Some Bits: Nelson's books
The cover of The Tomb of Dragons

The Tomb of Dragons

★★★★★Read Mar 25, 2025

Well this was lovely. Just the kind of well written cozy fantasy story I need. I like this series of stories and I like this story.

I described these books to a friend as "a murder mystery procedural with some light fantasy, the victim in this book is a dragon. Also our hero can talk to the spirits of dead people which makes the murder investigation part a little different. He's gay and smart and has pleasantly awkward relationships with his friends."

I love the awkward friends.

Also I say without shame that I loved all the hints of romance and love between friends in the story. All very warm-the-heart. Wouldn't mind if the romance part was a bit steamier, and I do wonder if it sets up a slightly silly story in the next book, but it's adorable and I'll go with it.

Goodreads readers give it 4.30★, from 4,510 ratings. I gave it 4★, −0.3, where I'm usually −0.9: I rated it like most.
Readers call it Fantasy, Mystery, Dragons, Queer, LGBT, Steampunk, High Fantasy.
Nominated for Locus Award 2026.