I love science fiction and I love a solid mystery. So much the better when the two are combined with a strong story. That’s why I want to point readers out to Matthew Hughes’ Majestrum.
I’ll admit, I’ve only just read the first the first portion available of Majestrum, as found here on Hughes’ website, but it’s more than enough to hook me. I get the sense that even though we don’t move up and about quickly at the beginning, once the plot gets its feet shuffling, events are going to quickly start rolling downhill for Hapthorn, dragging us along with him. The cover art is also striking with its Golden-Era science fiction appeal.
Right away we’re introduced to some…intriguing characters. There’s Henghis Hapthorn himself, who is basically a private investigator in this future society. While the world is technologically based, magic seems to be reasserting itself on reality, and because of this, one of Hapthorn’s companions (some A.I. tool that helps him on cases) has just transformed into a furry cat-ape thing. If that weren’t enough, Hapthorn also has part of his mind split off into a separate personality that doesn’t always want to go along with Hapthorn’s plans. (He also seems to have a painting in his room that serves as a portal into a demonic dimension)
So with this unique band of creatures and characters, Hapthorn sets off onto a new case which involves determining the identity and social status of an unknown suitor who was seen cavorting with the daughter of a high-ranking lordling. A simple enough beginning, but already things start to get complicated as Hapthorn tries to figure out who can be trusted and why someone may or may not have broken into his home while he was sleeping.
I like the dry wit that saturates the dialogue, though it makes me cast everyone’s voices in British accents in my mind’s theatre. Also, the society in which this takes place seems to hold a high esteem for proper manners and somewhat convoluted speaking, making me imagine Victorian-era London for some reason.
Other reviews compare Hapthorn’s character favorably to Sherlock Holmes, another winning point in my mind, with all the intellectual cunning and clue-hunting. Plus Hughes has now released his second Henghis Hapthorn book (The Spiral Labyrinth) and has two unrelated titles coming out this fall and spring. My hope is to catch up on the stories I’ve missed out on in time to pick up these fresh additions. Hopefully you can do the same. Drop by his site to check out the rest of his chapters and book samples available there.
I see that smile.