Considering that I have not read the first two books in this trilogy, I was pleasantly surprised how easy it was to get into its style, mood, and characters. Rayndrop's writing style is easy and inviting, the relationships between the characters are engaging, and there's just enough backstory that the plot doesn't rely on having read the previous books. For me, although there are some dark and suspenseful moments, this was some light Summer reading.

I really enjoyed this, even if I don't normally read historical romantasy police procedurals, but I am a fan of Dickensian Law Enforcement, LGBT romances, and magic, just usually not all in the same book! I was curious though, and happy to say, I wasn't disappointed. There's just enough balance between the magic, romance, and crime, to satisfy Urban Fantasy fans. There's just enough grit and law enforcement to satisfy my darker side, and I enjoyed the relationships between the characters, and wouldn't mind spending more time with them.

If you enjoy some of the darker detection aspects of Sherlock Holmes novels, and the relationships and magic of Rivers of London, then give this a try.

Thank you to Netgalley and Independently Published for an early copy of this book in an exchange for an honest review.

I absolutely loved this. I loved following these characters through Victorian London on their hunt for a dangerous murder who posesses strong magical powers. I loved this writing style, which flowed very nicely and immediately immersed me in the story. An amazing story that I can hundred percent recommend to any reader looking for a new fantastic book.

The world and magic system very much reminded me of Harry Potter and Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find them. (I do no support J.K. Rowling) So if you are looking for something similar to these stories, I can wholeheartedly recommend The Wizard and The Welshman. It has a similar magical vibe, with the hidden magical world, plus a lot of queer represantation. I wish we could learn a bit more about the world, I feel there is much more than we've seen in this installment, which very much focuses on the plot rather than world-building.

All of the characters are very well developed, all have distinct personalities and their own voices. And I loved following our main trio - Hal a grumpy inspector, Donoghue an amazingly loyal friend and Hal's new colleague and of course our titular wizard November who is just sweet and caring person. All of them are different from each other and yet they work in perfect sync. My favorite is definitely Donoghue, who is just that friend you can always count on in every situation, supportive but not afraid to tell you when you messed up. I only wish there were more prominent female characters, because all the main characters are men.

I also very much enjoyed the forbidden romance between Hal and November. They definitely have an instant attraction to each other, but the author expertly manages to write it without it feeling like an insta love. And Hal's pining and his fear to give in to the feelings is just amazing.

The plot is fast paced, basicaly a race against the clock, to stop this mysterious murder who kills and steals the hearts of wizards and witches. Something is constantly happening and pushing the plot forward, but we also have enough calm scenes in between that help to build the characters and romance, so that the reader (and the characters) can catch a breath and think about what just happened. But these scenes do not last forever and do not break the pacing. The only thing I did not really enjoy were the flashback chapters. They just felt out of place and I wish we learned the information from them differently. The stakes are also definitely high and I was afraid constantly. The villain was terrifying. The atmosphere of a snow-covered London is spot on. The Wizard and The Welshman is not a book you can easily put down and just go to sleep.

I would also like to mention a few historical inaccuracies that I came across whilst reading. Nothing that would negatively impact my overall rating, but just small things that gave me a pause. So if things like this annoy you, maybe skip this story. First: mass printing of books in little cheap paperbacks. If I am not mistaken, this did not happen until 1920s, I do not believe in 1886 they had technology for that. Police badges and pistols: Hal has a badge and a service gun. I do not believe British police carried service guns or had badges in the late 19th century, but I can be mistaken on this one. It just felt too modern to me, when they suddenly mentioned badges.

I will definitely pick up a physical copy for myself as well as read the next installment in the series.

This is a fast paced murder mystery and a race against time to catch a murderer who is after magical hearts. Set in London and Cairo in1886, this book is filled with a magic system very similar to Newt Scamander's world from Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them. There are romantic elements in the story but it is a very slow development. Nevertheless, if you want a queer version of a secret magical world based in the UK, this is the book for you.

Hal is woken in the middle of the night to investigate a grisly murder scene. A woman was attacked, her chest ripped apart, and something was taken from her. But no one can say what. All of her organs are clearly intact and where they should be, but right next to her heart, something is gone. After learning that the victim had been a prostitute Hal attempts to gain more information from the other girls, with none of them willing to talk to him he hits a brick wall, that is until he meets November, another prostitute at the brothel the dead woman had worked at. Almost immediately Hal feels like something is off with the young man, but never in his wildest dreams could he have guessed what it was, because November is a wizard and the killer Hal is looking for has targeted November next. Hal realizes very quickly that they are in a race against time to find a powerful magician, something that shouldn't even be possible, before he kills again, but how does an Ordinary man stop the impossible?

This was so freaking cute! I will admit that the writing was rough at the beginning, but this only lasts for a couple of chapters, if that. By the time November is introduced, it's solid. But honestly, if he it had not, I would have still finished it because this was genuinely just a lot of fun!

In terms of the magic system there isn't anything really groundbreaking here, it's pretty standard, I'm pretty sure I've come across the whole magic users have two hearts thing before, so at first I thought this would end up being a trope filled nightmare but it was anything but. I think that using an easily recognizable magic system it allowed Rayndrop to focus more on building the characters and finding the killer.

And yes, every character is absolutely wonderful in this. Hal and November are adorable, but Donoghue was my favorite character, hands down. He's just that moral support guy that everyone needs in their life; he'll tell you when you're being stupid but also cheer the loudest for you when you are down.

The thing I loved this most about this, though, is just how quickly Hal and Donoghue accept that magic is real. I was so afraid there were going to be a few chapters of the oh so logical Hal trying to rationalize everything, and there's just not. Honestly, is way more believable than when a character sees magic, and that spends four chapters pretending it never happened. Donoghue, too, just shrugs and is like, "Welp, okay, bad guy has magic. We still need to take him down."

Overall, I highly recommend this. Like I said, it was just such a fun, heartwarming Queer read w/ adorable characters with a side of magical thriller.

As always, thanks to NetGalley for the eArc!

Okay, let’s set the stage: 1886 London, murder, mystery, and… wizards? Sign me up, right? But The Wizard and the Welshman turned out to be more of a lukewarm potion than a magical brew.

The setup is intriguing—a gruesome murder, an organ-snatching killer, and a brooding inspector named Hal who stumbles into the magical underworld. Toss in November, a dreamy wizard with mind-bending powers, and you've got a recipe for queer fantasy greatness. But somewhere along the cobblestone streets, the story lost its way.

While the premise promises a gripping whodunit with a dash of forbidden romance, what I got felt like wading through fog: atmospheric, yes, but also murky and slow. Hal and November have potential chemistry, but their connection feels more "hmm, maybe" than "omg, I ship this." The plot tries to balance murder mystery, magical lore, and budding romance, but none of the threads felt strong enough to fully grab me.

On the plus side, the dark, Victorian vibes are on point, and the occasional spark of wit or intrigue kept me from totally bailing. But the pacing dragged, and I spent more time wondering about the logistics of chest organ theft than actually caring about the characters.

2.5 stars for the ambiance and queer representation, but the magic was too hit-or-miss for me to commit to book two. Proceed if you’re a diehard fan of atmospheric mysteries—just don’t expect A Marvellous Light levels of spellbinding. 🕯️✨

A queer retelling of Sherlock Holmes with a little magical twist that makes it exciting while also giving you a cute little slow burn romance !!

This is a fast paced murder mystery and a race against time to catch a murderer who is after magical hearts. Set in London and Cairo in1886, this book is filled with a magic system very similar to Newt Scamander's world from Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them. There are romantic elements in the story but it is a very slow development. Nevertheless, if you want a queer version of a secret magical world based in the UK, this is the book for you.

In The Wizard and the Welshman, Laura Rayndrop has created a magical world with compelling queer characters and a brilliant mystery. From the very beginning, the setup is intriguing and Hal is a riveting, conflicted character.
One of the reasons I connected so strongly to the world was that there were very rich historical aspects that brought to mind Sherlock Holmes and some of the detective novels I love. I also liked that the writing was authentic with regards to being gay in the 1800’s, that it was not acceptable to be in love with a person of the same gender in that time. Weaving that with the magical world was well written and extremely enjoyable. The secondary characters, in particular Donogue, were fun and I loved the resolution of the mystery. There are a lot of twists and turns as we learn the truth behind the killer.
If you like LGBTQ stories with magic and mystery, I really recommend this first in the series. Hal is compelling, November is full of mystery and the ending is full of twists and turns. The details of the magical world are full of depth and the relationship is authentic and beautiful. I can’t wait for the next book.

An inspector finds himself on his most difficult case when he discovers a woman who is gruesomely murdered and missing an organ from her cracked open chest... and soon finds himself in a world of paranormal creatures and dark magic as well as meeting a wizard who might be the key to solving it all.... and whom he might be falling in love with. inspector Hal Hawthorne finds himself working his most complicated case in December 1886 when he finds a woman murdered with an open chest and a missing organ. He soon finds out that the victim wasn't human and that her killer might not be either. When he runs into a beautiful wizard named November and saves him... Hal soon finds himself thrust into the world of magic and dark creatures, can he and November stop the killer before it's too late? This is the first book in a series and unfortunately I will not be continuing the series. I wish I liked this more but I found myself getting bored and skimming the book just to make it to the end. It wasn't as interesting as I had hoped it would be and the story didn't capture me as much as I would have liked. Sadly, this is a miss for me but I do think that if you like queer historical fantasy murder mysteries I think you should give this a go.

Release Date: Oct 31,2024

Publication/Blog: Ash and Books (ash-and-books.tumblr.com)

*Thanks Netgalley and Independently Published for sending me an arc in exchange for an honest review*

A wizard, A Policeman, a Murder and a Queer love story set in 1880's London.

The mystery of the deaths and pursuit of the killer was a thrilling journey that kept the plot moving while still giving the main characters the room they needed to breathe and develop throughout the course of the narrative. I felt the queer element of the book was handled very well, it was accurate to the period setting but had enough wriggle room to not get too wrapped up in the sadness and persecution of the time.

I really enjoyed reading this book, I found the writing style very easy to follow and the world building was very solid.

I would reccomend this to anyone who enjoys a good murder mystery story, with magical elements that are still grounded in an element of our world.

This had potential as a fantasy mystery, but it missed the mark in a few ways. First, it leaned too heavily on the protagonist’s sexuality, with constant reminders that he’s gay and seemingly everyone in the story trying to "get" him for it. And it seems weird because the author is a woman, not a gay man.

The relationship between the main character, Hal, a detective, and his love interest, November, also didn’t sit right with me. There’s a clear power imbalance: Hal is a much older detective, while November is ten years younger and a sex worker, creating an awkward dynamic that felt uncomfortable rather than romantic. Hal is painted as the central problem, with November often coming off as clingy or overly dependent, which left me feeling kinda icky.

The mystery itself was just okay, and the magic was basic. It was frustrating that the story didn’t spend much time developing the magic or even giving depth to the investigation, which often felt like a subplot.

Overall, if you’re looking for a well-rounded fantasy mystery, this one may not deliver.
I really wanted to love this, but alas...

Thanks Netgalley and the publishers for the ARC

*I got this book for free, but this my own opinion.*
The pace of the book was fantastic. It started with a nice murder mystery. It have seemed familiar, but it was fun and kept me reading.
The story kept me invested despite some mistakes. I loved the mix of magic and history.
Also, I was worried it would lose its sparkle when the love interest was introduced. It didn't. In fact, there's very little romance in the book. It focused mostly on its worldbuilding, which was superb.
The characters were interesting, but I think they'll develop more in the upcoming books. What I can say is that I could relate to main character and how he hid what he was. It makes a lot sense knowing the stakes.
All in all, this is a good book. I enjoyed reading it.
You can find my review on Goodreads at https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/6965658464 on the 30th of October.

I love the darkness of this book, it really kept me hooked throughout, looking forward to reading more in the series.

Summary:
The Wizard and The Welshman is the first book in The Hawthorne Mystery series, set in London in 1886. A woman is gruesomely murdered, her chest cracked open and a mysterious organ missing. When Inspector Hal Hawthorne, Kensington’s top investigator, starts probing the case, he quickly realises the victim—and her killer—aren’t human. In the course of his investigation, Hal saves a captivating wizard named November from becoming the next target. This encounter pulls Hal into a world of dark magic and nightmarish creatures. But as Hal becomes entangled in this supernatural web, he starts to believe that November holds the key to solving the case. Now, Hal must protect November, solve the mystery, and decide what he’s willing to sacrifice to stop the killings and save the man he’s come to care for.

Plot & Pacing:
The Wizard and The Welshman is the first book in the Hawthorne Mystery series, blending fantasy and mystery in a way that’s both enchanting and utterly captivating. The story follows Hal, a detective with a past he’s trying to keep hidden, as he encounters November—a powerful and enigmatic figure from another world. With parallel universes, a hint of darkness, and plenty of twists and turns, this book had me hooked from the first page.

As a fan of both fantasy and mystery, I was immediately drawn to this book’s premise, and it absolutely delivered. The plot is layered with suspense, magic, and darker elements that pack an emotional punch. There were twists I didn’t see coming and moments that genuinely brought tears to my eyes. I love that the story doesn’t shy away from exploring darker themes, which only deepened my attachment to the characters and my hope for their happiness.

The pacing was nearly perfect, and I found myself flying through the pages. I was so engrossed that I made it halfway through in a single sitting! The only downside was that the chapters were quite long, which occasionally interrupted the flow. But overall, it was a smooth, engaging read that I didn’t want to put down.

World-Building:
Parallel worlds can be tricky to execute, but Rayndrop handles it beautifully. The magical world and its systems were both fun and immersive, and I loved discovering the details of this universe bit by bit. The balance of mystery and fantasy worked perfectly, and I hope we get to see even more of the magic in future books. Rayndrop’s world feels layered and enchanting, making it easy to lose yourself in the story.

Characters:
The characters are the heart of this book, and I was completely captivated. Hal is a compelling protagonist—strong yet fragile, as he navigates his place in the world and tries to hide parts of himself. November, on the other hand, brings a mix of power and vulnerability that adds depth to his character. The chemistry between Hal and November is fantastic; they’re both characters you want to root for, and their dynamic is magnetic.

Special mention to Hal’s new partner on the police squad, who is a true ride-or-die character that I couldn’t help but love. His loyalty and sense of camaraderie brought warmth to the story, adding a sense of team spirit amidst all the supernatural chaos.

Romance:
The romance between Hal and November had me hooked from the start. Instant attraction can be hit or miss, but here, it worked beautifully. I found myself as enchanted by November as Hal was as soon as he entered the stage, and I’m already looking forward to watching their relationship deepen. Their connection felt real and compelling, and I’m eager to see how their bond will evolve in the next books.

Writing Style:
Rayndrop’s writing style is both accessible and immersive, which I especially appreciated as a reader with dyslexia. The prose flows smoothly, making it easy to stay engaged and invested in the story. Even with the longer chapters, the writing felt natural and was a joy to read.

Overall Thoughts:
The Wizard and The Welshman is a brilliant start to what promises to be a wonderful series. With its compelling characters, enchanting world, and a romance that’s both heartwarming and keeps you on the edge of your seat, this book has left me eagerly anticipating the next instalment. There are still so many questions, mysteries, and emotional journeys waiting to unfold, and I can’t wait to spend more time with these characters.

Plus the cover is gorgeous!

I will also get a physical copy of this book!

I had the wonderful opportunity to read this book as an ARC reader through NetGalley, for which I want to express my gratitude! This review is my honest and voluntary opinion, and I am thrilled to share my thoughts.

The review is online on my Goodreads account (meltriestowriteastory) and it will be placed online on my TikTok account with the same name on Saturday October 26th. I will also place a review on Amazon as soon as it is avaible for purchase.

Set in 1886 London, Hal Hawthorne is a detective who has a couple of secrets. When a woman is murdered and her chest surgically opened he finds that neither the victim or the murderer are not exactly human. This leads him to save a young Wizard named November.

Hal and November then work together, although with Hal's new partner Sergeant Robert Donoghue. Hal and November have instant chemistry but Hal is trying to hide the fact that he's gay.

I felt the story got off to a really fast paced and exciting start. I really enjoyed the magical world and how Hal and November were able to share magic. I really enjoyed Donoghue, who wasn't what I was expecting and was so fun and a great side character.

The mystery was creative and interesting. I enjoyed how everything was slowly revealed . The story was interesting and a lot of fun. The ending was perfect to continue on to the next book while still being satisfying. It was nice seeing Hal find two people who he could be open and comfortable with.

Thank you to NetgGalley and the author for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I really tried to like this book. Overall I just did not, the plot wasn’t well put together and the characters were not up to par. It feels like the rough draft of a first novel

A really fast paced and fun book full of magic and mayhem. I LOVED the characters in this book, I found them to be incredibly sweet and loveable. The plot was easy enough to follow without being predictable, I read it all with-in a day and I really enjoyed it, it was a good time, and I look forward to the next book.

okay i know ive said this a lot recently but GOD i adored this. this was such a lovely and calming read, it reminded me so much of my favorite childhood book/movie, howls moving castle. it interwoven the discovery of magic with romance in that same way that fill you with longing, unsure whether for the partnership or the magic itself or both. it brings the magic to life in a newer way than other fantasy books do, it makes it almost into something within the reader’s grasp if they simply get in the right mindset. that magic isn’t about the powers but about the essence and feeling of it. running off to a cottage in a long coat and a crown of vines is the goal that can be achieved and include sorcery and witchcraft if only you let it. i don’t know, i think none of this makes any sense to anyone but me but this is my favorite type of fantastical magic. when it’s so romantic and whimsical and stunning. the romance between hal and november was beautifully written. the slow burn was there but the yearning was too, letting us see how hal truly cared for november but also definitely wanted to jump his bones LMFAO. the way their romance was written is literally my favorite way to read a love story. yearning and slow burn my very openly pining!! the ending was absolutely insane. in the best way. the way it reversed everything the reader had seen from the two so far but somehow in a way that made sense and was realistic. i can’t recommend this enough, it was such a cozy and sweet experience and it definitely provided a lovely reprieve from the stress of life. this was so wonderful and i can not WAIT for the next book

I really enjoyed this as a romance novel, it had that mystery element that I was looking for and was hooked from start to finish. I thought the characters were everything that I was looking for in a historical setting and glad I was able to start this series. Laura Rayndrop is able to weave a great story and it had that writing style that I wanted.

I received an ARC and this is my unbiased opinion.
While the story and the concept here was decent, the execution definitely needs more work. Historical fiction and fantasy needs to make sense, and this one just didn't.