In the 10th installment of the October Daye series (after 2015’s A Red-Rose Chain), changeling detective October “Toby” Daye is caught up in a murder mystery involving the most powerful fae in North America. A cure for elf-shot, a poison that puts its victims to sleep for a century, has been discovered, and the high king of the fae has ordered a conclave to discuss its use. When a popular but controversial fae king is assassinated, it’s the start of a tense, bloody affair. As other conclave attendees are struck down with elf-shot, Toby and her allies piece together the clues to discover who’d want to disrupt the event. McGuire continues her intricate blend of worldbuilding and mythology, using myth and lore as the underpinnings for what’s essentially an ambitious, politically charged locked room thriller. The emotional core of the series is stronger than ever, with the action being immediate and visceral. McGuire quite satisfyingly continues the ongoing story while telling an intense and entertaining tale in its own right. Agent: Diana Fox, Fox Literary. (Sept.)
