What do you think?
Rate this book
A Study in Sorcery
Lord Darcy, Chief Investigator for the court of King John, and Forensic Sorcerer Sean O Lochlainn are called upon to investigate the mystery when an Azteque prince is found dead upon an ancient altar
184 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published June 1, 1989
19 people are currently reading
173 people want to read
About the author
Michael Kurland
93 books46 followersaka Jennifer Plum
Michael Kurland has written many non-fiction books on a vast array of topics, including How to Solve a Murder, as well as many novels. Twice a finalist for the Edgar Award (once for The Infernal Device) given by the Mystery Writers of America, Kurland is perhaps best known for his novels about Professor Moriarty. He lives in Petaluma, California.
Michael Kurland has written many non-fiction books on a vast array of topics, including How to Solve a Murder, as well as many novels. Twice a finalist for the Edgar Award (once for The Infernal Device) given by the Mystery Writers of America, Kurland is perhaps best known for his novels about Professor Moriarty. He lives in Petaluma, California.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
November 18, 2020
This was fun, once I worked past the first fifty pages or so, but not as good as Kurland's first Lord Darcy novel, Ten Little Wizards, nor as enjoyable as any of Randall Garrett's original three volumes. It's set in New England with native cultures that are not nearly as well developed as Garrett's alternate-Europe. The mystery itself was nicely worked out, though I wasn't convinced by the murderer. I did like two of the locations mentioned, Garretton and FitzLeeber Land, and the fact that Sean finally gets some recognition in the end. It was a good mystery/fantasy/alternate history after a slow start, but didn't live up to the preceding books.
April 13, 2021
This is Kurland's second novel in Garrett's LORD DARCY series. While doing a good job of staying true to Garrett's alternate history, in this installment Kurland does some serious expansion on details of the "New World" of the Angevin Empire, with the northern continent split between the Anglo-French colonies of the eastern coast, the Fifteen Nations of native North Americans and the southern Azteque empire (reduced by previous wars with the Angevins and their allies, but hardly out of the picture). Naturally, agents of the Polish king are stirring up trouble, and the apparent ritual murder of an Azteque prince threatens to destroy diplomatic relations between the powers if Darcy can't solve the puzzle. As always, the mystery is fairly complicated but all of the clues are there to be put together. I enjoyed this one better than TEN LITTLE WIZARDS, even if things did get a bit slow in the middle. 3.5 stars.
July 20, 2018
not as brilliant as the original Lord Darcy series but still highly entertaining
January 18, 2023
Randall Garrett wrote one novel and a number of short stories about the investigator Lord Darcy. This is the second sequel written by Michael Kurland, the last of the Lord Darcy mysteries, and it's a bit thinner but still fun.
The setting remains the key component, with an original take on an alternate history with magic: England still controls France (never losing what Henry V gained) and has remained a real empire up to the sort-of present, including a tenuous hold on the Americas. (These stories mostly take place in the 70's, though the technology is more steampunk than modern. Much of society relies on magic instead.) This time, we're in North America, at a settlement I think is meant to be where New York should be. There's a murder involving an Aztec (here, Azteque) nobleman, a crime which needs to be solved before an important treaty is signed with Aztecque ambassadors, and Lord Darcy is called in to save the agreement. Altogether, this is an interesting society and world, with lots of fun what-if? answers, and the freshness of that setting all on its own makes the story fun to dip into.
The plot mostly works. It's a quick read, with decent pacing, and I have no real problem with any part of it--except I was expecting some more action at some point. It feels like we were hiking up a mountain and then were suddenly back at the bottom, as if a middle section was planned but abandoned, the story quickly wrapped up, to keep it at a tidy 75,000 words. There is pretty good rising action, but I can't really identify much of a major crisis, and I felt the lack of it.
That said, the conclusion makes sense and works fine. Maybe it's just a very long short story...
This may be the least successful (IMO) of the books and stories of Lord Darcy, but it's still fun, and if there were ten more I'd buy them today. Alas, this is it. Last one.
I wonder if Brandon Sanderson has a minute in his schedule.
The setting remains the key component, with an original take on an alternate history with magic: England still controls France (never losing what Henry V gained) and has remained a real empire up to the sort-of present, including a tenuous hold on the Americas. (These stories mostly take place in the 70's, though the technology is more steampunk than modern. Much of society relies on magic instead.) This time, we're in North America, at a settlement I think is meant to be where New York should be. There's a murder involving an Aztec (here, Azteque) nobleman, a crime which needs to be solved before an important treaty is signed with Aztecque ambassadors, and Lord Darcy is called in to save the agreement. Altogether, this is an interesting society and world, with lots of fun what-if? answers, and the freshness of that setting all on its own makes the story fun to dip into.
The plot mostly works. It's a quick read, with decent pacing, and I have no real problem with any part of it--except I was expecting some more action at some point. It feels like we were hiking up a mountain and then were suddenly back at the bottom, as if a middle section was planned but abandoned, the story quickly wrapped up, to keep it at a tidy 75,000 words. There is pretty good rising action, but I can't really identify much of a major crisis, and I felt the lack of it.
That said, the conclusion makes sense and works fine. Maybe it's just a very long short story...
This may be the least successful (IMO) of the books and stories of Lord Darcy, but it's still fun, and if there were ten more I'd buy them today. Alas, this is it. Last one.
I wonder if Brandon Sanderson has a minute in his schedule.
January 9, 2018
I really enjoyed this story. I liked finally getting a look at "New England" and learning something of the culture there. I really, really enjoyed seeing Lord John Quetzal again; he's one of my favorite secondary characters in Randall Garrett's world. I thought the storyline was excellent. I especially liked the subplot with the Angevin legion struggling to bring an Azteque delegation safely to Nova Eboracum when the surrounding native tribes--and the Azteques themselves!--were all spoiling for a good, bloody fight. The spell woven by the young journeyman Magic Officer was nothing less than brilliant under the circumstances. He will no doubt be attaining his Mastership in very short order.
(Spoiler) The one thing that didn't feel right to me was the idea of the villain, a Master Sorcerer, passing himself off as a non-Talent for years and years. I just can't see it. Master Sean once had to pass himself as Lord Darcy's "gentleman's gentleman". A certain priest, a Perceptive, no sooner laid eyes upon him when he recognized him for what he was. The villain could never know when a Perceptive might, by pure chance, happen to walk into his range and give the whole show away. In addition, I've always had the impression in Randall Garrett's works that Sorcerers know their own. It would have been simple enough for Kurland to provide the villain with a henchman sorcerer, kept well in the background until he (or she) was needed.
But apart from that, as I say, the story was great. The creepy mystery of the murders, and the elegantly simple explanation was marvelous. And I liked the request Darcy makes of King John at the end of the book. Very fitting. I was sorry that Kurland wrote no more Darcy stories after this.
(Spoiler) The one thing that didn't feel right to me was the idea of the villain, a Master Sorcerer, passing himself off as a non-Talent for years and years. I just can't see it. Master Sean once had to pass himself as Lord Darcy's "gentleman's gentleman". A certain priest, a Perceptive, no sooner laid eyes upon him when he recognized him for what he was. The villain could never know when a Perceptive might, by pure chance, happen to walk into his range and give the whole show away. In addition, I've always had the impression in Randall Garrett's works that Sorcerers know their own. It would have been simple enough for Kurland to provide the villain with a henchman sorcerer, kept well in the background until he (or she) was needed.
But apart from that, as I say, the story was great. The creepy mystery of the murders, and the elegantly simple explanation was marvelous. And I liked the request Darcy makes of King John at the end of the book. Very fitting. I was sorry that Kurland wrote no more Darcy stories after this.
July 30, 2017
I was looking for books about the Aztecs and found that story.
Also set up in a complete fantasy background, it's gret fun to read. I wish it was a bit longer, though, and that some characters were developped a bit more.
Also set up in a complete fantasy background, it's gret fun to read. I wish it was a bit longer, though, and that some characters were developped a bit more.
January 26, 2020
A fun romp
Steam punk set in an alternative history. Good fun and well written although possibly it could have been spiced up a bit.
Steam punk set in an alternative history. Good fun and well written although possibly it could have been spiced up a bit.
September 17, 2021
Didn't quite get the feel of the originals
December 11, 2015
Although I enjoyed reading this book, it was not as good as the previous novel by Kurland or the original series by Randall Garrett.
The Setting: I really like how it was set in the New World, Central America, to be specific. I find the continued exsistence of the Aztecs and other Native American Tribes to be pretty cool, and a logical deviation from reality. However, I felt that the deviations of Azteque and Angevin magic were not fully explained or followed through on. The use of blood magic by the Azteque's was interesting, but the reasoning given for why they could use it felt weak. If it really is a matter of intent, then what truely matters is what the sorcerer believes is 'black magic' and that delves into a realm of moral relativism that has not been seen in the predominatly Catholic world of Lord Darcy. I feel that this premise needed more work to make it believable. Excluding the local magic, I found the setting, local customs, and natives to be interesting. And the interactions between western ideas, native ideas and the idea of western superiority were well written and in accordance with the setting.
The Characters: I liked most of the new characters introduced. Except for Irene I liked the role Lord John plays. I found him fascinating when he was introduced in Too Many Magicians and was glad to see how his character had developed. I also found de Maisvin quite interesting and wish we had a chance to hear more of his flowery formal speech.
The Plot: I enjoyed the multiple layers to the mystery, and although I had a quess as to who the villain was I could not create a logical connection. Of course all the clues were presented, I just did not take note of them until Lord Darcy explained the connection. I did feel there were some loose ends; why was the temple lacking the aura of evil that it should have held, or why was it so dimished, and was the avoidance spell a conspiracy or a coincidence. These were matters Father Adamsus was supposed to be looking into, but we never hear the results of his inquiries.
On the whole, it was a good entertaining book. And I would definitely recommend it, with the caution that it isn't quite as good as the rest of the series.
The Setting: I really like how it was set in the New World, Central America, to be specific. I find the continued exsistence of the Aztecs and other Native American Tribes to be pretty cool, and a logical deviation from reality. However, I felt that the deviations of Azteque and Angevin magic were not fully explained or followed through on. The use of blood magic by the Azteque's was interesting, but the reasoning given for why they could use it felt weak. If it really is a matter of intent, then what truely matters is what the sorcerer believes is 'black magic' and that delves into a realm of moral relativism that has not been seen in the predominatly Catholic world of Lord Darcy. I feel that this premise needed more work to make it believable. Excluding the local magic, I found the setting, local customs, and natives to be interesting. And the interactions between western ideas, native ideas and the idea of western superiority were well written and in accordance with the setting.
The Characters: I liked most of the new characters introduced. Except for Irene I liked the role Lord John plays. I found him fascinating when he was introduced in Too Many Magicians and was glad to see how his character had developed. I also found de Maisvin quite interesting and wish we had a chance to hear more of his flowery formal speech.
The Plot: I enjoyed the multiple layers to the mystery, and although I had a quess as to who the villain was I could not create a logical connection. Of course all the clues were presented, I just did not take note of them until Lord Darcy explained the connection. I did feel there were some loose ends; why was the temple lacking the aura of evil that it should have held, or why was it so dimished, and was the avoidance spell a conspiracy or a coincidence. These were matters Father Adamsus was supposed to be looking into, but we never hear the results of his inquiries.
On the whole, it was a good entertaining book. And I would definitely recommend it, with the caution that it isn't quite as good as the rest of the series.
June 21, 2025
This is a good crime story, a nice exercise in alternative history, and it’s good fun to read.
When I first read Kurland’s two Lord Darcy novels, I thought they were quite good but not as good as Randall Garrett’s originals (Garrett having been the creator of Lord Darcy and his world). However, after repeated rereading I’ve decided that Kurland’s Lord Darcy is about as good overall as Garrett’s. Perhaps Garrett is slightly better at scenario and plot, while Kurland is slightly better at characterization and writing style.
The particular advantages of this book are the touches of humour and the novelty of the North American setting: all other Lord Darcy stories are set in Europe.
The young Lady Irene is rather charming, and it’s a pity that we meet her only in this book.
Although it’s only a minor criticism, I’m puzzled that Lady Irene and other young ladies of her acquaintance, in their twenties, seem to regard Lord Darcy and Master Sean as interesting eligible bachelors. In this book, we can deduce that both of them are in their mid-fifties, and Master Sean is a rather stout beer drinker. I’m no expert on young ladies, but I wouldn’t expect them to take such an interest in men easily old enough to be their fathers; particularly when there’s no great discrepancy in wealth or status (Lady Irene is both titled and well paid).
Lord Darcy’s age is somewhat disputable. This book and the Garrett story “The muddle of the woad” both imply indirectly that he was born in about 1931, and this book is set in 1985, so he should be about 54. However, Garrett’s last story, “The spell of war”, is an anomaly, implying that he was ten years older: born in about 1921.
When I first read Kurland’s two Lord Darcy novels, I thought they were quite good but not as good as Randall Garrett’s originals (Garrett having been the creator of Lord Darcy and his world). However, after repeated rereading I’ve decided that Kurland’s Lord Darcy is about as good overall as Garrett’s. Perhaps Garrett is slightly better at scenario and plot, while Kurland is slightly better at characterization and writing style.
The particular advantages of this book are the touches of humour and the novelty of the North American setting: all other Lord Darcy stories are set in Europe.
The young Lady Irene is rather charming, and it’s a pity that we meet her only in this book.
Although it’s only a minor criticism, I’m puzzled that Lady Irene and other young ladies of her acquaintance, in their twenties, seem to regard Lord Darcy and Master Sean as interesting eligible bachelors. In this book, we can deduce that both of them are in their mid-fifties, and Master Sean is a rather stout beer drinker. I’m no expert on young ladies, but I wouldn’t expect them to take such an interest in men easily old enough to be their fathers; particularly when there’s no great discrepancy in wealth or status (Lady Irene is both titled and well paid).
Lord Darcy’s age is somewhat disputable. This book and the Garrett story “The muddle of the woad” both imply indirectly that he was born in about 1931, and this book is set in 1985, so he should be about 54. However, Garrett’s last story, “The spell of war”, is an anomaly, implying that he was ten years older: born in about 1921.
March 31, 2022
Not as good as either Too Many Magicians, or Ten Little Wizards. The plotting is less tight; two full chapters (of 18) are dedicated to ultimately irrelevant glimpses of the progress of the Azteque treaty party, slowing down the story; the characters aren't quite as interesting; there're a few loose ends at the end of the novel; for all the Azteque theming, there's not enough exploration of their culture or magic. I guessed the clinching revelation of the story halfway through, because of an inapt early focus on a detail that would otherwise be inexplicable. It was nice to see Lord John Quetzal again, at least.
The story also requires extensive retconning to establish the setting- drastically reworking the situation of North America less-than-satisfactorily, such that the Azteque Empire is still independent, but some Azteque nobles are Christian subjects of the Angevin King- but also, confusingly, that they exist in an unresolved superposition with shadow pagan counterparts holding the same titles, and the capital of the Empire is part of such a dual duchy. The Azteque Empire apparently conquered the entire Atlantic coast of North America in the past, the chronology of which makes no sense, and which can't be accounted for by the series' divergence point of Richard I living 20 extra years. The story also fixes Darcy's graduation from Oxford in 1958, more or less definitively aging him down from the Garrett stories.
For all that, it's still sad that this is the last Darcy story.
The story also requires extensive retconning to establish the setting- drastically reworking the situation of North America less-than-satisfactorily, such that the Azteque Empire is still independent, but some Azteque nobles are Christian subjects of the Angevin King- but also, confusingly, that they exist in an unresolved superposition with shadow pagan counterparts holding the same titles, and the capital of the Empire is part of such a dual duchy. The Azteque Empire apparently conquered the entire Atlantic coast of North America in the past, the chronology of which makes no sense, and which can't be accounted for by the series' divergence point of Richard I living 20 extra years. The story also fixes Darcy's graduation from Oxford in 1958, more or less definitively aging him down from the Garrett stories.
For all that, it's still sad that this is the last Darcy story.
December 16, 2015
Once again Michael Kurland continues Randall Garrett's Lord Darcy stories. He does a great job recreating Garrett's story telling style and adds to the Lord Darcy world some fun new world back ground. I enjoyed this book and wish there were more books to read with these characters but this appears to be the end of the Lord Darcy books.
November 19, 2011
Not terrible, but not as good as the original Lord Darcy tales
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews