004 - Dark mirror Castle

Robin Blyth has more than enough bother in his life. He's struggling to be a good older brother, a responsible employer, and the harried baronet of a seat gutted by his late parents' excesses. When an administrative mistake sees him named the civil service liaison to a hidden magical society, he discovers what's been operating beneath the unextraordinary reality he's always known.Now Robin must contend with the beauty and danger of magic, an excruciating deadly curse, and the alarming visions of the future that come with it--not to mention Edwin Courcey, his cold and prickly counterpart in the magical bureaucracy, who clearly wishes Robin were anyone and anywhere else.Robin's predecessor has disappeared, and the mystery of what happened to him reveals unsettling truths about the very oldest stories they've been told about the land they live on and what binds it. Thrown together and facing unexpected dangers, Robin and Edwin discover a plot that threatens every magician in the British Isles--and a secret that more than one person has already died to keep. Set in an alternative Edwardian England, this is a comedy of manners, manor houses, and hedge mazes – including a magic-infused murder mystery and a delightful queer romance. 'Lush historical fantasy . . . A delightful book, with richly developed characters' – New York Times 'Mystery! Magic! Murder! . . . This book is a confection, both marvellous and light' – Alix E. Harrow , author of The Ten Thousand Doors of January For fans of Georgette Heyer or Julia Quinn's Bridgerton , who'd like to welcome magic into their lives . . . Young baronet Robin Blyth thought he was taking up a minor governmental post. However, he's actually been appointed parliamentary liaison to a secret magical society. If it weren't for this administrative error, he'd never have discovered the incredible magic underlying his world. Cursed by mysterious attackers and plagued by visions, Robin becomes determined to drag answers from his missing predecessor – but he'll need the help of Edwin Courcey, his hostile magical-society counterpart. Unwillingly thrown together, Robin and Edwin will discover a plot that threatens every magician in the British Isles. The Binding meets Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell in debut author Freya Marske's A Marvellous Light. Continue the thrilling series with A Restless Truth. 'A dazzling debut' – Shelley Parker-Chan , author of She Who Became the Sun 'Prepare to fall in love with the gorgeous Edwardian setting, the sizzling character dynamics, and the murderous enchanted hedge maze' – Emily Tesh, author of Silver in the Wood 'An absolute delight . . . If you ever wished Downton Abbey was sharper-edged and full of magic, this is the book for you' – Kat Howard , author of An Unkindness of Magicians A delightful historical romp, perfect for fans of The Binding and The Invisible Library. In an alternative Edwardian England, a baronet and a magician must unravel a murder mystery together - whether they want to or not.