Cold Copper

Danger from the Strange—and from human greed—grows in the American Weird West in this page-turning third Age of Steam installment (after Tin Swift). Cursed werewolves Cedar and Wil Hunt, powerful witch Mae Lindson, and the maybe-not-quite-human Madder brothers continue their pursuit of the Holder, a Strange weapon that could tear apart the world. Sidetracked by dangerous winter weather and an old oath, they arrive in Des Moines, Iowa, where the mayor has a vendetta against the Madders and no intention of letting Cedar pursue the Strange in his city. Meanwhile, engineer and “deviser” Rose Small and skyship captain Lee Hink, on the romantic outs, pursue stolen equipment that combines technology, witchcraft, and the Strange to create weaponized automatons. Monk’s pacing is perfect, and the characters of her ensemble cast are so well drawn that each can justifiably command the lead as the story requires. Constantly improving series are rare, but Monk’s Age of Steam just keeps getting better. Agent: Miriam Kriss, Irene Goodman Literary Agency. (July)