Island of Time

Jackson Burnett along with his new colleague Krys works in the Geneva branch of Interpol tasked with policing magic which is a bit of a dud job as magic has been illegal in Switzerland for years. So, it is a bit of a shock to be paired up with Luca Tami, a blind talent, in solving the murder of a family and then finding that the crime has been magically written out of existence.
Now Jackson has to work with Luca, a man he does not trust to solve a crime that no longer exists, with magic that is illegal and try to survive.

I received a copy of the book for a free and unbiased opnion
The story is told from Jackson’s point of view in the third person and he was a character I could root for brave, loyal, honest and sensible. I could empathise with him when he encounters each new and weird twist. You can understand how he inspires friendship and loyalty in the people around him.
The story is fast paced with plenty of action and magic. I loved the world-building. The story is set in our world where magic is real and commonplace. The ‘talents’ and ‘adepts’ are people who can use magic and are trained in Institutes around the world. Except for Switzerland where magic has been banned for centuries.
The magical system isn’t particularly original but when embedded within a police procedural and heist story it takes a more interesting turn compared to other urban fantasies.
The secondary characters are well-drawn and interesting, especially Simeon, the Swiss Detective who helps put when he can.
I would have learned more about Bouchon and the Peerless’s motivations- the antagonists in the story.
I found the ending particularly heart-warming, and it did leave me with a smile.
Content warning
Description of sexual assault-off page

I’m not sure if this is the first book in the series but I hope there are more books featuring Jackson and his friends.

Island of Time by Davis Bunn, a good book, that started off well, but started meandering around in the middle to the end. I do think there are plenty of people who will enjoy it.

In a time similar to our own, Interpol - Geneva office is tasked with policing Magic and the Arcane Arts. This shouldn't be too difficult since Switzerland has outlawed all Magic for over 500 years. Agent Jackson Burnett is called to an explosion at the home of a wealthy businessman. The family and all their possessions have been vaporized. Another agent is called in when the evidence begins to disappear. He tells Jackson there is no murder because the family never existed. The explosion is a result of a magical happening in time. Thus starts an intricate and thrilling investigation into this arcane event.
This book is totally different from Bunn's usual style and type of writing. He usually writes science and fantasy fiction under his pen name Thomas Locke.
This is a strange and fantastic story with action that makes it hard to put down. I enjoyed this new diversion in his writing.