A Review of Death on the Caldera
Words By Beatrice Basa
Published on June 17, 2025 by Titan Books.
*SPOILER ALERT* This review contains plot details of Death on the Caldera.
“Never trust the moon. Who can trust a woman with two faces?”
It’s Orient Express meets fantasy, writes publisher Titan Books in their blurb for Death on the Caldera. This premise alone was enough to spark my interest in Emily Paxman’s explosive debut novel. Set in the sprawling Balterian Empire, an ensemble cast hurtles through the titular caldera on a luxury express train. With each passenger comes hopes, dreams, and interpersonal affairs; and as night falls, things are astir with intrigue. But their rollicking adventure soon comes to a halt when an explosion in the night veers them off the tracks.
The survivors quickly discover the engine hasn’t just been sabotaged—it’s been somehow turned to stone. Suspicions simmer as fingers are pointed and names are blamed. What brings things to a raging boil, however, is the discovery of the conductor’s body. A cut-throat, unceremonious murder scene. To the survivors, the conclusion seems straightforward: there’s a witch hidden among them. Wild, wily women with two faces, long thought to be banished from society. It’s a mystery far too mystical for a mundane murder. Her wicked magic destroyed the train, stranding them in her territory . . . and now she’s coming for them all. It’s all up to the Linde siblings—Davina, Kellen, and Morel—to find her before she claims her next victim.
Yet in true Poirot fashion, ce n’est pas si simple. Especially not for Davina, who quickly discovers there’s more than meets the eye—not just to this case, but her own identity.
I’ll be the first to admit I’m picky with fantasy. To me, each series is a commitment: an entirely new world map, magic system, and lore to memorize. But there’s only so much medieval fiction I can read before stories blend. So, when I pick up a fantasy novel, I ask a few preliminary questions: what makes this world unique? Why should I invest my time in this story, these characters? What makes the magic worthwhile? While Caldera’s blurb drew me in, I admittedly still had reservations—but never have I been so delighted to be proven wrong.
Caldera’s greatest strength is its worldbuilding. An eclectic blend of steampunk and wild magic sets the perfect scene for this Golden Age crime-fic tribute. Entwined in these mysterious affairs are two established magic systems: volchemistry and witchcraft. The depth with which Paxman integrates these systems into her universe was a pleasant surprise. The former, combining alchemy and geology, is universally learnable; no innate talent is needed. This also means, however, that volchemical education is deeply embedded in socio-political hierarchy. Only the rich or educated have access, and even still, barriers remain for women—undoubtedly connected to a nationwide contempt for two-faced witches. To some they fascinate, while to many they possess dangerous, potent, anomalous power. Both create complications when fingers are inevitably pointed to women, as well as Renchans, their historical allies. But this barely scratches the surface of Paxman’s multivalent new world. I was impressed by her thoughtful interweaving of lore and story. There were no jarring expository paragraphs, nor did the mystery feel disconnected to its setting. It’s rare for a debut to have such established ideas, and I left Caldera eager to explore more.
A menagerie of passengers provide various perspectives on Caldera’s world. The Linde siblings, secretly Halgyrian royals, masquerade as civilians as they journey home to their dying father; mother-daughter duo Genna and Rae search for greener, less complicated pastures; Ambrose Carey and his confidant Emeth travel in alliance with the Balterian Lords’ Council; and Renchan stowaways Dalton and Merri want nothing but warmth, shelter, and a chance at life. Each situation hammers home that it’s not just the caldera that’s dangerous—it’s the continent itself. Davina’s identity conundrum, for example, ripples throughout Caldera as a consequence of inequality. Not only must she navigate this murder-mystery, but also the mystery of her newly discovered witch-self. Her narration reflects her desperation to survive, as this revelation doesn’t just make her a suspect; it puts her at risk of death or imprisonment for merely existing. Words are not minced when emphasizing how unfair this world is, and each P.O.V. provides a unique insight. No perspective felt out of place.
Through these P.O.V.s, Paxman creates a solid throughline for Caldera’s core mystery. I firmly believe any good whodunnit shouldn’t hinge on a twist ending; instead, it should rely on a build-up of clues that reader and detective alike piece together. Agatha Christie mastered this, and Paxman follows suit in this formidable homage. I found myself flitting between suspects as I often do reading Poirot. Diving into the villain’s mind felt so delightfully sinister; though it’s emphasized, too, that their actions were simply a consequence of their harsh world. I won’t say much else for fear of spoiling—but Paxman’s fresh, fantastical spin on Christie’s formula is itself a reason to read this novel.
“Think, girl. Who did you see washing their hands of the crime?”
With such a sprawling cast, however, I thought certain characters weren’t given their due attention. Some deserved more development beyond their relationships; Morel often felt overshadowed by his siblings, and Genna less individually fleshed out than her daughter or ex-lover. Others were rushed past; Davina and Ambrose’s whirlwind romance moved a touch too quick for me, and I wished Dalton, who spends most of the novel imprisoned, had more narrative presence. In saying this, I acknowledge what a feat it is for a debut to feature such a complex ensemble. Integrating these vignettes into Caldera’s mystery and worldbuilding is no small task! And when written well—I refer mainly to the Halgyrian trio here—these characters truly shine. For later chapters in Caldera’s world, I believe striking a balance between character and plot will be key.
Death on the Caldera paints a magnificent picture of smoke, sulphur, and secrets, in which everyone is interconnected. Steampunk and witchcraft intersect to create a striking volcanic backdrop. But beyond the caldera exists a world in which only the privileged are safe from prejudice, and its repercussions reflect on each character’s potential motive. Twists and turns dot throughout the tale, while never losing sight of its core mystery; it really hits that sweet spot between lore-heavy and story-driven. Suffice it to say, I was spellbound by Paxman’s promising debut. It’s ambitious, dark, and strives to set itself apart. I’m excited to see what comes next.