Ethan Blackwood, a disillusioned history professor from Boston, wakes up in the opulent yet bizarre world of Aethelgard, a neo-Victorian metropolis steeped in arcane secrets. Transferred into the body of a struggling 'Liability Investigator' named Alistair Finch, Ethan discovers a peculiar ability: a mental lexicon instantly catalogs the flaws and weaknesses of anyone and anything he observes. Armed with this knowledge, he navigates a treacherous landscape of clandestine societies, steam-powered automatons, and powerful aristocrats, uncovering conspiracies that threaten to shatter the fragile peace of Aethelgard. Alistair, er, Ethan, must learn to master his Lexicon and expose the vulnerabilities of the city's most influential figures, all while trying to avoid becoming a liability himself. 'Lord Harrington, is that… a clockwork hamster providing power to your… ahem… personal regulator? Perhaps a design flaw we should discuss?'

Chapters