Last Case at a Baggage Auction

Thank you to NetGalley for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

This was a good little story. Short, fast paced, and I enjoyed the historical link.
Definitely well written, decent characterisation and descriptive imagery.
Despite that, I didn't find myself hugely invested in it for some reason. This was possibly due to its short length, which is ironic because I was specifically looking for a shorter book to read in this instance. So I can hardly blame the author for delivering exactly what I was looking for.
I guess for me this felt like a popcorn book. Thoroughly enjoyed it, but didn't really care much.

–>I received a free copy of this in exchange for an honest review.
Two men addicted to baggage auctions, yeah I didn't know that was a thing either, come across a suitcase with a gramophone in it that plays strange music...

So right off the bat, I was intrigued by the baggage auction stuff. At the same time, I find it to be so cool and yet so sad. Hoping to find something valuable in these cases people bid on them only to usually find worthless junk. Although in the case of this story we find a cursed music player. Gambling, man.

What comes about from this seems to be a much darker version of the author's other work, Doorways to the Deadeye. The idea that people linger on after death but of course here it is not through memories but black magic and evil. That was quite a moment when that certain someone just pops up randomly and is revealed.

Now, this could all be cartoonish and silly but thanks to the strong characterizations and writing the story pulls through it all and is very enjoyable. Charlie Stewart is a great main character and through him the story is grounded with his thoughts on a wasted gambler's life, wanting better with his girlfriend, etc. He may not be the most likable to some but his inner struggle makes him seem to be a real person and very relatable.

For the rest, we have the great setting brought to life, the creepiness of the music turning people into slaves, and the wonderful drawings found in the book which is always one of those little touches I appreciate.