A Local Habitation (October Daye)
Second efforts following strong debuts often disappoint, but that’s not the case with the latest Toby Daye mystery (after Rosemary and Rue, 2009). Half human and half fae, Toby, now working full time as a PI, is contracted for what seems an easy job—checking in on her liege lord’s daughter, January, who hasn’t been returning his phone calls. But January’s home (and computer company) is a tiny free duchy located between larger fae countries, each of whom would like to take over her land and wealth. Undismayed, Toby sets off with Quentin, a fairy knight in training, only to find that far more is going on than unreturned phone calls: three of the computer company’s employees are dead, and January is missing. The action takes place only over a few days, and the setting is limited to January’s duchy, allowing McGuire to evoke the country-house-murder plot of traditional mysteries while at the same time writing an excellent urban fantasy. This unusual but enthralling combination will draw in both mystery and fantasy readers. --Jessica Moyer