex Sutton nearly died protecting him from the blast. Convinced his magic can't be trusted, Elias requested reassignment before Alex could ask the questions he couldn't answer.
Alex Sutton doesn’t take partners anymore. His combat magic and six-year partnership with Elias made them one of the most effective teams in the Bureau, until Elias walked away without explanation. He’s moved on. Or so he tells himself.
When infrastructure attacks begin tearing through Chicago, the Bureau forces them back together. The attackers aren't terrorists—they're ordinary people whose perceptions have been manipulated into seeing threats that don't exist, turned into weapons who die the moment they're used. Someone wants magic users to believe they're under attack. Someone wants them to fight back and seize control.
As the body count rises and the city fractures along magical lines, Elias and Alex are hunting an enemy with access to magic that shouldn't exist. The kind that can rewrite what people believe is real. As the city edges toward panic and buried secrets resurface, survival may depend on whether they can trust each other—and their magic—again.
Where Memories Lie i is an urban fantasy thriller about broken friendships, weaponized memory, and the dangerous ties between magic and power.
Elias Sinclair's memory magic has never lied to him. Until the night it did, and seven agents died in an explosion he should have seen coming. His partner Alex Sutton nearly died protecting him from the blast. Convinced his magic can't be trusted, Elias requested reassignment before Alex could ask the questions he couldn't answer.
Alex Sutton doesn’t take partners anymore. His combat magic and six-year partnership with Elias made them one of the most effective teams in the Bureau, until Elias walked away without explanation. He’s moved on. Or so he tells himself.
When infrastructure attacks begin tearing through Chicago, the Bureau forces them back together. The attackers aren't terrorists—they're ordinary people whose perceptions have been manipulated into seeing threats that don't exist, turned into weapons who die the moment they're used. Someone wants magic users to believe they're under attack. Someone wants them to fight back and seize control.
As the body count rises and the city fractures along magical lines, Elias and Alex are hunting an enemy with access to magic that shouldn't exist. The kind that can rewrite what people believe is real. As the city edges toward panic and buried secrets resurface, survival may depend on whether they can trust each other—and their magic—again.
Where Memories Lie i is an urban fantasy thriller about broken friendships, weaponized memory, and the dangerous ties between magic and power.
316 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 29, 2025
7 people are currently reading
7 people want to read
About the author
Irene Lee
1 book3 followersIrene has been immersed in fantasy since childhood. She writes stories where magic weaves through everyday life. Her travels around the world convinced her that the mysterious lingers in every city.
She continues to explore new places with her husband and suspects airports are just poorly operated portals to new worlds.
She continues to explore new places with her husband and suspects airports are just poorly operated portals to new worlds.
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
October 3, 2025
This was an ARC read for me.
Although this isn't a genre that I normally lean toward--my dang pragmatic brain--I found I enjoyed the read from this new author. Alex and Elias are likeable characters that you can't help but cheer for. Looking forward to the next book in the series.
Although this isn't a genre that I normally lean toward--my dang pragmatic brain--I found I enjoyed the read from this new author. Alex and Elias are likeable characters that you can't help but cheer for. Looking forward to the next book in the series.
October 12, 2025
LOVE THIS! This is the 1st book I have read by this author, and I look forward to reading more. First, go look at the Amazon description. There are images for some of the characters that I wish I had seen before I started reading (just to enhance the experience). The author did a great job of world-building and developing the characters’ relationships. It starts right in the thick of things and very quickly draws you in. I felt pulled into a world of magic that felt both vivid and emotionally real. What stood out to me the most was the emotional depth between the characters. Their connections—whether filled with tension, affection, or regret—felt authentic and evolved naturally as the story progressed. I appreciated that the relationships weren’t perfect; they reflected the kind of messy, complicated bonds that make people feel real. The plot itself isn’t your usual recipe—it doesn’t rely on predictable twists or overused tropes. I did not see the twist coming. The story unfolds with quiet intensity, keeping you turning pages not just to see what happens next, but to understand the why behind it all. This is a "clean" book (no spicy/romance).
October 21, 2025
I just finished Where Memories lie by Irene Lee and here are my musings.. You can also find her author interview with yours truly at
https://open.spotify.com/episode/5zVI...
FBI special Agent Alex Sutton is a combat magic specialist and he was at the peak of his career when he was partnered with Alias Sinclair… A memory specialist but 18 months ago an accident Elias feels responsible for, fractured their friendship and neither of them have found their professional footing since.
That is until a magical terrorist attack brings them back together.. Secrets they didn’t know were hidden in history and a group who knows all about them… And how to create maximum fear in a city the agents call home.
I have to admit… I didn’t realize I was an urban fantasy reader until I read this book. I absolutely fell in love with the idea of magic in the real world and having a department within a 3 letter agency we all have heard of.
The title is chef’s kiss PERFECTION! It teased me enough to be excited but didn’t give the story away. Brilliant!
Anyone who knows me, knows I need a character to connect to… In walks Alex! He is brilliant! I love how his character was the exact balance to what Elias needs all the way through the book. I have to say that I didn’t agree with him waiting and giving Elias space because I wouldn’t have! I really loved their brotherhood and it was actually so refreshing for the relationship in a book wasn’t full of romance and drama but a friendship that was knocked down but came back in a really authentic way.
I also think that mashing up genres might be my very new favorite book genre! The lines were blurred and it was done with utter attention to detail. Nothing was done by accident and you will be sucked right into a world you won’t be able to help loving.
I never say books will make great movies or shows because it's not true but I could see this book playing out as a great TV show… Think X-files, Supernatural… The world was laid out realistically and I loved how well the magic was explained but it will leave you with just enough of a tease to have you panting for book 2.
It was brilliantly done!
I highly recommend it!
5 stars.. Yep you heard me… 5 stars!
Thank you @authorirenelee for trusting me with your wonderful book! You can find this book on kindle unlimited or paperback at https://amzn.to/3WkfNfJ
October 24, 2025
Okay, WOW. This book had me hooked from the first line, “Memory is the crime scene.” Like, excuse me? What a killer start! Irene Lee throws us straight into a world where memories can literally kill, magic is messy, and trust issues could power a whole city.
Elias and Alexander? Whew. These two ex-partners are walking emotional disasters, and I loved every second of their chaos. Elias Sinclair has memory magic, powerful, but unstable. One mistake cost seven lives, and he’s been running from it ever since (Some failures couldn't be repaired) His old partner, Alexander Sutton, barely survived that night and has been pretending he’s fine (spoiler: he’s not)
Now, Chicago is being torn apart by coordinated magical attacks, and guess who the Bureau forces back together? Yep. Elias and Alexander. The worldbuilding is so detailed you can almost see the magic humming under the city lights. And the writing? Sharp, emotional, and just the right amount of dark.
Also, can we talk about the chapter quotes? Absolute perfection. They hit hard, set the mood, and make you stop and think. And the dedication? Straight to the heart. Irene Lee knew exactly what she was doing.
Elias and Alexander? Whew. These two ex-partners are walking emotional disasters, and I loved every second of their chaos. Elias Sinclair has memory magic, powerful, but unstable. One mistake cost seven lives, and he’s been running from it ever since (Some failures couldn't be repaired) His old partner, Alexander Sutton, barely survived that night and has been pretending he’s fine (spoiler: he’s not)
Now, Chicago is being torn apart by coordinated magical attacks, and guess who the Bureau forces back together? Yep. Elias and Alexander. The worldbuilding is so detailed you can almost see the magic humming under the city lights. And the writing? Sharp, emotional, and just the right amount of dark.
Also, can we talk about the chapter quotes? Absolute perfection. They hit hard, set the mood, and make you stop and think. And the dedication? Straight to the heart. Irene Lee knew exactly what she was doing.
November 10, 2025
✨️ARC REVIEW✨️
"That's what friends do, Elias. We anchor each other when the world gets too chaotic to handle alone."
WOW! This was INCREDIBLE! I want to thank The Authors Archive for this arc opportunity, I'm so glad I signed up for this one. 🫶🏻
The world-building? MESMERIZING!
The character development? PHENOMENAL!
The story itself? UNLIKE ANYTHING IVE EVER READ!
It completely caught me off guard in the best way. Unpredictable, deep, the pacing was just right, and it was impossible to put down. I found the whole concept so fascinating! It very rarely happens, but this book has officially been added to the small list of books I have read that play out like a movie in my mind.
What I especially loved was how refreshing it felt to step away from the usual romance tropes and follow a story of two male best friends who have weathered so much together. The evolution of Alex and Elias felt so real, yes sometimes a chaotic mess but always real. I could feel their emotions, every bit of the tension, and the power of friendship that pulled them together.
This book got under my skin, and it lives within me now, and I'm so excited to see what's to come in this series.
"That's what friends do, Elias. We anchor each other when the world gets too chaotic to handle alone."
WOW! This was INCREDIBLE! I want to thank The Authors Archive for this arc opportunity, I'm so glad I signed up for this one. 🫶🏻
The world-building? MESMERIZING!
The character development? PHENOMENAL!
The story itself? UNLIKE ANYTHING IVE EVER READ!
It completely caught me off guard in the best way. Unpredictable, deep, the pacing was just right, and it was impossible to put down. I found the whole concept so fascinating! It very rarely happens, but this book has officially been added to the small list of books I have read that play out like a movie in my mind.
What I especially loved was how refreshing it felt to step away from the usual romance tropes and follow a story of two male best friends who have weathered so much together. The evolution of Alex and Elias felt so real, yes sometimes a chaotic mess but always real. I could feel their emotions, every bit of the tension, and the power of friendship that pulled them together.
This book got under my skin, and it lives within me now, and I'm so excited to see what's to come in this series.
October 31, 2025
4.5/5 ⭐️
Where Memories Lie is an action packed urban fantasy thriller set in Chicago.
While outside of what I normally read, I absolutely loved it. Alex and Elias are such interesting characters to get to know as the story progresses. The only reason this isn’t a 5 star rating is because I feel like in some instances, the story would have benefited from being a little more emotional, especially when Alex and Elias were talking through their issues.
The plot in this book was so well done. Every time I thought I knew what was going to happen, I was very quickly proven wrong and I love when that happens. The ending was phenomenal.
This is a well written debut from Irene Lee that reads like you’re watching your favourite cop show on TV and I highly recommend it.
Where Memories Lie is an action packed urban fantasy thriller set in Chicago.
While outside of what I normally read, I absolutely loved it. Alex and Elias are such interesting characters to get to know as the story progresses. The only reason this isn’t a 5 star rating is because I feel like in some instances, the story would have benefited from being a little more emotional, especially when Alex and Elias were talking through their issues.
The plot in this book was so well done. Every time I thought I knew what was going to happen, I was very quickly proven wrong and I love when that happens. The ending was phenomenal.
This is a well written debut from Irene Lee that reads like you’re watching your favourite cop show on TV and I highly recommend it.
October 31, 2025
Where Memories Lie by Irene Lee is a gripping urban fantasy that masterfully blends mystery, emotion, and magic. The story follows Special Agents Elias Sinclair and Alexander Sutton, two broken partners forced to reunite after a wave of magical terrorism threatens Chicago. Their fractured friendship, haunted by guilt and loss, adds powerful emotional depth to the fast-paced plot. Lee’s worldbuilding is rich and immersive, filled with clever twists and an inventive system of memory-based magic. Suspenseful, heartfelt, and full of tension, this novel explores redemption, trust, and the cost of power. A must-read for fans of character-driven fantasy.
November 21, 2025
Memory is the crime scene.
Magic is the weapon.
One fractured partnership stands in the way of a magical conspiracy that threatens the system holding society together.
Where Memories Lie is an urban fantasy thriller about broken friendships, weaponized memory, and the dangerous ties between magic and power.
In a world of both magic and non-magic people, FBI Special Agents Sutton and Sinclaire must work together to hunt for magical terrorists, before society as they know it is plunged into chaos and citizens turned against each other.
This was an exciting story with likeable characters and unexpected plot twists, I will definitely read more of Irene’s work!
Magic is the weapon.
One fractured partnership stands in the way of a magical conspiracy that threatens the system holding society together.
Where Memories Lie is an urban fantasy thriller about broken friendships, weaponized memory, and the dangerous ties between magic and power.
In a world of both magic and non-magic people, FBI Special Agents Sutton and Sinclaire must work together to hunt for magical terrorists, before society as they know it is plunged into chaos and citizens turned against each other.
This was an exciting story with likeable characters and unexpected plot twists, I will definitely read more of Irene’s work!
October 15, 2025
Fantastic just fantastic. A magical mystery thriller I throughly enjoyed every turn of the page. At one point I was like no no no you can’t do that to those characters and then wow what a plot twist I was blown away. I am so looking forward to reading more in this series. Thank you Irene for such a great book.
I received this as an ARC from the author and this is my honest opinion.
Irene Lee
I received this as an ARC from the author and this is my honest opinion.
Irene Lee
October 14, 2025
The perfect mix of mystery, thriller, and just the right touch of magic. If you’re looking for something that pulls you in and won’t let go, this is it. The found family dynamic is beautiful, the tension builds perfectly, and once you hit chapter 4—it’s on. By chapter 10, I was straight-up gasping. It’s a slow burn at first, but the payoff is so worth it.
October 29, 2025
Where Memories Lie is an urban fantasy thriller, and I loved every second of it.
Its not my normal genre, but it definitely delivered a storyline that was unique, characters that are relatable and ultimately a book that was highly enjoyable.
I will definitely be diving i to book 2.
Its not my normal genre, but it definitely delivered a storyline that was unique, characters that are relatable and ultimately a book that was highly enjoyable.
I will definitely be diving i to book 2.
November 24, 2025
ARC
Irene's Book Where Memories Lie had me hooked from the get go!
The combination of memories, magic, friendship and plot twists just kept me on my toes!
This is a must read! Looking forward to exploring more of Irene Lees writing!
Irene's Book Where Memories Lie had me hooked from the get go!
The combination of memories, magic, friendship and plot twists just kept me on my toes!
This is a must read! Looking forward to exploring more of Irene Lees writing!
November 24, 2025
The title of this book had me hooked from the beginning. I wasn’t sure what to think but this incredible story didn’t let me down. Irene Lee is a creative and captivating author. I can’t wait for the next book in this series!!
October 29, 2025
It's always so disappointing when a book catches your eye, and you read the sample to decide if you want to actually buy it, only for it to reveal itself as AI slop.
November 27, 2025
Thank you to Irene Lee for allowing me to read an eARC of Where Memories Lie. These opinions are my own!
Crime solving meets fantasy in this epic murder mystery. It's the detective duo you didn't know you needed!!
I loved the unique magic, the found family and friendship and loyalty.
#wherememorieslie #crimeandmagic #friendship #loyalty #detectives #murdermystery
Crime solving meets fantasy in this epic murder mystery. It's the detective duo you didn't know you needed!!
I loved the unique magic, the found family and friendship and loyalty.
#wherememorieslie #crimeandmagic #friendship #loyalty #detectives #murdermystery
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews