Sun 22 Nov 2020
Diary Review: RANDALL GARRETT – Too Many Magicians.
Posted by Steve under Diary Reviews , Science Fiction & Fantasy[5] Comments
RANDALL GARRETT – Too Many Magicians. Lord Darcy #4 (first novel appearance), Serialized in Analog SF, August-November, 1966. Doubleday, hardcover, 1967. Curtis, paperback, 1969; Ace, paperback, 1979. Collected in Lord Darcy (Baen, softcover, 2002). Hugo finalist, 1967, Best Novel.
A mystery novel which takes place in the alternative-history world where magic has developed rather than science, Two locked-room murders are committed in connection with secret plans for a new magical weapon, thus involving national security.
One of the murders takes place at a Magicians’ Convention, making the number of possible suspects very large indeed. However, detection is made even more difficult by the fact that magic was not used; still, psychic talent was necessary to the extent that the murder would have been impossible in our world.
The story is well done and consistent within, but does not always keep the reader’s attention well-fixed, since there is the continual uneasy feeling that the author may come up with an explanation for everything from nowhere. Garrett does play fair with the reader, though, and it is possible to at least guess who the killer may be.
One of the characters, the Marquis of London, bears more than a striking resemblance to Nero Wolfe, and the connection is made obvious when one realized that name of his Chief Investigator is Lord Bontriomphe. Also (p.116, November issue) there is a version of the most famous Holmesian piece if dialogue between Darcy and his assistant, forensic sorcerer Sean O’Lochlainn.
More such references may be present; these are the most obvious.
Rating: 3 stars.
November 22nd, 2020 at 7:58 pm
The games played in the Darcy books captured for me the spirit of the best of John Dickson Carr, with magic always the possible solution, but in Garrett’s capable hands the real solution was inevitably more down to earth and fair play whether or not magic was used to help find the clues.
I suppose you could argue that considering the scientific and medical knowledge of most readers (myself included) that the same is true of most mystery fiction that turns on forensics, ballistics, or other science. Certainly that was how it was used in the Darcy stories.
November 22nd, 2020 at 8:33 pm
I enjoyed those Randall Garrett stories when I first read them years ago. I also enjoyed John Dickson Carr (and “Carter Dickson”).
November 22nd, 2020 at 8:40 pm
I need to read this one again. It’s been too long! What I’m going to do is get my hands on a copy of the Baen omnibus LORD DARCY.
From the ISFDb website:
1 • Preface (Lord Darcy) • essay by Eric Flint and Guy Gordon
5 • The Eyes Have It • [Lord Darcy] • (1964) • novelette by Randall Garrett
47 • A Case of Identity • [Lord Darcy] • (1964) • novella by Randall Garrett
111 • The Muddle of the Woad • [Lord Darcy] • (1965) • novella by Randall Garrett
169 • Too Many Magicians • [Lord Darcy] • (1967) • novel by Randall Garrett
399 • A Stretch of the Imagination • [Lord Darcy] • (1973) • short story by Randall Garrett
415 • A Matter of Gravity • [Lord Darcy] • (1974) • novelette by Randall Garrett
453 • The Bitter End • [Lord Darcy] • (1978) • novelette by Randall Garrett
491 • The Ipswich Phial • [Lord Darcy] • (1976) • novelette by Randall Garrett
541 • The Sixteen Keys • [Lord Darcy] • (1976) • novelette by Randall Garrett
579 • The Napoli Express • [Lord Darcy] • (1979) • novella by Randall Garrett
651 • The Spell of War • [Lord Darcy] • (1978) • novelette by Randall Garrett
I don’t know if this is complete, but if not, it will certainly do.
November 22nd, 2020 at 11:58 pm
Steve I see that the omnibus is for sale on the Kindle for $1.99.
November 23rd, 2020 at 2:23 pm
Thanks, Chuck. I think I found the one you’re referring to, but if so, it’s a Randall Garrett omnibus, not the Lord Darcy omnibus put out by Baen. Lots of good stories and a bargain for the money, though, that’s for sure. I may spring for it anyway.