The Gearbox Murders have Inspectors Satrine Rainey and Minox Welling stumped. There appears to be no connection or motive between the killings other than a coded message Minox believes is hidden in the names of the victims. However, neither inspector is prepared for what is coming next as the Gearbox Killer stages a complex scene at the floor of the Druth Parliament. Now every investigative party is fighting for jurisdiction, but this is only the beginning of the madness. Meanwhile, Kendra Morad has arrived in town to conduct an inquest that could leave Minox shackled in mage chains forever.

A PARLIAMENT OF BODIES is the third book in the Maradaine Constabulary series. This story focusing around the Gearbox Murders stands on its own merits although some of the other details, such as the unusual condition of Minox's hand, have been building over the course of the series. However, the recap of Minox's career by Kendra Morad is helpful for new readers who are unfamiliar with the previous books in the series. Fans of Marshall Ryan Maresca will also note that there are several series set in the Maradaine world and the pieces are starting to intertwine, some more noticeably than others.

The Maradaine Constabulary series is my favorite among all the series set in Maradaine and A PARLIAMENT OF BODIES has quickly vaulted to my favorite of all of Marshall Ryan Maresca's books! The diabolical nature of the crimes is almost unfathomable, even more so as the story unfolds and we begin to see the other pieces surrounding the Gearbox Murders. I love that we get to see glimpses of characters from some of the other books as the greater conspiracy underlying Maradaine is emerging. The lines between the sides of justice and the criminal enterprises controlling the streets of Maradaine are starting to blur, and I suspect we are going to see even more interesting alliances in the near future.

A PARLIAMENT OF BODIES is brilliantly executed! Complex world building, multidimensional characters, and one heck of an intriguing storyline all packaged together with enough emotional wallops to set your heart racing with fear for the fate of quite a few beloved characters. Marshall Ryan Maresca warns us in the beginning acknowledgments of A PARLIAMENT OF BODIES that he does some mean things to his characters that will break our hearts and oh, what an understatement! The next book can't come quickly enough as I want to know what happens next!

Book Summary

Mixing high fantasy and mystery, the third book in the Maradaine Constabulary series follows Inspectors Satrine Rainey and Minox Welling as they track down a dangerous murderer.

The city of Maradaine is vexed by the Gearbox Murders: a series of gruesome deaths orchestrated by a twisted mechanical genius. With no motive and no pattern, Inspectors Satrine Rainey and Minox Welling--the retired spy and untrained mage--are at a loss to find a meaningful lead in the case. At least, until the killer makes his most audacious exhibit yet: over a dozen victims in a clockwork deathtrap on the floor of the Druth Parliament.

The crime scene is a madhouse, and political forces conspire to grind their investigation to a halt. The King's Marshals claim jurisdiction of the case, corruption in the Constabulary thwarts their efforts, and a special Inquest threatens to end Minox's career completely. Their only ally is Dayne Heldrin, a provisional member of the Tarian Order, elite warriors trained in the art of protection. But Dayne's connection to the Gearbox Murders casts suspicion on his motives, as he might be obsessed with a phantom figure he believes is responsible.

While Satrine and Minox struggle to stop the Gearbox from claiming even more victims, the grinding gears of injustice might keep them from ever solving these murders, and threaten to dismantle their partnership forever.