Death on the Caldera - by Emily Paxman (Paperback)

Book Synopsis

It's Murder on the Orient Express - with witches!
A thrilling blend of fantasy and classic murder mystery, this rollicking adventure with a wide cast of suspects is ideal for those who love both Agatha Christie and V. E. Schwab, and are drawn to stories that take place in a vivid fantasy world.

The Linde siblings--Kellen, Davina, and Morel--are anxious to return to the kingdom of Halgyr before their father dies, leaving Kellen to assume the throne as king. They book tickets on a luxury express train, expecting a swift journey home--but disaster strikes when the train engine explodes, stranding the siblings atop a caldera bubbling with volcanic magic.

The crash triggers Davina's latent witch powers, but her magic disrupts her ability to remember what she was doing when the explosion took place. While a witch would be the prime suspect for the catastrophe, the only ones who knew Davina might become one are her brothers--who never warned her. And, to add insult to injury, somebody is bumping off the surviving train crew and passengers. But it can't be Davina, can it?

While the remaining passengers try to determine who sabotaged the engine and catch the killer, the fractured siblings attempt to stay one step ahead, concealing not only Davina's powers but their own secrets. Luckily, they aren't the only shifty characters on the train...

A thrilling blend of classic murder mystery and fantasy for those who love Murder on the Orient Express and Death on the Nile every bit as much as Fourth Wing and A Court of Thorns and Roses.

Review Quotes

"A breakneck fantasy/mystery thriller that will keep readers on the edge of their seats." -Library Journal

"Fans of the mystery in Sarah Brooks' The Cautious Traveller's Guide to the Wastelands will be delighted by this novel, as should those who can appreciate fantastical additions to their whodunits." -Booklist

"An intriguingly fresh magic system complements this whodunit in the best way."-Caitlin Rozakis, bestselling author of Dreadful

"A cunning mystery set upon a surprisingly alien world."
Ben Aaronovitch, bestselling author of Rivers of London

"A stunning debut. Paxman offers up high stakes adventure and a mystery full of satisfying twists and turns, all wrapped in a gorgeous layer of magic. Masterfully done!"
A. C. Wise, author of Wendy, Darling and Hooked

"Bursting with rich characters and explosive intrigue (literally), Death on the Caldera produces a rare alchemy in its blend of magic, murder, and mystery. A smart, thrilling debut!"
Julie Leong, Sunday Times bestselling author of The Teller of Small Fortunes

"Eminently memorable, Death on the Caldera is a classic murder-mystery romp, with realistic characters and an enthralling magic system steeped in intriguing mythos. This unmissable debut is a heck of a pageturner."
Kritika H. Rao, author of The Surviving Sky and The Legend of Meneka

"A captivating blend of classic murder mystery and adventurous fantasy, Death on the Caldera brings a fresh, captivating voice to both genres. Filled with powerful witches, unpredictable magic, and a suspicious yet endearing cast of characters fighting for survival, this book is nearly impossible to put down."
Camilla Raines, author of The Hollow and the Haunted

"A gripping murder mystery, combining political intrigue, volcanic magic and witches that are truly creepy, Death on the Caldera is a thrilling adventure that keeps you guessing until the very last page."
Genoveva Dimova, author of Foul Days

About the Author

Emily Paxman is an author and artist from Vancouver Island in beautiful British Columbia, Canada. She's a huge fan of gardening, cats, watercolour painting, and several other hobbies that befit an octogenarian. She has her Master's of Fine Arts in Creative Writing from Chatham University, has written for indie video game company Wizard Games, and splits her time (unevenly) between creating comics and writing novels. You can read her webcomic, Neptune Bay, on Webtoon. Death on the Caldera is her debut novel.

Follow Emily on Bluesky: @emmypax.bsky.social; and on Instagram: @emmypaxman