What do you think?
Rate this book
Arcane Casebook #5
Limelight
When a madman starts robbing banks the really old fashioned way, by blowing holes in them with magical explosives, the police want Alex to catch him before he kills and robs again. There are two problems with that, however, first as far as Alex knows there’s no such thing as a blasting rune, and second his friend Danny Pak is up for a promotion and that’s not Danny’s case.
Alex splits his time between chasing the homicidal bomber and helping Danny figure out what happened to a dead writer who was basing her book on Broadway’s most famous murder. While the bomber continues to elude Alex, he becomes convinced that the writer was killed by someone who wanted the old murder to remain unsolved. Before he can pursue either case further, however, the feds show up, wanting Alex’s take on a series of bizarre magic related deaths.
Now Alex must solve the fifteen year old Broadway murder, catch a blast-happy bank robber, and figure out how average people are being killed by a mysterious, untraceable magic. All the while he has scant leads, even fewer suspects, and the inescapable feeling that he’s being played.
Alex splits his time between chasing the homicidal bomber and helping Danny figure out what happened to a dead writer who was basing her book on Broadway’s most famous murder. While the bomber continues to elude Alex, he becomes convinced that the writer was killed by someone who wanted the old murder to remain unsolved. Before he can pursue either case further, however, the feds show up, wanting Alex’s take on a series of bizarre magic related deaths.
Now Alex must solve the fifteen year old Broadway murder, catch a blast-happy bank robber, and figure out how average people are being killed by a mysterious, untraceable magic. All the while he has scant leads, even fewer suspects, and the inescapable feeling that he’s being played.
11 pages, Audible Audio
First published June 1, 2020
289 people are currently reading
187 people want to read
About the author
Dan Willis
60 books314 followersDan is an award-winning, best-selling author who has been writing for most of his life. He wrote for the long running DragonLance series and has worked in the board game and video game industries as well. His current work is the Arcane Casebook series, a fantasy twist on the 1930’s noir detective story.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 162 reviews
July 12, 2022
This was a good entry in the series. The first thing to notice is how much the power levels have scaled over the course of the series. Runewrights are supposed to be the lowest form of magic available, but after each book Alex (and Iggy) have learned more and more powerful ways to use runes. Eventually we are exposed to a shadowy runewright who is even more powerful still, who seems to be pulling the strings on Alexes life.
Spoiler for a few books ago. This is set roughly sixteen months or so after Jessica's death. Having some familiarity with grief I expected Alex to still be struggling with his emotions, but there is almost no trace of lingering sadness or difficulty wanting to form new relationships. That kind of bugs me, but the events of the story make it clear that the author has romantic plans for Alex and another character. Identifying the other character is left as an exercise to the reader, but frankly it's super easy to figure out, or if you join the authors Facebook group someone will spoil it within the first three posts you read which is when I left the Facebook group.
After what is apparently a semi-quiet but successful period Alex is thrown into another deadly hunt as he is asked to look into what appeared to be strange deaths all possibly caused by magical methods. Then a mystery author that Iggy loves is murdered in her home and Iggy convinces Alex to take a look at that too. Alex gets his buddy the cop, Danny, assigned to the case just as another crime is committed a bank robbery using some sort of unknown rune which would have gone to Danny but now is being handled by other cops. I was very worried that all the cases would be tied together like has been the pattern in previous entries in the series. I can report that only two of the three are linked.
A lot of the drama is driven by the resource conflicts of having three major issues to look into at the same time. That gets kind of tedious and it's not until the second half of the book that the drama becomes more about the characters. That does have some nice development and several of the relationships previously established go through some sort of growth. Alex's interactions with a new character, a Broadway star was particularly interesting. I hope she appears again sometime since she was a very interesting person, but I suspect she is mostly a throw away character to show some of the things Alex is going through.
Along with the mysteries in this book one introduced in the last book is also resolved, in a way. Can't really explain it without spoilers so I won't try, but it does increase Alex's pool of aides. This will obviously become important in the future books. As well as the power levels scaling up the threat of this mystery runewright seems to be growing as well, not to mention the strange appearance of forgotten magics that have happened over the last few books. A sort of non-team becomes somewhat of a team, although one fraught with trust issues, by the end of the book.
I'll read more, I'm getting tired of the too many cases issue, but I'm not sure the author will go away from that in favor of focusing more on the overarching story. It seems like it's time to begin addressing that directly instead of constantly falling into uncovering clues by accident.
Spoiler for a few books ago. This is set roughly sixteen months or so after Jessica's death. Having some familiarity with grief I expected Alex to still be struggling with his emotions, but there is almost no trace of lingering sadness or difficulty wanting to form new relationships. That kind of bugs me, but the events of the story make it clear that the author has romantic plans for Alex and another character. Identifying the other character is left as an exercise to the reader, but frankly it's super easy to figure out, or if you join the authors Facebook group someone will spoil it within the first three posts you read which is when I left the Facebook group.
After what is apparently a semi-quiet but successful period Alex is thrown into another deadly hunt as he is asked to look into what appeared to be strange deaths all possibly caused by magical methods. Then a mystery author that Iggy loves is murdered in her home and Iggy convinces Alex to take a look at that too. Alex gets his buddy the cop, Danny, assigned to the case just as another crime is committed a bank robbery using some sort of unknown rune which would have gone to Danny but now is being handled by other cops. I was very worried that all the cases would be tied together like has been the pattern in previous entries in the series. I can report that only two of the three are linked.
A lot of the drama is driven by the resource conflicts of having three major issues to look into at the same time. That gets kind of tedious and it's not until the second half of the book that the drama becomes more about the characters. That does have some nice development and several of the relationships previously established go through some sort of growth. Alex's interactions with a new character, a Broadway star was particularly interesting. I hope she appears again sometime since she was a very interesting person, but I suspect she is mostly a throw away character to show some of the things Alex is going through.
Along with the mysteries in this book one introduced in the last book is also resolved, in a way. Can't really explain it without spoilers so I won't try, but it does increase Alex's pool of aides. This will obviously become important in the future books. As well as the power levels scaling up the threat of this mystery runewright seems to be growing as well, not to mention the strange appearance of forgotten magics that have happened over the last few books. A sort of non-team becomes somewhat of a team, although one fraught with trust issues, by the end of the book.
I'll read more, I'm getting tired of the too many cases issue, but I'm not sure the author will go away from that in favor of focusing more on the overarching story. It seems like it's time to begin addressing that directly instead of constantly falling into uncovering clues by accident.
June 16, 2020
Yes, SPOILERS, everywhere
FINALLY, I caught up with all the books in Arcane Casebook series. Oh, wait, I have the prequel novella which I plan to read soon because I am not ready to depart from Alex Lockerby's universe just yet.
Anyway, Limelight again gives Alex, Sorsha, Danny, Lt. Callahan, and the rest of the gang with new dangers to deal with. Most notably how more and more dangerous magic appears, probably part of the plan from mysterious Legion to take over the world. This time, Alex and co. are dealing with people using alchemy to charged up their magic power.
I think it's interesting that Alex, Sorsha, Dr. Bell (and probably the Lightning Lord, Barton) will team up as The Irregulars (note to Holmes' Irregulars of course) to work together finding more information about Legion.
Other development includes Alex helping Danny solving a 15-year-old unsolved murder case (probably in the next book, it will be Lieutenant Danny Pak instead of detective) while finding out his new secretary Sherry Knox (who can see the future!) is actually a three-thousand-years old High Priestess (Yes, I know! GASP!). I miss Leslie though...
FINALLY, I caught up with all the books in Arcane Casebook series. Oh, wait, I have the prequel novella which I plan to read soon because I am not ready to depart from Alex Lockerby's universe just yet.
Anyway, Limelight again gives Alex, Sorsha, Danny, Lt. Callahan, and the rest of the gang with new dangers to deal with. Most notably how more and more dangerous magic appears, probably part of the plan from mysterious Legion to take over the world. This time, Alex and co. are dealing with people using alchemy to charged up their magic power.
I think it's interesting that Alex, Sorsha, Dr. Bell (and probably the Lightning Lord, Barton) will team up as The Irregulars (note to Holmes' Irregulars of course) to work together finding more information about Legion.
Other development includes Alex helping Danny solving a 15-year-old unsolved murder case (probably in the next book, it will be Lieutenant Danny Pak instead of detective) while finding out his new secretary Sherry Knox (who can see the future!) is actually a three-thousand-years old High Priestess (Yes, I know! GASP!). I miss Leslie though...
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 20, 2020
Wow, this one was just as good as the other ones. I absolutely love Alex Lockerby, the friends that he makes, and the way that he is willing to do whatever it takes to stop the bad guys. Overall, there were a lot of different things going on and a lot to keep track of, but it was all so worth it. I am always surprised by how everything comes together in the end and we find out the who dun it. Plus, it seems like Alex and Sorcha might actually become a thing. Technically, Alex could possibly live forever with the transference rune and they could be together now that his imminent death isnt looming over them . I look forward to the next one and can't wait to read it.
July 3, 2022
4.5 stars
Why is it always so much fun with a murdered writer and a missing manuscript?
I can't really say, but it's one classic trope I never seem to grow tired of.
The series levelled up with this book.
I mean, I liked it a lot before, but in this one it turned even a bit better.
Maybe because the plots started to become more complex and complicated. Usually that's not always a good thing, but in this case, I just adore the execution. All the clues and and different threads that eventually lead to a conclusion is creatively spun.
I really, really enjoy spending time with Alex Lockerby!
Why is it always so much fun with a murdered writer and a missing manuscript?
I can't really say, but it's one classic trope I never seem to grow tired of.
The series levelled up with this book.
I mean, I liked it a lot before, but in this one it turned even a bit better.
Maybe because the plots started to become more complex and complicated. Usually that's not always a good thing, but in this case, I just adore the execution. All the clues and and different threads that eventually lead to a conclusion is creatively spun.
I really, really enjoy spending time with Alex Lockerby!
June 16, 2022
More and more dangerous magic keeps showing on, and I found really interesting that the users of different kinds of magic are getting interested in how the other ones work. And combining them with... mixed results, to say the least *laughs*
There is a possible slow-burn romance going on here, and OMG! The Irregulars! I love it! And the mystery of Sherry Knox is solved and boy, was that an unexpected twist!
So yes, I really enjoyed this one, too! And it was, again, delightfully narrated by Alex Knox.
There is a possible slow-burn romance going on here, and OMG! The Irregulars! I love it! And the mystery of Sherry Knox is solved and boy, was that an unexpected twist!
So yes, I really enjoyed this one, too! And it was, again, delightfully narrated by Alex Knox.
June 24, 2025
Another fine example of well written entertainment. The author has indeed mastered his craft with witty prose and perfect pacing. This was book 5 in the series and I'm ready for another go.
June 16, 2020
Just As Good As I Hoped
For months now I've been constantly re-checking the bookstore for the newest installment of the Arcane Casebook. An irrational frustration with the author, Dan Willis, had me mentally berating him for taking so long in supplying me the literary fix I needed. "We're all in quarantine, surely he has nothing but time to write!? If he pulls a George R.R. Martin on me, I'll lose my mind." Such were my thoughts.
Having absolutely tore through book five I find myself satiated again. Just as gripping and fun as the previous entries, the plot moves forward compellingly and has me dreaming about what comes next. Besides some niggling typos, I'm happy to report my itch has been scratched. ....for now. 5/5
For months now I've been constantly re-checking the bookstore for the newest installment of the Arcane Casebook. An irrational frustration with the author, Dan Willis, had me mentally berating him for taking so long in supplying me the literary fix I needed. "We're all in quarantine, surely he has nothing but time to write!? If he pulls a George R.R. Martin on me, I'll lose my mind." Such were my thoughts.
Having absolutely tore through book five I find myself satiated again. Just as gripping and fun as the previous entries, the plot moves forward compellingly and has me dreaming about what comes next. Besides some niggling typos, I'm happy to report my itch has been scratched. ....for now. 5/5
June 18, 2020
Very well written series
I usually hate alternate histories where the author uses really historical figures but this is definitely the exception. Well done. Each book is distinct yet their is an overarching plot development that ties them all together. I read all 5 in 2 days and was very disappointed when I couldn't find the 6th book yet....the author needs to fix that ;)
I usually hate alternate histories where the author uses really historical figures but this is definitely the exception. Well done. Each book is distinct yet their is an overarching plot development that ties them all together. I read all 5 in 2 days and was very disappointed when I couldn't find the 6th book yet....the author needs to fix that ;)
March 6, 2025
So, amongst the other things going on in this book, our hero Alex is investigating a drug that makes magic-users (that is, sorcerers, runewrights, and alchemists) temporarily much more capable, but is also crazy addictive... I was counting down the moments until he just HAD to use it to save everyone, because OF COURSE HE DID fgjklsajfkl;ajfl;kdjsflk; frankly I don't even consider this a spoiler because if you've read these books until now, you'd have to be an idiot to not hear that there's a substance that makes people temporarily more powerful and competent and NOT think our hero's gonna use it at some point. Peak Gary Stu. It's okay though, for some reason, I continue to find these cheeseball books pretty fun to read. I think it's because I enjoy the crime investigation and mystery aspects. As the characters become more overpowered and well-connected, I worry that the "private detective" aspect of the books will be more and more overshadowed by the bigger plot (HITLER-RELATED, NO DOUBT), but for now, they're still pretty fun to read.
I think book 11 just came out as I'm writing this and I desperately hope 12 will be the last one. I can't stand a super long story arc that just keeps going and going with no resolution, because the horse-flogging, repetitive nature of an unnecessarily drawn-out story drives me crazy. The only truly long book (or comic) series that I read are all ones where most of the books stand alone or are grouped in short, fully resolved story arcs. (eg Discworld, Jojo's Bizarre Adventure.) If this series gets much longer, I'll be really tempted to just stop reading it and never finish, because the path to the ending would have to be so frustratingly slow and obstacle-strewn.
My plea to authors: PLEASE END STORIES WHEN THEY ARE OVER. Just start another one! Surely you've got more ideas! I know that existing series entries are more reliable money-makers and such, but come on. Have some faith in yourself and your fans!
I think book 11 just came out as I'm writing this and I desperately hope 12 will be the last one. I can't stand a super long story arc that just keeps going and going with no resolution, because the horse-flogging, repetitive nature of an unnecessarily drawn-out story drives me crazy. The only truly long book (or comic) series that I read are all ones where most of the books stand alone or are grouped in short, fully resolved story arcs. (eg Discworld, Jojo's Bizarre Adventure.) If this series gets much longer, I'll be really tempted to just stop reading it and never finish, because the path to the ending would have to be so frustratingly slow and obstacle-strewn.
My plea to authors: PLEASE END STORIES WHEN THEY ARE OVER. Just start another one! Surely you've got more ideas! I know that existing series entries are more reliable money-makers and such, but come on. Have some faith in yourself and your fans!
July 23, 2022
Limelight / Arcane Casebook series
These books are riveting! Usually I have books on my phone that I can pick up and put down without regret or a feeling of missing out. These books, especially this most recent one: Limelight, are (forgive me) spellbinding.
Thankfully I have a slow weekend, so I can indulge myself. I would pick it up, just for a moment, or maybe just to the next Story break, well, maybe to the end of the chapter. I finally found I had to stop at the end of a chapter and not turn the page for fear of being sucked back in again.
Multiple threads weave a rich tapestry and the resolution of one thread doesn’t end the story, the other threads remain unsolved, yet, one by one they are tied up and neatly “snipped”.
Never dull or feeling like we’re just marking time in the story. Truly all the stories are page turners and I almost feel the previous 4 fascinating takes were “a warm up” to this story.
Not the last book in this series, (thankfully!!) and I can’t wait to read on and see what’s in store with the next book.
More, please!
Enjoy for yourself.
These books are riveting! Usually I have books on my phone that I can pick up and put down without regret or a feeling of missing out. These books, especially this most recent one: Limelight, are (forgive me) spellbinding.
Thankfully I have a slow weekend, so I can indulge myself. I would pick it up, just for a moment, or maybe just to the next Story break, well, maybe to the end of the chapter. I finally found I had to stop at the end of a chapter and not turn the page for fear of being sucked back in again.
Multiple threads weave a rich tapestry and the resolution of one thread doesn’t end the story, the other threads remain unsolved, yet, one by one they are tied up and neatly “snipped”.
Never dull or feeling like we’re just marking time in the story. Truly all the stories are page turners and I almost feel the previous 4 fascinating takes were “a warm up” to this story.
Not the last book in this series, (thankfully!!) and I can’t wait to read on and see what’s in store with the next book.
More, please!
Enjoy for yourself.
August 20, 2021
Working my way through one of my very favorite series of all time. I absolutely love these books! The MC, Alex Lockerby, is ethical, moral, decent, good, handsome, funny, brilliant, yet completely credible, someone you can easily imagine being a real person. He's never over the top or unbelievable, he never does anything a real person would not. All the characters in this series are richly created. You know them, what they look like, how they feel, and they are unfailingly consistent. As these stories progress, so do the characters. By book 5, they have naturally evolved to be better people, becoming much better friends due to their experiences together. The world Dan Willis has created...1930's America, is exactly what it would be if magic were our technology. But it's gritty magic, practical, realistic. It reads more like scifi than fantasy. I only have 2 more books to read in the series. What will I do when they are gone? It will be like eating the last slice of chocolate cake left in the world.
August 17, 2020
It's getting more challenging
It's a nice feel told from a strict first person perspective. There are some elements that feel like steam punk, but are reasonable consequences of having magic which has rules and LIMITS. The main character is a runewriter, but he and his mentor are starting to explore and push the rules that guide their magic. Up to now, he has mostly been involved in one off crimes or aided the police with what amounts to advanced CSI . But a new phase is becoming clear and more dangerous, as he will be dealing with things having a wide impact world wide. There has been a little romance, but it's been leading to a slow burn romance, all of which seems reasonable within this world. He is also a good detective without the magic, in the vein of Sherlock Holmes.
It's a nice feel told from a strict first person perspective. There are some elements that feel like steam punk, but are reasonable consequences of having magic which has rules and LIMITS. The main character is a runewriter, but he and his mentor are starting to explore and push the rules that guide their magic. Up to now, he has mostly been involved in one off crimes or aided the police with what amounts to advanced CSI . But a new phase is becoming clear and more dangerous, as he will be dealing with things having a wide impact world wide. There has been a little romance, but it's been leading to a slow burn romance, all of which seems reasonable within this world. He is also a good detective without the magic, in the vein of Sherlock Holmes.
August 4, 2021
Reading till you can't stay awake!
these books are spectacular, superb. Very well plot and characters lots of action a fusion of alchemy, sorcery and runeship in a world which while it's not exactly steampunk definitely took a different path than the one you and I inhabit. People on street corners might sell you a room that keeps your clothes dry or men's your socks. The young detective who is a runewright slowly from book to book involves himself in world politics history current politics engineering electronics and the complex world of human emotion and motivation. I don't want to give away the plot selfish to say that if there is an eighth book I will be buying it and the 9th would be a gift. The first seven I finished in less than a week and they're about 350 pages apiece. Thoroughly engaging story wonderfully complex three-dimensional characters.
Allison Moss.
these books are spectacular, superb. Very well plot and characters lots of action a fusion of alchemy, sorcery and runeship in a world which while it's not exactly steampunk definitely took a different path than the one you and I inhabit. People on street corners might sell you a room that keeps your clothes dry or men's your socks. The young detective who is a runewright slowly from book to book involves himself in world politics history current politics engineering electronics and the complex world of human emotion and motivation. I don't want to give away the plot selfish to say that if there is an eighth book I will be buying it and the 9th would be a gift. The first seven I finished in less than a week and they're about 350 pages apiece. Thoroughly engaging story wonderfully complex three-dimensional characters.
Allison Moss.
January 31, 2025
ArcaneCasebook5
Folks are dying in very strange ways. And, it looks like there is a new stimulant on the market, one to ramp up magical abilities. Oh, boy.
Alex’s new secretary, Sherry has a suggestion to broaden the business by letting lesser runewrights use his activated runes to track down missing pets and items. It’s a good idea … but he can’t think about it now.
And, it seems Alex has been in the paper too frequently of late - everyone at Police HQ thinks he is a glory hound. Then, one of Iggy’s favorite pulp fiction writers is murdered, and Iggy asks Alex to find out more details. Just as someone is robbing banks with a bang (little firecracker) rune - on steroids. The police want his help, but they want the credit…
And, Sorsha Kincaid has her own agenda of crime solving that needs Alex to help the FBI… when is he supposed to sleep?
Folks are dying in very strange ways. And, it looks like there is a new stimulant on the market, one to ramp up magical abilities. Oh, boy.
Alex’s new secretary, Sherry has a suggestion to broaden the business by letting lesser runewrights use his activated runes to track down missing pets and items. It’s a good idea … but he can’t think about it now.
And, it seems Alex has been in the paper too frequently of late - everyone at Police HQ thinks he is a glory hound. Then, one of Iggy’s favorite pulp fiction writers is murdered, and Iggy asks Alex to find out more details. Just as someone is robbing banks with a bang (little firecracker) rune - on steroids. The police want his help, but they want the credit…
And, Sorsha Kincaid has her own agenda of crime solving that needs Alex to help the FBI… when is he supposed to sleep?
March 17, 2025
4.75! Further review to follow.
Okay. This was the book I needed. It was the Alex Lockerby's the F***ening. Everything bad happens at once. It's never just one thing.
But this was so well written for a pulp novel. Yeah, a couple of things stretched even pulp magical logic to breaking point, but it was good times. ( Looking at you, secretary...).
But here's the thing. When everything goes wrong. And everything is stacked against you. Maybe, just maybe, instead of fracturing and spiraling apart, maybe instead of drawing into tribal groups, we build bridges and connect. Maybe we should come together, share information, work together and promote each other.
The Dectective gets a promotion to Lieutenant, the FBI saves the day, and sometimes a problem is solved by the judicious application of raw power overloading your cranial cortex. Thems the breaks. A nice bit of exploratory lore that builds it up and explains runewrighting a bit further beyond " magic".
This book was needed.
Okay. This was the book I needed. It was the Alex Lockerby's the F***ening. Everything bad happens at once. It's never just one thing.
But this was so well written for a pulp novel. Yeah, a couple of things stretched even pulp magical logic to breaking point, but it was good times. ( Looking at you, secretary...).
But here's the thing. When everything goes wrong. And everything is stacked against you. Maybe, just maybe, instead of fracturing and spiraling apart, maybe instead of drawing into tribal groups, we build bridges and connect. Maybe we should come together, share information, work together and promote each other.
The Dectective gets a promotion to Lieutenant, the FBI saves the day, and sometimes a problem is solved by the judicious application of raw power overloading your cranial cortex. Thems the breaks. A nice bit of exploratory lore that builds it up and explains runewrighting a bit further beyond " magic".
This book was needed.
December 27, 2024
They keep getting better
I honestly wasn’t sure if I wanted to read more after the first book. I thought the story was okay but some of the writing threw me off. I understand this was written in the style of the old school detective novels but the descriptions of the women and the obsession with cigarettes were not my jam. I kept going because I liked the characters and, as the plot line moves along, the story keeps getting better. I feel like the writer let go of the smaller points that bugged me in favor of the larger, fascinating world that he’s built. Now, I’m hooked. I am reading on Kindle Unlimited and every time I reach the end, I immediately click on the next book to download it.
I honestly wasn’t sure if I wanted to read more after the first book. I thought the story was okay but some of the writing threw me off. I understand this was written in the style of the old school detective novels but the descriptions of the women and the obsession with cigarettes were not my jam. I kept going because I liked the characters and, as the plot line moves along, the story keeps getting better. I feel like the writer let go of the smaller points that bugged me in favor of the larger, fascinating world that he’s built. Now, I’m hooked. I am reading on Kindle Unlimited and every time I reach the end, I immediately click on the next book to download it.
March 31, 2025
“Limelight”, fifth in the 'Arcane Casebook' series, takes a break from building the overall plan for the series (apart from towards the end).
Someone has figured out how to enhance Runes so that, for example, one that would produce a bang and some smoke now creates a powerful explosion.
People are dying, banks are being robbed, and Alex is asked to investigate.
Iggy's favourite author has been murdered and the manuscript of her new novel is missing. He wants answers and Alex is just the man to get them.
He's still unsure whether his new secretary, Sherry Knox, is working with him or against him.
The novel doesn't really add much to the series but does reach a satisfying conclusion.
4 Stars.
Someone has figured out how to enhance Runes so that, for example, one that would produce a bang and some smoke now creates a powerful explosion.
People are dying, banks are being robbed, and Alex is asked to investigate.
Iggy's favourite author has been murdered and the manuscript of her new novel is missing. He wants answers and Alex is just the man to get them.
He's still unsure whether his new secretary, Sherry Knox, is working with him or against him.
The novel doesn't really add much to the series but does reach a satisfying conclusion.
4 Stars.
February 17, 2025
Loving thus series
I found these books randomly and am going through them so fast its disappointing. The author has created a world so like the one we know and yet just different enough to be intriguing. I love that the setting is in the past but it doesn't feel old or strange. It feels right. The book is so descriptive I can imagine what the people and scenes look like. It feels like a classic movie playing in my head as I read each scene. Now that I'm on book 5 I keep trying to figure out how things tie together! I feel like I'm going through the stories too fast, so hope the author has plenty more ideas.. really enjoying this series. Thank you!
I found these books randomly and am going through them so fast its disappointing. The author has created a world so like the one we know and yet just different enough to be intriguing. I love that the setting is in the past but it doesn't feel old or strange. It feels right. The book is so descriptive I can imagine what the people and scenes look like. It feels like a classic movie playing in my head as I read each scene. Now that I'm on book 5 I keep trying to figure out how things tie together! I feel like I'm going through the stories too fast, so hope the author has plenty more ideas.. really enjoying this series. Thank you!
September 27, 2025
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫
Rating: 4.5/5.0 Stars Rounding UP
Dan Willis’ fifth installment, Limelight, is the best novel in the Arcane Casebook series yet. This action narrative features intricate, intertwined cases that keep our protagonist, Alex Lockerby, at a relentless pace back and forth across the city. The plot deftly weaves in many familiar faces from previous installments, while introducing a few intriguing newcomers that bolster the overall mystery. Willis delivers a hard-boiled story with genuine emotional stakes. I thoroughly enjoyed this atmospheric detective noir and am eager to continue with the series.
Rating: 4.5/5.0 Stars Rounding UP
Dan Willis’ fifth installment, Limelight, is the best novel in the Arcane Casebook series yet. This action narrative features intricate, intertwined cases that keep our protagonist, Alex Lockerby, at a relentless pace back and forth across the city. The plot deftly weaves in many familiar faces from previous installments, while introducing a few intriguing newcomers that bolster the overall mystery. Willis delivers a hard-boiled story with genuine emotional stakes. I thoroughly enjoyed this atmospheric detective noir and am eager to continue with the series.
July 5, 2020
Limelight a great read!
I've started reading the. Arcane Casebook Series a few weeks ago. I justed finished reading Limelight today. I didn't want it to end. The story kept my attention because I couldn't put it down. I also knew book 6 wasn't available yet! I'll be reading the prequel next! I plan on purchasing tbe Arcane Series just so I always have it with me on my tablets. I am hopeful the series will continue. There is always the steampunk series that Mr Willis has written. Keep them coming!
I've started reading the. Arcane Casebook Series a few weeks ago. I justed finished reading Limelight today. I didn't want it to end. The story kept my attention because I couldn't put it down. I also knew book 6 wasn't available yet! I'll be reading the prequel next! I plan on purchasing tbe Arcane Series just so I always have it with me on my tablets. I am hopeful the series will continue. There is always the steampunk series that Mr Willis has written. Keep them coming!
September 13, 2020
Wonderful!!!
I rated the first book a five star and I am very happy to say that each and every book held up! I read right through the series!! I need to go back and put reviews on the others as well but I didn't want to slow down my reading! Great characters! They are likable, believable and fun. The mysteries are great and the stories are good enough that you don't want to just skip all the crap in the middle to see the answer to the mystery. I'm eagerly waiting the next book please.
I rated the first book a five star and I am very happy to say that each and every book held up! I read right through the series!! I need to go back and put reviews on the others as well but I didn't want to slow down my reading! Great characters! They are likable, believable and fun. The mysteries are great and the stories are good enough that you don't want to just skip all the crap in the middle to see the answer to the mystery. I'm eagerly waiting the next book please.
July 12, 2024
The series arch continues to progress and I find it interesting enough to keep reading, but I really hope we break away from the 3 cases, 2 linked and magical doomsday is lurking formula. I enjoyed the story and the magic is getting more and more interesting. Though I think there is more than four types of magic in this world, or how else is every one movie star beautiful, yet smart? I expect there must be some fleshcrafter hiding somewhere, engineering New York’s people from behind the scenes 🤣
June 7, 2020
Film noir, but with magic.
If you like magic, you got it.
If you like well written mysteries with actual good plots, you got it.
I read every day. I hate the fact that I read fast, my books don't last long enough. I probably read at least 150 to 200 books a year minimum. I write on average 2 reviews a year. I have and will write one for all of Dan's books. They are that good. Do yourself a favor, try them, but be warned, they are addictive.
If you like magic, you got it.
If you like well written mysteries with actual good plots, you got it.
I read every day. I hate the fact that I read fast, my books don't last long enough. I probably read at least 150 to 200 books a year minimum. I write on average 2 reviews a year. I have and will write one for all of Dan's books. They are that good. Do yourself a favor, try them, but be warned, they are addictive.
August 30, 2020
The NYC Irregulars Ride Forth!
As a loyal Holmes and Watson \ Doyle fan, I look for stories outside the canon and enjoy them immensely, even Gaiman's Chuthulu parodies. These stories are developing into one of my favorite world building exercises outside the Holmes canon.
You ask why only 4 stars? The Tempest and A Midsummer Night's Dream get 5 stars, let's be arduous! They are good but not that good. Enjoy the escapist refreshment for what it is.
As a loyal Holmes and Watson \ Doyle fan, I look for stories outside the canon and enjoy them immensely, even Gaiman's Chuthulu parodies. These stories are developing into one of my favorite world building exercises outside the Holmes canon.
You ask why only 4 stars? The Tempest and A Midsummer Night's Dream get 5 stars, let's be arduous! They are good but not that good. Enjoy the escapist refreshment for what it is.
September 7, 2020
The excellence in plot, world building, and characterization continues. When an author can make a series a down-to-earth epic saga, that’s something special. I particularly appreciate how all of the books wrap up beyond just the central mystery.
If you like this series, you may also like Ben Aaronovitch’s Rivers of London series. Like Arcane Casebook, it is a police procedural with magic, a deeply embedded long-term villain plot, and genuinely enjoyable and heartwarming characters.
If you like this series, you may also like Ben Aaronovitch’s Rivers of London series. Like Arcane Casebook, it is a police procedural with magic, a deeply embedded long-term villain plot, and genuinely enjoyable and heartwarming characters.
August 31, 2024
Dialed up to 11
This is the book where the scales shift. Things are serious now, the threats and the world are growing and Alex will have to grow with them. The surprise revelation about a certain character kinda comes out of nowhere and shakes the grounded world this story has taken place in thus far, but if Willis does this right, it could really elevate this series to a whole new level.
This is the book where the scales shift. Things are serious now, the threats and the world are growing and Alex will have to grow with them. The surprise revelation about a certain character kinda comes out of nowhere and shakes the grounded world this story has taken place in thus far, but if Willis does this right, it could really elevate this series to a whole new level.
February 19, 2025
wow Arcane Casebook series starts off strong and stays strong
Limelight is the 5th book of Dan Willis’ Arcane Casebook. All five so far have been outstanding. As a piece of urban fiction noir, set in an alternate 1930’s where magic central, our intrepid Runewright detective ranks up there with Dresden, Stone, and Spade. Wonderfully crafted characters, environs, and plots. What more could you ask for!
Limelight is the 5th book of Dan Willis’ Arcane Casebook. All five so far have been outstanding. As a piece of urban fiction noir, set in an alternate 1930’s where magic central, our intrepid Runewright detective ranks up there with Dresden, Stone, and Spade. Wonderfully crafted characters, environs, and plots. What more could you ask for!
March 17, 2025
Amazing weaving and characters
"Limelight" pulls all (?) the threads of the first 5 books into a strong cord of adventure, mystery and magic. The characters pasts and futures are continuously developed and deepened as the ready is pulled along fir the mind-blowing ride. Mr. Willis is careful to maintain the noir setting, and I can hear my favorite detective music playing as he does it. Looking forward to the next book..."which I have"... bravo!
"Limelight" pulls all (?) the threads of the first 5 books into a strong cord of adventure, mystery and magic. The characters pasts and futures are continuously developed and deepened as the ready is pulled along fir the mind-blowing ride. Mr. Willis is careful to maintain the noir setting, and I can hear my favorite detective music playing as he does it. Looking forward to the next book..."which I have"... bravo!
December 16, 2025
Fantastic!!!!
I won't tell you this series is fantastic. I'll show you. I started it last Wednesday, and is Tuesday now. I've just finished book 5.
For context, I'm writing this on December 16; in an academic, and in the middle of my busiest time of year: grading papers. I don't have time for anything else. And as soon as I finish this, I'm going to start book 6. Connect the dots, ok?
I won't tell you this series is fantastic. I'll show you. I started it last Wednesday, and is Tuesday now. I've just finished book 5.
For context, I'm writing this on December 16; in an academic, and in the middle of my busiest time of year: grading papers. I don't have time for anything else. And as soon as I finish this, I'm going to start book 6. Connect the dots, ok?
June 3, 2020
Excellent continuation of a compelling mystery series
Alex Lockerby faces another set of interlocking mysteries in this fifth installment. Some secrets come to light but many others remain obscured. The level of intrigue and threat continue to rise. This is a very satisfying outing, and I eagerly look forward to the next in the series. Good stuff.
Alex Lockerby faces another set of interlocking mysteries in this fifth installment. Some secrets come to light but many others remain obscured. The level of intrigue and threat continue to rise. This is a very satisfying outing, and I eagerly look forward to the next in the series. Good stuff.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 162 reviews