Part of October Daye
First published 2010
October "Toby" Daye receives what appears to be routine assignment from her liege. Duke Sylvester of the Shadowed Hills has lost contact with his niece, Countess January O'Leary, who rules the County of Tamed Lightning in Fremont, California. He sends his changeling knight to check on her welfare. Toby possesses blood magic inherited from her fae mother Amandine, allowing her to taste memories and experiences through blood. She earned her knighthood as the only changeling to achieve such status, proving herself daily through dangerous missions. Upon arriving in January's domain, Toby discovers a string of murders targeting people in the Countess's inner circle. The County of Tamed Lightning sits strategically between Sylvester's territory and a hostile rival duchy, making the killings politically explosive. Toby must identify the murderer before more victims fall. Her investigation grows increasingly perilous as she realizes she may be the next target. The case tests both her magical abilities and her survival instincts in the treacherous world of Faerie politics.
Genres: adventure, mystery, fantasy, adult-fiction, urban-fantasy
Vibes: atmospheric, dark, fast-paced, gritty, suspenseful
Tropes: found-family, investigation, magical-abilities, political-intrigue
Setting: Shadowed Hills, County of Tamed Lightning, Fremont, California, Faerie
377 pages · Mass Market Paperback · DAW
Content warnings: murder, violence