Sarah Gailey updates the classic noir detective story formula with a a 21st century female private investigator who struggles with the same demons (primarily booze and ethics) as the classic (and typically male) characters of Raymond Chandler, David Goodis, and the like. In Magic for Liars, Ivy Gamble makes her living catching liars and cheats, but it’s not a very good living, nor is she content with her life. She’s estranged from her sister, Tabitha, a mage (they don’t like to be called wizards) who teaches at Osthorne Academy of Young Mages, a high school for magical teens. Ivy, however, doesn’t have magical powers, so she is surprised when Osthorne’s headmaster appears in her rundown office, asking Ivy to solve the murder of a teacher in the school library.
Ivy takes the case and finds herself in a familiar place (high school) with a magical twist. To solve the crime she must confront issues she'd ignored for too long, particularly her relationship with Tabitha and her own tendency to run away from close connections with others. Gailey moves through these classic tropes ably, keeping the reader wondering what choices Ivy will make. I found Ivy's narration honest and engaging, even if I was occasionally frustrated at her slowness in picking up obvious clues. Overall, it's a fun twist on a classic tale.
Ivy takes the case and finds herself in a familiar place (high school) with a magical twist. To solve the crime she must confront issues she'd ignored for too long, particularly her relationship with Tabitha and her own tendency to run away from close connections with others. Gailey moves through these classic tropes ably, keeping the reader wondering what choices Ivy will make. I found Ivy's narration honest and engaging, even if I was occasionally frustrated at her slowness in picking up obvious clues. Overall, it's a fun twist on a classic tale.