Ned Mathey and Julian Lynes

Paranormal MysteryHistorical Fantasy
Cover image for Ned Mathey and Julian Lynes series
Paranormal MysteryHistorical Fantasy

Summary

Within the bustling streets and shadowed alleyways of Silverbrook, Julian Lynes’s life begins to shift as whispers of ancient magic and hidden threats ripple through the city. Drawn into a web of secrets, he uncovers a legacy that connects him to forgotten heroes and long-lost powers. Alongside Ned Mathey, whose sharp wit and daring spirit provide both guidance and chaos, Julian ventures beyond the familiar borders of his world. Their journey leads into perilous territory—where betrayal lurks behind every corner and true courage is tested at every turn. As they unravel the truth, the stakes grow higher, and the line between friend and foe blurs, forcing Julian to confront the depths of his own resolve.

'Ned Mathey and Julian Lynes' stands out as a compelling addition to contemporary fantasy literature, showcasing Amy Griswold's talent for vivid characterization and inventive worldbuilding. The series has garnered praise for its nuanced portrayal of young protagonists navigating complex moral landscapes, earning several awards in the fantasy genre. Critics highlight Griswold’s skillful blending of traditional genre elements with fresh narrative twists, although some note that the series’ intricate plotlines can be demanding for casual readers. Overall, it’s regarded as a significant work that pushes the boundaries of YA fantasy, solidifying Griswold’s reputation as a leading voice in the field.

Main Titles

Ned Mathey, a dextrous conjuror with a knack for observation, and Julian Lynes, an exacting and unflappable investigator, are drawn together when a dazzlingly staged murder shakes a genteel salon....
Ned Mathey, a dextrous conjuror with a knack for observation, and Julian Lynes, an exacting and unflappable investigator, are drawn together when a dazzlingly staged murder shakes a genteel salon. The corpse appears to have been killed by an impossibly small sliver of metal, and the city’s polite façade begins to crack as whispers of sabotage, jealous rivalries, and a hidden network of dangerous secrets surface. Ned’s showmanship and Julian’s forensic patience force them to read between tricks, decoding a pattern that binds artifice to criminal design. As the pair chase threads through smoky clubs and manicured drawing rooms, their partnership becomes personal: Ned confronts the limits of illusion when a trick turns deadly, while Julian must reconcile a devotion to procedure with the unpredictable human heart. Each discovery tightens the noose around an unseen mastermind and asks whether a truth can survive the theater of deception. Stakes rise, loyalties are tested, and a city’s polished veneer threatens to shatter.
When a charismatic member of the exclusive Dionysus Club is found dead beneath its ornate chandeliers, Ned Mathey and Julian Lynes return to a milieu that prizes pleasure as performance. The club’s...
When a charismatic member of the exclusive Dionysus Club is found dead beneath its ornate chandeliers, Ned Mathey and Julian Lynes return to a milieu that prizes pleasure as performance. The club’s cultivated mysteries—its private rituals, competitive entertainments, and guarded alliances—hide motives both petty and lethal. Ned’s fluency with sleight of hand gives him access to a world of secrets passed in whisper and wink, while Julian’s meticulous reconstruction of events peels back layers of indulgence to reveal long-buried grudges. Their investigation forces both men into uncomfortable intimacy with the club’s patrons: performers who trade in illusion and members who barter reputation like currency. As clues link the death to a history of debts, betrayals, and one particularly dangerous secret, Ned and Julian must navigate a terrain where loyalty is bought and truth can be staged. The case tightens their bond even as it challenges their ability to tell performance from reality, and every revelation makes the next deception harder to ignore.