A mildly interesting story in itself, with a frame making it like an annotated Sherlock Holmes - a foreword and lots of footnotes pointing out where (perfectly casual) elements in the story illuminate the society being written about and the writer's agenda. If you love the Mageworlds stories by Doyle and Macdonald, this would be a great addition. Since I think the first four are OK and the rest annoying or boring, it's only mildly interesting to me. 90% of the story seems useful only as a basis for annotations - but then comes the lovely twist at the end, and suddenly it's also an illumination of the characters of several people we've met in the story. And I have to say that despite my general opinion of the Mageworlds books, I'd like to read more of syn-Casleyn's adventures. ( )