What do you think?
Rate this book
Inspector Mage: The Hanging Priest
Julie's life changed significantly once former Inspector Russell Gaines entered it. But even with all the excitement of chasing criminals alongside Russell, fear and danger lurk in every corner.
Julie lived her entire life thinking she was the only Oseran with no Mage Gift. But after finally discovering she did have one, Julie and Russell use her ability to aid in solving crimes as independent investigators. Her ability to determine others' Gifts helps the two of them catch the culprits—especially those who use their Gifts to commit crimes.
While Julie enjoys the thrill of solving cases, Russell only has one to catch his nemesis, the New Age God. But the serial killer hasn't turned up for months. Though Russell desires only to find the New Age God, Julie would be perfectly content never to hear from or of the psychopath again. All she wants is to solve cases with the man she is slowly beginning to fall in love with.
But Russell finds distraction in his hunt for the New Age God when the priest of Pirbis North Church is found hanging in his office. However, things are not as they seem. Deemed a suicide, the priest's untimely death is dismissed by most of the city, but Russell is convinced the priest was murdered, and he is determined to find out who killed him.
Will Russell find the mastermind behind the plot of the hanging priest's murder? Will their hunt for the notorious serial killer, the New Age God, continue? And will Julie maintain the happiness she has found at Russell's side?
Julie lived her entire life thinking she was the only Oseran with no Mage Gift. But after finally discovering she did have one, Julie and Russell use her ability to aid in solving crimes as independent investigators. Her ability to determine others' Gifts helps the two of them catch the culprits—especially those who use their Gifts to commit crimes.
While Julie enjoys the thrill of solving cases, Russell only has one to catch his nemesis, the New Age God. But the serial killer hasn't turned up for months. Though Russell desires only to find the New Age God, Julie would be perfectly content never to hear from or of the psychopath again. All she wants is to solve cases with the man she is slowly beginning to fall in love with.
But Russell finds distraction in his hunt for the New Age God when the priest of Pirbis North Church is found hanging in his office. However, things are not as they seem. Deemed a suicide, the priest's untimely death is dismissed by most of the city, but Russell is convinced the priest was murdered, and he is determined to find out who killed him.
Will Russell find the mastermind behind the plot of the hanging priest's murder? Will their hunt for the notorious serial killer, the New Age God, continue? And will Julie maintain the happiness she has found at Russell's side?
230 pages, Kindle Edition
Published December 3, 2022
15 people are currently reading
39 people want to read
About the author
Aleese Hughes
10 books67 followersAleese Hughes is many things: a mother and wife, an avid reader, a performer, and an author. Aleese enjoys her time at home with her children and relishes the opportunities to pick up a good book or write one herself.
Having grown up around theater her entire life, Aleese has a natural ability when it comes to charming audiences while on stage. And the same goes for her knack to put words to paper and create stories that people of all ages can read and enjoy.
The fantasy genre is not only her favorite to read, but it is also what she writes, including "The Inspector Mage Trilogy."
You can stay updated on all things "Aleese Hughes" by visiting her site: aleesehughes.com. You can also follow her on all social media.
Having grown up around theater her entire life, Aleese has a natural ability when it comes to charming audiences while on stage. And the same goes for her knack to put words to paper and create stories that people of all ages can read and enjoy.
The fantasy genre is not only her favorite to read, but it is also what she writes, including "The Inspector Mage Trilogy."
You can stay updated on all things "Aleese Hughes" by visiting her site: aleesehughes.com. You can also follow her on all social media.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
December 18, 2022
Magic, Fantasy, and Mystery
This book is written with an unusual POV. It goes back and forth from first person to third person. Julie character is in first person and Russell in third.
I love a good mystery book. And this one was not just a great adventure, but it had some very elaborate illustrations. It is a well written story with a dramatic ending.
A good mystery plot was upheld throughout the narration. Apart from many twists and turns, it had a magic element as well. That was well combined with fantasy. Julie and Russell are the main protagonists of the story. They are investigating a crime on a train and get entangled in it. Since it is a crime novel, I can’t give much on the storyline. Read it and get onboard with Julie and Russell as they uncover obscurities together.
I came to know it is a part of a Trilogy, but I didn’t feel anything being incomplete or necessitating the need to read the other two novels from the series. However, judging from this one, it wouldn’t be a bad thing to do so!
This book is written with an unusual POV. It goes back and forth from first person to third person. Julie character is in first person and Russell in third.
I love a good mystery book. And this one was not just a great adventure, but it had some very elaborate illustrations. It is a well written story with a dramatic ending.
A good mystery plot was upheld throughout the narration. Apart from many twists and turns, it had a magic element as well. That was well combined with fantasy. Julie and Russell are the main protagonists of the story. They are investigating a crime on a train and get entangled in it. Since it is a crime novel, I can’t give much on the storyline. Read it and get onboard with Julie and Russell as they uncover obscurities together.
I came to know it is a part of a Trilogy, but I didn’t feel anything being incomplete or necessitating the need to read the other two novels from the series. However, judging from this one, it wouldn’t be a bad thing to do so!
August 20, 2024
I hate when books end in a cliff hanger 😭😭😭
January 3, 2023
A Fun Combination of Mystery and Magic
This was an engaging, fast-paced read. Setting a detective mystery in a world of magic made for a novel twist on both genres. There’s a dual perspective in the narration so that about half is the first person POV of one character and the rest is third person. It’s an interesting approach and works overall, but took a little getting used to.
This is the second in a series. I did not read the first before picking this up, but had no difficulty following the story or connecting with the characters. Thinking of circling back around to read the first one now.
This was an engaging, fast-paced read. Setting a detective mystery in a world of magic made for a novel twist on both genres. There’s a dual perspective in the narration so that about half is the first person POV of one character and the rest is third person. It’s an interesting approach and works overall, but took a little getting used to.
This is the second in a series. I did not read the first before picking this up, but had no difficulty following the story or connecting with the characters. Thinking of circling back around to read the first one now.
December 11, 2022
An entertaining fantasy. In a country where almost everyone has a magical gift, two amateur sets investigate a priests murder. I really liked the premise and the characters. The story is well written and draws on in with a pacy beginning and an unexpected twist at the end. I have not read book one which I will definitely do, but you can enjoy the story as standalone. I look forward to reading the next one. I received a complimentary copy from the Author and am leaving a honest voluntary review.
November 24, 2025
Rating: 4,5/5
Main tropes:
Review:
Just finished Inspector Mage: The Hanging Priest, and wow, it was such a wild ride! The whole book had me hooked from start to finish. The mystery itself was really interesting, but it did feel like it was wrapped up a little too quickly toward the end. But honestly, the ending? Total cliffhanger. Now I’m dying for the next book to drop!!
Main tropes:
Review:
Just finished Inspector Mage: The Hanging Priest, and wow, it was such a wild ride! The whole book had me hooked from start to finish. The mystery itself was really interesting, but it did feel like it was wrapped up a little too quickly toward the end. But honestly, the ending? Total cliffhanger. Now I’m dying for the next book to drop!!
December 3, 2022
Yikes — a country where everyone has a “magic” gift
Her mother has the gift of making gems — that allows the person’s gift to activate. When Russell, a former police officer, becomes a private investigator she joins him. And they work very well together . . . .until someone tries to become her . . . GREAT STORY!!!
I received a copy of this book from the publisher. All thoughts and comments are my own.
Her mother has the gift of making gems — that allows the person’s gift to activate. When Russell, a former police officer, becomes a private investigator she joins him. And they work very well together . . . .until someone tries to become her . . . GREAT STORY!!!
I received a copy of this book from the publisher. All thoughts and comments are my own.
December 4, 2022
A cozy fantasy with a wee bit of possible romance
I didn’t read the first book, so I was in for a pleasant surprise with this one.
Here and there, the author mentions the dangers of addiction and of mining. I think it’s great when serious topics get attention in fiction. Like how she addresses the way in which war refugees are treated.
DEFINITELY want to go back to book #1 before continuing with #3.
I didn’t read the first book, so I was in for a pleasant surprise with this one.
Here and there, the author mentions the dangers of addiction and of mining. I think it’s great when serious topics get attention in fiction. Like how she addresses the way in which war refugees are treated.
DEFINITELY want to go back to book #1 before continuing with #3.
April 16, 2023
I received a copy of this book from the author.
I love the developing relationship between Russell and Julie.
I never imagined that the mage gifts could be so diverse or anything like they are. It’s fascinating to read of the different gifts.
I am slightly disappointed that this is only a trilogy but as I don’t know what the next book will bring I have to trust that the author has it all planned out. I am looking forward to reading how it all ends in book three.
I love the developing relationship between Russell and Julie.
I never imagined that the mage gifts could be so diverse or anything like they are. It’s fascinating to read of the different gifts.
I am slightly disappointed that this is only a trilogy but as I don’t know what the next book will bring I have to trust that the author has it all planned out. I am looking forward to reading how it all ends in book three.
February 23, 2023
Summary
Julie's life changed significantly once former Inspector Russell Gaines entered it. But even with all the excitement of chasing criminals alongside Russell, fear and danger lurk in every corner.
Julie's life changed significantly once former Inspector Russell Gaines entered it. But even with all the excitement of chasing criminals alongside Russell, fear and danger lurk in every corner.
December 26, 2022
interesting
This book is one that people are going to enjoy. I feel that it was very much worth the read
This book is one that people are going to enjoy. I feel that it was very much worth the read
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews