First published 2025
Holland St. James sits in Folklore 517 inside an old movie theater, listening to the Professor spin tales of local legends. While her classmates dismiss these stories as fiction, Holland believes magic exists. She seeks out the Watch Man, a figure from local lore who reveals when people will die. He delivers shocking news: Holland will die at midnight tomorrow unless she locates an ancient artifact called the Alchemical Heart. The countdown begins, pulling Holland into a hidden magical world within Los Angeles. A mysterious stranger appears, claiming her sister sent him as protection. Holland feels drawn to him despite her instincts screaming danger. Together they follow clues toward the Alchemical Heart, but Holland discovers that everyone in this intoxicating realm deceives her, including her supposed protector. With time running out, she must determine who deserves her trust. Without allies, even finding the Alchemical Heart may not save her life.
Genres: mystery, fantasy, alchemy, paranormal
Vibes: atmospheric, fast-paced, suspenseful
Tropes: enemies-to-lovers, found-family, unreliable-narrator
Setting: Folklore 517, Los Angeles
324 pages · Hardcover · Flatiron Books