P. H. Solomon’s The Order of the Dark Rose: The Cursed Mage Case Files Book 1 is a story about an arch-mage named Mandlefred Mandeheim or Manny for short, who lost everything he had, including his job, after falling under a curse during one of his operations. After barely surviving the unfortunate curse bomb and watching his friends and the love of his life die, Manny had to start anew, but he had set his mind on finding the one who had caused the deaths of the people who were important to him. He finds someone who possesses no magical powers compared to himself, but Wishton Ackford proves to be a reliable partner to him. Still, his troubles are not over; assassins and the mysterious mastermind who is yet to be caught still linger around every corner. With the curse still affecting Manny’s overall condition and magic, will they be able to survive this mess and catch the adversary who cost Manny almost everything?

The Order of the Dark Rose is perfect for readers who are fond of mystery and fantasy. From mysterious murders to mages, magical artifacts, and magical monsters, this book has more than enough adventures to keep you hooked all throughout the story. I loved how Wishton’s character is courageous and can stand his own ground, despite not having any magical powers. After losing so many important people, I am glad Manny managed to find a confidant in him. I also adored Manny’s character, his unyielding attitude, and determination to catch the person behind the wrongdoings were truly admirable and my heart ached for him when I recalled everything he had been through. Manny went through a lot and I am sure it wasn’t easy for him to continue pursuing the cause of the deaths of his loved ones, but I can respect his need to find answers behind that one operation that went wrong. Joining Manny and Wishton on their journey to find out the truth was truly a privilege. This book is amazing and the ending had me craving more. I can't wait to find out what happens next! Great work!

The Order of the Dark Rose, the first book in The Cursed Mage Case Files shows signs of promise as a series. Author P.H. Solomon welcomes you to the capital city of Cal Rindon, where magic is the lifeblood that runs its industries and is equally abused in criminal activities. Manny Mandeheim used to be an arch-mage with good standing, but it all disappeared when he falls upon a curse, witnesses his fiancée Adrienne die, and loses his career in espionage. As a former spy, he has a need to find out who is behind everything, for it is his way back and the way to honor Adrienne’s memory. But as he becomes more deeply concerned with clearing his name than understanding the depth of his case, it might be too late for him to realize that he has been looking in the wrong direction and that uncovering the mystery may not be to his liking.

If J.R.R. Tolkien and Arthur Conan Doyle were neighbors, this is the kind of story that would likely result in their collaborative writing. You might suspect that P.H. Solomon is a real mage by the way he delves into the motivation of his protagonist. Think of The Order of the Dark Rose as a sleight of hand in the form of fiction. Solomon shows you one thing in his right hand, only to make it disappear and pop up in his left hand. Much like Mandeheim’s investigation, it will yield promising leads and clues to the point that trust becomes an issue, and this serves to thicken the plot. It is all about the whodunit that is set in a fantastic realm. In the end, some major answers will be revealed, but more is still left to be uncovered. This is fairly reasonable for a fantasy mystery series in keeping the wheels of suspense turning.