In Whisper in the Wind, the fourth book in the Sunder City series, former detective Fetch Phillips seeks a peaceful life running his café in a city still struggling with the abrupt loss of magic. However, his tranquillity is short-lived when a fugitive child seeks refuge in his café, just as a string of gruesome murders begins targeting the city’s elite. Fetch is once again pulled into the city’s turmoil, although he would much rather not get involved,

I enjoyed how Whisper in the Wind brought a whole new dynamic to this series considering what happened in the previous volumes. Arnold seamlessly blends gritty detective noir with the loss of magic, in what is a richly crafted and imagined world. The characters are complex with some new ones introduced. I particularly enjoyed how the people of Sunder City continue to grapple with the loss of magic and the fallout. The storytelling is engaging, with thought-provoking themes that add depth to the narrative, although the mystery does take a while to establish when it does it leads to a good finale. The action and plot are well-paced, making this a highly readable book with plenty of charm. The ending also sets things up nicely for the fifth volume, leaving plenty to anticipate.

If you’re new to the series you might consider starting with “The Last Smile in Sunder City” to fully appreciate Fetch Phillips’ journey leading up to this latest adventure.

My thanks to orbit and NetGalley for this e-arc.

Luke Arnold returns to the city of Sunder and down at heel “Man for Hire” Fetch Phillips in the fourth book of his noir-inspired fantasy series Whisper in the Wind. Sunder city is part of a world that was once rich in magic but due to the actions of humans seven years before (unwittingly aided by Phillips), the magic has gone away, the magical creatures have lost their powers and human greed and violence is in the ascendancy. Whisper in the Wind is the fourth book in what is quickly becoming one of the great urban fantasy series and can probably be read as a stand alone but really builds on the three books that have come before.
When Whisper in the Wind opens, Fetch has retired his shingle and is running the café at the bottom of his building. But his skills and his past were always going to catch up with him. Soon he finds himself providing support to a group of anarchist teenagers, fending off the one good police officer who wants him to help investigate the death of her partner and trying to ignore the incendiary pamphlets that have started appearing decrying the city administration and signed by someone calling themselves “Whisper”. Then Fetch finds himself being blackmailed by the editor of the main newspaper in town to find Whisper and that is before the high profile explosive killings begin.
Phillips, as always, is a classic but unique protagonist. Hard bitten, hard boiled, able to take a bit of punishment and with a heart of gold. He is still learning to deal with the betrayal that he was a part of, particularly as he finds new parts of the world corrupted by the loss of magic.
Whisper in the Wind once again combines urban fantasy with plenty of social commentary. He digs deeply into the aspects that make noir detective fiction tick – corruption, the power of police, co-opted media, self-serving religion and an undercurrent of rebellion. And, particularly given Fetch’s history, a consideration of what it means to join – be it an organisation like the police or the army, or a revolutionary cell.
Whisper in the Wind is far from the end of this story. Arnold once again builds on the history and lore of Fetch’s world. And always beneath it all, that glimmer of hope that perhaps somehow, some way the magic can be brought back. Arnold ends with what can only be described as a multi-layered cliffhanger, bringing further complications but also a tiny glimmer of hope. It was a three year wait for this entry after the first three came in reasonably quick succession. Hopefully the wait for the next one will be shorter.

I couldn’t wait to get stuck into this- I just finished a reread of the first three in the series in preparation. As usual, the seriousness of the situations are met with Fetch doing the right thing even when that’s not the right thing! (If you know, you know!) I wasn’t expecting the end of the story but again:this is a usual phenomenon with this author. I’m looking forward to the next in series. This is one of my favourite series and this was a worthy addition to it. Many thanks to Netgalley for an arc of this book.

Luke Arnold’s Whisper in the Wind is a gritty, atmospheric urban fantasy that masterfully blends mystery, magic, and the weight of a broken world. Set in the aftermath of magic’s violent demise, this novel follows Fetch Phillips, a former detective turned café owner, who just wants to leave his hero days behind him. But in Sunder City, a place still reeling from the loss of magic, peace is a luxury few can afford.

Fetch’s quiet life is upended when a runaway kid seeks shelter in his café, and a series of gruesome murders targeting Sunder’s elite begins to unfold. Dragged back into the chaos he tried to escape, Fetch finds himself at the centre of a brewing revolution, whispered on the wind and fuelled by the city’s simmering tensions. As he investigates the murders and protects the kid, Fetch must confront his own past and the lingering scars of a world that has lost its magic.

Arnold’s writing is sharp and evocative, capturing the bleak yet compelling atmosphere of Sunder City with vivid detail. Fetch is a deeply relatable protagonist, his weariness and reluctant heroism making him a character readers will root for. The novel’s exploration of a post-magic world is both unique and thought-provoking, offering a fresh take on urban fantasy that delves into themes of loss, resilience, and the fight for justice.

The mystery at the heart of the story is expertly crafted, with twists and turns that keep readers guessing until the very end. The supporting cast, including the runaway kid and the various inhabitants of Sunder City, adds depth and richness to the narrative. The whispers of revolution add an undercurrent of tension, making the stakes feel immediate and personal.

Whisper in the Wind is a story that balances action, emotion, and world-building with skill and precision. It’s a tale of redemption, resilience, and the enduring hope for a better future, even in the face of overwhelming odds. A must-read for fans of The Dresden Files by Jim Butcher.

Fetch Philips is my favourite urban fantasy series and I believe Luke Arnold does a fine job of balancing bewtween humor, action, fantastical elements and noir mystery. This remains true for this fourth installment in the series.
Fetch though is different this time around. He tries to stay out of trouble and although trouble finds him early on he makes every effort of minding his own business. Alas..
This brings a new dynamic to our hero, one that admittedly, took me some time to get used to. There are lots of new characters introduced, that have potential but are not fully explored here. The mystery aspect takes a while to get going but eventually leads to a fantastic finale. And speaking of finales, the ending has me lots excited of what is yet to come.
I started my review stating how much I like this series. I believe though that there is potential here for greatness. Unfortunately this instalment, though pretty enjoyable, doesn't expand or elevate the series to new highs. Maybe in the next one but while looking for said greatness, I'm very much enjoying the ride.
Thanks to Orbit and Netgalley for this arc.