UncleJosh reviewed Off-Time Jive by A. Z. Louise
A nice variation on the hardboiled detective
Content warning This review spoils the ending
The narrative fits in nicely in the tradition of a first person narrator trying to solve a crime. It builds the world realistically without too much modern "gee isn't racism bad" opinion. The exact mechanics of New Magic and Old Magic aren't directly spelled out, but it doesn't quite matter. It only emphases the bigotry of the culture.
The time travel magic at the end works for me and resets the story in a satisfactory way.