Booked for Murder by R.J. Blain – A Book Review

Posted August 28, 2020 by Booksandblurbs in Reviews, Urban Fantasy / 2 Comments

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Booked for Murder

(Vigilante Magical Librarians – Book 1)

by R.J. Blain
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Urban Fantasy
Available on Kindle and in Paperback

Down & Dirty

What is one bodyguard turned Librarian to do when her one time boss stumbles on her unlikely presence at a crime scene? Obviously return to work. Witty and complex, this is available on Kindle.

What is it about?

(Blurb from GoodReads)

Life as a bodyguard and driver for the rich, famous, and powerful is dangerous on a good day, and after sustaining a crippling injury while on duty, Janette’s left with few options. Having signed a ‘for life’ contract but unable to work, she uses her skills to disappear.

Her new life as a librarian suits her. Nobody cares she limps and sometimes requires a cane to walk. She’s wanted for her knowledge, not her lethal magic. She’s surrounded by books, a woman’s best friend.

But when her former employer’s best friend is murdered on the steps of her library, old loyalties and secrets might destroy her – or set her free.

Teaming up with her co-workers to find the killer might keep her from being booked for murder, but unless she’s careful, she’ll find out exactly how far her ex-boss will go to reclaim what is rightfully his.

Her. For life.

Thoughts on Booked For Murder

I really enjoy narratives penned by R.J. Blain – they are inventive, complex and often hysterical. This is the introduction of a new series, and while it has the same flavor as the more popular ‘Romantic Comedy with a Body Count’ collection, it does not appear to be set in the same world. The rules are far different, with a class system that seems an odd blend of Democracy, Aristocracy and Feudalism…. though I’m still unsure of the Democracy part.

Here, in this world, Adepts of a certain magical percentage, are more highly valued than their less talented brethren, though ‘Mundanes’ – who lack magical talent, are also highly prized if they are ‘pure’, though not for power or position, but breeding potential due to quirky DNA that might produce a high percentage offspring. It’s complicated on every front, and when politics get involved (when doesn’t politics get involved?) it becomes even MORE complicated… and deadly.

Fast, woven and witty, this was an enjoyable ride I am eager to continue. I am still trying to understand the system they work in and under, and why ‘for life’ contracts seem so acceptable to so many… when they appear more like slavery on first inspection. The information is juggled throughout the plot, dropped here and there in rain drops of knowledge, but by the time Book 1 came to a close, I still did not have a full grasp of the hows and whys of this complicated and often nefarious, world. I’m looking forward to seeing how Book 2 expands and explains.

Pros:

Funny. Very, very funny.
Magical talents are as diverse as the people that own them.
Librarians. What is not to love about that?

Cons:

R.J. Blain is talented… and repetitive. It feels like almost every character in every one of the novels, no matter the series, share the same sarcastic wit, creating conversations that follow the same format in every world. That is not to say those conversations are not entertaining, for they surely are, but they quickly become familiar. Snark, wit and humor, while desired, usually doesn’t apply to every person you meet.

Perspective

First Person, Single POV

Ending Type

Mild Cliff

Rating

R, for violence.

Romantic Dynamic

M/F

Character Age Range

Adult

My Final Verdict on Booked for Murder

A new world with an intricate political system and complex plot, this is another hit for the talented R.J. Blain. Smirk inducing and cringe worthy, it’s a bloody ride that goes all the way to the top. Mild Romance.