Mortedant's Peril is an epic historical fantasy of murder, mystery and unlikely alliances from RJ Barker, award-winning author of The Bone Ships. Perfect for fans of Six of Crows and City of Last Chances.

'An engrossing, ingenious story in a beautifully crafted world' - Adrian Tchaikovsky

Irody can speak to the dead. But the living want him silenced.

Mortedants can speak to the dead - and Irody Hasp is the greatest of them. Not that they'll admit it. And not that anyone actually likes the Mortedants, or Irody in particular. Nonetheless, Elbay is a city of tradition, and tradition calls for Mortedants to attend a death.

But when Irody reads the corpse of a low-level record-keeper, he's dragged into a conspiracy that will see someone close to him murdered and Irody framed for the crime, the eyes of the city's guilds, nobles and villains all fixed on him. With only days to prove his innocence before he is executed, Irody is forced to work with unlikely and unwanted allies: a street urchin and a hulking, inhuman mercenary from the sea people's city of Oknusoka.

With danger and death lurking around every corner, and trust a luxury, Irody is running out of time. He must save himself and his friends, as well as Elbay - the magnificent, terrifying, complicated city that he loves. Or darkness will fall on them all.

PRAISE FOR RJ BARKER

'Mortedant's Peril is a fabulous fantasy mystery set in a fresh, imaginative world'
- Sebastien de Castell, author of Traitor's Blade

'Brilliant'
- Robin Hobb, author of Assassin's Apprentice

'A gifted storyteller'
- Nicholas Eames, author of King's of the Wild

'A splendid fantasy work . . . Highly recommended'
- Adrian Tchaikovsky, author of Children of Time

Irody Hasp is a cleric skilled at 'reading' the last thoughts of the dead. But when his apprentice is murdered, he's drawn into a plot that could destroy his entire city and himself.

About the Author

RJ Barker is a critically acclaimed and award-winning author of fantasy fiction. He won the 2020 British Fantasy Society's Robert Holdstock Award for Best Novel for his fourth novel, The Bone Ships.

His debut trilogy The Wounded Kingdom (Age of Assassins, Blood of Assassins and King of Assassins) was nominated for the David Gemmel Award, the Kitschies Golden Tentacle, The Compton Crook and the BFS Best Debut and Best Novel awards.

It was called 'thoroughly entertaining and constantly impressive' by the Fantasy Hive, 'one of the best fantasy series you will ever read' by the BFS, and 'a singular sensational new voice in epic fantasy' by Kings of the Wyld author Nicholas Eames.

Reviews
An engrossing, ingenious story in a beautifully crafted world -- Adrian Tchaikovsky
A great read which drags the reader in and doesn't let go. Stayed up way too late to finish it. -- Genevieve Cogman, author of The Invisible Library series
Mortedant's Peril is a fabulous fantasy mystery filled set in a fresh, imaginative world and featuring a trio of underdog characters with nothing in common except an unfolding sense of justice that propels them into one engrossing caper after another. Long live Irody, Mirial and Whisper! -- Sebastien De Castell, author of Traitor's Blade
Swashbuckling awesomeness . . . a fascinating world and a twisty plot, both rooted in characters I came to care about. A definite winner -- John Gwynne, author of The Shadow of the Gods, on The Bone Ships
A viciously exciting adventure. I loved every second of it -- Tasha Suri, author of Empire of Sand, on The Bone Ships
A singular, sensational new voice in epic fantasy -- Nicholas Eames, author of Kings of the Wyld, on The Bone Ships
Age of Assassins builds a compelling fantasy world and peoples it with characters you can care about. Riddled with intrigue and dangerous magic, this is a hugely enjoyable debut -- Jen Williams, author of The Ninth Rain, on Age of Assassins
A sweeping story of destiny and redemption. Weighty, deliberate, tender and brutal, this is a big, wonderful book and an utterly involving read -- The Daily Mail on Gods of the Wyrdwood
Mortedant's Peril is like a fantastic dream I didn't want to wake up from! Characters I adore follow a twisty mystery that winds through a weird and wonderful city, in a story full of action and humor and stakes that cut straight to your heart. More, please!!! -- Melissa Caruso, author of The Tethered Mage



Book Information
ISBN 9781035064274
Author RJ Barker
Format Hardback
Page Count 432
Imprint Tor
Publisher Pan Macmillan
Weight(grams) 652g
Dimensions(mm) 234mm * 153mm * 38mm