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The Broken Queen of Hearts: A Noir Alice in Wonderland Story
Ace Heart is haunted years after he escaped his role as executioner for the Queen of Hearts. But now, on this side of the rabbit hole, he scratches out a living as a police detective assigned to the Looking Glass Unit. When the Unicorn turns up dead, he is called in to work the case alongside a human partner with a sore spot for flat-men.
Detective Jack Thompson and Ace have a history of trading cheap shots, and both are itching for an excuse to boil over. With hatchets swinging and heads rolling, they'll have to put aside personal quarrels and past demons to uncover the truth behind the killings. But no matter the outcome, one thing is for sure—this ain't Wonderland.
If you enjoy lighthearted fantasy mashed together with hard-boiled mysteries, you'll love this action-packed Wonderland noir.
Detective Jack Thompson and Ace have a history of trading cheap shots, and both are itching for an excuse to boil over. With hatchets swinging and heads rolling, they'll have to put aside personal quarrels and past demons to uncover the truth behind the killings. But no matter the outcome, one thing is for sure—this ain't Wonderland.
If you enjoy lighthearted fantasy mashed together with hard-boiled mysteries, you'll love this action-packed Wonderland noir.
58 pages, Kindle Edition
Published October 22, 2025
1 person is currently reading
5 people want to read
About the author
Hamilton Kohl
4 books3 followersHamilton Kohl is the very definition of average. He is neither particularly big nor small. He has a not-very-exciting day job which involves things like cubicles and meetings. He lives in a middle-class, middle-of-the-road subdivision with his family just outside Toronto, Canada. He writes when he can, and the fruits of those efforts are best described as okay, passably competent, and good enough, but also pretty fun, too.
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
November 27, 2025
I was provided a copy of this book as an ARC reader, and this is my honest review.
I’ll start by admitting that I wasn’t very familiar with noir storytelling before this, but I was pleasantly surprised by how much I enjoyed it. As a massive Alice in Wonderland fan, the synopsis immediately caught my attention, and this reimagined noir twist felt refreshing and creative.
Even though the genre leans dark, Hamilton Kohl’s writing style is incredibly easy to read. The tone stays light thanks to the sheer number of puns — I don’t think I’ve ever encountered so many within 51 pages, and I mean that in the best way. The humor keeps the story engaging, amusing, and wonderfully quick to devour.
The characters pulled me in right away, and I constantly wanted to know what would happen next. It’s the kind of short story you can finish in one sitting and still think about afterward.
If you’re looking for a brief, entertaining read filled with clever wordplay and a fun noir take on Wonderland, this is definitely for you. I’ll happily read more stories from this author in the future.
I’ll start by admitting that I wasn’t very familiar with noir storytelling before this, but I was pleasantly surprised by how much I enjoyed it. As a massive Alice in Wonderland fan, the synopsis immediately caught my attention, and this reimagined noir twist felt refreshing and creative.
Even though the genre leans dark, Hamilton Kohl’s writing style is incredibly easy to read. The tone stays light thanks to the sheer number of puns — I don’t think I’ve ever encountered so many within 51 pages, and I mean that in the best way. The humor keeps the story engaging, amusing, and wonderfully quick to devour.
The characters pulled me in right away, and I constantly wanted to know what would happen next. It’s the kind of short story you can finish in one sitting and still think about afterward.
If you’re looking for a brief, entertaining read filled with clever wordplay and a fun noir take on Wonderland, this is definitely for you. I’ll happily read more stories from this author in the future.
January 29, 2026
Imagine if Alice in Wonderland walked into a smoky bar, ordered a whiskey, and started solving crimes. That is basically this book.
It’s a "Wonderland Noir," which is a genre mashup I didn't know I needed until right now. It’s got all the surreal, trippy elements you expect, but wrapped in a gritty detective trench coat.
Be warned (or delighted): This book is punny. Very punny. If you groan at wordplay, you might have a rough time, but if you appreciate a good dad joke or a clever twist of phrase, you are going to have a ball.
It’s clever, it’s stylish, and it’s a lot of fun.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
It’s a "Wonderland Noir," which is a genre mashup I didn't know I needed until right now. It’s got all the surreal, trippy elements you expect, but wrapped in a gritty detective trench coat.
Be warned (or delighted): This book is punny. Very punny. If you groan at wordplay, you might have a rough time, but if you appreciate a good dad joke or a clever twist of phrase, you are going to have a ball.
It’s clever, it’s stylish, and it’s a lot of fun.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
November 29, 2025
I absolutely loved "The Broken Queen of Hearts" by Hamilton Kohl—it's a clever, gritty twist on Alice in Wonderland that had me hooked from the first page. As a fan of noir detective stories, I was thrilled to see the whimsical world of Wonderland reimagined as a dark, shadowy underbelly where playing cards are tough-as-nails gumshoes and the Queen of Hearts rules with an iron fist (and a penchant for offing heads). The protagonist, Ace of Hearts, is a standout—a jaded ex-enforcer turned homicide detective who's equal parts hard-boiled charm and haunted regret, navigating a case involving a severed unicorn head and a deck stacked with suspects.
Kohl's writing is sharp and atmospheric, blending the absurdity of Wonderland's lore with classic noir tropes like shadowy precincts, wise-cracking partners, and moral gray areas. The pacing keeps you turning pages, with twists that play on familiar characters in unexpected ways—think a deranged Lorina channeling her inner Queen, or a looking-glass trap that feels both magical and menacing. I appreciated the nods to the original tale without it feeling like a cheap retelling; instead, it's a fresh adventure that stands on its own.
If you're into urban fantasy with a pulp edge or just want a fun, fast read that subverts expectations, this is a gem. I finished it in a couple of sittings and immediately wanted more from this universe. Highly recommend—five stars!
Kohl's writing is sharp and atmospheric, blending the absurdity of Wonderland's lore with classic noir tropes like shadowy precincts, wise-cracking partners, and moral gray areas. The pacing keeps you turning pages, with twists that play on familiar characters in unexpected ways—think a deranged Lorina channeling her inner Queen, or a looking-glass trap that feels both magical and menacing. I appreciated the nods to the original tale without it feeling like a cheap retelling; instead, it's a fresh adventure that stands on its own.
If you're into urban fantasy with a pulp edge or just want a fun, fast read that subverts expectations, this is a gem. I finished it in a couple of sittings and immediately wanted more from this universe. Highly recommend—five stars!
January 1, 2026
A clever bit of genre parody and genre mashup. As a fan of noir and Lewis Carrol’s fantastical “Alice” works this was a definite “want to read” as soon as I discovered it.
What makes noir for me is the stereotypical characteristics such as the bleak tone, antihero protagonists, and just the acceptance of the existence of a world full of blatant crime and violence. Now imagine Alice’s wonderland as this sort of world. It’s not that far fetched when you think of the psycho queen who rules it and her love for recreational beheadings.
I especially enjoy the subgenre of noir that's campy and self-aware. "The Queen of Broken Hearts" has it all, in spades. And clubs. And hearts. And...anyway. Yes, it's full of easy puns and silly turns of phrase which I enjoyed.
If you've ever wondered how the Queen of Hearts managed to recruit her minions or about the true lives of "rabbit-holers", or the possibility of further travel between worlds, Kohl has given us a gritty look at it all through the investigative experience of an executioner-turned-detective, trying to make his way in his new career as an honest investigator.
(I was slightly surprised the author chose to use some American terminology when I might’ve expected a bit more British vocabulary, but I guess Lewis Carrol never specifically stated Wonderland was part of the commonwealth.)
All in all, a clever and pleasant evening's read. Thanks for the ARC.
What makes noir for me is the stereotypical characteristics such as the bleak tone, antihero protagonists, and just the acceptance of the existence of a world full of blatant crime and violence. Now imagine Alice’s wonderland as this sort of world. It’s not that far fetched when you think of the psycho queen who rules it and her love for recreational beheadings.
I especially enjoy the subgenre of noir that's campy and self-aware. "The Queen of Broken Hearts" has it all, in spades. And clubs. And hearts. And...anyway. Yes, it's full of easy puns and silly turns of phrase which I enjoyed.
If you've ever wondered how the Queen of Hearts managed to recruit her minions or about the true lives of "rabbit-holers", or the possibility of further travel between worlds, Kohl has given us a gritty look at it all through the investigative experience of an executioner-turned-detective, trying to make his way in his new career as an honest investigator.
(I was slightly surprised the author chose to use some American terminology when I might’ve expected a bit more British vocabulary, but I guess Lewis Carrol never specifically stated Wonderland was part of the commonwealth.)
All in all, a clever and pleasant evening's read. Thanks for the ARC.
November 4, 2025
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I wanted to stop reading this in the first 2 chapters, which is not great for something that's only 52 pages long. I gave it the courtesy of finishing so I could review it in it's entirety.
I was intrigued by the idea, made me think of 'Who Framed Roger Rabbit' but this, sadly, is not as well written.
I understand the idea is to emulate the noir detective stories but it feels like 52 pages of tired puns. I could have taken it if it was just the first few pages to set the feel of the world and let you imagine what the world and the people in it look like, but it was just too corny and a little ham fisted. I'd find a paragraph or two that was just nicely written and really start to get invested, then immediately end up rolling my eyes at another card pun or some corny 'noir detective' dialogue.
It does not inspire me to look for more of the author's work, which is genuinely a shame as I do usually really enjoy these mashup type fantasy stories.
It gets 2 stars for the concept.
I wanted to stop reading this in the first 2 chapters, which is not great for something that's only 52 pages long. I gave it the courtesy of finishing so I could review it in it's entirety.
I was intrigued by the idea, made me think of 'Who Framed Roger Rabbit' but this, sadly, is not as well written.
I understand the idea is to emulate the noir detective stories but it feels like 52 pages of tired puns. I could have taken it if it was just the first few pages to set the feel of the world and let you imagine what the world and the people in it look like, but it was just too corny and a little ham fisted. I'd find a paragraph or two that was just nicely written and really start to get invested, then immediately end up rolling my eyes at another card pun or some corny 'noir detective' dialogue.
It does not inspire me to look for more of the author's work, which is genuinely a shame as I do usually really enjoy these mashup type fantasy stories.
It gets 2 stars for the concept.
November 3, 2025
★★★☆☆ — “Sin City fell down the rabbit hole, and now everyone’s chain-smoking metaphors.”
I’ll give the author this: The Broken Queen of Hearts has guts. Turning Alice in Wonderland into a gritty detective noir is a wild idea, and for the most part, it works. The world is smoky, strange, and oddly charming. The tone sits somewhere between Sin City and a late-night fanfic written after one too many espressos, which, frankly, is part of its charm.
That said, the writing sometimes feels like it’s auditioning for a trench-coat commercial. Every line tries to sound like it’s narrating over a saxophone solo. It’s clever, but it knows it’s clever, and that self-awareness occasionally drags the story down. Still, the premise is solid, the mystery holds, and there’s real imagination buried under the cigarette ash and overuse of noir slang.
It just needs an editor with a machete and a sense of humour.
Verdict: Good bones, fun concept, but the writing’s trying too hard to be cool. With a bit more polish, this deck of cards could really deal itself a winning hand…see the pun there…I’ll stick to reviews, not joke writing.
I’ll give the author this: The Broken Queen of Hearts has guts. Turning Alice in Wonderland into a gritty detective noir is a wild idea, and for the most part, it works. The world is smoky, strange, and oddly charming. The tone sits somewhere between Sin City and a late-night fanfic written after one too many espressos, which, frankly, is part of its charm.
That said, the writing sometimes feels like it’s auditioning for a trench-coat commercial. Every line tries to sound like it’s narrating over a saxophone solo. It’s clever, but it knows it’s clever, and that self-awareness occasionally drags the story down. Still, the premise is solid, the mystery holds, and there’s real imagination buried under the cigarette ash and overuse of noir slang.
It just needs an editor with a machete and a sense of humour.
Verdict: Good bones, fun concept, but the writing’s trying too hard to be cool. With a bit more polish, this deck of cards could really deal itself a winning hand…see the pun there…I’ll stick to reviews, not joke writing.
January 17, 2026
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Perfect book for Alice in Wonderland fans wanting something new. Haven’t just reread Gregorio Maguire’a After Alice and feeling a little let down this was exactly what I needed. What you get is a detective story told from one playing card agent who is paired up with a human to investigate AIW characters being murdered in the real world. Grandpa Peter Falk as my head narrator and some fictional sax started the book off in my mind. The story is short and sweet like Rose’s dress moving from one scene to the next without a lot of unnecessary fluff. As any good detective novel would have there are a few personal flashbacks that gives a little character. There are some good puns and wit, little mystery, and no loose ends.
Perfect book for Alice in Wonderland fans wanting something new. Haven’t just reread Gregorio Maguire’a After Alice and feeling a little let down this was exactly what I needed. What you get is a detective story told from one playing card agent who is paired up with a human to investigate AIW characters being murdered in the real world. Grandpa Peter Falk as my head narrator and some fictional sax started the book off in my mind. The story is short and sweet like Rose’s dress moving from one scene to the next without a lot of unnecessary fluff. As any good detective novel would have there are a few personal flashbacks that gives a little character. There are some good puns and wit, little mystery, and no loose ends.
December 5, 2025
This was different. Overall, I enjoyed it though. I love Alice's Adventures in Wonderland in all its forms. It took some adjusting to the world building here and I'm not entirely sure I grasped all of the thought and depth that went into it. A longer novel or expanded series might help a reader truly understand the nuances. It also took me some time to get into it for this reason, but once i got into it, I really enjoyed it and it was a quick read.
I recommend this for someone who has 30 minutes to kill to read in one setting. It was a great plot and very interesting how it's set up and the ties to Alice in Wonderland. I'd be interested to see where this goes.
I received an ARC of this novella and am posting my honest review.
I recommend this for someone who has 30 minutes to kill to read in one setting. It was a great plot and very interesting how it's set up and the ties to Alice in Wonderland. I'd be interested to see where this goes.
I received an ARC of this novella and am posting my honest review.
January 25, 2026
It’s a fast paced noir mystery with a very nice Alice in Wonderland spin, exactly what it says on the tin. The mystery suffers a little for the short page count as it moves quickly to get to the finale, but there’s an enjoyable cast of characters to greet the mismatched pair of detectives, a card soldier and a human detective confused for a fairytale Jack at every turn. That was an addition I really enjoyed, the blending of fairytale elements with a gritty noir police procedural.
Thank you to the author and BookSirens for the ARC.
Thank you to the author and BookSirens for the ARC.
November 24, 2025
As a fan of both Alice in Wonderland and crime noir, the thought of a noir Alice in Wonderland short story was intriguing. This short has a good story that perfectly fits the noir genre with familiar characters. It reminded me of the crime noir films of the 40's I've watched. I could see this as a full length novel with more world building, but it works as is within the page constraints of a short story.
I received an advance review copy for free and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I received an advance review copy for free and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
October 31, 2025
A detective story that takes place after the events of Alice in Wonderland? Yes, please! It’s a fun short story that leaves you wondering about what’s next for the bantering detective duo. Absolutely worth the read.
*Received an advance review copy in exchange for an honest review.
*Received an advance review copy in exchange for an honest review.
December 26, 2025
Great short story. Alice in Wonderland with a twist that is in the real world. A broken queen, an ACE that has started a life in public service.
Fun, action packed, and banter. Warning, a unicorn is harmed in this book.
Fun, action packed, and banter. Warning, a unicorn is harmed in this book.
October 25, 2025
A fast-paced and immersive detective story you'll fall right in and enjoy. The banter is quick and spot on. A fun read for anyone who likes their fairy tales with a bit of kick (or hatchet swipe?).
November 16, 2025
I liked this—it was cute, and a welcoming read. Something that was digestible after a mentally draining day.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews