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The Trials of Irody Hasp #1
Mortedant's Peril
Irody can speak to the dead.
But the living want him silenced.
Mortedants can speak to the dead – and Irody Hasp is the greatest of them. Not that they’ll admit it. And not that anyone actually likes the Mortedants, or Irody in particular.
Nonetheless, Elbay is a city of tradition, and tradition calls for Mortedants to attend a death. But when Irody reads the corpse of a low-level worker, he’s dragged into a conspiracy that will see those closest to him murdered and Irody framed for the crime, the eyes of the city’s guilds, nobles and villains all fixed on him.
With only days to prove his innocence before his execution, Irody is forced to work with unlikely and unwanted a street urchin and a hulking, inhuman mercenary from the sea people’s city of Oknosuka. With danger and death lurking round every corner, and trust a luxury, Irody is running out of time. He must save himself and his friends as well as Elbay – the magnificent, terrifying, complicated city that he loves. Or darkness will fall on them all.
But the living want him silenced.
Mortedants can speak to the dead – and Irody Hasp is the greatest of them. Not that they’ll admit it. And not that anyone actually likes the Mortedants, or Irody in particular.
Nonetheless, Elbay is a city of tradition, and tradition calls for Mortedants to attend a death. But when Irody reads the corpse of a low-level worker, he’s dragged into a conspiracy that will see those closest to him murdered and Irody framed for the crime, the eyes of the city’s guilds, nobles and villains all fixed on him.
With only days to prove his innocence before his execution, Irody is forced to work with unlikely and unwanted a street urchin and a hulking, inhuman mercenary from the sea people’s city of Oknosuka. With danger and death lurking round every corner, and trust a luxury, Irody is running out of time. He must save himself and his friends as well as Elbay – the magnificent, terrifying, complicated city that he loves. Or darkness will fall on them all.
16 pages, Audible Audio
First published May 19, 2026
About the author
R.J. Barker
27 books1,874 followersLibrarian Note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.
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March 15, 2026
Mortedant’s Peril by RJ Barker weaves a deft tale of mystery and corruption, set in a strangely wondrous world, where three unlikely heroes band together to unravel a dark plot before it’s too late.
Irody Hasp, as a Mortedant, can see and read a deceased last thoughts and moments before their death. This is a thankless and lowly paid job but Hasp takes his abilities seriously and is highly skilled among his peers. Yet when Hasp is accused of murder he faces execution unless he can prove his innocence. Who is framing him and worse still who is trying to kill him too?
It was so refreshing to have such an obviously prejudiced and flawed character like Hasp and still find him likeable and endearing. Hasp isn’t cruel nor mean spirited but he does look down upon those of lower status and non human races. His talents as a Mortedant are under appreciated and he’s always given the jobs that no one else will take all because of some past discrepancy involving his family. Essentially he is ridiculed by his peers and he himself is looked down upon. Yet Hasp’s growth is phenomenally crafted. Barker gives a subtle gradual change to his character, his views of others alter as he learns more about them and as his knowledge and experiences broaden. He begins to treat those closest to him with more respect and by the end he even puts others before himself, which was something he would never have done at the beginning of the novel. This makes him a sympathetic character to root for.
Barker gives us some fantastic side characters too with Whisper, an Oster guard and Mirial, a street urchin. What I loved about Whisper’s non human race was that they seemed quite spiritual and in tune with the sea and nature. Her native language was quite melodic and had such beautiful meaning behind it. Despite everybody’s trepidation of her, she could see the good in people and readily gave them her loyalty and that’s what I loved most about Whisper. Mirial had the capability of being an overly defiant immature street urchin, but Barker shapes her much more clever than that, he makes her perceptive and strong willed but also eager to learn. Together they all formed such a fantastic friendship.
Of course Barker immerses us into such a fascinating world. The tiered city of Elbay is divided into rings with the lower ones being for the poor and the highest being for the rich. Further divisions are included as there are sectors for the Worshippers who follow the creed of the Howling Lord, the Spurriers who bring spiritform to life and the Mortedants. Barker’s prose vividly brings this city to life with all its oddities and wonder. Every nugget of information built up the world fantastically. It’s not a city I’d ever want to live in, but it was one I enjoyed reading about!
Barker’s signature inventive style and his heartfelt storytelling really shines in this novel. I absolutely loved it and cannot wait to discover what’s in store in future installments.
Irody Hasp, as a Mortedant, can see and read a deceased last thoughts and moments before their death. This is a thankless and lowly paid job but Hasp takes his abilities seriously and is highly skilled among his peers. Yet when Hasp is accused of murder he faces execution unless he can prove his innocence. Who is framing him and worse still who is trying to kill him too?
It was so refreshing to have such an obviously prejudiced and flawed character like Hasp and still find him likeable and endearing. Hasp isn’t cruel nor mean spirited but he does look down upon those of lower status and non human races. His talents as a Mortedant are under appreciated and he’s always given the jobs that no one else will take all because of some past discrepancy involving his family. Essentially he is ridiculed by his peers and he himself is looked down upon. Yet Hasp’s growth is phenomenally crafted. Barker gives a subtle gradual change to his character, his views of others alter as he learns more about them and as his knowledge and experiences broaden. He begins to treat those closest to him with more respect and by the end he even puts others before himself, which was something he would never have done at the beginning of the novel. This makes him a sympathetic character to root for.
Barker gives us some fantastic side characters too with Whisper, an Oster guard and Mirial, a street urchin. What I loved about Whisper’s non human race was that they seemed quite spiritual and in tune with the sea and nature. Her native language was quite melodic and had such beautiful meaning behind it. Despite everybody’s trepidation of her, she could see the good in people and readily gave them her loyalty and that’s what I loved most about Whisper. Mirial had the capability of being an overly defiant immature street urchin, but Barker shapes her much more clever than that, he makes her perceptive and strong willed but also eager to learn. Together they all formed such a fantastic friendship.
Of course Barker immerses us into such a fascinating world. The tiered city of Elbay is divided into rings with the lower ones being for the poor and the highest being for the rich. Further divisions are included as there are sectors for the Worshippers who follow the creed of the Howling Lord, the Spurriers who bring spiritform to life and the Mortedants. Barker’s prose vividly brings this city to life with all its oddities and wonder. Every nugget of information built up the world fantastically. It’s not a city I’d ever want to live in, but it was one I enjoyed reading about!
Barker’s signature inventive style and his heartfelt storytelling really shines in this novel. I absolutely loved it and cannot wait to discover what’s in store in future installments.
Want to Read
August 19, 2025I was sold at "a city of ancient automata, strange spirits, and sleeping gods."
April 19, 2026
Mortedant’s Peril by R. J. Barker is a vividly imaginative fantasy mystery that blends eerie magic, layered intrigue, and compelling character dynamics into a thoroughly engaging read.
Set in a strange and atmospheric city filled with ancient machines, lingering spirits, and slumbering gods, the story follows Irody Hasp, a death cleric whose role is to uncover the final memories of the deceased. His work is unsettling and widely disliked, leaving him isolated even within his own order. When a routine assignment spirals into chaos and his apprentice is murdered, suspicion turns toward Irody himself. Forced to clear his name, he is pulled into a dangerous investigation that exposes both the city’s corruption and its fragile balance.
This was my first experience with Barker’s writing, and it left a strong impression. The mystery is gripping and thoughtfully constructed, but what truly stands out is the cast of characters. The supporting ensemble feels lively and distinct, with a chemistry that makes every interaction enjoyable. Despite the high stakes, their contrasting personalities create moments of warmth and humor that almost evoke a found-family dynamic.
The setting is another highlight. The city feels richly imagined and unlike anything I have encountered before. The fusion of arcane elements with hints of technology can occasionally feel elusive, but it never detracts from the overall atmosphere. Instead, it adds to the sense of mystery and wonder that permeates the story.
Interestingly, Irody’s role as a reader of the dead’s memories takes more of a backseat than expected. The narrative leans more into the politics, bureaucracy, and interpersonal tensions within his order. While I would have loved to see more of his unique abilities in action, the focus on institutional dynamics still provides plenty of intrigue.
The pacing is excellent throughout. The story moves briskly without feeling rushed, and I was never bored. Every chapter adds something meaningful, whether it is a clue, a character moment, or a deeper look into the world.
I also experienced this as an audiobook narrated by Joe Eyre, whose performance adds an extra layer of enjoyment. His voice is pleasant and expressive, and he brings particular life to the side characters, enhancing their personalities and emotional beats.
If I had to draw comparisons, the mystery has a similar pull to The Tainted Cup, while the character dynamics echo the reluctant mentor relationships found in The Silverblood Promise. The unsettling concept of accessing the memories of the dead also brings to mind The Witness for the Dead. At the same time, Barker weaves these familiar elements into something that feels entirely fresh.
This has easily become one of my favorite reads of the year, and I am genuinely excited to explore more of Barker’s work.
I’m grateful to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for the opportunity to experience this book early and share my thoughts.
Set in a strange and atmospheric city filled with ancient machines, lingering spirits, and slumbering gods, the story follows Irody Hasp, a death cleric whose role is to uncover the final memories of the deceased. His work is unsettling and widely disliked, leaving him isolated even within his own order. When a routine assignment spirals into chaos and his apprentice is murdered, suspicion turns toward Irody himself. Forced to clear his name, he is pulled into a dangerous investigation that exposes both the city’s corruption and its fragile balance.
This was my first experience with Barker’s writing, and it left a strong impression. The mystery is gripping and thoughtfully constructed, but what truly stands out is the cast of characters. The supporting ensemble feels lively and distinct, with a chemistry that makes every interaction enjoyable. Despite the high stakes, their contrasting personalities create moments of warmth and humor that almost evoke a found-family dynamic.
The setting is another highlight. The city feels richly imagined and unlike anything I have encountered before. The fusion of arcane elements with hints of technology can occasionally feel elusive, but it never detracts from the overall atmosphere. Instead, it adds to the sense of mystery and wonder that permeates the story.
Interestingly, Irody’s role as a reader of the dead’s memories takes more of a backseat than expected. The narrative leans more into the politics, bureaucracy, and interpersonal tensions within his order. While I would have loved to see more of his unique abilities in action, the focus on institutional dynamics still provides plenty of intrigue.
The pacing is excellent throughout. The story moves briskly without feeling rushed, and I was never bored. Every chapter adds something meaningful, whether it is a clue, a character moment, or a deeper look into the world.
I also experienced this as an audiobook narrated by Joe Eyre, whose performance adds an extra layer of enjoyment. His voice is pleasant and expressive, and he brings particular life to the side characters, enhancing their personalities and emotional beats.
If I had to draw comparisons, the mystery has a similar pull to The Tainted Cup, while the character dynamics echo the reluctant mentor relationships found in The Silverblood Promise. The unsettling concept of accessing the memories of the dead also brings to mind The Witness for the Dead. At the same time, Barker weaves these familiar elements into something that feels entirely fresh.
This has easily become one of my favorite reads of the year, and I am genuinely excited to explore more of Barker’s work.
I’m grateful to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for the opportunity to experience this book early and share my thoughts.
June 7, 2026
2.5/5
The fantasy murder/mystery craze continues and it is good! The beginning was a little rough but it improved all the way until the end and I'll happily sign up for more of these. Though I hope sequels will do what Robert Jackson Bennett's ''Shadow of the Leviathan'' series does, explore different places. ''Elbay'' was a cool city but I'd rather see more of the world than another story set only there.
Don't be too put off by the protagonist. He's unlikable for a while but he grows nicely, and I think the book is better for it.
The fantasy murder/mystery craze continues and it is good! The beginning was a little rough but it improved all the way until the end and I'll happily sign up for more of these. Though I hope sequels will do what Robert Jackson Bennett's ''Shadow of the Leviathan'' series does, explore different places. ''Elbay'' was a cool city but I'd rather see more of the world than another story set only there.
Don't be too put off by the protagonist. He's unlikable for a while but he grows nicely, and I think the book is better for it.
April 22, 2026
Thank you Tor and MacMillan audio for the ARC and ALC!
I loved The Tainted Cup and A Drop of Corruption, so I was SUPER excited to dive into this one! It's very similar in a lot of ways--incredibly descriptive and detailed prose, murder mystery, reluctant her of it all, etc. But this one just didn't hit quite the same for me.
I started reading this one as the ARC and then transitioned to the audiobook and found that I enjoyed the audiobook a lot more than reading it. I think the narration was a bit slow--I was at around 2.5x speed, and there's a lot of random silence at the start and end of each chapter, but it definitely was much more engaging to me. The narrator was great! If you're an audiobook listener, I definitely recommend the audiobook over reading with your eyes for this one.
Something about the way this was written just didn't work for me. It didn't have the same charm I got from The Tainted Cup. Relationships felt shallow, and I really struggled to care about...anything. When we're on a three day deadline to prove innocence or die, I shouldn't be reading the book going "Oh my GOD, we're still on day one??" It just felt so slow for such an impending and serious deadline.
I'm unsure if I'll continue this series. It was fine, but not my favorite in this fantasy sub genre.
I loved The Tainted Cup and A Drop of Corruption, so I was SUPER excited to dive into this one! It's very similar in a lot of ways--incredibly descriptive and detailed prose, murder mystery, reluctant her of it all, etc. But this one just didn't hit quite the same for me.
I started reading this one as the ARC and then transitioned to the audiobook and found that I enjoyed the audiobook a lot more than reading it. I think the narration was a bit slow--I was at around 2.5x speed, and there's a lot of random silence at the start and end of each chapter, but it definitely was much more engaging to me. The narrator was great! If you're an audiobook listener, I definitely recommend the audiobook over reading with your eyes for this one.
Something about the way this was written just didn't work for me. It didn't have the same charm I got from The Tainted Cup. Relationships felt shallow, and I really struggled to care about...anything. When we're on a three day deadline to prove innocence or die, I shouldn't be reading the book going "Oh my GOD, we're still on day one??" It just felt so slow for such an impending and serious deadline.
I'm unsure if I'll continue this series. It was fine, but not my favorite in this fantasy sub genre.
Want to Read
December 13, 2025New series from RJ Barker?! Sign me up and take my money!
June 2, 2026
Thanks so much for the early listening copy
I enjoyed this listen but honestly never got invested or cared a whole lot
RJ is a phenomenal writer sometimes and excels at creating atmosphere and setting, but this wasn't anywhere near the Tide Child books for me
Thoughts to come
I enjoyed this listen but honestly never got invested or cared a whole lot
RJ is a phenomenal writer sometimes and excels at creating atmosphere and setting, but this wasn't anywhere near the Tide Child books for me
Thoughts to come
November 24, 2025
This book took me on quite the ride! As usual RJ Barker's world building is unique and incredible. Mortendant Irody Hasp is a quirky and multi-faceted main character with very relatable flaws. The side characters all have their own motivations and goals. Plenty of foreshadowing, but it does not give away the twists and turns. Wonderful for fans of intrigue and mystery as well as fantasy. It tackles many difficult topics such as classism and xenophobia as well as questioning the status quo of governance and tradition. When it was listed as being for fans of Witness for the Dead and the Lies of Locke Lamora I knew I had to get my hands on a copy, and it did not disappoint. It does not include any romantic sub-plots which its a refreshing change of pace. I would love to see this world expand, and possibly even more about Mortedant Hasp's youth which is alluded to throughout the story.
May 20, 2026
I received this book as an ARC through NetGalley. A positive review was not offered or expected in return. All opions are my own.
I requested this book on a whim, and I ended up loving it. The world is richly developed, and complex. I felt like I was dropped into a fully realized world, and I had to learn about it as I went. Some people might not enjoy that, but it's my favorite way to start a fantasy world. Too much exposition throws me out of the story, and it makes me less invested in what is going on.
Irody Hasp is my favorite sort of main character. He begins a closed off, judgmental, snob, and slowly over the course of the story his ideas about the world and the people around him begin to change. He is not a perfect man, but he is stubborn, and unwilling to take the easy way out. The other characters bring so much life to this story as well, and no one is exactly who they seem they might be, and all have stories of their own.
The mystery was well developed, and compelling. The timeline makes everything feel more urgent, and the twists and turns kept me on edge. Even when I thought I had everything figured out, I discovered that I was not entirely correct. The ending was well done, and while many questions were answered I was still left wanting to know more.
The writing had the perfect blend of heart, humor, and horror. Hasp has an amazingly dry sense of humor even in the worst of times, and I loved it so much. The narrator was perfect, and really brought this world, and its characters to life. I am looking forward to reading more of this series, and I am definatly going to read more by this author now.
I requested this book on a whim, and I ended up loving it. The world is richly developed, and complex. I felt like I was dropped into a fully realized world, and I had to learn about it as I went. Some people might not enjoy that, but it's my favorite way to start a fantasy world. Too much exposition throws me out of the story, and it makes me less invested in what is going on.
Irody Hasp is my favorite sort of main character. He begins a closed off, judgmental, snob, and slowly over the course of the story his ideas about the world and the people around him begin to change. He is not a perfect man, but he is stubborn, and unwilling to take the easy way out. The other characters bring so much life to this story as well, and no one is exactly who they seem they might be, and all have stories of their own.
The mystery was well developed, and compelling. The timeline makes everything feel more urgent, and the twists and turns kept me on edge. Even when I thought I had everything figured out, I discovered that I was not entirely correct. The ending was well done, and while many questions were answered I was still left wanting to know more.
The writing had the perfect blend of heart, humor, and horror. Hasp has an amazingly dry sense of humor even in the worst of times, and I loved it so much. The narrator was perfect, and really brought this world, and its characters to life. I am looking forward to reading more of this series, and I am definatly going to read more by this author now.
May 30, 2026
Rating: 4.5 / 5
Format: Audiobook
Mortedant’s Peril is the first book I’ve read by the highly acclaimed R.J. Barker, and it will not be my last. Barker has created a dark fantasy world filled with magic, spirits, sleeping gods and their worshipers, along with a special few known as Mortedants, who can read the last thoughts of the dead. Irody Hasp is a Mortedant with few friends, and when his apprentice is murdered, he becomes the suspected killer. Irody has only days to find the real murderer before he is sentenced to death.
Although this is not marketed as grimdark, it gave me similar vibes because of the dark, dreary atmosphere of the city and its inhabitants. I highly recommend this to fans of fantasy murder mysteries in interesting settings, such as A Drop of Corruption by Robert Jackson Bennett.
While the story primarily stays within one city, the worldbuilding was the standout for me. I’ll definitely be continuing with the series once the next book comes out. I’m hoping there will be even more exploration of this unique, dark world that Barker has engineered.
Joe Eyre did an excellent job narrating this fantastic story.
Format: Audiobook
Mortedant’s Peril is the first book I’ve read by the highly acclaimed R.J. Barker, and it will not be my last. Barker has created a dark fantasy world filled with magic, spirits, sleeping gods and their worshipers, along with a special few known as Mortedants, who can read the last thoughts of the dead. Irody Hasp is a Mortedant with few friends, and when his apprentice is murdered, he becomes the suspected killer. Irody has only days to find the real murderer before he is sentenced to death.
Although this is not marketed as grimdark, it gave me similar vibes because of the dark, dreary atmosphere of the city and its inhabitants. I highly recommend this to fans of fantasy murder mysteries in interesting settings, such as A Drop of Corruption by Robert Jackson Bennett.
While the story primarily stays within one city, the worldbuilding was the standout for me. I’ll definitely be continuing with the series once the next book comes out. I’m hoping there will be even more exploration of this unique, dark world that Barker has engineered.
Joe Eyre did an excellent job narrating this fantastic story.
May 26, 2026
3.5
I was so excited for this book, as RJ Barker is one of my favorite authors. However, this felt a little too like The Tainted Cup, but didn't deliver on the intrigue of those books. The mystery elements fell a little flat for me. The characters weren't up to my expectations from Barker. I did enjoy the overall plot and the writing. I just think some elements missed the mark.
I was so excited for this book, as RJ Barker is one of my favorite authors. However, this felt a little too like The Tainted Cup, but didn't deliver on the intrigue of those books. The mystery elements fell a little flat for me. The characters weren't up to my expectations from Barker. I did enjoy the overall plot and the writing. I just think some elements missed the mark.
May 27, 2026
A fascinating world, a compelling main character and a mystery to solve made this a delight to read
Full review - https://www.runalongtheshelves.net/bl...
Full review - https://www.runalongtheshelves.net/bl...
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Mortedant’s Peril really hit the spot for me. It’s the kind of fantasy-mystery I love, with great worldbuilding, political drama, occult magic, and a heartfelt found-family story. The book reminded me a lot of The Silverblood Promise and The Lies of Locke Lamora, which are two of my favorites, so I was hooked right away.
The setting really stands out. Elbay feels alive and gritty, with secrets, cults, scandals, and odd bits of lore around every corner. Barker does a great job making the city feel old, dangerous, and immersive without overloading you with details. I enjoyed how the story blends murder mystery, religious politics, unusual magic, and social tension.
Irody Hasp was a great main character. He begins as abrasive, cynical, and pretty prejudiced, but seeing him slowly change and connect with others was one of my favorite parts of the book. Whisper and Mirial always stood out when they showed up, and the bond between the three of them added a lot of emotion to the story.
If I had to be picky, the pacing sometimes slowed down more than I expected for a murder mystery with a ticking clock. I also wish there had been more scenes of Hasp using his mortedant abilities, since reading the dead’s final thoughts is such a cool idea. Still, I was never bored. I stayed invested in the atmosphere, the characters, and the unfolding conspiracy.
The audiobook is also worth mentioning. Joe Eyre really captures the story's mood. His performance gives each character a lot of personality, especially showing Hasp’s dry sarcasm and tiredness. The narration made the world feel even more real and honestly made the whole experience better for me.
Even with a few pacing issues, this is still a solid 5-star read for me. It’s dark, weird, funny, emotional, and full of personality. I can’t wait for the next book.
The setting really stands out. Elbay feels alive and gritty, with secrets, cults, scandals, and odd bits of lore around every corner. Barker does a great job making the city feel old, dangerous, and immersive without overloading you with details. I enjoyed how the story blends murder mystery, religious politics, unusual magic, and social tension.
Irody Hasp was a great main character. He begins as abrasive, cynical, and pretty prejudiced, but seeing him slowly change and connect with others was one of my favorite parts of the book. Whisper and Mirial always stood out when they showed up, and the bond between the three of them added a lot of emotion to the story.
If I had to be picky, the pacing sometimes slowed down more than I expected for a murder mystery with a ticking clock. I also wish there had been more scenes of Hasp using his mortedant abilities, since reading the dead’s final thoughts is such a cool idea. Still, I was never bored. I stayed invested in the atmosphere, the characters, and the unfolding conspiracy.
The audiobook is also worth mentioning. Joe Eyre really captures the story's mood. His performance gives each character a lot of personality, especially showing Hasp’s dry sarcasm and tiredness. The narration made the world feel even more real and honestly made the whole experience better for me.
Even with a few pacing issues, this is still a solid 5-star read for me. It’s dark, weird, funny, emotional, and full of personality. I can’t wait for the next book.
March 23, 2026
I received a free advance review copy of this book via NetGalley.
This book feels like a herald, in some ways.
THE TAINTED CUP won the Hugo for Best Novel last year, and A DROP OF CORRUPTION was another hit. Robert Jackson Bennett has revitalized interest in detective fantasy. MORTEDANT'S PERIL, on the other hand, feels like the signal that RJB isn't just a flash in the pan. Irody Hasp, Mirial, and Whisper are the perfect found family dynamic to hit in the mid-2020s, along with the zest of gothic worldbuilding, twisty murder plots, and brisk action.
Barker's writing is effective if simple. He builds the world of Elbay quickly and vividly, but rarely wowed me with his wordsmithing. He's got the sort of Sanderson-esque prose that will appeal to a wide range of readers even if it doesn't earn him artistic acclaim. Similarly, the plotting of MORTEDANT'S PERIL is layered enough to engage, but approachable enough to not overwhelm. Many of the twists and turns were easy to see coming; despite that predictability, they were often still satisfying.
The result is a fun book with a breezy pace. It's also a book with a dark backbone and dreary furnishings, opening up the potential for deeper exploration in sequels if it performs well enough. I enjoyed the read, and I'll probably read any potential sequels when they pop up.
3.5/5 stars
This book feels like a herald, in some ways.
THE TAINTED CUP won the Hugo for Best Novel last year, and A DROP OF CORRUPTION was another hit. Robert Jackson Bennett has revitalized interest in detective fantasy. MORTEDANT'S PERIL, on the other hand, feels like the signal that RJB isn't just a flash in the pan. Irody Hasp, Mirial, and Whisper are the perfect found family dynamic to hit in the mid-2020s, along with the zest of gothic worldbuilding, twisty murder plots, and brisk action.
Barker's writing is effective if simple. He builds the world of Elbay quickly and vividly, but rarely wowed me with his wordsmithing. He's got the sort of Sanderson-esque prose that will appeal to a wide range of readers even if it doesn't earn him artistic acclaim. Similarly, the plotting of MORTEDANT'S PERIL is layered enough to engage, but approachable enough to not overwhelm. Many of the twists and turns were easy to see coming; despite that predictability, they were often still satisfying.
The result is a fun book with a breezy pace. It's also a book with a dark backbone and dreary furnishings, opening up the potential for deeper exploration in sequels if it performs well enough. I enjoyed the read, and I'll probably read any potential sequels when they pop up.
3.5/5 stars
Read
May 31, 2026Rtc
December 10, 2025
Thank you to Tor Books for an advance copy in exchange for an honest review.
RJ Barker brings to life another fascinating world with layered characters you want to know more about rather than being sick of by the end of the nearly 500 page journey. Found family is a trope I can always get behind and enjoyed again, though I personally would’ve loved even more of the darkly gleeful crow, Harpsimast. Bottom line, this was another solid, intricate fantasy set in an interesting world with characters you invest in making it well worth the read.
RJ Barker brings to life another fascinating world with layered characters you want to know more about rather than being sick of by the end of the nearly 500 page journey. Found family is a trope I can always get behind and enjoyed again, though I personally would’ve loved even more of the darkly gleeful crow, Harpsimast. Bottom line, this was another solid, intricate fantasy set in an interesting world with characters you invest in making it well worth the read.
May 22, 2026
Book Review: Mortedant’s Peril (The Trials of Irody Hasp 1) by RJ Barker
5/5 stars. RJ Barker is one of my favorite writers and I am always excited when he has a new book releasing. In this case, I was extra surprised to receive the ARC of the audiobook, narrated by Joe Eyre, from NetGalley. This novel focuses on Irody Hasp, a lowly Mortedant in the city of Elbay, who stumbles upon a deeper mystery than he ever imagined as a result of reading the last thoughts of a dead man in the slums of the city. As always, Barker weaves a, literal and figurative, magical tale with wonderful characters – particularly Irody, his apprentice Mirial, and his bodyguard Whisper, and builds an intriguing city and world for the reader to explore. This story reminds me, in some ways, of Richard Swan’s Empire of the Wolf and Sir Konrad Vonvalt, though not as horrific in tone.
Joe Eyre does a wonderful job with the narration, and his voice work was particularly good. I could feel the tension and the desperation of our characters through Eyre’s reading of the story, and I particularly enjoyed his voices for Whisper and Niofa, the satyr overseer of the city.
I cannot recommend this book, or any book by RJ Barker, highly enough, and the audiobook adds significantly to the experience of the novel. I highly anticipate the next story in this new series and look forward to continuing my exploration of Elbay and the exploits of Irody, Whisper, and Mirial.
Highly highly recommended!!
This is a review of the audiobook.
5/5 stars. RJ Barker is one of my favorite writers and I am always excited when he has a new book releasing. In this case, I was extra surprised to receive the ARC of the audiobook, narrated by Joe Eyre, from NetGalley. This novel focuses on Irody Hasp, a lowly Mortedant in the city of Elbay, who stumbles upon a deeper mystery than he ever imagined as a result of reading the last thoughts of a dead man in the slums of the city. As always, Barker weaves a, literal and figurative, magical tale with wonderful characters – particularly Irody, his apprentice Mirial, and his bodyguard Whisper, and builds an intriguing city and world for the reader to explore. This story reminds me, in some ways, of Richard Swan’s Empire of the Wolf and Sir Konrad Vonvalt, though not as horrific in tone.
Joe Eyre does a wonderful job with the narration, and his voice work was particularly good. I could feel the tension and the desperation of our characters through Eyre’s reading of the story, and I particularly enjoyed his voices for Whisper and Niofa, the satyr overseer of the city.
I cannot recommend this book, or any book by RJ Barker, highly enough, and the audiobook adds significantly to the experience of the novel. I highly anticipate the next story in this new series and look forward to continuing my exploration of Elbay and the exploits of Irody, Whisper, and Mirial.
Highly highly recommended!!
This is a review of the audiobook.
May 30, 2026
3.5 Stars — Fantasy Murder Mysteries Are Kind Of My Thing. Just Saying.
Okay so. A cleric who speaks to the dead basically gets framed for murder and has to solve it himself. That alone was enough to pull me in, and for the most part, Mortedant’s Peril delivered.
Let’s start with what worked…the found family. Irody and his little band of misfits were genuinely fun to spend time with, and honestly that found family dynamic carried a lot of the book for me. These are characters you root for, full stop.
The world-building though really took some settling into. It’s a lot upfront, guilds and sleeping gods and the whole social structure of Elbay, and I won’t lie, it kind of felt like getting into a bath that’s a little too hot at first. You kind of slowly slide your way in, uncomfortably, but then your body finally acclimates and you just sink in, like suddenly it all just works. I don’t know how else to describe it. 😂🤷♀️
There are classism themes throughout the story and there’s a dry humor sprinkled throughout that I liked, I felt like it helped to balance the grimmer elements nicely.
My one gripe: the prose fell a little flat for me. It’s functional and it moves the story along, but it didn’t wow me. It felt really dry to me like the humor? Maybe that’s just Barker’s writing style? IDK. But if you’re someone who reads for the writing as much as the plot, you might feel the same.
All that said, if you’re in the mood for a mystery fantasy with a fun cast of characters, this is absolutely worth your time.
Okay so. A cleric who speaks to the dead basically gets framed for murder and has to solve it himself. That alone was enough to pull me in, and for the most part, Mortedant’s Peril delivered.
Let’s start with what worked…the found family. Irody and his little band of misfits were genuinely fun to spend time with, and honestly that found family dynamic carried a lot of the book for me. These are characters you root for, full stop.
The world-building though really took some settling into. It’s a lot upfront, guilds and sleeping gods and the whole social structure of Elbay, and I won’t lie, it kind of felt like getting into a bath that’s a little too hot at first. You kind of slowly slide your way in, uncomfortably, but then your body finally acclimates and you just sink in, like suddenly it all just works. I don’t know how else to describe it. 😂🤷♀️
There are classism themes throughout the story and there’s a dry humor sprinkled throughout that I liked, I felt like it helped to balance the grimmer elements nicely.
My one gripe: the prose fell a little flat for me. It’s functional and it moves the story along, but it didn’t wow me. It felt really dry to me like the humor? Maybe that’s just Barker’s writing style? IDK. But if you’re someone who reads for the writing as much as the plot, you might feel the same.
All that said, if you’re in the mood for a mystery fantasy with a fun cast of characters, this is absolutely worth your time.
May 29, 2026
4.41/5 stars
Thank you to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for an advanced audio copy for an honest review.
First off, the narrator, Joe Eyre did a phenomenal job narrating this story. He was an excellent choice.
The novel itself was a pleasant surprise. Not having read anything by RJ Barker previously, I didn't know what to expect.
This is a fantasy murder mystery. For starters, you need to know what a Mortedant is. A mortedant is a person with the ability to touch a dead person and learn what went through their mind right before they died. They do this to let the loved ones know any final wishes or finding hidden money which they receive a percentage of as their fee. Irody Hasp, our main character, does not get the good jobs. Most mortedant's do this for wealthy families and live in luxury. Irodis lives very poorly.
Irody Hasp initially comes off as a haughty individual but through the course of the story he, along with the other party members, turn into a lovable cast of characters. I won't spoil anything but sticking with this novel is rewarded with a satisfying conclusion while leaving just enough to have me wanting more. I'll definitely be checking out the sequel.
The prose is well done and fits the story and tone. I was never pulled out of the story by the wording being too modern.
The worldbuilding was well thought out. The story takes place in and around one old, mysterious city. There are many factions at work behind the scenes in this city and as the story progresses more is revealed about the city itself and the wider world.
This novel has definitely put RJ Barker higher up on my reading list. I already own some of his books and now I'll be getting to them sooner rather than later.
Thank you to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for an advanced audio copy for an honest review.
First off, the narrator, Joe Eyre did a phenomenal job narrating this story. He was an excellent choice.
The novel itself was a pleasant surprise. Not having read anything by RJ Barker previously, I didn't know what to expect.
This is a fantasy murder mystery. For starters, you need to know what a Mortedant is. A mortedant is a person with the ability to touch a dead person and learn what went through their mind right before they died. They do this to let the loved ones know any final wishes or finding hidden money which they receive a percentage of as their fee. Irody Hasp, our main character, does not get the good jobs. Most mortedant's do this for wealthy families and live in luxury. Irodis lives very poorly.
Irody Hasp initially comes off as a haughty individual but through the course of the story he, along with the other party members, turn into a lovable cast of characters. I won't spoil anything but sticking with this novel is rewarded with a satisfying conclusion while leaving just enough to have me wanting more. I'll definitely be checking out the sequel.
The prose is well done and fits the story and tone. I was never pulled out of the story by the wording being too modern.
The worldbuilding was well thought out. The story takes place in and around one old, mysterious city. There are many factions at work behind the scenes in this city and as the story progresses more is revealed about the city itself and the wider world.
This novel has definitely put RJ Barker higher up on my reading list. I already own some of his books and now I'll be getting to them sooner rather than later.
May 25, 2026
Irody Hasp may be a Mortedant - one who reads the final thoughts of the dead - but he's not a well-respected one. When his apprentice is murdered, it's easy enough for the council to send him to the gallows. But he genuinely liked his lower-city apprentice, despite his ill manners, and he'd also like to save his own skin, so he starts following the trail of the murder. Along the way, he gains another apprentice, Muriel, street-urchin sister of his late-apprentice, and an Oster guard, a being more hated than Irody. And in his attempt to save his own hide, Irody uncovers a plot more massive that he could have imagined.
This was a fascinating (and very Meggy) read, thanks in large part to one of the more interesting POVs I've read in a long time. We are in first person in Irody's head, and for all he is an outcast, he's a prejudiced snob who often can't see beyond his own perspective. I was nervous that this would annoy me, an yet as I listened, I found him endearing and naive, but in a way that let the other characters (especially the ones against whom he had natural prejudices) shine. You can see his perspective begin to shift with each disaster that befalls him. I'm always a fan of a book that engages with the idea of death, and Irody's profession is an interesting one. He's part funeral director and part investigator, in theory helping families connect with their loved ones and yet too prickly to be of much comfort.
I listened to the audiobook narrated by Joe Eyre, and I enjoyed it. I found it engaging to listen to, with straightforward enough worldbuilding for the ears.
Thank you to MacMillan Audio for an ALC. Mortedant's Peril is out 5/19/2026.
This was a fascinating (and very Meggy) read, thanks in large part to one of the more interesting POVs I've read in a long time. We are in first person in Irody's head, and for all he is an outcast, he's a prejudiced snob who often can't see beyond his own perspective. I was nervous that this would annoy me, an yet as I listened, I found him endearing and naive, but in a way that let the other characters (especially the ones against whom he had natural prejudices) shine. You can see his perspective begin to shift with each disaster that befalls him. I'm always a fan of a book that engages with the idea of death, and Irody's profession is an interesting one. He's part funeral director and part investigator, in theory helping families connect with their loved ones and yet too prickly to be of much comfort.
I listened to the audiobook narrated by Joe Eyre, and I enjoyed it. I found it engaging to listen to, with straightforward enough worldbuilding for the ears.
Thank you to MacMillan Audio for an ALC. Mortedant's Peril is out 5/19/2026.
June 3, 2026
The world that Barker created in this one is incredible, it’s such a fun setting and the mechanics of the world are unique and interesting. I also really liked the cast of characters, their relationships and the way they came together reminded me of The Lies of Locke Lamora and Foundryside, which is certainly not a problem for me. The mystery aspect was fun too, I’ll definitely be on the lookout for whenever the series continues.
June 1, 2026
3.5 rounded up
I really liked the core story and thought it started strong, but it felt like it got bogged down by a lot of extra fluff in the middle. It dragged in spots where it probably could have been trimmed, which made it a bit hard to stay focused the whole time.
I really liked the core story and thought it started strong, but it felt like it got bogged down by a lot of extra fluff in the middle. It dragged in spots where it probably could have been trimmed, which made it a bit hard to stay focused the whole time.
June 5, 2026
A really well-written fantasy mystery.
The main character, Irody Hasp, is a mortedant, a persoon gifted with the ability to read the last thoughts of a recently dead person. Hasp is not looked upon favorably and is given all the crap jobs. Ironically he's one of the best mortedants in the city. The city folk mostly don't like mortedants and call them 'crows' as a negative nickname. Some mortedants fake it because they don't have the ability but they became a mortedant because their father or mother was/is and it's expected of them. So the city folk think of mortedants as liars and cheats, because mortedants get half of the estate (iirc) of the dead person. So poor Hasp is hated by city folk, not all of course but in general, and not liked by his fellow mortedants so everyone is against him. Nevertheless he keeps trudging on doing his job the best he knows.
The city Hasp lives in is tiered like a cake up to 6 or 7 layers, with a castle on top. Atop the castle are several large metal things sticking up that, when triggered, build up electricity (the city folk don't actually understand mechanics, i'm just describing it in a way that we understand) and it causes a firebreak to burn all around the city. It's a defense mechanism that was used in a war so many ages ago that the current people living in the city have no knowledge of it. The tiers of the city are inhabited by poor at the bottom going up to the rich people at the topmost layer. The castle is a mystery. People who have gone up there and entered never come back out. Ooooo.....
The story, and mystery, starts with Hasp getting a job to read a poor person dead man. He's seems like just one of the numerous poor people but he is the important for Hasp eventually figuring out what's going on. Then Hasp is accused of a murder he did not commit and has four days to find the real murderer or else Hasp will be executed because he was the person who discovered the dead man. Yeah, stupid laws this city has. And since his fellow mortedants don't like him he has no help there. He's on his own, along with his loyal new assistant and a non-human bodyguard, to figure out whodunnit.
When I was reading this book I thought certain scenes were just background or to show how the city works when really they were important for the plot. Once I got near the end and the big reveal was revealed I saw how all these little things were stepping stones or clues to discovering the truth. And how very clever the author was in writing. He has now solidified his name in my favorite authors list.
Oh, and though the title has (book 1) in parentheses don't worry, there's no cliffhanger endings. The plot is entirely revealed in this book and the issues solved. So you don't have to wait until the other books in the series have been written and published. Go ahead and read this one now.
The main character, Irody Hasp, is a mortedant, a persoon gifted with the ability to read the last thoughts of a recently dead person. Hasp is not looked upon favorably and is given all the crap jobs. Ironically he's one of the best mortedants in the city. The city folk mostly don't like mortedants and call them 'crows' as a negative nickname. Some mortedants fake it because they don't have the ability but they became a mortedant because their father or mother was/is and it's expected of them. So the city folk think of mortedants as liars and cheats, because mortedants get half of the estate (iirc) of the dead person. So poor Hasp is hated by city folk, not all of course but in general, and not liked by his fellow mortedants so everyone is against him. Nevertheless he keeps trudging on doing his job the best he knows.
The city Hasp lives in is tiered like a cake up to 6 or 7 layers, with a castle on top. Atop the castle are several large metal things sticking up that, when triggered, build up electricity (the city folk don't actually understand mechanics, i'm just describing it in a way that we understand) and it causes a firebreak to burn all around the city. It's a defense mechanism that was used in a war so many ages ago that the current people living in the city have no knowledge of it. The tiers of the city are inhabited by poor at the bottom going up to the rich people at the topmost layer. The castle is a mystery. People who have gone up there and entered never come back out. Ooooo.....
The story, and mystery, starts with Hasp getting a job to read a poor person dead man. He's seems like just one of the numerous poor people but he is the important for Hasp eventually figuring out what's going on. Then Hasp is accused of a murder he did not commit and has four days to find the real murderer or else Hasp will be executed because he was the person who discovered the dead man. Yeah, stupid laws this city has. And since his fellow mortedants don't like him he has no help there. He's on his own, along with his loyal new assistant and a non-human bodyguard, to figure out whodunnit.
When I was reading this book I thought certain scenes were just background or to show how the city works when really they were important for the plot. Once I got near the end and the big reveal was revealed I saw how all these little things were stepping stones or clues to discovering the truth. And how very clever the author was in writing. He has now solidified his name in my favorite authors list.
Oh, and though the title has (book 1) in parentheses don't worry, there's no cliffhanger endings. The plot is entirely revealed in this book and the issues solved. So you don't have to wait until the other books in the series have been written and published. Go ahead and read this one now.
May 28, 2026
Mortedant's Peril gripped me right away. The story follows Irody Hasp who is a Mortedant, someone who can read the final thoughts and feelings of the dead for a fee. Despite his self-perceived skill as a Mortedant, Hasp is an outcast who is disliked by his peers and living in squalor due to a lack of work. Hasp's good-natured apprentice finds him a job among the low-tier people of the city, but the Mortedant is annoyed when the job ends with an old woman trying to stab him with a kitchen knife and no additional money in his pockets. There is more to this seemingly innocuous job than meets the eye, and Hasp soon finds trouble following at his heels.
This book appeals to my recent interest in fantasy/mystery hybrids. Barker throws the reader right into the action, and I understood the stakes of the novel right away. The world of Mortedant's Peril is a fascinating one - with mages who can craft spirit automatons, a race of giant fish people, and of course a death cult. Everything feels fresh and yet not overwhelming, as the worldbuilding is cleverly woven in to the protagonist's first person POV.
Speaking of the protagonist, I think that Irody Hasp is very cleverly written. He is grumpy, arrogant, downtrodden, and a bit of an asshole. Sometimes characters like this can be endearing but Hasp... really isn't? At least not at first. I think I mostly felt pity for him, but as the story went on and I got to know him better, I really enjoyed reading his POV. Hasp is an interesting character who is deeply flawed and often unreliable (in an obvious way). Despite this, he somehow manages to avoid being annoying or frustrating.
The side characters that are introduced into Hasp's inner circle are a delight. There's Whisper, Hasp's honor-bound fish-woman bodyguard. She is quiet, thoughtful, humorous, and keeps Hasp on the right track. His other companion is a low-tier girl names Muriel. Muriel is sneaky, rebellious, and helps Hasp out in ways that piss him off. These characters are well-written, and very quickly become an important part of Hasp's life.
The mystery and overall plot of Mortedant's Peril is well written, and the reveals are satisfying. I will say that this book gets the award for the dumbest structured government/legal system, but my irritation faded as I began to understand more about the world. I tore through this book very quickly, and I am very excited to see where future installments in the series go.
Thank you to LibroFM for the Advanced Listener Copy!
This book appeals to my recent interest in fantasy/mystery hybrids. Barker throws the reader right into the action, and I understood the stakes of the novel right away. The world of Mortedant's Peril is a fascinating one - with mages who can craft spirit automatons, a race of giant fish people, and of course a death cult. Everything feels fresh and yet not overwhelming, as the worldbuilding is cleverly woven in to the protagonist's first person POV.
Speaking of the protagonist, I think that Irody Hasp is very cleverly written. He is grumpy, arrogant, downtrodden, and a bit of an asshole. Sometimes characters like this can be endearing but Hasp... really isn't? At least not at first. I think I mostly felt pity for him, but as the story went on and I got to know him better, I really enjoyed reading his POV. Hasp is an interesting character who is deeply flawed and often unreliable (in an obvious way). Despite this, he somehow manages to avoid being annoying or frustrating.
The side characters that are introduced into Hasp's inner circle are a delight. There's Whisper, Hasp's honor-bound fish-woman bodyguard. She is quiet, thoughtful, humorous, and keeps Hasp on the right track. His other companion is a low-tier girl names Muriel. Muriel is sneaky, rebellious, and helps Hasp out in ways that piss him off. These characters are well-written, and very quickly become an important part of Hasp's life.
The mystery and overall plot of Mortedant's Peril is well written, and the reveals are satisfying. I will say that this book gets the award for the dumbest structured government/legal system, but my irritation faded as I began to understand more about the world. I tore through this book very quickly, and I am very excited to see where future installments in the series go.
Thank you to LibroFM for the Advanced Listener Copy!
May 7, 2026
My first RJ Barker experience and it will absolutely not be my last.
Mortedant's Peril is the opening book in The Trials of Irody Hasp series, and it follows Irody Hasp, a Mortedant, a cleric gifted with the ability to read the final thoughts of the dead, and deeply unpopular for it. As he is framed for the murder of his own apprentice and given mere days to uncover the real killer before he faces the gallows. What begins as a murder investigation spirals swiftly into something far larger and far more dangerous, pulling Irody and his unlikely companions Mirial and Whisper into the corrupt, wondrous heart of the city of Elbay itself.
And what a city. Elbay is the kind of richly layered, deeply lived-in world that most authors take an entire trilogy to build. Ancient automata, sleeping gods, rival guilds jostling for power, tiers of society that feel as real and tactile as cobblestones underfoot. Barker conjures all of it with remarkable confidence and economy. The fact that he fits this level of worldbuilding alongside equally deep character work into around 400 pages is genuinely impressive. It never feels rushed, and it never feels thin.
The plot strikes a wonderful balance between the familiar and the unexpected. Some threads you'll see coming, and there's real satisfaction in that, those small dopamine hits of getting something right. But others will catch you completely off guard, and it's the combination of the two that keeps you absolutely hooked. The mystery and the fantasy elements feed into each other in a way that feels entirely seamless.
Barker also mentions in the afterword that book two is already written, and I cannot tell you how excited I am to hear it. In the meantime I will be making my way through his back catalogue at speed. The Bone Ships is already calling my name!
If this is what RJ Barker does, I have a lot of wonderful reading ahead of me.
Thank you to NetGalley and Tor Books for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Mortedant's Peril is the opening book in The Trials of Irody Hasp series, and it follows Irody Hasp, a Mortedant, a cleric gifted with the ability to read the final thoughts of the dead, and deeply unpopular for it. As he is framed for the murder of his own apprentice and given mere days to uncover the real killer before he faces the gallows. What begins as a murder investigation spirals swiftly into something far larger and far more dangerous, pulling Irody and his unlikely companions Mirial and Whisper into the corrupt, wondrous heart of the city of Elbay itself.
And what a city. Elbay is the kind of richly layered, deeply lived-in world that most authors take an entire trilogy to build. Ancient automata, sleeping gods, rival guilds jostling for power, tiers of society that feel as real and tactile as cobblestones underfoot. Barker conjures all of it with remarkable confidence and economy. The fact that he fits this level of worldbuilding alongside equally deep character work into around 400 pages is genuinely impressive. It never feels rushed, and it never feels thin.
The plot strikes a wonderful balance between the familiar and the unexpected. Some threads you'll see coming, and there's real satisfaction in that, those small dopamine hits of getting something right. But others will catch you completely off guard, and it's the combination of the two that keeps you absolutely hooked. The mystery and the fantasy elements feed into each other in a way that feels entirely seamless.
Barker also mentions in the afterword that book two is already written, and I cannot tell you how excited I am to hear it. In the meantime I will be making my way through his back catalogue at speed. The Bone Ships is already calling my name!
If this is what RJ Barker does, I have a lot of wonderful reading ahead of me.
Thank you to NetGalley and Tor Books for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
May 21, 2026
thank you so much for Tor UK for sending me a copy of this in exchange for a honest review
i really wanted to like this more than i did, and i think it may be a case of very high expectations going into it. i saw the comparison to tainted cup probably too many times, and while it's similar in the murder mystery aspect in fantasy, i just didn't think it was to the same level
to start off with what i liked: i really enjoyed the set up of Mortedant's and their ability to hear a dead person's last thoughts. the aspect of religion and belief was explored very well, and weaved into the story of Irody Hasp. i also LOVED the setting of Elbay, and how this city is built on different levels. the description was very good, and seeing Irody's journey of exploring the different tiers and their reflection of status and wealth was interesting
my main issue was i think the characters. i wasn't really emotionally invested in their stories, which then lead me to not being as intrigued by the plot or even the who-dunnit. other murder mysteries' i've read, i have been at the edge of my seat to find out who actually did it, but i didn't find that with this one at all. and i think personally i'm someone who if i don't feel connected to the characters, then my interest in the story itself then wanes
overall i would give it a 3/5 stars, because the setting and concept of the mordent's was well executed. I just think i finished it wanting a bit more from the character work and plot.
i really wanted to like this more than i did, and i think it may be a case of very high expectations going into it. i saw the comparison to tainted cup probably too many times, and while it's similar in the murder mystery aspect in fantasy, i just didn't think it was to the same level
to start off with what i liked: i really enjoyed the set up of Mortedant's and their ability to hear a dead person's last thoughts. the aspect of religion and belief was explored very well, and weaved into the story of Irody Hasp. i also LOVED the setting of Elbay, and how this city is built on different levels. the description was very good, and seeing Irody's journey of exploring the different tiers and their reflection of status and wealth was interesting
my main issue was i think the characters. i wasn't really emotionally invested in their stories, which then lead me to not being as intrigued by the plot or even the who-dunnit. other murder mysteries' i've read, i have been at the edge of my seat to find out who actually did it, but i didn't find that with this one at all. and i think personally i'm someone who if i don't feel connected to the characters, then my interest in the story itself then wanes
overall i would give it a 3/5 stars, because the setting and concept of the mordent's was well executed. I just think i finished it wanting a bit more from the character work and plot.
May 22, 2026
RJ Barker is one of those authors I've heard about but never gotten around to reading so when the opportunity to listen to an ALC of Mortedant's Peril dropped in my lap I lunged for it.
Mortedant's Peril follows Irody, our main character mortedant, aka speaker for the dead aka very snobby stuck-up not so lovable guy, after he's accused of murder and goes off to clear his name all while avoiding being killed himself as a greater mystery unfolds.
Irody is an unlikable protagonist. He's witty and fun but he's also an absolute jerk who thinks he's better than everyone around him based off his skills as a mortedant and his rank in society. He does grow as a character, but that progression isn't immediate so if you're looking for a lovable sweetheart try elsewhere.
In my mind the setting, the city of Elbay, was almost a blend of Full Metal Alchemist's Central City and T. Kingfisher's Archenhold from the World of the White Rat - a magic, melting pot of chaos, a claustrophobic tiered city filled with various classes, cults, and creatures. It was gritty and fantastical all at once and I felt like that claustrophobic ruinous cityscape setting added to the urgency and mystery of the story.
For my first ever RJ Barker book this was an absolute hit! The audiobook was well read and I had a great time listening. Audiobooks are definitely becoming one of my go to ways to consume books these days. Thank you MacMillan Audio for access to the ALC on Netgalley!
Mortedant's Peril follows Irody, our main character mortedant, aka speaker for the dead aka very snobby stuck-up not so lovable guy, after he's accused of murder and goes off to clear his name all while avoiding being killed himself as a greater mystery unfolds.
Irody is an unlikable protagonist. He's witty and fun but he's also an absolute jerk who thinks he's better than everyone around him based off his skills as a mortedant and his rank in society. He does grow as a character, but that progression isn't immediate so if you're looking for a lovable sweetheart try elsewhere.
In my mind the setting, the city of Elbay, was almost a blend of Full Metal Alchemist's Central City and T. Kingfisher's Archenhold from the World of the White Rat - a magic, melting pot of chaos, a claustrophobic tiered city filled with various classes, cults, and creatures. It was gritty and fantastical all at once and I felt like that claustrophobic ruinous cityscape setting added to the urgency and mystery of the story.
For my first ever RJ Barker book this was an absolute hit! The audiobook was well read and I had a great time listening. Audiobooks are definitely becoming one of my go to ways to consume books these days. Thank you MacMillan Audio for access to the ALC on Netgalley!
May 25, 2026
RJ Barker books are guaranteed to have interesting characters and exceptional world-building. Mortedant’s Peril is no exception.
I struggled a little with Barker’s last series (The Bone Ships) because despite its strengths, the relationships between characters seemed, at times, flat or perfunctory. By contrast, Mortedant’s Peril does an excellent job of first establishing Irody Hasp as a reclusive, rule-following social elitist, and then introducing characters that challenge his assumptions and quietly chip away at the walls he has constructed around himself. As his initial bigotry is tested, it becomes clear that Irody is capable of both compassion and change, which comes as a surprise to even himself.
But this book is not only about the ways in which people can and cannot change. The central plot begins as a murder mystery and slowly deepens into a much larger conspiracy that threatens the citizens of Elbay. Irody’s role as both central investigator and pawn builds plausibly, with few random or unbelievable coincidences introduced to move the plot along. I was able to figure out some of the mystery early on, but there were other parts that kept me guessing until what was ultimately a satisfying end.
In summary, I am looking forward to returning to this world whenever the next book comes out. Barker has hooked me again.
I struggled a little with Barker’s last series (The Bone Ships) because despite its strengths, the relationships between characters seemed, at times, flat or perfunctory. By contrast, Mortedant’s Peril does an excellent job of first establishing Irody Hasp as a reclusive, rule-following social elitist, and then introducing characters that challenge his assumptions and quietly chip away at the walls he has constructed around himself. As his initial bigotry is tested, it becomes clear that Irody is capable of both compassion and change, which comes as a surprise to even himself.
But this book is not only about the ways in which people can and cannot change. The central plot begins as a murder mystery and slowly deepens into a much larger conspiracy that threatens the citizens of Elbay. Irody’s role as both central investigator and pawn builds plausibly, with few random or unbelievable coincidences introduced to move the plot along. I was able to figure out some of the mystery early on, but there were other parts that kept me guessing until what was ultimately a satisfying end.
In summary, I am looking forward to returning to this world whenever the next book comes out. Barker has hooked me again.
May 21, 2026
First and foremost I’d like to thank NetGalley & Macmillan for the amazing opportunity of listening to an audio copy of this book. I am forever thankful and this review will be a honest reflection of my feelings towards this book.
Enter a world where a man talks to the dead and when he hears something he wasn’t meant to hear. The living will do everything in their power to silence him.
This book for sure was a huge step up from my last book where I was left more than disappointed.
Irody was a main character who I completely loved following his story of solving the mystery of who wants him dead for doing his job. In this book as well we have the found family trope and this book handled it beautifully. This was a patch work quilt family who each person played a part that made the whole amazing. Let’s just say I love Whisper. Read and see why.
The narrator Joe Eyre was a perfect choice to bring Irody and company.
Overall an engaging, unique and captivating book that quickly became one of my favorite books I’ve read this year.
Enter a world where a man talks to the dead and when he hears something he wasn’t meant to hear. The living will do everything in their power to silence him.
This book for sure was a huge step up from my last book where I was left more than disappointed.
Irody was a main character who I completely loved following his story of solving the mystery of who wants him dead for doing his job. In this book as well we have the found family trope and this book handled it beautifully. This was a patch work quilt family who each person played a part that made the whole amazing. Let’s just say I love Whisper. Read and see why.
The narrator Joe Eyre was a perfect choice to bring Irody and company.
Overall an engaging, unique and captivating book that quickly became one of my favorite books I’ve read this year.
May 3, 2026
I finished Mortedant’s Peril a couple days ago, just been mulling it over. The pacing felt on the slow side but I enjoyed the character building & found family. RJ Barker has a way of focusing on & cultivating even the most unlikely of characters.
Irody Hasp is the main character & grabbed my attention immediately. He’s cynical, a bit of a mess, and only has three days to prove he didn't commit a murder as he’s scheduled for execution for that murder. I think my inner monologue has mirrored his at times (not the murder mystery just that work’s been busy). The author brought him vividly to life. Character development perfection, Hasp is part desperate, part brilliant.
Everyone else. Chemistry. All of them. His interaction with his protecters was a strange mix of “I’d die for you” and all the while rolling their eyes! It got a bit of humor! The situation and the people.
If you love a character-driven fantasy where the stakes ore personal and the voices feel real, this might be the book for you! It’s a fantastic initial book for this trilogy, interesting unique character and I enjoyed the murder mystery plot.
Thank you NetGalley & Macmillan Audio, looking forward to book two!!
Irody Hasp is the main character & grabbed my attention immediately. He’s cynical, a bit of a mess, and only has three days to prove he didn't commit a murder as he’s scheduled for execution for that murder. I think my inner monologue has mirrored his at times (not the murder mystery just that work’s been busy). The author brought him vividly to life. Character development perfection, Hasp is part desperate, part brilliant.
Everyone else. Chemistry. All of them. His interaction with his protecters was a strange mix of “I’d die for you” and all the while rolling their eyes! It got a bit of humor! The situation and the people.
If you love a character-driven fantasy where the stakes ore personal and the voices feel real, this might be the book for you! It’s a fantastic initial book for this trilogy, interesting unique character and I enjoyed the murder mystery plot.
Thank you NetGalley & Macmillan Audio, looking forward to book two!!
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