The Hexologists

Isolde and Warren Wilby are a married couple who work as hexologists in Luthland, a kingdom with a Victorian flavour. Their trade is investigating the paranormal for paying clients. Their latest client is the royal secretary, who has a problem too delicate for the palace to handle itself.

King Elbert has become convinced that he ought to be baked into a cake. The likely cause is a blackmail letter from someone claiming to be the king's illegitimate son. The letter carries the seal of a royal signet ring that vanished twenty-five years ago.

To follow the trail, the Wilbys move through the city and into the path of golems. They also run into old rivals from their days at magic school. Along the way they pick up a dragon who lives in a bag and appreciates fine dining.

This is the first book in the Hexologists series by Josiah Bancroft, who also wrote Senlin Ascends. Banter and comedy carry it, with a fresh invention on most pages. The case turns on whether the Wilbys can find the letter's author before the king acts on his strange conviction.