A Stitch in Crime

The fun, pulpy fourth installment in Robinson’s postapocalyptic City of Devils series (after Wolfman Confidential) continues exploring an Earth crawling with monsters following the Night War that wiped out most of humanity. Center stage this time is the skin doll Jane Stitch, who is sewn together from the corpses of six different women and haunted by memories that she isn’t sure are hers. After Jane’s explosive temper destroys her relationship with human private eye Nick Moss, she embarks on a soul-searching mission to understand her true nature. Her quest for answers takes her to the backwaters of Arizona to speak with her creator, who pulls her into his dirty business of corpse resurrection as the price for answers about her existence. Soon, Jane runs afoul of the ferocious Dullahan clan, a quartet of headless horsemen who control the town’s law enforcement and wreak havoc on those who question their authority. Robinson’s tale is a treasure trove of monstrous delights and, despite Jane’s gruesome origins, she proves an endearing lead. With its heady blend of noir and campy horror, this rollicking adventure doesn’t disappoint. (Mar.)