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Warhammer Crime
Кровные узы
В громадном городе Варангантюа жизнь дешева, но ошибки обходятся дорого. Когда пробатор Агусто Зидаров, служащий в рядах блюстителей города, получает задание отыскать пропавшего наследника богатого семейства, он прекрасно понимает, что шансы найти его живым невелики. Но люди, требующие ответов, властны и безжалостны, и вскоре он погружается в мир преступных картелей и войн корпораций, где даже блюстителю не гарантирована безопасность. Следуя за уликами все глубже в темное подбрюшье города, он раскрывает тайны, которые доселе скрывались могущественными силами. Пока затягивается сеть вокруг него и его добычи, он вынужден столкнуться лицом к лицу с тем, на что готовы идти некоторые люди, чтобы оставаться в живых…
416 pages, Hardcover
First published August 8, 2020
137 people are currently reading
1037 people want to read
About the author
Chris Wraight
220 books387 followersChris Wraight is a British author of fantasy and science fiction.
His first novel was published in 2008; since then, he has published books set in the Warhammer Fantasy and Stargate:Atlantis universes, and has upcoming titles in the Warhammer 40K setting.
He is based in the south-west of England.
His first novel was published in 2008; since then, he has published books set in the Warhammer Fantasy and Stargate:Atlantis universes, and has upcoming titles in the Warhammer 40K setting.
He is based in the south-west of England.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 124 reviews
September 18, 2020
With this being the first book released under the Warhammer Crime line it really kind of had to do a bunch of things right. It had to have enough crime-ness in it for it not to be another regular Warhammer 40K release, it had to have enough Warhammer 40K-ness in it to not just be another crime/thriller airport novel, and it had to have a good story and entertain because after all it is the initial offering. Bloodlines walked a tight line and felt totally like a gumshoe novel that every once in a while reminded you it was a WH40K book. Neither of those things felt at all heavy handed or forced at any time and while you don't need to be any kind of WH genius to enjoy the book, knowing some of the stuff would definitely add to the enjoyment. Things like instead of tucking his gun into his jacket holster it's a laspistol. The warp is a part of the background, service to the Emperor is mentioned, and little sayings thrown in like, "His Hand" as a greeting or, "Throne, no" just sort of nudge you and say, remember where you are.
That being said the story is fantastic and I was engaged throughout. It's not just a simple whodunnit mystery, there's a bunch of different things going on on many layers and everything was brought to a satisfying conclusion at the end. Warhammer has always done horror and science fiction very well and Bloodlines is not just a retread, something thrown-out slapping a WARHAMMER CRIME label on the cover and calling itself something it isn't. It is an original story set in an already established universe and it manages to feel fresh and new but also comfy to readers in the know.
Good job, Black Library.
I received a copy for review from Netgalley and Black Library but that in no way impacted my thoughts or opinion.
That being said the story is fantastic and I was engaged throughout. It's not just a simple whodunnit mystery, there's a bunch of different things going on on many layers and everything was brought to a satisfying conclusion at the end. Warhammer has always done horror and science fiction very well and Bloodlines is not just a retread, something thrown-out slapping a WARHAMMER CRIME label on the cover and calling itself something it isn't. It is an original story set in an already established universe and it manages to feel fresh and new but also comfy to readers in the know.
Good job, Black Library.
I received a copy for review from Netgalley and Black Library but that in no way impacted my thoughts or opinion.
November 18, 2022
It would not be an understatement to call bloodlines a cliché crime noir story, it has all the tropes. The by his guts detective, the old friend/colleague telling him to let it go, the police chief always threatening to fire him while having a softspot for him, a by the numbers new detective, a quirky off the books tech savy informant, the bad habits, drinking, junk food and rain, whole lines devoted to describing the rain.
But I genuinely like a classic crime noir story and the plot was well written, the twist unexpected and believable and a pleasant ending. The characters are not that memorable but all served their purpose as was the setting of the city. I have read a few of these warhammer crime books and they tend to take place in the blade runneresque kind of planets. Cities, big ones but not hive cities, so they feel modern to us and have a dystopian tynge to them but they still retain that more humane touch we do expect government and law enforcement to have; something impossible in a true hive city setting like on necromunda.
The thing is though that with a bit of rewriting, one can easily have this take place in any other setting and universe. Its warhammer because it says it is but where it not for a subplot in the later half of the book; I would have been disappointed, now I feel not quite satisfied on this front but that is all. if you like a good even if a bit formulaic crime noir story, pick up a copy but I for one wish to have a crime or other warhammer story to take place in a more exotic place next time; such as pleasure world or a feudal world. Something different then these on their way to hive city settings.
But I genuinely like a classic crime noir story and the plot was well written, the twist unexpected and believable and a pleasant ending. The characters are not that memorable but all served their purpose as was the setting of the city. I have read a few of these warhammer crime books and they tend to take place in the blade runneresque kind of planets. Cities, big ones but not hive cities, so they feel modern to us and have a dystopian tynge to them but they still retain that more humane touch we do expect government and law enforcement to have; something impossible in a true hive city setting like on necromunda.
The thing is though that with a bit of rewriting, one can easily have this take place in any other setting and universe. Its warhammer because it says it is but where it not for a subplot in the later half of the book; I would have been disappointed, now I feel not quite satisfied on this front but that is all. if you like a good even if a bit formulaic crime noir story, pick up a copy but I for one wish to have a crime or other warhammer story to take place in a more exotic place next time; such as pleasure world or a feudal world. Something different then these on their way to hive city settings.
August 22, 2020
In the vast, continent-sized hive city of Varangantua, Probator Agusto Zidarov is tasked with investigating the apparent disappearance of a spoiled scion of one of the city’s most powerful families. Despite his initial misgivings, it gradually becomes clear that something vile and deeply dangerous is going on in Varangantua. In order to get to the bottom of it Zidarov must navigate vicious cartels, the over-privileged ruling elite, and the corrupt systems of law and bureaucracy in which he himself works.
As the first ever Warhammer Crime novel it’s no surprise that many of the standard crime elements are present and correct here – a weary, ageing detective with problems back at home; the shady but useful partner; the overbearing boss constantly giving the protagonist a hard time. The overall shape of the plot will likewise feel quite familiar to regular crime fiction readers, but Wraight injects plenty of entertaining twists and turns to keep the momentum going, and the central conceit is suitably compelling. What really lifts this novel, however, is the detail Wraight offers in his descriptions of the city, and what life under Imperial rule is like for regular citizens.
It's undoubtedly the best example of ‘domestic’ 40k yet, and for all that it’s a little bit safe as a pure crime novel, it’s nevertheless very entertaining.
Read the full review at https://www.trackofwords.com/2020/08/...
As the first ever Warhammer Crime novel it’s no surprise that many of the standard crime elements are present and correct here – a weary, ageing detective with problems back at home; the shady but useful partner; the overbearing boss constantly giving the protagonist a hard time. The overall shape of the plot will likewise feel quite familiar to regular crime fiction readers, but Wraight injects plenty of entertaining twists and turns to keep the momentum going, and the central conceit is suitably compelling. What really lifts this novel, however, is the detail Wraight offers in his descriptions of the city, and what life under Imperial rule is like for regular citizens.
It's undoubtedly the best example of ‘domestic’ 40k yet, and for all that it’s a little bit safe as a pure crime novel, it’s nevertheless very entertaining.
Read the full review at https://www.trackofwords.com/2020/08/...
July 5, 2021
A pleasant surprise overall. Fairly classic Noir, complete with endless rain, but in a SciFi setting. Honestly, the fact that this is a Warhammer 40k novel is pretty much 95% irrelevant to the story, which is probably for the best. Overall, good atmosphere, solid characterization and pacing. Mystery could use maybe a little more sparkle, but overall this is Chinatown, not Hercule Poirot.
January 27, 2024
Guter SF/Krimi/Thriller im WH40K Universum, auch davon abgesehen objektiv sehr gut geschrieben. Atmosphärisch und spannend!
January 10, 2022
Visto que todavía no hay ninguna reseña de la novela en su edición en castellano, mejor será escribir una yo mismo, más como advertencia que otra cosa. Lo primero que hay que comentar es que Bloodlines me parece una historia interesante, que gustará sobre todo a quienes estén interesados en el universo Warhammer 40k, especialmente si lo que os gustaría es saber cómo vive la gente de a pie. ¿De qué trabajan? ¿Qué comen? ¿Cómo se relacionan con sus familias? ¿Con sus amigos? ¿Qué hacen en su tiempo libre, si es que tienen de eso?
La historia que nos ocupa es la del típico detective, pero en un entorno de ciencia ficción. La trama no presenta grandes sorpresas ni giros loquísimos, pero los personajes (bueno, el personaje, Agusto Zidarov) es bastante interesante como para que la lectura enganche y le acompañemos en su exploración de un mundo dividido en estratos sociales muy diferenciados, donde los ricos no dudan en pisar a los menos afortunados. Me gustaría comentar más sobre la trama, pero prefiero no hacer spoiler y pasar a aquello que me trajo hasta aquí, la advertencia.
HUID DE LA VERSIÓN EN CASTELLANO (sí, la digital también).
La edición es tan mala que ya solo en la portada hay una errata, en la contracubierta otra y en en la descripción del autor en el interior otra. Y esto no mejora en el texto de la novela en sí, pues está plagada (saturada, repleta) de:
-Calcos del inglés: Tanto en la forma de estructurar las frases como en expresiones concretas como "Mantener un perfil bajo", tener "amigos semiadosados", etc.
-Acentos perdidos.
-Comas ausentes, signos de interrogación desaparecidos, faltando espacios que separen algunas palabras, artículos que se perdieron por el camino...
-Erratas que hacen segmentos del texto incomprensibles, llegando a cambiar el alineamiento de algunos personajes, varias veces en una sola página, o cambiando el sentido de lo dicho.
Además, el trabajo de adaptación deja que desear más allá de que la traducción sea correcta o no. Cuando alguno de los personajes habla con un miembro de los "dorados" (la clase alta) le habla de tú y aquel hace lo propio al responder. Entiendo que esto viene del "you" en inglés, pero creo que en castellano hubiera reflejado mucho mejor el texto original empleando en esos diálogos "usted", marcando esa distancia en la relación.
Por último, al ser un texto del género que es, presenta un sinfín de términos inventados que solo sirven para darle verosimilitud al mundo que se describe. Esto me parece una de las mejores virtudes del texto, pues lo hace continuamente, trazando un paralelismo reiterado entre nuestra realidad y la de Zirdarov, que es muy distinta pero a a vez muy similar. El problema es que entre las erratas de la traducción y esto, la lectura se puede volver bastante confusa a veces. Un glosario hubiera venido de perlas... y es que en inglés hay uno. En castellano, de nuevo, la editorial ha decidido prescindir de él, aunque no sabría deciros yo el motivo (son apenas dos páginas, no creo que fuera tan costoso).
En resumen:
Bloodlines ****
Linajes 0
Espero que en futuras reediciones o si editan las demás novelas de Warhammer Crime, solucionen esto. En caso contrario, tendré que prescindir de ellas, algo que me dolería pues como digo, esta primera historia me ha gustado bastante.
Saludos.
La historia que nos ocupa es la del típico detective, pero en un entorno de ciencia ficción. La trama no presenta grandes sorpresas ni giros loquísimos, pero los personajes (bueno, el personaje, Agusto Zidarov) es bastante interesante como para que la lectura enganche y le acompañemos en su exploración de un mundo dividido en estratos sociales muy diferenciados, donde los ricos no dudan en pisar a los menos afortunados. Me gustaría comentar más sobre la trama, pero prefiero no hacer spoiler y pasar a aquello que me trajo hasta aquí, la advertencia.
HUID DE LA VERSIÓN EN CASTELLANO (sí, la digital también).
La edición es tan mala que ya solo en la portada hay una errata, en la contracubierta otra y en en la descripción del autor en el interior otra. Y esto no mejora en el texto de la novela en sí, pues está plagada (saturada, repleta) de:
-Calcos del inglés: Tanto en la forma de estructurar las frases como en expresiones concretas como "Mantener un perfil bajo", tener "amigos semiadosados", etc.
-Acentos perdidos.
-Comas ausentes, signos de interrogación desaparecidos, faltando espacios que separen algunas palabras, artículos que se perdieron por el camino...
-Erratas que hacen segmentos del texto incomprensibles, llegando a cambiar el alineamiento de algunos personajes, varias veces en una sola página, o cambiando el sentido de lo dicho.
Además, el trabajo de adaptación deja que desear más allá de que la traducción sea correcta o no. Cuando alguno de los personajes habla con un miembro de los "dorados" (la clase alta) le habla de tú y aquel hace lo propio al responder. Entiendo que esto viene del "you" en inglés, pero creo que en castellano hubiera reflejado mucho mejor el texto original empleando en esos diálogos "usted", marcando esa distancia en la relación.
Por último, al ser un texto del género que es, presenta un sinfín de términos inventados que solo sirven para darle verosimilitud al mundo que se describe. Esto me parece una de las mejores virtudes del texto, pues lo hace continuamente, trazando un paralelismo reiterado entre nuestra realidad y la de Zirdarov, que es muy distinta pero a a vez muy similar. El problema es que entre las erratas de la traducción y esto, la lectura se puede volver bastante confusa a veces. Un glosario hubiera venido de perlas... y es que en inglés hay uno. En castellano, de nuevo, la editorial ha decidido prescindir de él, aunque no sabría deciros yo el motivo (son apenas dos páginas, no creo que fuera tan costoso).
En resumen:
Bloodlines ****
Linajes 0
Espero que en futuras reediciones o si editan las demás novelas de Warhammer Crime, solucionen esto. En caso contrario, tendré que prescindir de ellas, algo que me dolería pues como digo, esta primera historia me ha gustado bastante.
Saludos.
August 20, 2020
Pulp meets pulp.
Hardboiled detective noir, but in the grim darkness of the far future.
A really solid debut for Black Library’s newest imprint, Warhammer Crime.
Comparisons are reductive, but inevitable. This hits all the narrative beats of a Marlow story and is all the more fabulous for it. Chris Wraight is one of the best writers at BL for painting pictures beyond the battlefield, the details of so-called domestic 40k, and he really does so here. The action unquestionably takes place in the 40k universe; it’s not just the passing references to plastek and Phobos-pattern bolters, but more oblique references to the wider Imperium-problems with warp travel are alluded to; the existence of Xenos species is broadly accepted, but not universally- these characters are very much rooted in their hive and the world beyond their region, let alone their homeworld is shrouded in mystery.
The lead could equally well be investigating a case in LA in the 30s, Detroit in the 70s or, for all I know, Santiago in 1845 for the first part of the book, were it not for the 40kisms thrown in. But the Warhammer universe starts creeping in and you realise the scope of the story.
The lead, Agusto Zivarov, has a strong moral compass, though not necessarily set in the same way you might expect him to. The story is full of, and occasionally subverts, genre tropes, and the plot is suitably twisty. As mentioned above, Wraight is excellent at nailing the details of 40k; he gets the small things so right so he’s a effect fit to start fleshing out this new, shared setting from the ground up.
Varangantua is as sprawling and morally complex a setting as you could hope for, and the flashes of life we’ve seen leave me gagging to read the other upcoming titles in the series. The culture we see is as detailed as you could want. For first time I’ve ever be tempted by the description of food in 40k to feel hungry, we have actual and heavy swears, and a complex and convoluted mutually beneficial agreements between the Enforcers, corporate powers and criminal bodies- who might not be mutually exclusive to each other.
As a fan of both BL and the detective genre, I was super excited when this title was announced. It might not stand up against the best examples of either genre, but as a marriage between the two it is close to perfect.
Hardboiled detective noir, but in the grim darkness of the far future.
A really solid debut for Black Library’s newest imprint, Warhammer Crime.
Comparisons are reductive, but inevitable. This hits all the narrative beats of a Marlow story and is all the more fabulous for it. Chris Wraight is one of the best writers at BL for painting pictures beyond the battlefield, the details of so-called domestic 40k, and he really does so here. The action unquestionably takes place in the 40k universe; it’s not just the passing references to plastek and Phobos-pattern bolters, but more oblique references to the wider Imperium-problems with warp travel are alluded to; the existence of Xenos species is broadly accepted, but not universally- these characters are very much rooted in their hive and the world beyond their region, let alone their homeworld is shrouded in mystery.
The lead could equally well be investigating a case in LA in the 30s, Detroit in the 70s or, for all I know, Santiago in 1845 for the first part of the book, were it not for the 40kisms thrown in. But the Warhammer universe starts creeping in and you realise the scope of the story.
The lead, Agusto Zivarov, has a strong moral compass, though not necessarily set in the same way you might expect him to. The story is full of, and occasionally subverts, genre tropes, and the plot is suitably twisty. As mentioned above, Wraight is excellent at nailing the details of 40k; he gets the small things so right so he’s a effect fit to start fleshing out this new, shared setting from the ground up.
Varangantua is as sprawling and morally complex a setting as you could hope for, and the flashes of life we’ve seen leave me gagging to read the other upcoming titles in the series. The culture we see is as detailed as you could want. For first time I’ve ever be tempted by the description of food in 40k to feel hungry, we have actual and heavy swears, and a complex and convoluted mutually beneficial agreements between the Enforcers, corporate powers and criminal bodies- who might not be mutually exclusive to each other.
As a fan of both BL and the detective genre, I was super excited when this title was announced. It might not stand up against the best examples of either genre, but as a marriage between the two it is close to perfect.
April 8, 2025
Took awhile but we got there.
Haven’t really read too much crime so its tropes were new to me but it being in a IP I am familiar with meant that it was easy to digest.
Great main character, unseen twists and actually misleading red herrings.
Haven’t really read too much crime so its tropes were new to me but it being in a IP I am familiar with meant that it was easy to digest.
Great main character, unseen twists and actually misleading red herrings.
January 26, 2023
Certainly a very different type of 40k book, and a very welcome one. Almost all the 40k i have read has had a grand scope: inquisitors saving whole systems, space marines doing epic deeds, the imperial guard on their crusades. Something that is always hinted but rarely seen is the more mundane aspect of the imperium, what its actually like as a citizen, not a hero. Chris Wraight gives us a glimpse of that there with Agosto Zidarov in a detective story that puts the noir in neonoir and then some. The main criticism i have of this work is that sometimes, for lack of a better word, it just feels a bit silly. This is basically just a police thriller with sci fi 40k words subbed in for regular ones, and after a while that starts to grate a bit: surely not EVERYTHING has to have a new name. But then 40k as a whole is a bit silly, so i suppose thats fine. Wraight's talents as a writer shine through, and, while there is a story and a plot here, i felt the main thing we were learning about were the characters, particularly Zidarov himself. He feels very believable: a good man trying to make a difference and stay in the light, while nursing his own demons and skeletons. Other cops, some grizzled, some corrupt, some fresh and new. Bright young people full of righteous zeal or simply grist for the mill of grimdark imperial life, all the way to the shady, dangerous criminals. Wraight paints a really good picture of a more normal 40k world than we re used to, and in a very readable, slick style. I love the idea that, even though as fans we know all about the primarchs, astartes, daemons and everything else, to most citizens, genestealers are considered a myth, and going off world or even out of your city are far off, fanciful ideas, even in a galaxy as big as this one. Well worth a read, i will be looking out for a sequel.
May 20, 2025
this was a very deep and compelling read. dark urban noir, Warhammer crime. dirty in so many manners, desperate on so many levels, deadly often, dangerous always. like the very good Warhammer 40K books I've read, does a very good job of investing me in a protagonist's personal battle as well as the larger scale struggle. strongly written mystery in a felt environment. I enjoyed it but I did not love it like I did *Horus Rising*. well-written characters abound. it really was a good mystery.
March 15, 2021
I've just finish this tale.
Well, my innitial thoughts, around 50 pages or so was... It looks like I am watching a Judge Dredd kind of story. Knowing the connection between Black Library, Black Flame (and old imprint that made some Judge Dredd novels) I thought that maybe this was it.
Black Library has now several brands
40K (both old and new); Horus Heresy; Age of Sigmar (plus the 170 novels in Warhammer Fantasy); Blood Bowl; Necromunda; Time of Legends (now ended); BlackStone fortress & Warcy novels.
Of course how to go even further? Lets create Horror & Crime. It's like having several companies within and putting out there 3 dozen novels per year or more if you cont all novellas, short stories and all others.... Imagine you want to read everything they put out? It's impossible. Unless you don't read anything else. Even more it's nigh impossible on finances.
The other thing that upsets me is the way they release books...
I bought Lukas the Trickster & Legacy of the wolfen (Cursen of Wolfen & Legacy of Russ). Now they are releasing Sagas of Space Wolves The Omnibus that encompases "Ragnar Blackmane", "Curse of the Wulfen", "Legacy of Russ" and "The Hunt for Logan Grimnar" as well as the novellas "Blood on the Mountain and Arjac Rockfist". Now why did you put outt Legacy of Wulfen? 10€ to trash? Or I wont read everything of Space Wolves. This is a good technique but it's a crappy one. You pray on people who purchase every single novella or book and then . OKay here it is plus something new.
Enfin, I am goinjg astray with my thoughts. We debating on this...
This book is a solid novel. Is it good? It has some parts that interested me and it will have impact on all other novels set on Crime. First the Houses behind, the politics, the setting, the serpent stuff. All of these are very interesting.
Varangantua is an interesting setting. It's very 30's vibe. It's very old school crime stories vibe. But let's be true. If you could change some key words this story could have been done in another setting. This author could have change stuff and presented as a new world for him to explore. Remove "By His Hand"; remove some key imperium names and voila. You've got a new world. Some people call it Domestic 40K but to me it's not. It's another setting that will probably get a new boardgame after the innitial success of the novels and there you go.
The all Iris stuff; the cars; the guns etc - all felt so detached from the 40K we know that at times I couldn't see being in a 40K universe.
Now, it is bad? No, of course it's not. Probator Agusto Zidarov it's a nice interesting trouble character. It's family looked real; the all police interaction between different Probators felt interesting. The all corrupted society including the "police". All was interesting.
The pace itself was fine although a bit repetitive.
What I really loved was the all
I will continue to to read other stuff from this setting including the new release No Good Men. I hate that title.
Should you read it? Yes. If not because it's different from normal 40K novels. As I would also advise reading a 40K horror story. They are all in the same setting so it's cool to go a bit further from the Grimdark and try other genres... You've got a bit of comedy with Cain, chidlren book; so what's the next setting BL?
Well, my innitial thoughts, around 50 pages or so was... It looks like I am watching a Judge Dredd kind of story. Knowing the connection between Black Library, Black Flame (and old imprint that made some Judge Dredd novels) I thought that maybe this was it.
Black Library has now several brands
40K (both old and new); Horus Heresy; Age of Sigmar (plus the 170 novels in Warhammer Fantasy); Blood Bowl; Necromunda; Time of Legends (now ended); BlackStone fortress & Warcy novels.
Of course how to go even further? Lets create Horror & Crime. It's like having several companies within and putting out there 3 dozen novels per year or more if you cont all novellas, short stories and all others.... Imagine you want to read everything they put out? It's impossible. Unless you don't read anything else. Even more it's nigh impossible on finances.
The other thing that upsets me is the way they release books...
I bought Lukas the Trickster & Legacy of the wolfen (Cursen of Wolfen & Legacy of Russ). Now they are releasing Sagas of Space Wolves The Omnibus that encompases "Ragnar Blackmane", "Curse of the Wulfen", "Legacy of Russ" and "The Hunt for Logan Grimnar" as well as the novellas "Blood on the Mountain and Arjac Rockfist". Now why did you put outt Legacy of Wulfen? 10€ to trash? Or I wont read everything of Space Wolves. This is a good technique but it's a crappy one. You pray on people who purchase every single novella or book and then . OKay here it is plus something new.
Enfin, I am goinjg astray with my thoughts. We debating on this...
This book is a solid novel. Is it good? It has some parts that interested me and it will have impact on all other novels set on Crime. First the Houses behind, the politics, the setting, the serpent stuff. All of these are very interesting.
Varangantua is an interesting setting. It's very 30's vibe. It's very old school crime stories vibe. But let's be true. If you could change some key words this story could have been done in another setting. This author could have change stuff and presented as a new world for him to explore. Remove "By His Hand"; remove some key imperium names and voila. You've got a new world. Some people call it Domestic 40K but to me it's not. It's another setting that will probably get a new boardgame after the innitial success of the novels and there you go.
The all Iris stuff; the cars; the guns etc - all felt so detached from the 40K we know that at times I couldn't see being in a 40K universe.
Now, it is bad? No, of course it's not. Probator Agusto Zidarov it's a nice interesting trouble character. It's family looked real; the all police interaction between different Probators felt interesting. The all corrupted society including the "police". All was interesting.
The pace itself was fine although a bit repetitive.
What I really loved was the all
I will continue to to read other stuff from this setting including the new release No Good Men. I hate that title.
Should you read it? Yes. If not because it's different from normal 40K novels. As I would also advise reading a 40K horror story. They are all in the same setting so it's cool to go a bit further from the Grimdark and try other genres... You've got a bit of comedy with Cain, chidlren book; so what's the next setting BL?
October 3, 2020
I don't know why I thought the 40k setting wouldn't make for a great cyberpunk detective story.
For the first book in the Warhammer Crime imprint, Chris really knocked it out of the park. The 40k books that tend to focus on the "smaller" settings and more grounded ones at that seem to be where a lot of the Black Library writers really shine and this as a character and plot-driven novel works really well.
The characters and city are well fleshed out, so is it's place in the Imperium as a whole, without needing to rely on the usual heavy-handed 40k tropes.
I would recommend this book to general cyberpunk fans as much as to Warhammer fans.
For the first book in the Warhammer Crime imprint, Chris really knocked it out of the park. The 40k books that tend to focus on the "smaller" settings and more grounded ones at that seem to be where a lot of the Black Library writers really shine and this as a character and plot-driven novel works really well.
The characters and city are well fleshed out, so is it's place in the Imperium as a whole, without needing to rely on the usual heavy-handed 40k tropes.
I would recommend this book to general cyberpunk fans as much as to Warhammer fans.
November 2, 2021
A really good start of this new kind of Warhammer novel. I always liked the stuff about the more relatable people in this insane universe, and this fits the bill perfectly.
How do civilians handle a day to day live in constant war, that happens mainly on other planets? What is it like to be in the imperial culture? How do you handle the bizarre power dynamics of 40k?
And on top, a really nice mystery with a satisfying twist, a nice noir main character with a family - all thumbs up. Perfect start for the Crime imprint, I will look for more from the author.
How do civilians handle a day to day live in constant war, that happens mainly on other planets? What is it like to be in the imperial culture? How do you handle the bizarre power dynamics of 40k?
And on top, a really nice mystery with a satisfying twist, a nice noir main character with a family - all thumbs up. Perfect start for the Crime imprint, I will look for more from the author.
September 28, 2020
Really enjoyed this - classic style detective novel set on a W40k world. I'll definitely check out more Warhammer Crime novels, particularly by this author.
I also appreciated some of the new imperial expressions Chris Wraight came up in this novel - "His hand" as a greeting, for example, both makes a lot of sense and adds to the flavor of the world.
I also appreciated some of the new imperial expressions Chris Wraight came up in this novel - "His hand" as a greeting, for example, both makes a lot of sense and adds to the flavor of the world.
April 27, 2025
My first Warhammer crime novel, a bleak futuristic detective story, was absolutely fantastic! It had compelling characters and an engaging story, without the huge impact and stakes of a regular Imperium novel. This is a contained and small story, and I would recommend it to any fan of Warhammer 40K or even just a fan of hard-boiled detective stories.
September 6, 2025
This was the vibe I was hoping for with Necromunda that I didn’t get: noir, cyberpunk crime, but grounded unlike the galaxy-spanning psychic world of Eisenhorn/Ravenor
Great dialogue between characters, and the clues/leads are followable for a smooth brain like me
Great dialogue between characters, and the clues/leads are followable for a smooth brain like me
September 16, 2020
Great book! Refreshing to see the 40k universe used in a different way. Crime fiction fits right in.
January 16, 2021
Does what it says in on the tin. Pure pulp detective story, with a sprinkling of the 41st Millennium
Read
January 3, 2024Совершенно проходной нуарчик в мире Вахи, лишенный ее обычных черт. Стареющий коп расследует исчезновение богатой шишки, бродя в городе-улье, фокус идет на его быт. Не рекомендую никому.
December 18, 2020
What a great beginning to the new Warhammer Crimes series. Wright nearly Wrongfooted me at some point, but damn the ending was all worth it.
December 29, 2020
Quick impressions: This is a Warhammer 40,000 novel, but in heart it is a noir detective mystery novel with a bit of conspiracy and corruption thrown in. If you already read WH40K works, you'll likely enjoy this one. The author pays attention to details to get the ambience and setting of WH40K right. However, you don't have to be a WH40K fan to enjoy this. If you like a good detective story with a bit of noir, the worn down cop who has to step up to solve a case no one really wants solved, you'll likely enjoy this one.
(full review on my blog)
(full review on my blog)
Read
September 29, 2020Thoroughly enjoyed!
September 17, 2024
*2.5 Ger upp bara tycker den var ganska ok
February 2, 2021
Do you want a half-way decent mystery without a happy ending? Read this book. Do you want a mystery that feels like 40K? Maybe this isn't the book for you.
The book isn't bad. It is slow for long periods, but the ending picks up well. The mystery is decent and does not turn out the way I expected. But I wanted a 40K book, and this does not feel like one. It is dark and gritty, but there are few elements of the 40K universe. The MC says "His Hand," there are references to the Guard and the church, but that's about it.
The book isn't bad. It is slow for long periods, but the ending picks up well. The mystery is decent and does not turn out the way I expected. But I wanted a 40K book, and this does not feel like one. It is dark and gritty, but there are few elements of the 40K universe. The MC says "His Hand," there are references to the Guard and the church, but that's about it.
October 27, 2022
I've read quite a few 40k books and I found Bloodlines very refreshing. Wraight does not dabble with the machinations of the near-godlike Astartes, or actual-godlike Primarchs, for that matter. Instead, you're dragged your through the feotid gutters of Varangantua, showing you just how incredibly shit everyday life is in the 41st millenia. Pass the topaz.
February 16, 2021
A very exciting novel, full of plot twists. Loved the main character, was very much the tough but no-bullshit cop. An excellent start for the new crime series.
February 5, 2021
A promising first entry in Black Library’s brand-new "Warhammer Crime" imprint. Bloodlines is a detective/crime novel with noir undertones set in the grimdark universe of Warhammer 40K (WH40K), with emphasis on a more contained and grounded story, detached from the usual epic battles and grand faction politics of your average Warhammer novel. As a result, it is far less action-oriented, which in a way feels rather refreshing considering the setting.
The story follows Probator Agusto Zidarov, a married middle-aged detective, set on an assignment to investigate the disappearance of Adeard Terashova, the son of a rich and influential aristocratic family in Varangantua who are adamant about finding his whereabouts. Things do not turn out as expected later on for Agusto, who at one point puts both his credibility and colleagues’ livelihoods in jeopardy after a failed raid on a well-known criminal cartel, Vidora, whom he suspected to have ties with Adeard’s disappearance. This event acts as the catalyst in the narrative, as the two do overlap one way or another, and from here on out, things start to get intriguing as the story delves into various conspiracy theories and cult organisations that use cell draining, a process of hooking a living person up to a machine and harvesting them to produce a serum which stops aging.
Whilst the pacing is quite fast on the whole, the first half, perhaps even the first three-quarters, is observing Agusto just gathering clues with no strong leads to Adeard and witnessing his doubt surrounding his main assignment. In fact, I would say the first half seems somewhat generic at times, just like any other detective story set in a dystopian sci-fi world. However, once the secrets and plot twists finally reveal themselves in the second half, they make up for any flaws in the first half. Everything ties nicely together in the last three chapters, again, rather swiftly. On the plus side, this keeps the ‘whodunit?’ element engaging for a big portion of the story, right until the end. I am content with how the storytelling turned out, including the denouement, even if the overarching story did not blow me away, although, for a story quite noir, I feel the ending concludes on a very happy note, for the most part, so make of that what you will.
The main characters are fleshed out well enough by the end of Agusto’s journey, whilst other, more secondary ones, could need more work, hopefully in future titles. It is satisfying to see a protagonist who is clearly flawed as a character, but still likable and distinctive. The passages where he spends the little time he has outside work with his family (his wife and daughter) at home also show his vulnerable, human side. Additionally, the world of Varangantua is superbly described by the writer, with its grim dystopian sci-fi aura, which surprisingly feels more like Blade Runner than WH40K.
Now, there are a few major issues that prevent me from rating Bloodlines higher. Firstly, if you replace some of the WH40K lingo and references, which are the only things that remind the reader what universe the story is set in, then this could have been set virtually in just any other universe. If tackled from the perspective of a hardcore Warhammer fan, which I would not self-describe myself as such, not yet at least, it is very light on the WH40K lore. For some, mainly newcomers, this can be seen as a positive. In my view, I wish more of the universe’s well-established lore was used for its worldbuilding. And no, I do not imply to throw in Space Marines, the poster boys of WH40K. Likewise, whilst I get the gist of perhaps using more “local” technology from Varangantua, it felt rather disconnected at times from the lore I am generally accustomed to. Finally, plot-wise, whilst I tremendously enjoyed the journey of one of the two main antagonists in the story, I recall how the other antagonist drops somewhere late in the story, almost out of the blue, without much foreshadowing. This led me to not feel much attachment, nor a sense of fear, nor too much urgency, around this individual, which dampened the effectiveness of the higher stakes that played out in the second half.
Ultimately, I find Chris Wraight’s Bloodlines a commendable starting point for readers who are not familiar with WH40K lore, who may not even be interested in exploring it any further, or who are too intimidated by the monolithic size of this universe’s lore, since it is used it lightly as a backdrop, but still want a solid detective/crime story, regardless of the universe it is set in. For Warhammer fans, if you are looking for more novels akin to Dan Abnett's Eisenhorn/Ravenor/Bequin series, where the story revolves around the adventures of a group of characters rather than bombastic military warfare between factions, then Bloodlines is worth your time if you can accept it is lighter on the lore. Nonetheless, Bloodlines successfully builds a solid foundation for future stories set in Varangantua, whether that is a continuation of Agusto’s story or the saga of another protagonist. So judging by this novel alone, as of now, I genuinely look forward to more novels under this new crime imprint as there can be a plethora of potentially good stories set in the grim and oppressive world of Varangantua. And, yeah, I am a sucker for detective stories, if you have not guessed.
The story follows Probator Agusto Zidarov, a married middle-aged detective, set on an assignment to investigate the disappearance of Adeard Terashova, the son of a rich and influential aristocratic family in Varangantua who are adamant about finding his whereabouts. Things do not turn out as expected later on for Agusto, who at one point puts both his credibility and colleagues’ livelihoods in jeopardy after a failed raid on a well-known criminal cartel, Vidora, whom he suspected to have ties with Adeard’s disappearance. This event acts as the catalyst in the narrative, as the two do overlap one way or another, and from here on out, things start to get intriguing as the story delves into various conspiracy theories and cult organisations that use cell draining, a process of hooking a living person up to a machine and harvesting them to produce a serum which stops aging.
Whilst the pacing is quite fast on the whole, the first half, perhaps even the first three-quarters, is observing Agusto just gathering clues with no strong leads to Adeard and witnessing his doubt surrounding his main assignment. In fact, I would say the first half seems somewhat generic at times, just like any other detective story set in a dystopian sci-fi world. However, once the secrets and plot twists finally reveal themselves in the second half, they make up for any flaws in the first half. Everything ties nicely together in the last three chapters, again, rather swiftly. On the plus side, this keeps the ‘whodunit?’ element engaging for a big portion of the story, right until the end. I am content with how the storytelling turned out, including the denouement, even if the overarching story did not blow me away, although, for a story quite noir, I feel the ending concludes on a very happy note, for the most part, so make of that what you will.
The main characters are fleshed out well enough by the end of Agusto’s journey, whilst other, more secondary ones, could need more work, hopefully in future titles. It is satisfying to see a protagonist who is clearly flawed as a character, but still likable and distinctive. The passages where he spends the little time he has outside work with his family (his wife and daughter) at home also show his vulnerable, human side. Additionally, the world of Varangantua is superbly described by the writer, with its grim dystopian sci-fi aura, which surprisingly feels more like Blade Runner than WH40K.
Now, there are a few major issues that prevent me from rating Bloodlines higher. Firstly, if you replace some of the WH40K lingo and references, which are the only things that remind the reader what universe the story is set in, then this could have been set virtually in just any other universe. If tackled from the perspective of a hardcore Warhammer fan, which I would not self-describe myself as such, not yet at least, it is very light on the WH40K lore. For some, mainly newcomers, this can be seen as a positive. In my view, I wish more of the universe’s well-established lore was used for its worldbuilding. And no, I do not imply to throw in Space Marines, the poster boys of WH40K. Likewise, whilst I get the gist of perhaps using more “local” technology from Varangantua, it felt rather disconnected at times from the lore I am generally accustomed to. Finally, plot-wise, whilst I tremendously enjoyed the journey of one of the two main antagonists in the story, I recall how the other antagonist drops somewhere late in the story, almost out of the blue, without much foreshadowing. This led me to not feel much attachment, nor a sense of fear, nor too much urgency, around this individual, which dampened the effectiveness of the higher stakes that played out in the second half.
Ultimately, I find Chris Wraight’s Bloodlines a commendable starting point for readers who are not familiar with WH40K lore, who may not even be interested in exploring it any further, or who are too intimidated by the monolithic size of this universe’s lore, since it is used it lightly as a backdrop, but still want a solid detective/crime story, regardless of the universe it is set in. For Warhammer fans, if you are looking for more novels akin to Dan Abnett's Eisenhorn/Ravenor/Bequin series, where the story revolves around the adventures of a group of characters rather than bombastic military warfare between factions, then Bloodlines is worth your time if you can accept it is lighter on the lore. Nonetheless, Bloodlines successfully builds a solid foundation for future stories set in Varangantua, whether that is a continuation of Agusto’s story or the saga of another protagonist. So judging by this novel alone, as of now, I genuinely look forward to more novels under this new crime imprint as there can be a plethora of potentially good stories set in the grim and oppressive world of Varangantua. And, yeah, I am a sucker for detective stories, if you have not guessed.
October 14, 2020
I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Whether or not Black Library have created the 'Warhammer Crime' series to try and carve themselves a slice of the thriller pie or if it's just because they wanted to breathe new life into the Warhammer 40k universe, I am uncertain. What I am certain of is that they've got this series off to a great start.
For die hard bolter porn fanatics I am going to spoil your day: There are no space marines in this novel. It seems like the Black Library want to show that they are more than just Space Marines and Imperial Guard and, with Bloodlines, both they and Chris Wraight have achieved that.
Augusto Zidarov, an ageing probator (a type of policeman/detective in the warhammer 40k universe) is our protagonist and, throughout the majority of the novel I found myself liking the unveiling of his character. He's often not quite what you think he is, a feat achieved by clever reveals on the part of the author.
Bloodlines creates a grim, dark and oppressive-feeling world in which bleakness and the daily grind are pretty much the only things to look forward to. Unless you're rich, in which case you can have what you want, when you want. Including rejuvanat treatments (treatments to reverse the ageing process). The fact that much of this trade comes from 'cell draining', the process of hooking a living person up to a machine and having the lifeblood, and other youthful goodness, sucked out of them until they die where they lay.
Zidarov's mission to bring down the cell-draining cartels in his city is a major plot point, one that unfolds to the backdrop of a missing aristocrat he's being forced to track down at the behest of one of the most influential, and filthy rich families on his world.
Chris Wraight does a great job of showing just how bleak and miserable life can be on many of the world's within the Imperium. It shows how the Imperium is a society where the rich thrive and the poor are squeezed for every last bit of productivity in whatever job role they find themselves in. It may sound like it, but I don't think they're Tories ... honest.
Some of the characters do feel a bit two-dimensional but I feel part of this is more because Zidarov isn't the type to open up to or to reach out and let others open up to him. Whatever the reason, it doesn't feel like it detracts. It just feels like they are the stoic citizens of the imperium that any fan has come to imagine over the years of reading.
Oddly, for a warhammer 40k novel, there isn't a whole lot of fighting. There are some heart-pounding scenes that really make you appreciate the build up to them, but a great portion of the book is spent on detective work and snooping around. Which, being a thriller-type novel, I am glad of. When I opened this book I was worried that it was just going to be lots of shooting and explosions coming from a policeman's gun rather than a soldier's and just called a 'crime novel'. Thankfully, in Bloodlines, Wraight has given it a truly 'crime novel feel' whilst still making you feel grounded in the Warhammer 40k universe.
Whether or not Black Library have created the 'Warhammer Crime' series to try and carve themselves a slice of the thriller pie or if it's just because they wanted to breathe new life into the Warhammer 40k universe, I am uncertain. What I am certain of is that they've got this series off to a great start.
For die hard bolter porn fanatics I am going to spoil your day: There are no space marines in this novel. It seems like the Black Library want to show that they are more than just Space Marines and Imperial Guard and, with Bloodlines, both they and Chris Wraight have achieved that.
Augusto Zidarov, an ageing probator (a type of policeman/detective in the warhammer 40k universe) is our protagonist and, throughout the majority of the novel I found myself liking the unveiling of his character. He's often not quite what you think he is, a feat achieved by clever reveals on the part of the author.
Bloodlines creates a grim, dark and oppressive-feeling world in which bleakness and the daily grind are pretty much the only things to look forward to. Unless you're rich, in which case you can have what you want, when you want. Including rejuvanat treatments (treatments to reverse the ageing process). The fact that much of this trade comes from 'cell draining', the process of hooking a living person up to a machine and having the lifeblood, and other youthful goodness, sucked out of them until they die where they lay.
Zidarov's mission to bring down the cell-draining cartels in his city is a major plot point, one that unfolds to the backdrop of a missing aristocrat he's being forced to track down at the behest of one of the most influential, and filthy rich families on his world.
Chris Wraight does a great job of showing just how bleak and miserable life can be on many of the world's within the Imperium. It shows how the Imperium is a society where the rich thrive and the poor are squeezed for every last bit of productivity in whatever job role they find themselves in. It may sound like it, but I don't think they're Tories ... honest.
Some of the characters do feel a bit two-dimensional but I feel part of this is more because Zidarov isn't the type to open up to or to reach out and let others open up to him. Whatever the reason, it doesn't feel like it detracts. It just feels like they are the stoic citizens of the imperium that any fan has come to imagine over the years of reading.
Oddly, for a warhammer 40k novel, there isn't a whole lot of fighting. There are some heart-pounding scenes that really make you appreciate the build up to them, but a great portion of the book is spent on detective work and snooping around. Which, being a thriller-type novel, I am glad of. When I opened this book I was worried that it was just going to be lots of shooting and explosions coming from a policeman's gun rather than a soldier's and just called a 'crime novel'. Thankfully, in Bloodlines, Wraight has given it a truly 'crime novel feel' whilst still making you feel grounded in the Warhammer 40k universe.
February 10, 2023
Warhammer Crime is an interesting attempt to take the storytelling further away from the game the universe was crafted for and to explore what's out there. What goes on in the worlds that exist in the Imperium beyond the lore and heavy main character plotlines that sell mini-figures and similarly sized buckets of paint? Dip into cultures and taste what the life of a human in that world is like. See the corrupt inner workings of one planet or a hive city. Bloodlines attempts to make the case that Warhammer 40k is best in those outskirts, far away from the war. Just following a moment in the life of a Probator assigned to a missing person's case.
Interestingly enough, taking a noir detective story and casting it into a bleak dark futuristic science fiction landscape immediately calls to mind Bladerunner. This is likely because there simply isn't that much scifi noir material to consume. We get the dark, gloomy, rainy setting. We see plenty of sardonic characters as cold and grim as the world they live in. The classic middle-aged, out of shape, investigator who has become bitter over the long years of working his job. It's all here, but it's not as blatant and on the nose as in some templated crime noir stories.
The Warhammer elements are fairly light, but never feels like it has forgotten that's what it is supposed to be. However, one could easily read the story without knowing it was Warhammer and never know it was from a body of larger work. You could swap out a few terms and some nomenclature and plug it in another universe fairly easily. This isn't necessarily a bad thing. If Wraight had gone too hard on the thematics, tech, and big totem pole elements the story would not work the same way.
The plot is fairly straightforward, but takes its time working in gradually larger circles as the protagonist is portrayed as fairly inept through a lack of dedication. He is portrayed as an unwilling participant in the case he is assigned until he stumbles upon something that truly disturbs him and he can't let go of, which drags him deeper and deeper into what reveals itself to go much further back than he imagined.
It never gets too heavy on the mystery, though one will find some intrigue here and there to keep you reading along. The story reveals itself in time as it moves along and all the moving pieces work well together, if a little too obviously. The characters are a bit nondescript and same-same to the point that their names are forgettable. The home life of the protagonist is refreshing and the side-plot of his interactions with his wife and now adult daughter are set up as a nice lens for viewing the main story as well. It works.
Overall, Bloodlines is a fairly standard feeling not great, not awful Crime novel set in an unremarkable place of the Warhammer 40k universe. It doesn't further the Warhammer 40k story. But it does shed some enjoyable light on the inner workings of the ground level human existence. No reinventing the wheel here, but it's definitely a nice change of pace.
Interestingly enough, taking a noir detective story and casting it into a bleak dark futuristic science fiction landscape immediately calls to mind Bladerunner. This is likely because there simply isn't that much scifi noir material to consume. We get the dark, gloomy, rainy setting. We see plenty of sardonic characters as cold and grim as the world they live in. The classic middle-aged, out of shape, investigator who has become bitter over the long years of working his job. It's all here, but it's not as blatant and on the nose as in some templated crime noir stories.
The Warhammer elements are fairly light, but never feels like it has forgotten that's what it is supposed to be. However, one could easily read the story without knowing it was Warhammer and never know it was from a body of larger work. You could swap out a few terms and some nomenclature and plug it in another universe fairly easily. This isn't necessarily a bad thing. If Wraight had gone too hard on the thematics, tech, and big totem pole elements the story would not work the same way.
The plot is fairly straightforward, but takes its time working in gradually larger circles as the protagonist is portrayed as fairly inept through a lack of dedication. He is portrayed as an unwilling participant in the case he is assigned until he stumbles upon something that truly disturbs him and he can't let go of, which drags him deeper and deeper into what reveals itself to go much further back than he imagined.
It never gets too heavy on the mystery, though one will find some intrigue here and there to keep you reading along. The story reveals itself in time as it moves along and all the moving pieces work well together, if a little too obviously. The characters are a bit nondescript and same-same to the point that their names are forgettable. The home life of the protagonist is refreshing and the side-plot of his interactions with his wife and now adult daughter are set up as a nice lens for viewing the main story as well. It works.
Overall, Bloodlines is a fairly standard feeling not great, not awful Crime novel set in an unremarkable place of the Warhammer 40k universe. It doesn't further the Warhammer 40k story. But it does shed some enjoyable light on the inner workings of the ground level human existence. No reinventing the wheel here, but it's definitely a nice change of pace.
February 21, 2023
Rating of 4.75.
After some of my recent awesome experiences with the Warhammer Crime series, I just had to check out the outstanding novel, Bloodlines by Chris Wraight, which has one of the best pure crime fiction stories in this entire epic franchise.
After a lifetime working for the Varangantua Enforcers, Probator Agusto Zidarov is well aware that the only certainties in the continent-spanning city are wealth, corruption and criminality. Tired of the games played between the warring gangs, trade combines, and nobles as they battle for control of the city’s resources, Zidarov is more concerned about his own life, family and secrets. However, when a simple missing person investigation gets unexpectantly complicated, Zidarov will find a terrible case that he can’t turn away from.
Called to the estate of wealthy business magnate Udmil Terashova, Zidarov is ordered to find her son and heir, who has gone missing. Forced to plumb the depths of Varangantua’s underbelly, Zidarov attempts to find any trace of the boy, who has likely just disappeared taking part in the rich’s hedonistic lifestyles. However, when an uncovered lead places him conflict with one the city’s most ruthless gangs, Zidarov soon begins to believe that there is more to this case than he initially believed.
Discovering that the gang is involved in the notorious crime of cell draining, Zidarov’s attempts to shut them down. However, his raid ends up being a bust, and the fallout results in a dead sanctioner, a wounded probator and a full-on war between the gang and the enforcers. Attempting to mitigate the consequences of his actions, Zidarov soon discovers that there is far more going on behind the scenes than he ever imagined as corporate interests work to influence the investigation. To find the truth about the city’s new crime ring and the missing noble, Zidarov is forced to probe both Varangantua’s lowest gangs and wealthiest citizens. But can Zidarov survive the encounter with his secrets and life intact?
Bloodlines is an incredible and deeply impressive Warhammer Crime novel that I had an excellent time reading, especially as Wraight perfectly blended his crime fiction story with the cool Warhammer setting. Featuring one of the more elaborate and intriguing cases in the Warhammer Crime books I have read so far, I absolutely powered through Bloodlines and this was truly an outstanding read.
To see the full review, click on the link below:
https://unseenlibrary.com/2023/02/21/...
For other exciting reviews and content, check out my blog at:
https://unseenlibrary.com/
After some of my recent awesome experiences with the Warhammer Crime series, I just had to check out the outstanding novel, Bloodlines by Chris Wraight, which has one of the best pure crime fiction stories in this entire epic franchise.
After a lifetime working for the Varangantua Enforcers, Probator Agusto Zidarov is well aware that the only certainties in the continent-spanning city are wealth, corruption and criminality. Tired of the games played between the warring gangs, trade combines, and nobles as they battle for control of the city’s resources, Zidarov is more concerned about his own life, family and secrets. However, when a simple missing person investigation gets unexpectantly complicated, Zidarov will find a terrible case that he can’t turn away from.
Called to the estate of wealthy business magnate Udmil Terashova, Zidarov is ordered to find her son and heir, who has gone missing. Forced to plumb the depths of Varangantua’s underbelly, Zidarov attempts to find any trace of the boy, who has likely just disappeared taking part in the rich’s hedonistic lifestyles. However, when an uncovered lead places him conflict with one the city’s most ruthless gangs, Zidarov soon begins to believe that there is more to this case than he initially believed.
Discovering that the gang is involved in the notorious crime of cell draining, Zidarov’s attempts to shut them down. However, his raid ends up being a bust, and the fallout results in a dead sanctioner, a wounded probator and a full-on war between the gang and the enforcers. Attempting to mitigate the consequences of his actions, Zidarov soon discovers that there is far more going on behind the scenes than he ever imagined as corporate interests work to influence the investigation. To find the truth about the city’s new crime ring and the missing noble, Zidarov is forced to probe both Varangantua’s lowest gangs and wealthiest citizens. But can Zidarov survive the encounter with his secrets and life intact?
Bloodlines is an incredible and deeply impressive Warhammer Crime novel that I had an excellent time reading, especially as Wraight perfectly blended his crime fiction story with the cool Warhammer setting. Featuring one of the more elaborate and intriguing cases in the Warhammer Crime books I have read so far, I absolutely powered through Bloodlines and this was truly an outstanding read.
To see the full review, click on the link below:
https://unseenlibrary.com/2023/02/21/...
For other exciting reviews and content, check out my blog at:
https://unseenlibrary.com/
Displaying 1 - 30 of 124 reviews