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Warhammer Crime
Flesh and Steel
A Warhammer Crime novel
Murder in the neutral zone between Imperial and Adeptus Mechanicus territory sets Probator Symeon Noctis on a dangerous investigation.
READ IT BECAUSE
Discover tensions between Imperial servants on Varangantua as an extremely odd pair of detectives seek to solve a murder.
THE STORY
Born into riches, Probator Symeon Noctis attempts to atone for his past sins by championing the powerless of Nearsteel district. But the sprawling city of Varangantua is uncaring of its masses, and when a bisected corpse is discovered in the neutral zone between Nearsteel and the Adeptus Mechanicus enclave of Steelmound, Noctis finds himself cast into his most dangerous case yet.
Partnering with the tech-priest Rho-1 Lux of the Collegiate Extremis, Noctis is drawn into a murky world of tech-heresy, illegal servitors, and exploitation that could end his career, or his life.
Murder in the neutral zone between Imperial and Adeptus Mechanicus territory sets Probator Symeon Noctis on a dangerous investigation.
READ IT BECAUSE
Discover tensions between Imperial servants on Varangantua as an extremely odd pair of detectives seek to solve a murder.
THE STORY
Born into riches, Probator Symeon Noctis attempts to atone for his past sins by championing the powerless of Nearsteel district. But the sprawling city of Varangantua is uncaring of its masses, and when a bisected corpse is discovered in the neutral zone between Nearsteel and the Adeptus Mechanicus enclave of Steelmound, Noctis finds himself cast into his most dangerous case yet.
Partnering with the tech-priest Rho-1 Lux of the Collegiate Extremis, Noctis is drawn into a murky world of tech-heresy, illegal servitors, and exploitation that could end his career, or his life.
316 pages, Paperback
First published October 3, 2020
73 people are currently reading
758 people want to read
About the author
Guy Haley
288 books725 followersGuy Haley is the author of over 50 novels and novellas. His original fiction includes Crash, Champion of Mars, and the Richards and Klein, Dreaming Cities, and the Gates of the World series (as K M McKinley). However, he is best known as a prolific contributor to Games Workshop's Black Library imprint.
When not writing, he'll be out doing something dangerous in the wild, learning languages or gaming.
When not writing, he'll be out doing something dangerous in the wild, learning languages or gaming.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 75 reviews
February 11, 2021
Wasn't expecting wisdom from a Warhammer Book...
"The truest thing my father said to me when I was a boy was that rich men deal in only one thing, and that is time. Time is the most precious resource any man has; however he chooses to spend it, he won't get any more. The great trick people like my father play is to convince others to undervalue it, or to force its devaluation, by holding it hostage for food, a roof, a pair of shoes. The rich pay slivers on the slate for every hour they steal. That's why they're rich."
"The truest thing my father said to me when I was a boy was that rich men deal in only one thing, and that is time. Time is the most precious resource any man has; however he chooses to spend it, he won't get any more. The great trick people like my father play is to convince others to undervalue it, or to force its devaluation, by holding it hostage for food, a roof, a pair of shoes. The rich pay slivers on the slate for every hour they steal. That's why they're rich."
March 23, 2022
"It was raining the day that I met her."
I love Guy Haley’s works. One of the most prolific Black Library authors, he writes about iconic 40K heroes as well as original characters - many of whom belong to my favorite factions - and he also created the second Warhammer Crime novel, Flesh and Steel, which I had the honour to translate.
Finding common ground with the Adeptus Mechanicus is no easy feat at the best of times. Not even for a blue-blood probator (i.e. detective) from the family of a groundcar industry king. However, some adepts of the Machine Cult may even appear more humane than ordinary men…
Varangantua, on Planet Alecto, Segmentum Tempestus, is a city where any probator can afford an apartment with a smart home system (okay, that was a joke). A civilisation very similar to our own (after all, humans are essentially the same, whether now or 40,000 years in the past / future), though most of its people have little idea of the current situation in the wider Imperium Hominis. And good for them, since compared to what’s happening elsewhere in the galaxy, their local conflicts are just pillow fights.
Would that Games Workshop released a Warhammer Crime tabletop game one day. But we’ll see, eh?
I love Guy Haley’s works. One of the most prolific Black Library authors, he writes about iconic 40K heroes as well as original characters - many of whom belong to my favorite factions - and he also created the second Warhammer Crime novel, Flesh and Steel, which I had the honour to translate.
Finding common ground with the Adeptus Mechanicus is no easy feat at the best of times. Not even for a blue-blood probator (i.e. detective) from the family of a groundcar industry king. However, some adepts of the Machine Cult may even appear more humane than ordinary men…
Varangantua, on Planet Alecto, Segmentum Tempestus, is a city where any probator can afford an apartment with a smart home system (okay, that was a joke). A civilisation very similar to our own (after all, humans are essentially the same, whether now or 40,000 years in the past / future), though most of its people have little idea of the current situation in the wider Imperium Hominis. And good for them, since compared to what’s happening elsewhere in the galaxy, their local conflicts are just pillow fights.
Would that Games Workshop released a Warhammer Crime tabletop game one day. But we’ll see, eh?
October 3, 2020
Lex or Lore?
This is yet another really enjoyable title from the Warhammer Crime imprint. Noctis follows in the tradition of JD Robb’s Eve Dallas and Pratchett’s Vimes as a loaded police officer, but unlike these two, he’s born into obscene wealth, which puts a different spin on his experiences.
Guy Hayley has managed three great things here- he’s fleshed out Varangantua , and by extension the Imperium, even further than the previous books have, making it a living-breathing city (we have alcoholic drinks beyond amasec! Gay male characters! Sects within the Cult Mechanicum!), with a dysfunctional but plausible social model. He’s also explored the nature of the Adeptus Mechanicus and the way they interact with the wider Imperium in, to me, an unprecedented level. The grim reality of so much 41st-millennium technology is addressed, as are the fundamental hypocrisies required to keep the Imperium functioning, even at the debased Level it just about manages. Guy has shown himself to be so good at all of this in his recent works, so it’s nice to see this unflinching approach continue here.
Most importantly though, he’s told a fantastic story. We get a good mystery to solve, some character development and all of the glorious world-building I mention above. The end might feel a tad rushed, but it’s set up nicely for the characters to be revisited either in shorts or full novels.
This is yet another really enjoyable title from the Warhammer Crime imprint. Noctis follows in the tradition of JD Robb’s Eve Dallas and Pratchett’s Vimes as a loaded police officer, but unlike these two, he’s born into obscene wealth, which puts a different spin on his experiences.
Guy Hayley has managed three great things here- he’s fleshed out Varangantua , and by extension the Imperium, even further than the previous books have, making it a living-breathing city (we have alcoholic drinks beyond amasec! Gay male characters! Sects within the Cult Mechanicum!), with a dysfunctional but plausible social model. He’s also explored the nature of the Adeptus Mechanicus and the way they interact with the wider Imperium in, to me, an unprecedented level. The grim reality of so much 41st-millennium technology is addressed, as are the fundamental hypocrisies required to keep the Imperium functioning, even at the debased Level it just about manages. Guy has shown himself to be so good at all of this in his recent works, so it’s nice to see this unflinching approach continue here.
Most importantly though, he’s told a fantastic story. We get a good mystery to solve, some character development and all of the glorious world-building I mention above. The end might feel a tad rushed, but it’s set up nicely for the characters to be revisited either in shorts or full novels.
July 16, 2025
Really wanted to like this book more, especially since it felt like it hid something really awesome for just a few more pages... and then it just ended with what feels like a good 50 pages or maybe a few short Stories missing
July 4, 2021
A really good crime book. Good compelling lead protagonists. Although I do have my doubts as to whether this was written as a Warhammer novel or an old crime novel Haley write and adapted when they started published Warhammer Crime.
August 2, 2021
Five stars for this one! Mr. Haley did it again! He wrote the perfect mix between a Blade runner like, film noir and a grimdark 40k novel. The result, excellent. One of the best books by Black Library. Highly recommended.
February 25, 2021
An entertaining read, but the ending was really anticlimactic.
August 23, 2021
Dieses Buch war ein reiner Coverkauf. Natürlich mag ich Warhammer und von Guy Haley habe ich auch schon einiges gelesen, aber mein erster Blick fiel auf das Titelbild und schon war das Buch gekauft.
Nun ist es auch ausgelesen und hier hat mich das Äussere nicht getäuscht. Ich habe bekommen, was ich mir erhofft hatte.
Schon von der ersten Seite an herrscht dichte, drückende Stimmung. Diese zieht sich durch das ganze Buch und zeigt und das Leben jenseits der Kriegsschauplätze von WH 40K. Dennoch ist der Krieg überall, zeigt sich in kleinen Details und Szenen.
Ein deutlicheres Thema, das der Autor hier verarbeitet hat, betrifft uns ebenfalls: die Schere zwischen Arm und Reich.
In dieser Stadt ist diese klar ersichtlich. Symeon versucht, dagegen anzukämpfen, so gut es geht. Dabei hat er noch genug andere Geister, mit denen er ringt. Lux entpuppt sich dann als das, was ihr Name verspricht. Auch wenn weder Symeon, noch der Leser das anfangs glauben mögen.
Eine klassische Detektivgeschichte, angesiedelt im Warhammer 40K-Universum. Grossartig umgesetzt von einem der ganz grossen des Black Library-Verlages. Nun hoffe ich darauf, dass auch sehr bald der zweite Band erscheinen wird. Auch diesen werde ich kaufen, ohne zweimal nachzudenken. Jetzt schon gar nicht mehr.
Nun ist es auch ausgelesen und hier hat mich das Äussere nicht getäuscht. Ich habe bekommen, was ich mir erhofft hatte.
Schon von der ersten Seite an herrscht dichte, drückende Stimmung. Diese zieht sich durch das ganze Buch und zeigt und das Leben jenseits der Kriegsschauplätze von WH 40K. Dennoch ist der Krieg überall, zeigt sich in kleinen Details und Szenen.
Ein deutlicheres Thema, das der Autor hier verarbeitet hat, betrifft uns ebenfalls: die Schere zwischen Arm und Reich.
In dieser Stadt ist diese klar ersichtlich. Symeon versucht, dagegen anzukämpfen, so gut es geht. Dabei hat er noch genug andere Geister, mit denen er ringt. Lux entpuppt sich dann als das, was ihr Name verspricht. Auch wenn weder Symeon, noch der Leser das anfangs glauben mögen.
Eine klassische Detektivgeschichte, angesiedelt im Warhammer 40K-Universum. Grossartig umgesetzt von einem der ganz grossen des Black Library-Verlages. Nun hoffe ich darauf, dass auch sehr bald der zweite Band erscheinen wird. Auch diesen werde ich kaufen, ohne zweimal nachzudenken. Jetzt schon gar nicht mehr.
March 18, 2024
In the grim darkness of the far future, there are crimes to solve!
Having read Bloodlines, I was eager to read Flesh and Steel. While the story plot was not particularly out of the ordinary as far as detective plots go. The characters and point of view of life within a Hive World of the Imperium was the highlight of this book.
The book being written from the perspective of the detective’s journal helped made the interactions feel more personal and lively. Specially considering the wide range of characters our protagonist interacts with.
Showing the life of the imperium and mechanicus citizens from such a close point of view helps this universe to feel gigantic and even more lively than the standard 40k novel with its galactic scale and epic battles.
A worth read for those who want to experience more close to the people stories within the Warhammer 40,000 universe.
Having read Bloodlines, I was eager to read Flesh and Steel. While the story plot was not particularly out of the ordinary as far as detective plots go. The characters and point of view of life within a Hive World of the Imperium was the highlight of this book.
The book being written from the perspective of the detective’s journal helped made the interactions feel more personal and lively. Specially considering the wide range of characters our protagonist interacts with.
Showing the life of the imperium and mechanicus citizens from such a close point of view helps this universe to feel gigantic and even more lively than the standard 40k novel with its galactic scale and epic battles.
A worth read for those who want to experience more close to the people stories within the Warhammer 40,000 universe.
January 26, 2025
This was a nice story, the best Warhammer book I’ve read so far, touching themes I find in 40k most intriguing. While business with servitors is grim - and not in a edgy way Warhammer often chooses. Generally this book was full of awful stuff but that’s what made it worthwhile.
I can’t say I have much sympathy for Noctis - another oh-so-sad guy drowning his sadness in alcohol, full of self pity. But I was really surprised and pleased to see that his alcoholism wasn’t shown as a cool thing. Quite the contrary, the descriptions were so nice I wouldn’t want to drink any alcohol while reading it.
Another matter is Lux which I loved and tbh, I wish there were more chapters from her perspective. The Machanicus lore and faith were intriguing, their culture and perception of world completely different from everyone else’s.
So yeah, I enjoyed this book very much - even though Noctis was who he was.
I can’t say I have much sympathy for Noctis - another oh-so-sad guy drowning his sadness in alcohol, full of self pity. But I was really surprised and pleased to see that his alcoholism wasn’t shown as a cool thing. Quite the contrary, the descriptions were so nice I wouldn’t want to drink any alcohol while reading it.
Another matter is Lux which I loved and tbh, I wish there were more chapters from her perspective. The Machanicus lore and faith were intriguing, their culture and perception of world completely different from everyone else’s.
So yeah, I enjoyed this book very much - even though Noctis was who he was.
June 4, 2025
I wish there was more of this series, but I also wish it delivered more of the Grimdark future that the Imperium of Man should be. The good? It delivers a reasonable mystery and Noir-classic tropes, mixed into the far future's crazy technology base. The character work is great. Both leads come from unique backgrounds and offer more than trope standards or WH40K fanaticism. Even the extended cast is interesting.
Unfortunately, the worldbuilding is too tame for my liking. The Probators here (not Arbities) feel like the police arm of a big city, but the story feels like it could be transplanted into 80's NYC without much loss. The culture of the Imperium should be wildly different. It could be that the Law is a fearsome force of nature that sweeps its way through society, or we could go with extreme corruption whereby the oppression is heartbreaking. We get neither. I suspect the author's English background leaves him unable to imagine what human cruelty is really capable of, and he could do with experiencing/researching first-hand interactions with authorities abroad.
Good. But could be great.
Unfortunately, the worldbuilding is too tame for my liking. The Probators here (not Arbities) feel like the police arm of a big city, but the story feels like it could be transplanted into 80's NYC without much loss. The culture of the Imperium should be wildly different. It could be that the Law is a fearsome force of nature that sweeps its way through society, or we could go with extreme corruption whereby the oppression is heartbreaking. We get neither. I suspect the author's English background leaves him unable to imagine what human cruelty is really capable of, and he could do with experiencing/researching first-hand interactions with authorities abroad.
Good. But could be great.
November 17, 2025
Sci-fi buddy cop but make it rich kid detective and cyborg. Love it. Wished I read this prior to the Vorbis Conspiracy which also has a chapter with these characters. This was great. Very followable, and a great resolution to the story!
June 5, 2024
The fantastic mixing of noir detective genres with the Grim darkness of Warhammer 40K. With a protagonist who is quite literally me for real for real. Though a bit loose on the whole mystery/whodunnit aspect that makes detective novels most fun to read it’s understandable that it might take a backseat when you’re on a planet of untold billions who can do pretty much anything with a mix of space magic and sci-fi tech.
Of particular note is a sequence in the book where the protagonist walks through a factory where servitors are made out of still living convicts. Genuinely bone-chilling in its delightful colour commentary, the author doing a good job of evoking smells and atmosphere with a few choice words.
Would definitely recommend as it takes a more personal view into a universe I love where it’s easy to ignore the small scale despair and hope of people on a daily basis.
Of particular note is a sequence in the book where the protagonist walks through a factory where servitors are made out of still living convicts. Genuinely bone-chilling in its delightful colour commentary, the author doing a good job of evoking smells and atmosphere with a few choice words.
Would definitely recommend as it takes a more personal view into a universe I love where it’s easy to ignore the small scale despair and hope of people on a daily basis.
February 19, 2023
Rating of 4.75.
I’m on a major Warhammer 40,000 review roll, so after checking out the awesome books Malleus and Hereticus by Dan Abnett, Sepulturum by Nick Kyme, For the Emperor by Sandy Mitchell and Kingsblade by Andy Clark, I’m moving on to the awesome Warhammer Crime book, Flesh and Steel by Guy Haley, which proved to be an exceptional read.
The vast continent-sprawling city of Varangantua on the planet of Alecto is home to many vile and heartless crimes, most of which are ignored by the over-taxed enforcers of the Lex Alecto. However, some murders are so spectacular that they cannot be ignored, especially when they threaten the stability of the city’s entire economy.
Probator Symeon Noctis is a man who knows all about the obscene wealth that Varangantua can produce. A scion of one of the city’s richest houses, Noctis has fled from his cruel family and his tragic past by joining the enforcers and attempting to help the downtrodden inhabitants of the Nearsteel district. However, even someone as jaded and cynical as Noctis is unprepared for the strangeness of his next case when a bisected corpse is discovered in a neutral zone between Nearsteel and the Adeptus Mechanicus enclave of Steelmound, the two halves of the body neatly left on either side of the border.
Forced to cooperate with the Adeptus Mechnanicus, Noctis is partnered with Procurator Rho-1 Lux of the Collegiate Extremis to investigate the crime. But when all evidence suggests that the murder was committed by a mindless servitor, Noctis is dragged into a terrible conspiracy inside the Adeptus Mechanicus. Faced with tech-heresy, illegal modifications to servitors and even more bodies littering the streets, Noctis and Lux need to work together to solve this insidious crime before both their organisations are dragged down. But with more and more people gunning for them, can this unlikely duo survive to crack the case?
Now this was an awesome Warhammer Crime book. Loaded with great, complex characters, a compelling case, and some impressive Warhammer 40,000 elements, Flesh and Steel grabs your attention from the very start and refuses to let go. A fantastic novel that shows off just how incredible and inventive a tie-in to the Warhammer universe can be.
To see the full review, click on the link below:
https://unseenlibrary.com/2023/02/19/...
For other exciting reviews and content, check out my blog at:
https://unseenlibrary.com/
I’m on a major Warhammer 40,000 review roll, so after checking out the awesome books Malleus and Hereticus by Dan Abnett, Sepulturum by Nick Kyme, For the Emperor by Sandy Mitchell and Kingsblade by Andy Clark, I’m moving on to the awesome Warhammer Crime book, Flesh and Steel by Guy Haley, which proved to be an exceptional read.
The vast continent-sprawling city of Varangantua on the planet of Alecto is home to many vile and heartless crimes, most of which are ignored by the over-taxed enforcers of the Lex Alecto. However, some murders are so spectacular that they cannot be ignored, especially when they threaten the stability of the city’s entire economy.
Probator Symeon Noctis is a man who knows all about the obscene wealth that Varangantua can produce. A scion of one of the city’s richest houses, Noctis has fled from his cruel family and his tragic past by joining the enforcers and attempting to help the downtrodden inhabitants of the Nearsteel district. However, even someone as jaded and cynical as Noctis is unprepared for the strangeness of his next case when a bisected corpse is discovered in a neutral zone between Nearsteel and the Adeptus Mechanicus enclave of Steelmound, the two halves of the body neatly left on either side of the border.
Forced to cooperate with the Adeptus Mechnanicus, Noctis is partnered with Procurator Rho-1 Lux of the Collegiate Extremis to investigate the crime. But when all evidence suggests that the murder was committed by a mindless servitor, Noctis is dragged into a terrible conspiracy inside the Adeptus Mechanicus. Faced with tech-heresy, illegal modifications to servitors and even more bodies littering the streets, Noctis and Lux need to work together to solve this insidious crime before both their organisations are dragged down. But with more and more people gunning for them, can this unlikely duo survive to crack the case?
Now this was an awesome Warhammer Crime book. Loaded with great, complex characters, a compelling case, and some impressive Warhammer 40,000 elements, Flesh and Steel grabs your attention from the very start and refuses to let go. A fantastic novel that shows off just how incredible and inventive a tie-in to the Warhammer universe can be.
To see the full review, click on the link below:
https://unseenlibrary.com/2023/02/19/...
For other exciting reviews and content, check out my blog at:
https://unseenlibrary.com/
March 23, 2022
Flesh and Steel is a noir detective story. It's so loaded with the typical tropes and elements you would expect in any noir fiction that it borders on cheesy how transparent the construction is. A snarky down and out investigator with a drinking problem and a troubled past. A distant and unreachable love interest with a veil of mystery about her. A plot filled with a scramble of elements that conveniently come together to reveal a web of connections. It even opens with a lot of complaining about the rain. Cold rain.
Guy Haley swings it at you like one of those fat wiffle bats for little kids. Bonk. NOIR CRIME DRAMA. It's so blatant that it will have you shaking your head at moments and smiling in others, but never cringing and tossing it down. Because it works. Somehow the warhammer aesthetic comes across very Bladerunner in moments and the story has enough interesting characters to keep it from ever falling into drudgery.
There are jutting edges and problems that stick out and weaken the composition quite a bit, though.
The protagonist Noctis has such a deep well of spite for the extreme wealth he grew up in that it really begins to become a bit of a bore how one dimensional he is. He feels entirely unbelievable from the onset and the unrevealed past that justifies it doesn't pay off when it is finally revealed. It feels evident that Haley recognized this problem and tried to give him slightly more nuance as the story went along, but it never does enough to mask that most of this is just noir elements and plot necessary structure to fit the theme.
There is a heavy focus on the Adeptus Mechanicus and servitors here that you won't find piled up in such abundance in other Warhammer 40k material. It's a fresh place to throw the magnifying glass for a while and these elements really give the story the majority of its unique flavoring that saves it from more intense scrutiny.
A dark brooding slightly nihilistic bout of fun. If you like detective crime and by the book noir fiction this is tailor made to fit your tastes.
Guy Haley swings it at you like one of those fat wiffle bats for little kids. Bonk. NOIR CRIME DRAMA. It's so blatant that it will have you shaking your head at moments and smiling in others, but never cringing and tossing it down. Because it works. Somehow the warhammer aesthetic comes across very Bladerunner in moments and the story has enough interesting characters to keep it from ever falling into drudgery.
There are jutting edges and problems that stick out and weaken the composition quite a bit, though.
The protagonist Noctis has such a deep well of spite for the extreme wealth he grew up in that it really begins to become a bit of a bore how one dimensional he is. He feels entirely unbelievable from the onset and the unrevealed past that justifies it doesn't pay off when it is finally revealed. It feels evident that Haley recognized this problem and tried to give him slightly more nuance as the story went along, but it never does enough to mask that most of this is just noir elements and plot necessary structure to fit the theme.
There is a heavy focus on the Adeptus Mechanicus and servitors here that you won't find piled up in such abundance in other Warhammer 40k material. It's a fresh place to throw the magnifying glass for a while and these elements really give the story the majority of its unique flavoring that saves it from more intense scrutiny.
A dark brooding slightly nihilistic bout of fun. If you like detective crime and by the book noir fiction this is tailor made to fit your tastes.
January 2, 2021
A solid, hardboiled detective story in domestic Warhammer 40k settings. Slight tarnish comes from some unfortunate 40k tropes that the book could have done without: prologue and epilogue for the "discovered diary", diary references to Future events not yet covered by the book. Especially the latter ones were irritating for a book where twists and turnings of the unfolding plot should create a gripping page-turner. It does not make the story any more grim-dark if we learn upfront who is going to be offed in the Future installments. One could claim that it actually softens the blow and detracts from the suspense. Also, offing main-characters in the grim-dark genre is so common that it now feels like a cheap trick. Leave them emotionally reeling, says I!
Compared to more common 40k bolter-porn, Flesh and Steel is more adult and characters less paper-thin. The odd Black Library chastity still holds sway and romantic subplots, or, God-Emperor-forbid, a proper shag, are right out of the question. Which is a shame: there were all the ingredients, with a wonderfully schizophrenic peek into the workings of the half-machine mind battling the hormones and emotions, and an emotionally scarred protagonist. I fail to see how the accidental 11-year-old reader would be more scarred by a boob rather than reading about a detailed workings of a servitor factorium. Must be something in the drinking water of the green and pleasant land..
Where Flesh and Steel shines is the detailed description of the urban hellscape and the in-built social injustice. 40k details are carefully sprinkled in to create a "realistic" backdrop for a decent detective story. Will definitely pick up the sequel: entertaining read, all-in-all.
Compared to more common 40k bolter-porn, Flesh and Steel is more adult and characters less paper-thin. The odd Black Library chastity still holds sway and romantic subplots, or, God-Emperor-forbid, a proper shag, are right out of the question. Which is a shame: there were all the ingredients, with a wonderfully schizophrenic peek into the workings of the half-machine mind battling the hormones and emotions, and an emotionally scarred protagonist. I fail to see how the accidental 11-year-old reader would be more scarred by a boob rather than reading about a detailed workings of a servitor factorium. Must be something in the drinking water of the green and pleasant land..
Where Flesh and Steel shines is the detailed description of the urban hellscape and the in-built social injustice. 40k details are carefully sprinkled in to create a "realistic" backdrop for a decent detective story. Will definitely pick up the sequel: entertaining read, all-in-all.
March 24, 2022
Flesh and Steel is book set in the Warhammer 40,000 universe. It is part of their crime series.
I’ll start by saying I was very impressed with this book! I’m aware of the lore of this universe, but certainly no expert and haven’t read many of the Warhammer books - yet! This book is very approachable whether you are familiar with this universe or not. There is some terminology used that is very specific to this universe, but the terms are either explained throughout the story, or the handy glossary in the back!
It feels like a noir style detective story for the most part. A down on his luck detective (Probator) Symeon Noctis is the main character. He has an interesting background that slowly gets revealed throughout the book. Our other main character is Rho-1 Lux of the Adeptus Mechanicus, through her eyes we get a better understanding of this machine worshiping group of cyborgs.
The overall plot involves a murder mystery and a missing persons case. However things are never that simple, there is more going on which gets revealed as the plot progresses. It’s quite the page turner!
This book is for both Warhammer fans, and fans of crime/detective books in general. Apart from our characters, the setting also sets this apart from your usual crime caper. Set in Nearsteel, a district of the city of Varangantua. Where the hyper elite live in comfort and luxury, whilst the majority of inhabitants struggle to scratch out an existence. It’s got a dystopian and cyberpunk vibe.
I personally look forward to reading more of the Warhammer Crime series and hope to see more stories with Noctis and Lux.
I’ll start by saying I was very impressed with this book! I’m aware of the lore of this universe, but certainly no expert and haven’t read many of the Warhammer books - yet! This book is very approachable whether you are familiar with this universe or not. There is some terminology used that is very specific to this universe, but the terms are either explained throughout the story, or the handy glossary in the back!
It feels like a noir style detective story for the most part. A down on his luck detective (Probator) Symeon Noctis is the main character. He has an interesting background that slowly gets revealed throughout the book. Our other main character is Rho-1 Lux of the Adeptus Mechanicus, through her eyes we get a better understanding of this machine worshiping group of cyborgs.
The overall plot involves a murder mystery and a missing persons case. However things are never that simple, there is more going on which gets revealed as the plot progresses. It’s quite the page turner!
This book is for both Warhammer fans, and fans of crime/detective books in general. Apart from our characters, the setting also sets this apart from your usual crime caper. Set in Nearsteel, a district of the city of Varangantua. Where the hyper elite live in comfort and luxury, whilst the majority of inhabitants struggle to scratch out an existence. It’s got a dystopian and cyberpunk vibe.
I personally look forward to reading more of the Warhammer Crime series and hope to see more stories with Noctis and Lux.
April 9, 2022
Full disclosure, the only thing that could make me love a traditional hard-boiled detective novel more is setting it in a grimdark sci-fi setting! So this book was already ticking boxes for me before I even started reading. Haley did a great job staying true to the overall feel and tone of a detective story, which I appreciated, and the 40k setting served the novel well. In my mind, what makes a 40k novel good is the main character. Do I care? Does he or she feel real and authentic, and are his actions and reactions truthful to his experiences in the novel? Noctis as the formerly gilded police investigator was so interesting to me. He really supported the entire story. Haley managed to make him feel authentic while also fitting him into the many established tropes of the genre. Lux, the supporting detective, was great as well. The chapters told from her perspective were great and added to the flow of the novel and the unraveling of the mystery. I liked the mystery of the murderous servitors and the unease between regular citizens of Varagantua and the mysterious techpriests. I wasn’t entirely surprised by the reveal at the end, but it didn’t disappoint either. I so hope there is at least one more book with Noctis and Lux! I need more stories of them!
June 7, 2022
Arguably one of the best introductory books for Warhammer 40,000. Like Dan Abnett's Xenos, this book takes a break from usual band of space marines fighting against a never-ending horde of death/destruction, and instead focuses on what some might consider "normal" life in the Imperium of Man—though admittedly, Xenos does get a little crazy later in the book. Flesh and Steel centers on a cyberpunky investigative duo. Noctis, an enforcer down on his luck and nearly out of a job; and Rho-1 Lux, a member of the Adeptus Mechanicus (think of them as cyborgs) who are both trying to piece together a mysterious string of murders in their city. Any possibly confusing concepts for newcomers are quickly explained by the narrator (who is Noctis), as the format of the novel is written in the form of a letter to you, the reader. Guy Haley does a great job introducing portions of the 40k universe without falling down the rabbit hole and overwhelming a newcomer.
Highly recommend it!
Highly recommend it!
January 9, 2022
If I am to be totally honest, this is a by the numbers cop story crime detective drenched in noire. All the classic cop story tropes any person who has seen movies such as lethal weapon or last action hero will recognize: the "I do stuff my way" detective who does not fit in, the angry police chief who is always threatening to fire said detective, wisecracking at inappropriate times, the weird case, the case that can't be solved, the goofy data cruncher detective is friends with, the by the books new partner, long monologues or introspective on why they are a cop, the warming up to each other, the seedy underbelly informant, the I need a favor moment, bad habit coping mechanisms for old secretive trauma and finally it rains all the effing time (this is a scifi noire after all).
Having said all that though; I liked it. The plot was engaging enough, the main characters, the cop buddy duo were pleasant enough and the setting did just fine as the backdrop for a fun even if by the numbers plot. I liked in particular how the story is a vehicle to talk about the warhammer 40k universe beyond battlefields, space ships and site of importance. I was expecting a necromunda setting, a hive city but this wasn't it. It was more like the blade runner world of the 1980ties. Futuristic yes but not as mind boggling as the hive cities of Necromunda. These subsegments of Warhammer books on crime and horror have so far been particularly great in exploring other segments of the warhammer 40K universe and perhaps that was my greatest source of enjoyment, oh that and confirmation that cats still exist in warhammer 40K!
pick it up, don't have huge expectations and you'll have some fun with this.
Having said all that though; I liked it. The plot was engaging enough, the main characters, the cop buddy duo were pleasant enough and the setting did just fine as the backdrop for a fun even if by the numbers plot. I liked in particular how the story is a vehicle to talk about the warhammer 40k universe beyond battlefields, space ships and site of importance. I was expecting a necromunda setting, a hive city but this wasn't it. It was more like the blade runner world of the 1980ties. Futuristic yes but not as mind boggling as the hive cities of Necromunda. These subsegments of Warhammer books on crime and horror have so far been particularly great in exploring other segments of the warhammer 40K universe and perhaps that was my greatest source of enjoyment, oh that and confirmation that cats still exist in warhammer 40K!
pick it up, don't have huge expectations and you'll have some fun with this.
November 7, 2024
Interesting, but with strange pacing and clearly (and annoyingly) left open for a sequel.
A murder investigation is an interesting take on the 40K universe, and I had been told it involved a lot of details on how servitors are created and managed.
While the investigation was true, the latter was not really there, apart from one brief section in the middle of the book.
The narration was generally good, although the VO for Lux and other mechanicus recordings were ironically too robotic and lifeless.
I also can’t stand the use of the imperial system (again ironic given the Imperium), so much talk of feet, yards, inches etc, I have no frame of reference as to what those are, and neither would the majority of the world, as we use the metric system.
Pacing is also a major issue, with far too many slow sections, highlighted especially by how much it picks up towards the end, yet still leaves so, so many loose ends - it’s clearly been left open for a sequel.
I have no issues with sequels, especially within the 40K universe of course, but they should happen naturally rather than having important plot points deliberately left wide open just so that we’re forced to read a sequel.
My final and relatively smaller gripe is the use of “committed suicide” - considering the book was released in 2020, it’s jarring to see such outdated terminology, even in a dark setting like 40K.
Overall it was decent and enjoyable, but the issues I’ve mentioned would have me hesitant to read a sequel.
A murder investigation is an interesting take on the 40K universe, and I had been told it involved a lot of details on how servitors are created and managed.
While the investigation was true, the latter was not really there, apart from one brief section in the middle of the book.
The narration was generally good, although the VO for Lux and other mechanicus recordings were ironically too robotic and lifeless.
I also can’t stand the use of the imperial system (again ironic given the Imperium), so much talk of feet, yards, inches etc, I have no frame of reference as to what those are, and neither would the majority of the world, as we use the metric system.
Pacing is also a major issue, with far too many slow sections, highlighted especially by how much it picks up towards the end, yet still leaves so, so many loose ends - it’s clearly been left open for a sequel.
I have no issues with sequels, especially within the 40K universe of course, but they should happen naturally rather than having important plot points deliberately left wide open just so that we’re forced to read a sequel.
My final and relatively smaller gripe is the use of “committed suicide” - considering the book was released in 2020, it’s jarring to see such outdated terminology, even in a dark setting like 40K.
Overall it was decent and enjoyable, but the issues I’ve mentioned would have me hesitant to read a sequel.
January 29, 2024
My favorite 40K books mainly feature baseline humans, on the ground, dealing with problems I can relate to with decisions I understand. Space Marines are boring the way that Superman is boring. I want to know what life is like for the average person trying to make a living in the grim dark future.
This book is about as gritty and down to Earth as it gets in 40K. The main character is very flawed but you root for him because he's trying to do the right thing in a place where right and wrong aren't very well defined. I'm also a sucker for any character solving problems with wits rather than luck or strength or magic/techno gear. I also love a story in which the main character changes a lot from the start to the end but without sudden immersion-breaking 180s.
The Imperial culture and that of the Mechanicus feels very real as well as distinct from each other. The book paints an excellent picture of two factions that are allies but not friends.
The core plot aside from the world building isn't the most inspired or memorable, but it's fine. I wasn't bored at any point and I didn't find it very predictable. The places and people the characters meet are interesting, brutal, and sometimes outlandish in a way that serves the setting rather than going for cheap shock factor.
This book gets a strong recommendation from me and I hope it ends up being the first in a series.
This book is about as gritty and down to Earth as it gets in 40K. The main character is very flawed but you root for him because he's trying to do the right thing in a place where right and wrong aren't very well defined. I'm also a sucker for any character solving problems with wits rather than luck or strength or magic/techno gear. I also love a story in which the main character changes a lot from the start to the end but without sudden immersion-breaking 180s.
The Imperial culture and that of the Mechanicus feels very real as well as distinct from each other. The book paints an excellent picture of two factions that are allies but not friends.
The core plot aside from the world building isn't the most inspired or memorable, but it's fine. I wasn't bored at any point and I didn't find it very predictable. The places and people the characters meet are interesting, brutal, and sometimes outlandish in a way that serves the setting rather than going for cheap shock factor.
This book gets a strong recommendation from me and I hope it ends up being the first in a series.
November 1, 2025
https://warhammer40000.com/
This is the first-ever Warhammer novel I’ve read. I have never played the game (I’m generally not a gamer). It took me a short while to understand the concepts and the universe this book is set. The language also took a few readings to get it. Those who play the game might feel right at home in this world.
I also liked it. The story is basically a detective novel with two story lines that twist into one. One has reprogrammed Servitor-bots that kill, and the other is a missing girl from a wealthy family. The detective is called Probator Symeon Noctis; he is from the wealthy community that he shunned. Guilt, understanding how the others live, and the manner in which he treated others in his youth.
When a bisected corpse is discovered in the neutral zone, Symeon walks into his most difficult case yet. He is joined by tech-priest Rho-1 Lux of the Collegiate Extremis (mostly called Lux). She is partially augmented with ports that can connect to machines in an attempt to “see” in machine code, the final few moments of a servitor.
All up, this is a pretty good mystery. Seemed to drag a bit near the end, however, I didn’t guess the ‘whodunit’ part. That’s a change.
This is the first-ever Warhammer novel I’ve read. I have never played the game (I’m generally not a gamer). It took me a short while to understand the concepts and the universe this book is set. The language also took a few readings to get it. Those who play the game might feel right at home in this world.
I also liked it. The story is basically a detective novel with two story lines that twist into one. One has reprogrammed Servitor-bots that kill, and the other is a missing girl from a wealthy family. The detective is called Probator Symeon Noctis; he is from the wealthy community that he shunned. Guilt, understanding how the others live, and the manner in which he treated others in his youth.
When a bisected corpse is discovered in the neutral zone, Symeon walks into his most difficult case yet. He is joined by tech-priest Rho-1 Lux of the Collegiate Extremis (mostly called Lux). She is partially augmented with ports that can connect to machines in an attempt to “see” in machine code, the final few moments of a servitor.
All up, this is a pretty good mystery. Seemed to drag a bit near the end, however, I didn’t guess the ‘whodunit’ part. That’s a change.
October 21, 2022
Another really good Warhammer novel. This one would work just as well as a science fiction mystery outside of the Warhammer meta series. In this novel two detectives, both outsiders in their own societies investigate a mystery crossing cultural barriers. It’s not ‘The City and the City’ by Millville, touching only lightly on the anthropological setup, but there is enough substance to allow the novel to make legitimate social commentary and pose interesting quandaries. I like the mild romantic tension between the protagonists, it lends itself to explorations often absent in Warhammer novels, and actually seems to deal with the subject in a respectful manner. I adore the main characters abusive relationship with his cat, by which I mean the cat abuses it’s owner… it reminds me of my own cat who has also passed in my shoe after losing an argument about whether going outside was safe. The action was limited. The mystery was intriguing and while many characters blended together, there several that stood out. I would love to see a great deal more from this series!
December 3, 2024
Very enjoyable read - short and fast moving.
The plot and mystery acted as a great vehicle for us to learn about Noctis. We get glimpses into his past, his future, his family life, his opinions about the world and his job - a rock solidly written character piece.
The format of the book as a letter was also a nice touch and made it feel that much more like a personal view into Noctis's inner world.
Lux is also a super interesting character that we don't get a lot of alone time with, but the time exploring her past and personality are some highlights for me. I'd read a book just about her.
Read if you like the Ciaphas Cain books or other character focusted lite mysteries. I found this book to have a similar tonal feel to many of Cain's adventures, with a protagonist who is similarly (but noy too similarly because who can measure up to the Hero of the Imperium?!) compelling.
The plot and mystery acted as a great vehicle for us to learn about Noctis. We get glimpses into his past, his future, his family life, his opinions about the world and his job - a rock solidly written character piece.
The format of the book as a letter was also a nice touch and made it feel that much more like a personal view into Noctis's inner world.
Lux is also a super interesting character that we don't get a lot of alone time with, but the time exploring her past and personality are some highlights for me. I'd read a book just about her.
Read if you like the Ciaphas Cain books or other character focusted lite mysteries. I found this book to have a similar tonal feel to many of Cain's adventures, with a protagonist who is similarly (but noy too similarly because who can measure up to the Hero of the Imperium?!) compelling.
March 20, 2021
"It is our role as flesh-techs to take the most complex creation of the Machine-God, the human brain, and to bastardize it with our imperfect understanding. To the oldest variants of the Cult, this was seen as blasphemy. But the Machine-God gave us this resource so that we might comprehend his purpose more clearly. We tread the line between outrage and perfection daily. It is a knife-edge ridge. Our eyes must be ahead at all times, lest we fall."
Note: There is a prequel to this story called "No Use for Good Men" in the Warhammer Crime anthology "No Good Men". I haven't read it at time of this writing and it does not appear to be required reading to enjoy "Flesh and Steel".
Note: There is a prequel to this story called "No Use for Good Men" in the Warhammer Crime anthology "No Good Men". I haven't read it at time of this writing and it does not appear to be required reading to enjoy "Flesh and Steel".
August 13, 2021
The Warhammer Crime imprint has been one of the best things to come out of Black Library in a long time. Flesh and Steel is fantastic, easily one of the best 40k books to come out in recent years. It's not nearly as action packed as many 40k books are and it's all the better for that reason. This story and the others under the crime imprint are so good because they don't focus on wars and battles but instead follow ordinary people. People just trying to live with what they have and trying to make a difference in an evil, corrupt empire.
January 25, 2022
I very much enjoyed this book. Not just the best of the Warhammer Crime imprint but possibly my favourite 40k book for a good few years.
Noctis, by virtue of his wealth, has more in common with us than most of the denizens of the 40k milieu. This makes him more relatable, especially when he's drunk, talking to his cat, or considering behaviour inappropriate in a work environment.
There were a couple of lines that actually made me snort laugh, rare in a 40k novel. From memory my favourite might have been 'violently converted to meat-scented steam'.
Very much hope the story continues.
Noctis, by virtue of his wealth, has more in common with us than most of the denizens of the 40k milieu. This makes him more relatable, especially when he's drunk, talking to his cat, or considering behaviour inappropriate in a work environment.
There were a couple of lines that actually made me snort laugh, rare in a 40k novel. From memory my favourite might have been 'violently converted to meat-scented steam'.
Very much hope the story continues.
September 1, 2022
This is the first dive into Varangantua and the crime/noir genre in the 40K universe and it is a breath of fresh air (figuratively of course haha)! Gone are the armies and xenos, and here is the truly grim and grimey reality of ordinary Imperium citizenry struggling to survive, let alone support the gargantuan war effort across the galaxy. Throw in a classically disillusion, down on his luck, crack shot with his mouth and gun cop, or Probator in 40K speak, and you have a recipe for some solid alley sleuthing, gutter gunning action!
March 6, 2023
Even if unfamiliar with the world of 40k this is an engaging read. In fact, it’s a great entry into the world (and from that point there is no looking back.)
Told in the guise of a detective story, you follow the main characters as they explore a very common place aspect of society, servitors, which rarely is looked at twice. However, even in its purest form it is a moral quandary, and one that is further dissected through the narrative of the story.
A solid, one and done read that was a great addition to the Black Library.
Told in the guise of a detective story, you follow the main characters as they explore a very common place aspect of society, servitors, which rarely is looked at twice. However, even in its purest form it is a moral quandary, and one that is further dissected through the narrative of the story.
A solid, one and done read that was a great addition to the Black Library.
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