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When a newspaper report of a medical miracle catches Matt's eye, he and India go in search of Dr. Hale in the hope he is more magical doctor than miracle worker and can lead them to Chronos. But Hale turns out to be an apothecary magician keen to educate the public about magic. Their disappointment at not finding Chronos is soon forgotten when Hale is murdered, and Matt becomes a suspect. With Matt's nemesis Sheriff Payne influencing the investigating detective, India and Matt know they must find the real killer, or risk his freedom, and ultimately his life. Time is running out as they hunt for a killer capable of turning medicine into poison with a magic spell, as well as continue the search for Chronos. A search that must end in success before Matt's malfunctioning watch stops altogether.… (more)
User reviews
**I received an ARC copy of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review**
A local doctor has been murdered, poisoned in fact, shortly after Matt and India
Holy geez guys. This series continues to grow and expand in ways that leave me an insane reading machine, tearing through chapters with abandon. The Matt/India relationship is literally KILLING ME. I will seriously spontaneously combust if this next book doesn't have them communicating their feelings. And fracking Miss Glass! Can you please just give India your blessing already and cut it out with the "you have to marry into society crap"?! You're killin me smalls! They compliment each other so well and their loyalty and devotion to one another is so apparent. Stupid high society London....
I enjoy watching these two work cases together and I can see the beginning to a great segue into a career for the two of them together. They are both smart and clever, balancing out each others shortcomings and drawing on each others strengths to make a pretty dynamic duo. As far as the plot, the plethora of suspects kept my wheels turning and there was no lack of action in this book. Our main characters were placed in plenty of heart stopping (some quite literally) situations which left me sweaty and anxious. You know that's some good writing when you feel physical symptoms after an intense scene.
I suppose I will now be forced to stalk my mailbox as I anxiously await the delivery of book 4! With that shocking cliff hanger I would suggest just going ahead and buying the next one before you start this one!
With their search for 'Chronos' stymied and knowing that Matt will need a magical doctor as well as a magical watchmaker to fix his watch, he and India have been focussing on searching for such a doctor when a newspaper article catches
The 'will they, won't they' nature of their YA-rated romance continues as Matt refuses to tie anyone into a relationship while his life could end at any time while India, her confidence shaken by Eddie Hardacre, feels she is undesirable as well as Matt's social inferior (as Matt's aunt apologetically keeps reminding her).
Still fun, though I started finding it hard to keep track of the suspects in this one, since some of them first appeared in the previous two books. Though it's set in Victorian England, the manners aren't as formal though Archer doesn't make the mistake other authors do of emphasising some old fashioned manners while introducing glaring anachronisms.
Though there are copious amounts of tea. Now, if you'll excuse me, I'm feeling rather thirsty ...
(June 2023)
3-3.5 stars