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The Long Chain (Arcane Casebook) Paperback – September 15, 2019
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When New York is blanketed in an unnatural fog, Private Detective Alex Lockerby finds himself on the trail of a missing scientist, a stolen military secret, and a merciless killer leaving a trail of bodies in their wake.
In a city the size of New York, things go missing all the time. When a Nobel-Prize winning Chemist vanishes without a trace, his granddaughter taps Alex to find him. Locating people is easy for someone with the best finding rune in the city, but when Alex tracks down the missing man, he has no memory of who he is or what happened to him, and his research is missing.
Convinced that something larger is going on, Alex sets out to uncover the truth. Before he can learn anything concrete, however, the city is shrouded in a dense fog and that brings New York’s resident sorceress, Sorsha Kincaid, to his door. She needs Alex’s finding rune in order to trace the source of the unnatural fog, and she has no patience for his other cases.
Now Alex must keep the volatile and powerful sorceress happy as he tries to unravel a tangled web of science, murder, and missing memories before the clues vanish into the ever-present fog.
- Print length314 pages
- LanguageEnglish
- Publication dateSeptember 15, 2019
- Dimensions6 x 0.79 x 9 inches
- ISBN-101688098720
- ISBN-13978-1688098725
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Product details
- Publisher : Independently published
- Publication date : September 15, 2019
- Language : English
- Print length : 314 pages
- ISBN-10 : 1688098720
- ISBN-13 : 978-1688098725
- Item Weight : 1.02 pounds
- Dimensions : 6 x 0.79 x 9 inches
- Book 3 of 12 : Arcane Casebook
- Best Sellers Rank: #1,428,724 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #5,449 in Historical Fantasy (Books)
- #16,944 in Paranormal Fantasy Books
- Customer Reviews:
About the author

Dan Willis has worked as a programmer, a web designer, and has written for the game industry. He is an award-winning author who has written for the long-running DragonLance series of fantasy novels. He is currently working on the Arcane Casebook series, stories of a down and out detective making a living in a magical, 1930’s New York. The Dragons of the Confederacy series follows a Yankee engineer and a spy as they take on the forces of the South in a steampunk twist on the Civil War. Lastly, The Flux Engine, which takes place in a Steampunk wild west where a young man seeks to reclaim his mysterious heritage only to find that people are willing to kill to possess it.
Dan lives in Utah with his family.
Customer reviews
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Learn more how customers reviews work on AmazonCustomers say
Customers enjoy the book's intriguing storyline with its mystery elements and delightful twists, while appreciating the well-developed characters, particularly Alex, and the author's above-average writing style. The pacing receives positive feedback for being well-paced and internally consistent, and customers praise the book's magic elements, with one review highlighting its unique blend of hard-boiled noir and fantastical elements.
AI-generated from the text of customer reviews
Customers enjoy the intriguing storyline of the book, praising its delightful twists and good plots, with one customer noting how several storylines intertwine throughout the narrative.
"...excellent at world building and gives every aspect of the characters, stories, and powers structure, depth and definition...." Read more
"...from step 1 to step 4 is not clear, but I really enjoy the mixing of alternate history and music with compelling characters." Read more
"...It's sometimes cryptic and reads like some of the great radio broadcasts of old. Can't wait to read the next installment." Read more
"Are great reads. So glad I found them! The alt history, combined with the blend of science & magic make it interesting, and the Noir brings it all..." Read more
Customers find the book entertaining and pleasant to read, keeping them enthralled throughout. One customer particularly appreciates how it blends elements of Dashiell Hammett's style.
"...And now I just got 4,5 & 6. Lot of fun to read." Read more
"What a great read and a solid entry in what has this far proved to be an accomplished series of books...." Read more
"Are great reads. So glad I found them!..." Read more
"Well thought out magic world with twists and turns will keep you engaged. Great rollercoaster ride Characters fleshed out and believable." Read more
Customers appreciate the character development in the book, particularly the well-drawn supporting characters and Alex's growth throughout the story, with one customer noting the original concept of a runewright magician as a noir detective.
"The characters and the premise are unique. I got the first 3 stories and read number 1 twice. And now I just got 4,5 & 6. Lot of fun to read." Read more
"...The author is excellent at world building and gives every aspect of the characters, stories, and powers structure, depth and definition...." Read more
"...I really enjoy the mixing of alternate history and music with compelling characters." Read more
"...Being a fan of the 1930's-40's helps. I enjoyed the mix of historical figures and the characters you created...." Read more
Customers praise the writing quality of the book, noting it is very well written and above average, with one customer highlighting its fluid prose.
"...Willis is an actual writer and clearly has a plan...." Read more
"I can only echo another reviewrs comment...Thank God for great writers..my favorite series !" Read more
"...Book 3 hooked me completely. Cant wait to start 4. Thank God for good writers." Read more
"...series is all that you want - great characters, plot twists, and great writing." Read more
Customers find the pacing of the book well-paced and internally consistent, though some mention it starts out slow.
"...This particular volume is well paced and full on action, adventure, romance, intrigue, and feeling. Highly recommended." Read more
"...fantasy blended into their other genres, this is a fun series that reads quickly...." Read more
"...written and engaging, the world has its own laws, like their own rules and physics, and things don't change because the author writes himself into..." Read more
"...This book is wonderfully written. The pace stays exciting but still gives the reader grat details and a chance to solve the mysteries as you read...." Read more
Customers appreciate the magic in the book, finding it clever and mind-blowing, with one customer highlighting the awesome power of alchemy in this world.
"...The author is excellent at world building and gives every aspect of the characters, stories, and powers structure, depth and definition...." Read more
"...into Alex's own power as a rune write, we also see the awesome power of alchemy in this world...." Read more
"...are set in. The mishmash of magic, magical technology and 30s/40s noir detective is really entertaining. A great read!" Read more
"...Magic is used as a tool, and makes sense. Moves the plot along, but never is used to magically fix everything. Well worth your time." Read more
Customers find the author's work excellent, with one customer specifically praising their editing skills.
"...And someone has used a proofreader and a good editor. Always helps, never hurts!..." Read more
"...This is an exception. These books get better and better. What an absolute joy to read! Light, fast, fun and mystery thrown in. I love them!..." Read more
"Job well done. Plenty to keep your brain involved along with humor to help us along the way. A nice variety to the cast." Read more
"Another great hit. Love won and lost, a great city about to burn, missing persons and perhaps the finding of the fountain of youth!..." Read more
Customers enjoy the book's noir atmosphere, with one customer noting its 1930s tone, while another describes it as a great combination of hard-boiled and fantastical elements.
"...is well paced and full on action, adventure, romance, intrigue, and feeling. Highly recommended." Read more
"...the blend of science & magic make it interesting, and the Noir brings it all together!" Read more
"...Magical Interwar New York. Steam noir with heart." Read more
"...The characters are solid and the storylines tight. I love the 1930 noir tone to it and the Sam spade style deceive work. Can’t wait for the next one" Read more
Top reviews from the United States
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- Reviewed in the United States on May 18, 2025The characters and the premise are unique. I got the first 3 stories and read number 1 twice. And now I just got 4,5 & 6. Lot of fun to read.
- Reviewed in the United States on December 25, 2023What a great read and a solid entry in what has this far proved to be an accomplished series of books.
The author is excellent at world building and gives every aspect of the characters, stories, and powers structure, depth and definition. All too often in magical fantasy novels there are no rules or limits or defined parameters. The author throws around vague phrases and every magic user is just so powerful that it defies description or comprehension.
Willis is an actual writer and clearly has a plan. Our protagonist can't just rune his way out of every problem, often having to rely on his detective skills and his wits instead. Even better, he often must us those wits to most effectively use his runes.
All the characters in the series are well defined and you have a clear sense of them. The overall cohesion and structure makes each book a very pleasant read.
This particular volume is well paced and full on action, adventure, romance, intrigue, and feeling. Highly recommended.
- Reviewed in the United States on April 26, 2024I am a big fan of urban magic, and there is a lot to unpack in the Arcane books. Sometimes the path from step 1 to step 4 is not clear, but I really enjoy the mixing of alternate history and music with compelling characters.
- Reviewed in the United States on April 30, 2025I couldn't stop reading even at work. Being a fan of the 1930's-40's helps. I enjoyed the mix of historical figures and the characters you created. It's sometimes cryptic and reads like some of the great radio broadcasts of old. Can't wait to read the next installment.
- Reviewed in the United States on February 9, 2025Are great reads. So glad I found them! The alt history, combined with the blend of science & magic make it interesting, and the Noir brings it all together!
- Reviewed in the United States on May 3, 2025I can only echo another reviewrs comment...Thank God for great writers..my favorite series !
- Reviewed in the United States on January 24, 2025Well thought out magic world with twists and turns will keep you engaged. Great rollercoaster ride Characters fleshed out and believable.
- Reviewed in the United States on August 14, 2024The Long Chain is a lot of fun! I love how Dan Willis weaves together multiple mysteries into one coherent narrative. This book marks a turning point in the series. More is going on than we know and I can’t wait to see what the true conflict of this story is.
Top reviews from other countries
- Luiz Henrique Nogueira ModestoReviewed in Brazil on September 4, 2021
5.0 out of 5 stars Another great chapter
The progression of the story has been nothing short of amazing so far. I normally hate when books end in a clifhanger, but ,this time, I can't wait to get my hands on the next volume.
- Mr DReviewed in the United Kingdom on December 17, 2021
5.0 out of 5 stars Engaging and easy read
This has been a new author for me and I have enjoyed the first 3 books. Its well written, the plot and characters continue to develop well and I enjoyed the twist in this book. Definitely on my list to read further.
- kragthangReviewed in Germany on October 3, 2019
5.0 out of 5 stars Hidden Gem
Wow! The Long Chain is another highlight in the Arcane Casebook series and probably my favourite so far. Alone the revelations towards the end of the book. Simply awesome! And again with only a few minor hiccups very well written and build up. Very curious about the next book. 4,5*
One person found this helpfulReport - BrianReviewed in Australia on October 25, 2019
5.0 out of 5 stars Really good
I have enjoyed the previous two books in the series, however, this one definitely kicks the story up a notch. The description of the various magics involved are very interesting. I am definitely looking forward to the next instalment
- Dennis WalkerReviewed in Canada on April 28, 2024
5.0 out of 5 stars Definitely a page turner
An excellent read from which the characters flowed out growing more defined as the story wound on. An easy reading style that keeps you wanting more.