Laws of Witchcraft: A Novel from the World of Glass And Steele

The Uncensored Memoirs of a Book Hunter #1

by C.J. Archer

Fans of the GLASS AND STEELE and THE GLASS LIBRARY series will delight in the new magical historical mystery by USA Today and Wall Street Journal bestselling author, C.J. Archer. Set in the years between the two series, the first volume of Professor Gavin Nash’s memoir features beloved characters on a quest for a rare book.

When Gavin travels to Edinburgh with his good friend Oscar Barratt, he’s eager to acquire a centuries-old book on witchcraft for the soon-to-open Glass Library. Even with ruthless railroad magnate John J. Defoe in the bidding, the victory comes easily. Perhaps too easily.

Hours later, the book is stolen.

A single clue links the theft to the recent abduction of two women, both magicians. Desperate to recover the book, Gavin and Oscar find an unexpected ally in Defoe’s enigmatic assistant, Miss Wheeler. But as they delve into the mystery, they uncover far more than they bargained a secretive sect, a descendant of the Witchfinder General, and forbidden love letters.

With time running out for the kidnapped women, can the unlikely trio untangle the lies from the truth before the magicians—and the book—are lost forever?

Genres: Mystery, Fantasy, Audiobook, Historical, Historical Fiction, Mystery Thriller, Magical Realism

232 pages, Paperback

Published March 2, 2026

About the author

C.J. Archer is the USA Today and Wall Street Journal bestselling author of historical mystery and historical fantasy novels including the GLASS AND STEELE series, the CLEOPATRA FOX MYSTERIES, the MINISTRY OF CURIOSITIES and THE GLASS LIBRARY series.

She has loved history and books for as long as she can remember and feels fortunate that she found a way to combine the two. She has at various times worked as a librarian, IT support person and technical writer but in her heart has always been a fiction writer. She lives in Melbourne, Australia, with her husband, 2 children and Coco the black and white cat.

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Reviews

[M.K. Tufft · Rating 5 out of 5]

Enjoyable read for Glass and Steele fans

This is a fairly short story compared with the Glass and Steele books, and takes place following those books end but before the Glass Library books. It follows the adventures of Oscar Barrett and Professor Nash as they collect books on magic for the Glass Library… and apparently have Sherlock Holmes-style adventures solving mysteries along the way.
We even get to see a glimpse of Willie’s married life.

[Kirsten Marion · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've loved previous series by C.J. Archer and this promises to not disappoint.

[Marsha Rafalski · Rating 4 out of 5]

(3.5 rounded to 4.0).

Readers of the fantasy series 1) Glass And Steele and 2) The Glass Library will fińd this new series a welcome addition to the Glass family saga. Set in the period between the timeline of the earlier titles, here we encounter again Gavin Nash and Oscar Barrett and the uber-efficient assistant to a railway magnate and potential donor to the Library, Miss Wheeler, was eager to enhance the collection with the acquisition of an old book on witchcraft. As soon as they acquire the book, it is stolen within hours of coming into their hands. The only clue is a recent kidnapping of two female magicians. Knowing that if they found the book, they would find the women and vice versa, their search across Edinburgh is on. Along the way they also discover a secretive sect, a descendant of the Witchfinder General and forbidden love letters.

Fans of the previous two series will find the crossover of certain characters reassuring and the new series draws on the best of both series. I suspect that this series will be well received. Altogether another success for C. J. Archer. Recommend to readers of historical mystery, fantasy, historical fiction and books-about-books.

[The Bibliognost Bampot · Rating 3 out of 5]

It’s an interesting concept … fantasy historical alternative reality - all well developed and explained. The kidnapping plot added an extra element and wasn’t immediately obvious as to who was involved. However, the whole story just left me feeling very flat, blah and unengaged. The characters weren’t particularly likeable, the female character felt very 2D, like she was written to a formula of how the author thought a ‘plucky, strong, independent woman of colour’ should be written, to be honest as did the closeted narrator. This very much had the feeling of a story written as the final assignment for a creative writing course, where the author had to hit all the necessary elements to get the marks. All the plot points and necessary characters were there, it just all felt clinical, cold and uninspired. Either that … or it’s AI?

[Jacqueline K · Rating 4 out of 5]

Entertaining but not up to Archer’s usual standards. Professor Nash is portrayed as a weak, indecisive, and uninspiring, and I suspect will be “outed” in future books, I am sure, which is not at all how he comes across when we first meet him in the Glass Library series. It is disappointing. He deserves better. Oscar Barrett is the bold character. The story is charming though the “answer” suddenly appears without any lead up. I thought I had skipped a chapter and actually went back to make sure I hadn’t. The final solution just appears. Maybe they had to cut pages because it ran too long? Otherwise, an engaging story. I hope the rest of the books do Professor Nash a bit more justice.

[David · Rating 4 out of 5]

Off to a Good Start

Nice to find many old friends from previous Glass book series briefly seen. There were previous references to Professor Nash’s travels so enjoyed reading this first one. Also interesting to watch him blossom into a skilled detective while being teased by his companion. See another book promised and hope there will be more as the author further develops the two lead characters and sends them on new challenges.

[Bridgette Kanz Schroader · Rating 4 out of 5]

A cozy read spanning the two worlds of Glass and Steele and the Glass Library. I doubt there will be a ton of book spanning intrigues in this series like there are in the other two since it’s a prequel of sorts to the Glass Library, but it’s enjoyable nonetheless for the quirky personality of Professor Nash as the narrator and another chance to enjoy this world built by CJ Archer with appearances by some of our favorite characters!

[Isabel Crane · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved loved LOVED this for so many reasons. The nostalgic feeling of revisiting the Glass and Steele characters, the insight into the early lives of some of the characters of the Glass Library and of course the story. CJ Archer, you are a true story magician yourself! Roll on September for the next book

[Tracey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this story

Its so much fun to read of Professor Nash and his adventure with Oscar. I can't wait to read the next one. I've read all of the companion series Glass and Steele,and the Glass Library. Definitely go back to read these gems. CJ Archer is an excellent historical writer.

[Lori Kern · Rating 5 out of 5]

Laws of Witchcraft

Another winner from C.J. Archer. Her books with the intrigue and such excellent characters are always winners. This book started a little slow but definitely picked up in pace. It was enjoyable to read something that occurred during the other books that she wrote.

[Ted Bun · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very much set in the Glass and Steele world this one lacks some of the sparkle of the original series and the Glass Library stories. I'm not sure what it is unless it is the absence of a central female character ... Adele is an interesting character but the tension is not there.
I'll be there on Sept 1 when book two comes out though!

[Midori Wilkinson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Too short for what it cost

Another great story from CJA, but for what it cost, it wasn't really long enough. It was nice to see a bit of how the Glass and Steele set went on in the early days of the marriage, and to have more insight into Prof. Nash as a young man. Hoping the next one is either a lot longer or about half the price!

[Starr Wilde · Rating 5 out of 5]

Glad to be back

Aaaahhhh....So happy to be back in the world of Glass & Steele...I missed it mightily....And it gives us a little more insight into Professor Gavin....loved it...cannot wait til sept

[Traci · Rating 4 out of 5]

Archer picked two good secondary characters to lead this new series. I like that this takes magic outside of England and shows how the Glass Library acquires some of its books. I also enjoyed the cameos from the original (and future) characters for her other two series.

[Trina Deal · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it!

C.J. you have done it again. Come on September! I want the next installment. I really have come to love all your characters. And I can't wait to see where we go from here.

[Nadia Vriendt · Rating 3 out of 5]

As much as I liked the story and CJ Archer's writing style I also felt this story to seem simpler than her other works in terms of plot and character development, which was a slight disappointment and my main reason for only giving 3 stars rather than 4.

[Kristee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tough to put down.

Characters from the Glass series appear and some new developments are included in this book. Also a good old mystery developed for you to read and find out if it is solved.

[Meg · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars. Started out clunky but eventually found its footing. Very lighthearted and fun. The dynamic between Gavin, Oscar, and Adele was well done if not somewhat overdone. The ending then threw all of that in the garbage. I understand the attempt, but it was mainly just ridiculous.

[Clark Day · Rating 3 out of 5]

Enjoyable read for those who love the Glass and Steele series

[Jennie Good · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh how I’ve missed these characters! So elated to see another series related to Glass and Steele!

[Delia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very much enjoyed this book. I look forward to the next one.

[Dee Rose · Rating 2 out of 5]

*Audiobook. I was expecting more witchy magic. Instead it’s more of a cosy mystery novel. The narration was very well done.

[Ctobin1 T · Rating 3 out of 5]

Professor Nash and David Barratt's first adventure in search of a magical boo.

[Laura Lee · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another perspective from the world of glass and Steele. Oscar and Gavin go to Edinburgh to get a magic tome for the Glass Library…. They help solve the case of 2 missing magicians.

[Maura · Rating 2 out of 5]

I thought this was going to be about magic. The first half was really good, but it ended up taking a left turn into a simple detective mystery.

[Christopher Ramsay · Rating 3 out of 5]

A lukewarm story about the events leading up to the creation of the Glass and Steele Library.

[Caroline · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was alright not my favorite of hers

[KLRouloReads · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love C J Archer's stories and having one with Barrett and the Professor is a great addition.

[Pj · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love reading books with familiar characters! Can't wait to see where this new series leads!

[k.eleanor.s]

A+