Mortedants Peril, RJ Barker
Mortedants Peril, RJ Barker
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Mortedant's Peril

Author: RJ Barker

Series: Trials of Irody Hasp #1

Narrator: Joe Eyre

Unabridged: 16 hr 11 min

Format: Digital Audiobook Download

Published: 05/19/2026

Synopsis

In a city of ancient automata, strange spirits, and sleeping gods, a cleric of death finds his own life on the line in this vividly imagined fantasy murder mystery from the acclaimed author of The Bone Ships and Age of Assassins.

Irody Hasp is a Mortedant, a cleric tasked with reading the last thoughts of the dead—though no one thanks him for it. No Mortedant is popular, but Irody is scarcely tolerated even by the other members of his own guild, and rarely selected for anything but the lowliest of jobs.

This impoverished existence would be dismal enough—but after reading the corpse of a low-level records keeper, Irody's troubles quickly multiply when his own apprentice is murdered, and all fingers point to him as a suspect. The only way to save his own skin is to find the real culprit himself, an investigation that quickly attracts powerful enemies with few scruples, and draws him into a plot that threatens the entire corrupt yet wondrous city he calls home.

Perfect for fans of The Lies of Locke Lamora, Foundryside, and Witness for the Dead, this investigative misadventure begins a perilous new series by award-winning author RJ Barker.

A Macmillan Audio production from St. Martin’s Press

About RJ Barker

RJ Barker is a critically acclaimed and award-winning author of fantasy fiction. He won the British Fantasy Award for Best Novel for his fourth novel, The Bone Ships, and his debut trilogy The Wounded Kingdom was nominated for the David Gemmel Award, the Kitschie Golden Tentacle, and the BFS Best Debut and Best Novel awards. RJ lives in Leeds with his wife, son, and a collection of questionable taxidermy, odd art, scary music, and more books than they have room for.

Reviews

Goodreads review by Nils | nilsreviewsit on March 15, 2026

Mortedant’s Peril by RJ Barker weaves a deft tale of mystery and corruption, set in a strangely wondrous world, where three unlikely heroes band together to unravel a dark plot before it’s too late. Irody Hasp, as a Mortedant, can see and read a deceased last thoughts and moments before their death.......more

Goodreads review by Drew on March 23, 2026

I received a free advance review copy of this book via NetGalley. This book feels like a herald, in some ways. THE TAINTED CUP won the Hugo for Best Novel last year, and A DROP OF CORRUPTION was another hit. Robert Jackson Bennett has revitalized interest in detective fantasy. MORTEDANT'S PERIL, on th......more

Goodreads review by Mackenzie on December 10, 2025

Thank you to Tor Books for an advance copy in exchange for an honest review. RJ Barker brings to life another fascinating world with layered characters you want to know more about rather than being sick of by the end of the nearly 500 page journey. Found family is a trope I can always get behind and......more

Goodreads review by Marie on February 28, 2026

4.5 rounded down to 4 stars for Goodreads Mortedant’s Peril by R.J. Barker is the first in his new trilogy The Trials of Irody Hasp. A delightfully unique, layered novel, it follows the misadventures of Irody Hasp, a Mortedant - a priest-like figure who reads the last thoughts of the deceased to pass......more

Goodreads review by Kat on February 02, 2026

I received a free copy from Tor Books via Netgalley in exchange for a fair review. Release date May 19th, 2026. I had mixed feelings about Barker's Bone Ships, but it had some compelling elements and his latest premise was excellent, so I thought I'd give his writing another shot. In Mortedant's Per......more

Quotes

Praise for Mortedant's Peril:

"Mortedant’s Peril is a fabulous fantasy mystery 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

Praise for RJ Barker:

"Brilliant" —Robin Hobb, author of the Farseer Trilogy

"A viciously exciting adventure. I loved every second of it" —Tasha Suri, author of The Jasmine Throne

"Wouldn’t let me go . . . a pleasure to read. I can’t wait for more!" —Melissa Caruso, author of The Last Hour Between Worlds

"Often poignant and always intriguing . . . A gifted storyteller"—Nicholas Eames, author of Kings of the Wyld

"A triple-threat of world-building, character and plot, Gods of the Wyrdwood represents the work of an experienced novelist at the top of his game." —SFX Magazine

"A vividly realized high-seas epic that pulls you deep into its world and keeps you tangled there until the very last word." —Evan Winter, author of The Rage of Dragons on The Bone Ships

"The Bone Ships is excellent. Aside from the standout writing, it's one of the most interesting and original fantasy worlds I've seen in years." —Adrian Tchaikovsky, Arthur C. Clarke Award-winning author

"I absolutely loved it. A whole lot of swashbuckling awesomeness by RJ Barker. He has crafted a fascinating world and a twisty plot, both rooted in characters I came to care about. A definite winner for me." —John Gwynne, author of The Shadow of the Gods on The Bone Ships

"Blood of Assassins is a brilliant and often beautiful piece of literature from one of the most talented writers out there." —Fantasy Faction

"Outstanding. Beautifully written, perfectly paced and assured. Kept me reading well into the early hours of the morning. A wonderful first book—a wonderful book, period—that should be at the very top of your to-read list." —James Islington, author of The Shadow of What Was Lost on Age of Assassins

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