In G.P. Robbins’ Dead Weight (Magic, Mayhem, and the Law in Precinct #153, Book 1) Precinct 153 is a place where weird and weirder look normal. Sometimes, however, there are events that take the cake, like the fearsome and respected ruler of New York City almost being assassinated by eggs. But that is the least of Jace’s worries. With a recent spurt of brutal, stomach-churning crimes, organ theft, and kidnapping, the rookie detective has really been thrown in at the deep end. Can he prove his mettle and piece together a case that has everyone scratching their heads? This will certainly be a baptism by fire, especially if his new roommate is allowed anywhere near the kitchen.

The writing style of G.P. Robbins reminds me a little of how it would be to read a collaboration created by the writers of RIPD, Bright and Happy. The combination of playful antics and humor is perfectly offset by the darker themes of ongoing investigations. There has clearly been a lot of thought put into not only the characters’ development but the world-building and the mythos of the magical hierarchy. Dead Weight really focuses on the issue of large cases with next to no leads and the troubles thereof, which also allows ample time for all the characters to have their time in the spotlight in a slow-burn mystery. You see the inner workings and frustrations of Precinct #153 as they put together their case based on clues and instinct, unraveling the threads and slowly building a bigger picture. Getting that picture is a challenge as everything seems to pile up against progress. Character-driven, this book is a must for those who love deep and developed characters with their own personalities that avoid cookie-cutter expectations. The interactions and challenges are priceless, and you’ll be grinning, cringing, and looking on in horror right along with them.

Dead Weight is a work of fiction in the paranormal, urban fantasy, and intrigue subgenres, and it forms the opening novel of the Magic, Mayhem, and the Law in Precinct #153 series. Penned by author G.P. Robbins, it is best suited to the general adult reading audience. We are introduced to a fascinating world where magic and crime intersect when we meet Detective Jace Smithson. Newly promoted and a little out of his depth, Jace finds himself entangled in a complex case involving multiple murders and the kidnapping of a unique and valuable unicorn. What appears to be a straightforward murder investigation quickly takes on sinister dimensions, with dark forces at play.

Author G.P. Robbins weaves a gripping tale of crime, greed, and magic in Cauldron City. Jace's journey to unravel the mystery and bring the culprits to justice is both thrilling and filled with unexpected twists. I really appreciated the attention to pacing and clue-giving that allows readers time to figure things out on their own before the big reveal to see if their suspicions were correct. Cauldron City is a vividly portrayed setting where dragons, unicorns, and humans coexist, each with their own interests and secrets, brought to life with cinematic and immersive prose. Jace's interactions with the city's magical inhabitants are slick and witty, and this contrasts well with the personal struggles and the moral dilemmas he faces, making him a well-rounded and compelling protagonist. Overall, Dead Weight is a promising start to an intriguing and highly entertaining series, and I look forward to following Detective Jace Smithson's future adventures in this captivating world.

Dead Weight by G.P. Robbins revolves around Detective Jace Smithson of Cauldron City's Precinct 153, who is called to investigate a case involving a suspended unicorn alongside ten bodies. Jace is a human-to-unicorn shapeshifter himself and is acutely aware that the crime is driven by the value of unicorn droppings. Jace's life moves between his detective work and a bit of quirk, including participation in a dragon game show and his passion for books. Following an emergency operation on a black dragon with a personal connection named Alicia, Jace undertakes investigations into kidnappings and gruesome murders that all have hallmarks of the same killer. Partnered with colleagues, the focus of the case embodies poisoned alcohol sales, victims' profiles, and horrific organ removals, leading to their suspecting an underground organ trafficking ring.

Dargon rides, unicorn poop, precious gems, a smoking hot unicorn-man that cooks, and a book collection and wolf-dogs that he names after a punk band and a musical? No, this is not my Christmas list; this is the glory of Dead Weight by G.P. Robbins, the first book in the fantastical Magic, Mayhem, and the Law in Precinct #153. I have read my fair share of detective novels that involve supernatural worlds and elements, but Robbins has delivered the first where the force itself is inter-species and, as far as the city is concerned, they're normal. Of course, Jace as a main character is anything but, yet Robbins does an excellent job in both developing him as a character and also making him relatable. The best way this is accomplished is by one of the more eerily realistic antagonists: the crazy ex. Even in fantasy, there is no escaping them. The world-building is top-notch, and aside from being just plain fun, Dead Weight has a weight of content where it matters, and I have no doubt others who begin this journey will agree.

In Dead Weight by G.P. Robbins, human/unicorn metamorphic Detective Jace Smithson is assigned to probe a sequence of kidnappings and murders by his dragon boss, Captain Farthan. Jace meets the Black Dragon of New York, Grant Grimstone, medically assists a black dragoness, Alicia, and aids in her detoxification, all while trying to solve grisly murders potentially linked to organ theft. The discovery of a vigilante group's database provides a possible break, but in his attempts to find the killers and the spate of abductions, Jace will have to rely on his unicorn abilities and an unusual collaboration. In the midst of all of this and more, Jace navigates multiple attempts on his own life, danger with those he cares for, and the hunt for a forever home for his wolf dogs, book, and gemstone obsessions.

G.P. Robbins piggybacks a stack of subplots alongside the bodies in book one of the Magic, Mayhem, and the Law in Precinct #153 series, Dead Weight. Jace's shapeshifting is revealed very early on when a unicorn is alive but strung from a ceiling because, in Robbins's world, unicorn dung is profitable. This world where unicorns, dragons, magic, and fantastic creatures exist alongside simple modern-day people who go to work and run their homes, blending the magical and the mundane, is what made it immersive to me. "I have a live-in dragoness, and I have to keep her until I can somehow teach her how to survive in a kitchen." Jace's investigation and its urgency keep a reader constantly on the pulse while balancing it with humorous banter. Robbins's prose has the air of a seasoned and talented writer in this new, enchanting, and brilliant series.