Del Franco, Mark - Unshapely Things
Unshapely Things
The book's central character is the druid Connor Grey. He once worked for the Guild, the government agency concerned with Fey (that's how the fairies and other supernatural beings call themselves). But after he lost most of his abilities when a bust went wrong, the Guild had no longer use for him. So Connor hires himself out as a private investigator and consultant to the mundane police to make a living.
His latest case: An unknown culprit is killing male elven hookers in the Weird, a run-down Fey red-light district. The slayer cold-blooded kills his victims and cuts their hearts out afterwards. Since the Guild has no interest in some dead prostitutes, they pass the buck on to the human police and so indirectly - to Connor.
To the druid it is evident that this is more than just another serial killer. The cut-out hearts and some strange stones, vibrant with weak magic, that were found in the victims chests, indicate that the killer is a practicioner of witchcraft and prepares some kind of blood ritual. But to what end?
The investigation leads Connor and Leo Murdock, the police officer in charge, onto some ugly tracks and soon it begins to dawn on Connor that the murders are just the beginning of something way bigger...
If there is a booming fantasy subgenre at the moment besides supernatural romance or romantasy it's surely urban fantasy. Countless books of this literary genre were published especially in the US over the last years, describing the amalgamation of the real world with phantastic elements. In germany urban fantasy also shows an ascending popularity, as indicated by the increasing publication of genre novels.
Some fans of classic fantasy may probably not be able to understand the fascination of urban fantasy. In such a case one can only advise to go and get Del Francos novel, since at the latest after reading »Unshapely Things« one knows why the genre is continuing to be very popular.
»Unshapely Things« is an ingenial mix of crime and fantasy story. On one hand you have got the hunt for a serial killer slaying male prostitutes, on the other hand the investigations draw the protagonists deep into the world of wizardry and magically talented beings. Del Franco skillfully mixes classic elements of both genres into a rousing story that undergoes lots of twists and bends and captivates the reader until the very end.
A special appeal lies in the interaction between dark humor and unpitying, realistic settings. Pink-winged pixies and laconic investigators are pitted against brutal murders and miserable street hustlers without much hope for a better future. The author devises an atmospherically dense picture of a metropolises run-down quarters, that you rarely get presented in such a convincing way.
Also great: the protagonists. At the head of course Connor Grey, by whose point-of-view the story is told. Del Franco confidentially creates a very likeable character, distinguished by strengths and flaws alike. Very pleasing in this context the way how the loss of Connors special abilities is integrated into the plot: Nor is the druid constantly lamenting, neither is his disablement simply ignored; it is obvious that the druid is handicapped without this topic being emphasized.
No less interesting is the supporting cast. Del Franco has gathered an illustrous ensemble, where every member is quite believable.
»Unshapely Things« is an absorbing urban-fantasy-whodunnit that will enthuse fans of classic crime stories as much as die-hard readers of fantasy. The opening volume of this new series was done brilliantly by Del Franco. I can only hope that the second Connor Grey novel is released in germany by the publishing house Otherworld very soon.
His latest case: An unknown culprit is killing male elven hookers in the Weird, a run-down Fey red-light district. The slayer cold-blooded kills his victims and cuts their hearts out afterwards. Since the Guild has no interest in some dead prostitutes, they pass the buck on to the human police and so indirectly - to Connor.
To the druid it is evident that this is more than just another serial killer. The cut-out hearts and some strange stones, vibrant with weak magic, that were found in the victims chests, indicate that the killer is a practicioner of witchcraft and prepares some kind of blood ritual. But to what end?
The investigation leads Connor and Leo Murdock, the police officer in charge, onto some ugly tracks and soon it begins to dawn on Connor that the murders are just the beginning of something way bigger...
If there is a booming fantasy subgenre at the moment besides supernatural romance or romantasy it's surely urban fantasy. Countless books of this literary genre were published especially in the US over the last years, describing the amalgamation of the real world with phantastic elements. In germany urban fantasy also shows an ascending popularity, as indicated by the increasing publication of genre novels.
Some fans of classic fantasy may probably not be able to understand the fascination of urban fantasy. In such a case one can only advise to go and get Del Francos novel, since at the latest after reading »Unshapely Things« one knows why the genre is continuing to be very popular.
»Unshapely Things« is an ingenial mix of crime and fantasy story. On one hand you have got the hunt for a serial killer slaying male prostitutes, on the other hand the investigations draw the protagonists deep into the world of wizardry and magically talented beings. Del Franco skillfully mixes classic elements of both genres into a rousing story that undergoes lots of twists and bends and captivates the reader until the very end.
A special appeal lies in the interaction between dark humor and unpitying, realistic settings. Pink-winged pixies and laconic investigators are pitted against brutal murders and miserable street hustlers without much hope for a better future. The author devises an atmospherically dense picture of a metropolises run-down quarters, that you rarely get presented in such a convincing way.
Also great: the protagonists. At the head of course Connor Grey, by whose point-of-view the story is told. Del Franco confidentially creates a very likeable character, distinguished by strengths and flaws alike. Very pleasing in this context the way how the loss of Connors special abilities is integrated into the plot: Nor is the druid constantly lamenting, neither is his disablement simply ignored; it is obvious that the druid is handicapped without this topic being emphasized.
No less interesting is the supporting cast. Del Franco has gathered an illustrous ensemble, where every member is quite believable.
»Unshapely Things« is an absorbing urban-fantasy-whodunnit that will enthuse fans of classic crime stories as much as die-hard readers of fantasy. The opening volume of this new series was done brilliantly by Del Franco. I can only hope that the second Connor Grey novel is released in germany by the publishing house Otherworld very soon.
Übersetzung ins Englische: Stefan Holzhauer
