I think I’m subconsciously on a quest for early-2000s urban fantasy mystery. After (finally) reviewing a Dresden File in December, I picked up the other ongoing magic-just-behind-the-real-world detective series, October Daye. What can I say, the heart wants what it wants, and this heart wants magical detectives doing Film Noir things. These novels by Seanan McGuire feature a San Francisco divided into Fey fiefdoms by rival fairy lords. It’s a fun, accessible mystery which blances heart and grit.
Let’s talk about it.
The Basics:
Title: Rosemary and Rue (October Daye #1)
Author: Seanan McGuire
Genre: Urban Fantasy, Mystery, Thriller
Published: Daw , 2009
Spoiler-Free Summary:
October “Toby” Daye is a changeling: a half-fairy child of two worlds very much at odds. For reasons of both tradition and necessity, she grew up in The Summer Lands, but migrated to the mortal world as a young adult. After living a very fey-centric life for several years, she has spent the past few decades largely rejecting her former life. She settled down, got married, had children, and found a steady job as a private detective which let her use her few magical tricks to make a living without being noticed by the mortal world.
Then, in one shocking moment, one case took it all away.
That’s chapter 1.
When Toby recovers from the effects of this event, she is adift. She is estranged from all of her old connections – yes, including her husband and daughter. Disappearing without a word will do that.
She is violently ripped from this dark but oddly comfortable malaise by a voicemail recording a friend’s murder, which curses her so that she must solve the case herself, or die trying. From here, Toby dodges a seemingly unending string of magical assasins which are nearly as dangerous as reunions with former toxic fey lovers. Will these efforts be enough to solve the murder of a pure-blooded fey before October suffocates with the tase of roses on her tongue?
Why This Book is For You:
Although it is shelved as a mystery, I would call this book a thriller. Clues are secondary to the next magical assassin lurking around the corner. It’s an easy read with a fast pace and just enough of a twist to pay off nicely.
Rosemary and Rue is written in a deep first-person POV with a strong, engaging voice. In any book like that, it helps to like the protagonist, or, at least, to find them interesting. The emotional turmoil of October’s recent losses and the tension of finding her place in the world is a moving journey underpinning the action of Toby’s harrowing investigation. Yes, she is a snarky detective, which many readers have seen before, but it’s well-executed. Toby is a badass, but she’s not a jerk about it.
Writing about the Fey before they became ubiquitous in a post-ACOTAR world, the setting was a fun and unique take on the magical underworld. These “fairies” are not limited to the folklore of the British isles. Any and every mythology from around the world is in play. The magic system is soft, but feels suitably limited by its mysteriousness (you can’t use what you don’t understand).
If you want an un-put-downable urban fantasy action-adventure with hutzpah and heart, check out the October Daye series opener.
Content warning: This book has some low-heat spice, with several scenes post-battle-disheveled sexiness and fade-to-black intimacy. PG-13 stuff, but consider yourself advised.
Content warning 2: Domestic abuse.
Where Can You Learn More:
McGuire is a prolific author with a substantial backlist. If you enjoy this book, feel free to peruse her website for more.
Happy reading, folks.
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