Such a fun romp in an alternate Edwardian England!

Marske has created an England where magic is utilized but is not revealed to the public. Those that control magic go about their lives manipulating (or "bushelling" as she names it) magic without the general public knowing.

The Government's Home Office has a department called the Office of Special Domestic Affairs and Complaints that keeps an eye on the strange and unusual. If Mr. Mattingly reports there are ghostly cows wandering about his pastures then someone is sent to investigate, find out the real nature of what's really going one and quash any knowledge that anything magical is happening. It's all swamp gas and too much whiskey. The Government, of course, benefits from magic usage, but the general populace remains in the dark.

Reggie, the current active assistant in this department, goes missing; a victim of nasty binding magic….but no one really knows what happened or his whereabouts.

So, Sir Robert Blythe, recently made a baronet on his father's death finds himself replacing Reggie because his parents got him this spiffy position in the Home Office, giving him purpose and cachet in the upper class world he inhabits the edge of. But Robert has no magic and no affinity for magic and finds himself completely clueless with the revelation that not only is there magic out and about, but there are folks who use magic for nasty ends.

Of course, this is where the fun begins and Robin, as Blythe is known as, meets up with the cold, arrogant Edwin Courcy who also works in the Office of Special Domestic Affairs. Robin in his efforts to find Reggie gets cursed with some very dark magic that visibly reveals runes crawling up one arm and threatening to take over his body. Courcy joins in the search to de-curse Robin and their investigating leads the two to an ancient estate with a reclusive old woman.

A maze threatens to destroy Robin and in desperation, Edwin makes a blood promise to the land which has powerful repercussions for the magical community of England. And Robin discovers he's not as magically talentless as he thought.

Through their adventures, the two find romance as they become not only tightly involved in their work but find their hearts are tightly wound together as well.

The ending is a superb resolution for all and sundry. This was an engrossing story, set in a fascinating take on England. A wonderful read. ~~ Sue Martin