Katherine Addison’s Witness for the Dead takes one of the characters from her previous world of The Goblin Emperor and spins off to tell the tale of his life. Thara Celehar, who figured out who had killed the previous emperor and his older sons, is now working as the eponymous witness for the dead in the city of Amalo. A case involving a dead opera singer, another centering on a contested will, the discovery of a man with a history of dead wives, not to mention the appearance of a ghoul and the consequences of political maneuvering all beset our Witness. What he does about all of these things is what makes the book so satisfying.
Another wonderful story that showcases Addison’s excellently built world. Heartily recommended.
