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The Warwick Shield
Warwick Castle's ancient protection spells just activated for the first time in five centuries. And they want justice.
Maddie Crow was supposed to be on her first Ministry case — a straightforward consultation at Warwick Castle with the mysterious Agent Blade. Instead, she's sealed inside a medieval dungeon by magic older than the castle walls, with a dead body, a room full of suspects, and no way out until the killer is caught.
The only problem? Justice is complicated when the murder victim isn't who anyone thought he was, the dungeon's torture instruments are getting more creative by the hour, and Commander Beauchamp is clearly hiding something behind his military composure.
Then there's Ross Hamilton. The detective who almost kissed her and pulled away with secrets behind his eyes and words he won't say. The man who spent a night in the dungeon to protect her. It's...complicated. Whatever Ross isn't telling her, it's eating him alive — and being trapped with nowhere to run isn't exactly helping Maddie ignore the tension.
As the castle's ancient defences escalate from unsettling to deadly, time is running out to solve the murder.
Some wards are built to keep people out. This one was built to keep them in.
Maddie Crow was supposed to be on her first Ministry case — a straightforward consultation at Warwick Castle with the mysterious Agent Blade. Instead, she's sealed inside a medieval dungeon by magic older than the castle walls, with a dead body, a room full of suspects, and no way out until the killer is caught.
The only problem? Justice is complicated when the murder victim isn't who anyone thought he was, the dungeon's torture instruments are getting more creative by the hour, and Commander Beauchamp is clearly hiding something behind his military composure.
Then there's Ross Hamilton. The detective who almost kissed her and pulled away with secrets behind his eyes and words he won't say. The man who spent a night in the dungeon to protect her. It's...complicated. Whatever Ross isn't telling her, it's eating him alive — and being trapped with nowhere to run isn't exactly helping Maddie ignore the tension.
As the castle's ancient defences escalate from unsettling to deadly, time is running out to solve the murder.
Some wards are built to keep people out. This one was built to keep them in.
- GenresFantasy
255 pages, Kindle Edition
Published March 23, 2026
About the author
Claire Robyns
38 books124 followersClaire Robyns writes mystery, romance and adventure, because sometimes one life really can have it all (between the pages of a book, at least.)
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Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
March 28, 2026
"As the walls closed in around me, the ambience thickened. And by ambience, I mean the olfactory overload of stone, damp, and rusted iron--standard medieval starter pack."
The Warwick Shield is another excellent book in the Curse Breaker Witches series. I love everything about this series, set in modern Stratford-on-Avon but populated with paranormals of all kinds, mundane inhabitants, and tourists. The fantasy concept is unique, but I love how the paranormal characters have to deal with modern issues, just like the rest of us. So, if you've read the first three books, what do you have to look forward to in this one? Well, the always mysterious Agent Blade has a starring role in this story. Detective Ross has some serious explaining to do, and although Lily has only an off-site role, she still wins the best-friend-ever award. If you haven't started this series yet, I encourage you to do so. And if you have, don't wait to read "The Warwick Shield." I loved it.
The Warwick Shield is another excellent book in the Curse Breaker Witches series. I love everything about this series, set in modern Stratford-on-Avon but populated with paranormals of all kinds, mundane inhabitants, and tourists. The fantasy concept is unique, but I love how the paranormal characters have to deal with modern issues, just like the rest of us. So, if you've read the first three books, what do you have to look forward to in this one? Well, the always mysterious Agent Blade has a starring role in this story. Detective Ross has some serious explaining to do, and although Lily has only an off-site role, she still wins the best-friend-ever award. If you haven't started this series yet, I encourage you to do so. And if you have, don't wait to read "The Warwick Shield." I loved it.
April 8, 2026
The Warwick Shield – 4/5⭐
I really enjoyed the direction Claire took with this instalment. It had such fun escape-room vibes, with a group of paranormals trapped in the dungeons of Warwick Castle. The combination of a multi-murder mystery alongside the challenge of breaking through a powerful and intelligent ward kept things engaging throughout.
I especially loved seeing more of Blade in this story. We get a slightly different side to him, while he still maintains that cryptic edge that makes him so intriguing.
Ross and Maddie’s relationship continues to develop, particularly after the revelations about what he’s been hiding. That first chapter was genuinely heartbreaking — you could really feel Maddie’s pain.
Even though I guessed the killer quite early on, it didn’t take away from my enjoyment. Overall, a really fun and immersive read.
I really enjoyed the direction Claire took with this instalment. It had such fun escape-room vibes, with a group of paranormals trapped in the dungeons of Warwick Castle. The combination of a multi-murder mystery alongside the challenge of breaking through a powerful and intelligent ward kept things engaging throughout.
I especially loved seeing more of Blade in this story. We get a slightly different side to him, while he still maintains that cryptic edge that makes him so intriguing.
Ross and Maddie’s relationship continues to develop, particularly after the revelations about what he’s been hiding. That first chapter was genuinely heartbreaking — you could really feel Maddie’s pain.
Even though I guessed the killer quite early on, it didn’t take away from my enjoyment. Overall, a really fun and immersive read.
April 20, 2026
It was gruesome and compelling and I couldn't put it away. Being locked away in a dungeon with animated torture devices is a nightmare I wouldn't wish on anybody. Agent Blade was enigmatic, Maddie was fearless and Ross was... Ross...
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews