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The Case Files of Aldicus Vescard

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Detective Aldicus Vescard knows all too well the monsters and madmen who prowl the fog-veiled streets of Corradon. He is, after all, a monster himself. Cursed in his errant past, his body now harbors a blazing fiend of pure, elemental chaos—kept in check by the bonds that smother his own magical abilities.

But crime ever turns in the Clockwork City, and none are better suited to investigate those most sinister deeds of inscrutable sorcery than Corradon’s greatest detective magus. With his loyal apprentice, Keldon Veldanor, and a host of street-smart allies, Aldicus will face a crucible of sorcery and villainy with only his wits and the science of forensic alchemy to aid him.

Yet, in the decaying depths of the Underworks far below the tick-tock city, there festers an even greater evil—a darkness that threatens not only the unsuspecting denizens of Corradon, but the fate of their entire world.

621 pages, Kindle Edition

Published June 1, 2021

418 people are currently reading
296 people want to read

About the author

Mark William Chase

12 books20 followers
Mark William Chase lives near Indianapolis with his wife and the occasional foster kid. There he spends most of his free time reading science fiction and fantasy, keeping up with the latest news in science and technology, and writing the kinds of stories he most enjoys reading. At his day job, he works as a software architect developing cloud-based financial and banking applications.

He is an avid connoisseur of the steampunk aesthetic and has adorned his home office with curious devices and clockwork contrivances collected both from afar and crafted by his own hand. He can occasionally be found attending science fiction conventions in his ever-accumulating steampunk attire.

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5 stars
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89 (33%)
3 stars
43 (16%)
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11 (4%)
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 41 reviews
Profile Image for David Firmage.
223 reviews66 followers
August 1, 2022
Good fun. Supernatural Steampunk Sherlock Holmes set in the Clockwork City of Corradon (London) with alchemy and magic. The made-up terminology will annoy some but I didn’t have a problem. Not amazing characters but certainly an interesting, atmospheric world.
Profile Image for Brent.
374 reviews190 followers
December 14, 2021
Surprisingly good.

I don't usually enjoy steampunk all that much, mainly because it is usually mired in alternate-history.

This story skips over all the "shoehorning ourselves between elements of real historical context" to break out into a really unique and exciting bit of worldbuilding, complete with clock-work, magic, alchemy and and other technologies competing and complimenting each other across a well developed fantasy world.

The characters are not really the strong-point of this book, but they are done well enough that they don't distract from the fun parts of the story.
Profile Image for Adam Bernard.
8 reviews
November 7, 2021
An interesting start... and a frustrating finish

The first half of the book seems to be a collection of rather interesting supernatural detective stories--which then, halfway through, becomes a stereotypical save-the-world-from-evil-mastermind story. The protagonist is depressingly almost perfect, aside from a vaguely defined "Mr Hyde", and the book is plagued with a level of technobabble that exceeds the worst Star Trek episode, such as:
"Agona tumbled away, aethergy sparking across her talismanic jewelry as she struggled to restore her empowerments. An elemental lance struck from Arleia’s totem, with Keldon joining in as he struggled to his feet, aetheric bolts streaking from his key."

If you're going to create terms willy nilly (eg, eldren instead of elf, dworgh instead of dwarf, aethergy instead of magic) then provide a glossary.
Profile Image for K.S. Marsden.
Author 21 books741 followers
August 2, 2021
The Case Files of Aldicus Vescard by Mark William Chase has strong echoes of Sherlock Holmes, mixed with magic and steampunk adventure. Set in the Clockwork City of Corradon, it follows Aldicus, a once powerful and conceited mage who has lost his powers but has not lost his ability to see through all subterfuge, pursuing justice to its source no matter where that might be. This book is split into fifteen short stories or case files. It features recurring characters and locations, all building to a significant crescendo, and the Shadow Man makes an excellent Moriarty-style villain.

This is the first book I’ve read by Mark William Chase, but it will not be the last. The Case Files of Aldicus Vescard starts as a love note to Sherlock Holmes. It immediately feels warm and engaging, but it quickly transports you into a world of incredible imagination. There were times when the technical chatter went over my head (magic is researched as science in Corradon), but it never detracted from the story. I think it helped establish the intelligence of the characters. Aldicus Vescard himself is a strong-willed but pleasant character who surrounds himself with a very colorful and entertaining cast. Some appear in a single case while others are in several, and it was so easy to connect with every one of them.

I was initially a little apprehensive at the size of this book, but the structure and storytelling of the case files make it so easy to devour and come back wanting more. The last couple of cases were more sizeable, and by then I would have been disappointed by anything less! I thoroughly enjoyed all of The Case Files of Aldicus Vescard and highly recommended it. I can’t wait to read more of Chase’s Mythania books!
27 reviews
September 6, 2021
It flows like Molasses in January.

I hoped for a good read in the lines of a Steam punk Sherlock Holmes. I found a plodding tale written using words designed to impress, not move the tale forward.

Gave up after forty pages of a painful attempt to write like a Victorian Professor.
Profile Image for Sharon.
285 reviews4 followers
September 19, 2021
Steampunk meets fantasy

A mage must father a bunch of fascinating characters to battle demons and archaic machinery bent on claiming and destroying their world. Darn good story.
Profile Image for Alicia Scarborough.
Author 12 books94 followers
October 30, 2021
Pretty Good

The structure of this story was unexpected but brilliant no less. What appeared from the beginning to be cases that were of their own telling eventually weaved into the even broader and sinister main plot. I enjoyed the mysteries and crime fighting adventures of Aldicus Vescard.
1,935 reviews18 followers
June 2, 2021
Reading the title, I expected something like Raconteur's The Case Files of Henri Davenforth or English's Malykant Mysteries. What I got was a steampunk version of the 'investigation' described in Martin's Assassins of Landria combined with the Battle of the Vatican as orchestrated by Sean A.P. Ryan in the Pius Trilogy. Lots of head-scratching mystery in this book, but the heart and meat of it is an astonishing rollicking supernatural thriller worthy of the Dresden Files or the Hellequin Chronicles. Absolutely amazing! I held my breath almost the whole time. Strap on your seatbelts before you begin reading - you are going on a wild ride!

I received an ARC from Hidden Gems and I am voluntarily leaving a review.
Profile Image for M.H. Thaung.
Author 7 books34 followers
Read
June 12, 2021
I thank the author for a free copy of this book. This is my honest review.

I was a little hesitant to start this book because of its size, since I tend not to have sticking power for lengthy novels. However, the episodic presentation made the read seem not quite so daunting.

Although Aldicus Vescard is a detective, there seemed to be more emphasis on action adventure (explosions, fires, chases, weird eldritch beings to combat, you get the idea) rather than deductions, red herrings and clues. It was definitely the "action" parts that had most page time, and we didn't always see how Vescard arrived at some deduction and then form a plan of action.

The book is told in first person PoV, although a rather distant one. There are chunks where it feels Vescard is reporting on events rather than personally involved. The prose was generally tidy although I noticed several odd word choices and homonyms, and some distracting alliterations. There was extensive use of participial and absolute phrases - having 3-4 per paragraph for several paragraphs in a row made me quite twitchy. The descriptive details went well with the old-fashioned steampunk vibe, although for my tastes I found it excessive. With alchemical terms liberally scattered through as well, I sometimes lost track of what was going on, and wasn't sure whether I was supposed to understand some clue, or whether the terminology was simply for flavour.

There's a sizeable cast of characters, who all played their roles in a straightforward way. As mentioned above, the story is an adventure rather than eg an exploration of contrasting moral values and social tensions. Vescard himself wasn't particularly reflective. No difficult choices or moral ambiguity for him.

Overall, an entertaining adventure in a highly detailed steampunk world.
Profile Image for Kono.
66 reviews16 followers
April 5, 2024
I found the premise of the book interesting from the start - I love steampunk, I love detective stories, so it seemed like it would be an enjoyable experience. It certainly was, though very far from perfect. It's clear that a lot of effort went into the world creation, from history, to cultural practices, different sub-cultures and languages. It especially showed with the steampunk elements, how alchemy and the machines worked (sometimes I had serious flashbacks to Fullmetal Alchemist, fellow manga/anime lovers will probably understand), sometimes even a bit too much, but I reckon that's to be expected from science fiction?
Having an episodic structure to the book was very helpful to dive into different areas of this alternative world (each case file started in medias res in a different part of the city/world, without much introduction), however, the same structure also made it difficult to get to know the characters better or allow them to develop throughout the book (which is fine, really, it was a very plot heavy book) and at points it also made me feel rushed a bit. My only and biggest caveat with the plot was that while the individual case files were very interesting, the overall, underlying plot that was supposed to tie everything together was... flat and boring, making the last 20-25% of the book tedious to get through.
Often I found the writing style way too superfluous and exuberant (see? my mother often refers to this style as "too Baroque") that made it hard to follow and made me roll my eyes, but in retrospect, it sort of goes well with steampunk, no?
So, overall, I enjoyed most of the book (the steampunk and murder mystery investigations and loved the characters though it would have been great to get to know them better) and I don't regret getting through it, it still didn't bring what I was hoping for.
106 reviews2 followers
February 27, 2022

Aldicus Vescard is a student of the science of forensic alchemy, as any great detective magus in the steampunk city called Clockwork. Readers of steampunk fiction will definitely enjoy Vescard's cases if they are aware that the seeming slow, dense pace of the first stories prove to be the propellant for the accelerating drive of the later ones. Many coined word (eldren, aetheric) and a Victorian language style can be an acquired taste, but worth it for Mark Willian Chase's clever plans.

The apparent stand-alone mysteries, cases turned over the Vescard because of their unusual and dangerous elements, accrue intriguing minor characters who often reappear in subsequent cases and who are significant to the final cases which fuse together as a final battle against Shadow Man.

These are Vescard's type of cases because he too has a magical power (a blessing and a curse), an furious fiend within of “elemental chaos.” Along with his apprentice Keldon Veldanor (the names throughout this book have hints of Earth science terminology, it seems), they form a Holmes-Watson type team, though there isn't as much piecing together of clues than there is facing down villains with magical powers. This makes for the fast-pace, thriller type of storyline and explosive ending.

I received an e-copy of this book from LibraryThing. This is an honest review.
Profile Image for Leish.
350 reviews
November 21, 2022
I listened to this on Audible.

I quite enjoyed this. I liked the case file style of a Sherlock Holmes novel. It gives a whole array of different stories while keeping to one larger story, I think it makes a book more exciting and a bit more entertaining because it's not limited to a certain pacing or style.

I loved the steampunk and magic setting and the addition of well-known mystical creatures/ races while also adding a few more created for this story.
I liked a lot of the characters; the narrator did a really good job at the voices and really brought them to life. There was a good amount of humour as well.

I didn't really mind the made-up jargon and technical terms as it meant I didn't have understand and try and make sense of it like other scifi books I've read.

The only thing that I would say the let it down was that there were a lot of words and phrases that were pretty repetitive, but it wasn't a big issue.

Profile Image for Richard Kendrick.
Author 5 books3 followers
September 4, 2023
A great detective archetype, a convincing and quirky steampunk fantasy setting. Seems like this is checking some boxes for me. And, by and large, I did enjoy it.
Each chapter is presented as a stand alone investigation. That allows for some breadth to explore multiple genres, but it also feels episodic and disjointed. Explanations and introductions are repeated, as though I needed a refresher from one chapter to the next. Eventually we get a larger plot arc that ties multiple episodes together, but I feel like I would have been more engaged if it had been presented more like a novel.
And while I think Vescard was true to his archetype, it was exhausting to spend so much time with a smug, self-righteous know-it-all. I had to put the book aside around the halfway point and read something else before finishing it.
Profile Image for Cattie Whaley.
302 reviews2 followers
September 19, 2021
A wonderfully written book

When I first started on reading this book, I was a bit concerned it wasn't for me. I had to look up so many words that I was getting frustrated (I'm not a huge fantasy reader so it took a bit to figure out what these creatures were). I am so glad I kept at it. The book is broken down into 15 case files. Aldicus Vescard, along with his trusty apprentice Keldon, are hired to investigate the more difficult or unuaual cases that stump the regular authorities. Along the way we meet a whole host of characters that will be very important as the darkest plot reveals itself. The characters are great and are developed well throughout the cases. I will definitely be looking into more books by this author as he has piqued my curiosity. Highly recommend
Profile Image for James.
542 reviews5 followers
March 1, 2025
A fun collection of detective fiction through supernatural and steampunk lenses that culminates into the typical good versus evil battle with bit of coming to terms with one’s fate. It plays a bit like Sherlock Holmes or a Victorian set Dresden Files novel. While it may not be anything that recreates any genre, I was looking for something fun and engaging for a long series of travel and this met the bill. The characters are fun and the writing flows well.

I read a lot of academic and heavier works, but this is one that was just for fun and I would return to Aldicus’s work any chance I got. Great fun and engaging!
38 reviews
September 7, 2021
An intriguing read, full of action, horrific casualties!

The author has gone to great lengths in world building, creating memorable characters along the way, and sending unlikely heroes into a maelstrom of horror and war. This starts with an unusual case and builds steadily to a satisfying climax. Vescard himself is...not what he seems. But then again, neither is any one else. Oh, and after reading about the race in Case number Ten, NASCAR seems mighty tame. Would love to see this evolve into a series.
6,029 reviews40 followers
February 10, 2022
This story is a mix of steampunk with classic pulp hero stories, with a side order of Sherlock Holmes. The tale is told as a series of cases that turn out to be interconnected. The stories are generally well written, but full of unique terminology that takes a bit to get used to. And like pulp stories of old, it can get a little repetitive. That being said, there is also plenty of action and mystery to keep things interesting. The result is a fun book, but it will take a bit of concentration to really reach payday.

Recommended

I received an ARC from Hidden Gems for review purposes.
Profile Image for John.
956 reviews13 followers
June 4, 2023
Meh..... Aldicus Vescard is sort of a Sherlock Holmes type living in the "Clockwork City" of Corradon. Like 100% of the steampunk/clockwork genre, this was basically Victorian England. The difference was the addition of magic and monsters....to include Aldicus himself, who keeps his inner fire monster in check with magic binding bracelets. The book is a series of short stories (case files) that have little variation other than the type of monster/villain. In my mind, all I could think of was more Scooby Doo than Sherlock Holmes. Probably a good fit for YA readers, but not for me.
87 reviews1 follower
August 5, 2022
Epic unban fantasy

Wow, that has to be one of the most unexpected books I've read for a while. There I was thinking I was in for a bit of a filler book it turned into an epic evolving journey through the fight for the survival of a whole world. Nicely developing characters and a well presented wolrd that used its history and everyday life to colour in the lines. I'm so glad I gave it a chance. If you like the genre then give this a look and keep with it as the story develops.
28 reviews
May 25, 2022
I described this book as Sherlock Holmes inside a steam punk version of Terry Pratchett's Disc World. It's an entertaining read, though a slow build to the overall plot, which can make it feel disconnected and meandering at times.
I listened to this as an audiobook, and the narrator was a perfect fit and did an excellent job.
85 reviews2 followers
October 11, 2023
Cheers for Aldicus Vescard

Loved all the characters, their backgrounds blended well within the stories. In the ultimate battle they all came together as a team and in the end Aldicus praised all the supernatural friends. He acknowledged that it took all of them together. I recommend this book to all.
Profile Image for Kurt Cagle.
33 reviews3 followers
January 11, 2022
Steampunk at its most aethyric

Fun, fast-paced, a mix of Holmesian deduction, alchemical Magick and delightful gear driven adventure. Aldicus Vescard and his motley crew has become one of my favorite detectivrs.
Profile Image for Liz.
788 reviews
December 14, 2022
I wanted so badly to enjoy this book but it was such a slog. There were so many promising elements and such interesting world building but the writing was so incredibly dense and the made-up words (with none or very little background/context) made it really hard to get through.
29 reviews
February 29, 2024
puzzling, yet exciting.

The many case files contained within this book lead you down a path that goes further than what I expected. The characters are well thawed out. The stories are well written. Overall a very fine book.
Profile Image for Denise.
582 reviews
February 18, 2025
3.5 Stars

I enjoyed the first part of the book, which was a series of case files from a steampunk Sherlock Holmes-style detective investigating supernatural cases. I liked the second half somewhat less as the macro plot was, for me, less interesting and somewhat expected.
Profile Image for Bryngel.
1,936 reviews14 followers
August 14, 2025
Not even my 12 year old me, would have found this cute or anywhere near enthralling. Such a let down. Steampunk and vampires. How could it end up badly, I wonder?

(Please forgive my poor English, my excuse is I’m Swedish).
15 reviews1 follower
August 29, 2021
Aldicus and Keldon

Science fiction and fantasy combined for a grand journey to a world that is sure to turn dreams to nightmares for a long time!
39 reviews1 follower
September 26, 2021
What a ride!

Wow! I thought this would be a slow burn type of read but it was a locomotive that gathers speed! It one of the most well written book I came across for some time.
1 review
October 18, 2021
Absolute magic!!!

Absolutely fantastic story..!!!
A very well crafted story indeed!
There really must be more written about these characters!
Absolutely enchanting!!
8 reviews
November 5, 2021
Fun

A rip roaring race through and through strange and unfamiliar words and adventures steam punk meets the A team loved it ready for more anytime .
Displaying 1 - 30 of 41 reviews

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