(3.5 stars)

I liked this book, but parts of it drag on or are very dry. The story is interesting and the storytelling is unique. I will read the next book in the series but I’d really like to read something else by the author first.

This book is like “a week in the life of a necromancer” rather than a story with a set beginning, middle, and ending. Because of that, it is slightly anti-climactic, but only because it carries the same energy throughout the book. ( )

Johannes Cabal: The Detective is a rather enjoyable book. With a nice little surprise at the end. As a reader I enjoyed this book considerably more than the first one in the series. The Detective is put together and more cohesive than the first. After reading volume two the reader is able to fully appreciate Cabal for the jerk that he is. He is practical, unpredictable and deceptively cunning. The Detective finds Cabal hitching a ride on an airship while trying to evade the authorities from a slightly skewed, militant country full of people with little or no common sense. What ensues is Agatha Christie meets H.P. Lovecraft. The characters in this story are well stitched together, the story is considerably more adult than the first and at the end of the book we get a surprise from the author that I am sure most readers would have liked to seen continue. I can only guess this was an experiment or a left over from the author that alludes to his Lovecraft work. The humor is great and we are introduced to a slew of characters that we can actually see and do not seem as contrived as the first novel. The relationship between Leonie and Cabal is very well done. As a reader I like her and the subliminal attraction to Cabal. Something I do not believe that either of them are aware of. The end is chaotic and action packed with some nice attention to detail. This book is highly recommended and fun. ( )

A slow start gradually turns into a multiple murder mystery on an airship. A bit different from the first novel in the series and I think that's why it took me a while to fully get into this book. ( )

Not quite as good as the first book, but still very enjoyable. Love the humor and the description of the world. I didn't realize how different it is supposed to be from 'ours' in part one. ( )

This book is comprised of two stories. One being the main novel which is described in the books synopsis the other is a short story at the end of the book. The main story of the novel is - how do I put this - so so. It basically is a mashup of Sherlock Holmes and steam punk genres. It is NOTHING like the previous novel which is very unfortunate. The second story is wonderful. Here we get to see Cabal back to his old self. I hope that the next outing for Cabal is not a detective story with a "Dr Watsonesqe" partner but one where Cabal embraces his old self - Necromancer! ( )