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Uncertain Allies (Connor Grey #5)

by Mark Del Franco (Goodreads Author)

3.98 of 5 stars 3.98 · rating details · 634 ratings · 55 reviews

View our feature on Mark Del Franco's Uncertain Allies.

After a night of riots and fires, the Boston neighborhood known as the Weird is in ruins. And when a body is found drained of its essence, ex-Guild investigator Connor Grey is drawn into the case against his will. And he has reason to be wary. Because the case will lead to an explosive secret that threatens to tear apa...more

Paperback, 304 pages

Published April 26th 2011 by Ace (first published March 23rd 2011)

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Nov 30, 2011 WillowBe rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: sexy-present-day-fae

It's an interesting thing: I often like his books better in their entirety than when I am reading them. i was very anxious to read the next. I am just glad I got to read U.A. right after UP. I still think, as I always have, that the real love of Connor's life is Leo. I also think that Leo should have had a sexier name than Leo- makes him sound like an old Jewish guy (not that there is anything wrong with old Jewish guy names, they're just not Romantic like Declan, or Aidan or Ronan. " Oh Morty!...more

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Nov 01, 2012 Kathy Davie rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: fantasy, urban

Fifth in the Connor Grey urban fantasy series about a druid who is re-learning about power. Based in Boston.

My Take
This one is one disaster after another with the bad guys outthinking the good guys and everyone is telling Connor how whiny he is! It's true. Admittedly, he does have a lot of negatives in his life right now.

The repercussions about Amy Sullivan/Moira Cashel are just starting to be felt. I can't begin to imagine how Gerry will feel when he finds out who she really is.

Brokke tells Con...more

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Aug 17, 2012 Dangerous Romance Book Reviews rated it 3 of 5 stars

Publishers Blurb: After a night of riots and fires, the Boston neighborhood known as the Weird is in ruins. And when a body is found drained of its essence, ex- Guild investigator Connor Grey is drawn into the case against his will. And he has reason to be wary. Because the case will lead to an explosive secret that threatens to tear apart the city-and the world.

Set in a Boston where Faery and Earth “converged” 100 years ago, Connor Grey is a Druid who has been stripped of his powers and somewha...more Publishers Blurb: After a night of riots and fires, the Boston neighborhood known as the Weird is in ruins. And when a body is found drained of its essence, ex- Guild investigator Connor Grey is drawn into the case against his will. And he has reason to be wary. Because the case will lead to an explosive secret that threatens to tear apart the city-and the world.

Set in a Boston where Faery and Earth “converged” 100 years ago, Connor Grey is a Druid who has been stripped of his powers and somewhat tossed aside by his former associates. He is no longer able to work at the Druidic headquarters, so he does favors for various authorities within the many competing political structures and there are a lot. This time around, he is trying to find out who is killing and kidnapping Fae around the city and to what purpose. Meanwhile Boston has been ravaged by riots and fires which some people blame him for, he has a dark magical mass stuck in his head with a mind of its own and his girlfriend’s been in a coma for 3 months. The Teutonic fey are going up against the Celtic Fey and the Wild Hunt may have been unloosed on the city.

I've been reading this series for years and there is a lot in this book that is predicated on knowing what has happened in the last books. The world building and the various power structures are really complex. While Del Franco tries to catch the reader up, if you were coming in mid series it would be tough to know all the political shenanigans goin’ on. There is more action happening in the various leaders greeting rooms than anywhere else and I think that might have detracted a little bit. I don’t need a nonstop action book but I felt the political wrangling may have overshadowed action that could have been a bit more prominent in the story line. The action scene at the end was very spectacular, however. I do wish the author would cut down on use of the word "Essence" just a little bit. Essence is basically a Fey's life force or magic and while it is important to the story I found it started jarring me out of the book when I'd read the word 4-5 times in one paragraph.

On the other hand, the book has incredible world building. There are layers and layers of it, and the political wrangling is incredibly detailed and well thought out. You really never know what is going to happen next and that is its own action and excitement. Who is going to screw who over and why keeps you guessing.

For those who prefer a male protagonist, this series is for you. Connor Grey isn’t filled with self-loathing despite the fact there are many people out there who loath him. He’s a very steady customer and he may not have his druidic powers but he does know every power broker in town. He has some uncertain allies but he also has his core group of friends that he can trust and who trust him. For someone who is supposedly on the outer edges of accepted society he spends a lot of time advising, arguing with and or fighting the powers that be, while he tries to solve a mystery and possibly stop a war. Whatever is going on magically in "the weird" or in the assembly halls of the elite, you can bet Connor Grey has something to do with it. Now if he can just keep that black mass in his head from taking over and using him as a conduit to blow more of the city up.
(less)

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Mar 05, 2012 James rated it 4 of 5 stars

Wow, I read that fast.

Coming off of the back of a book that was as great as Uncertain Allies's predecessor was always going to be a hard job, but credit to Del Franco, this was a very good and almost successful continuation of that high level of skill. Four Stars

Where this book fell down though was the length it took to get started. Unperfect Souls was the same, but managed to pick up pace a lot sooner and with a lot more speed. This one took its time and while it eventually got up to the pace...more Wow, I read that fast.

Coming off of the back of a book that was as great as Uncertain Allies's predecessor was always going to be a hard job, but credit to Del Franco, this was a very good and almost successful continuation of that high level of skill. Four Stars

Where this book fell down though was the length it took to get started. Unperfect Souls was the same, but managed to pick up pace a lot sooner and with a lot more speed. This one took its time and while it eventually got up to the pace of its predecessor - leading to an amazing finale - it just lacked the overall sustained quality that made Unperfect Souls five stars.

Now, I don't like to talk about plots much, but I will boil this down. Whereas the first two, maybe three, books were more localised to the whole fey investigative procedural this series has become progressively more big picture, with this one going supernova on that scale (view spoiler). I almost feel worried about this as it really only leaves two options open for the series. A) It builds and builds and comes to a great conclusion (And while this would end the series, it is my preference), or B) Del Franco keeps on churning them out with the content becoming more and more off the charts and eventually boring, over-recycled and annoying (which would mean this great series flickers out of existence as more and more readers give up on it, leaving the series with a bad reputation).

Yeah, I know, all doom and gloom. But how much bigger can Del Franco take it before he warps all that is good about the series? Yeah, you see the problem now [I hope].

Oh, and as for the usual bits I put here? Well, characters: pretty much awesome, amazing, complex people who exist in your mind as real people after a while. Really, all I can say here is what I have said constantly in all my other reviews; seriously, if you are reading this review then you've probably read some of the previous books so know where I am coming from.

The writing? Not as good as the previous book [yet another reason this doesn't make five stars], but it is certainly more than fit for purpose. It tells the tale excellently and is certainly some of the best writing in a genre that, let's face it, is pretty lax on the writing skill requirements.

So should you read this? Well, duh. You should read the whole damned series, it is frigging amazing. Just read it and you will see - I mean, look around, can you see a single negative review? [at the time of writing this] I cant!

Have Fun Reading. (less)

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Aug 08, 2011 Jaime rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: urban-fantasy

I really enjoy this series, but it also frustrates me. I could not put this book down, but still felt like the series hadn't made much progress after finishing it. I did feel that all the chess pieces are finally in position for the end game. Sometimes authors get too caught up in multi-book plot arcs, such as Connor's still mysterious black mass. In this book, Connor does finally get an answer of sorts, but it's wrapped up in existential technobable. The Wheel of the World turns, but evidently...more

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Jun 09, 2011 Roberta rated it 4 of 5 stars Recommends it for: Jim Butcher fans

Shelves: paranormal

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here.

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Jun 11, 2012 Cheryl rated it 5 of 5 stars

4½ stars - Uncertain Allies picks up about three months following the events that occurred at the end of Unperfect Souls which resulted in rioting and half of the Weird burning to the ground. Meryl is still in a trance like state, Eorla has become the leader of the solitary fey and is protecting Connor as best she can, the Murdocks, all except for Leo, pretty much hate and blame him for the death of their father and for what happened between Connor and their mother, even though he was as duped b...more 4½ stars - Uncertain Allies picks up about three months following the events that occurred at the end of Unperfect Souls which resulted in rioting and half of the Weird burning to the ground. Meryl is still in a trance like state, Eorla has become the leader of the solitary fey and is protecting Connor as best she can, the Murdocks, all except for Leo, pretty much hate and blame him for the death of their father and for what happened between Connor and their mother, even though he was as duped by her as everyone else.

Meanwhile, Connor and Leo start working together again because people in the Weird, specifically around the Tangle, an area that’s shady even by Weird standards, were disappearing, and those disappearances are followed by a bizarre blue light sweeping through the area. The acting Guildmaster, Ryan macGoren, among others, is still trying to nail Connor and, as usual, Connor still wants to try and get the terrorist Bergin Vize. All the while, the black mass in Connor’s head is making him want to do things he knows are questionable, at best.

I really liked Uncertain Allies. I thought the plot was good and there were a few little twists and turns in the story. A lot of the secondary characters like Briallen, Eorla, Ceridwen, Shay and Joe make appearances. Leo is my second favorite character, (behind Connor) and Joe’s nipping at his heels. I love how loyal both guys are and Leo is just a great character. I like the direction Del Franco has taken the Murdocks in and look forward to seeing what occurs in Undone Deeds. I like Meryl, though because of her situation her role is different in this book. Regarding Meryl,(view spoiler).

I recently found out that the next book is the last in the series, and I really hope that Del Franco believes in happy endings and doesn’t start wiping characters out because it’s the end of the series. Having said that, I can’t wait to see what happens with all of the characters, particularly Leo, Meryl and especially Connor because of the events that happened with him at the end of this book.(less)

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May 21, 2011 April Steenburgh rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: fantasy

Flashes of blue light lead to people vanishing in the Weird, the Wild Hunt rides, tension is high between the Celtic and Teutonic Courts, and of course magically crippled Connor Grey is right in the middle of it all, attracting the attention of far too many people with far too much power.

My first thought on finishing this book was that the series could end here and I would be happy. All the little changes Connor has gone through as the series progressed came to a head in this book. This was the...more

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Apr 25, 2011 All Things Urban Fantasy rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: reviewed-by-abigail

Review courtesy of All Things Urban Fantasy

Boston’s Weird is the setting for the latest Connor Grey urban fantasy featuring the former Guild investigator who lost his Druid powers and now ‘does favors’, as he puts it. It was instant love for me when I read about the magic wreaked city populated with shunned Fey including trolls, elves, and all types of Irish and German fairies. All of whom are fully integrated into the human world since the Convergence more than a century ago. It’s the kind of r...more Review courtesy of All Things Urban Fantasy

Boston’s Weird is the setting for the latest Connor Grey urban fantasy featuring the former Guild investigator who lost his Druid powers and now ‘does favors’, as he puts it. It was instant love for me when I read about the magic wreaked city populated with shunned Fey including trolls, elves, and all types of Irish and German fairies. All of whom are fully integrated into the human world since the Convergence more than a century ago. It’s the kind of rich and dense world that urban fantasy junkies live for, and in this case, it softened the blow of a few shortcomings.

One of the bigger shortcomings was the action scenes, or lack there of. Even the showdown at the ending of UNCERTAIN ALLIES is about as action free as I’ve ever read in an urban fantasy. That’s really indicative of the type of character Connor Grey is. He’s not a fighter. He’d be willing to take up arms if the situation called for it, but he prefers to think his way out of tough situations. And not a lot ruffles him. He doesn’t have any real high or low emotional swings. He’s the definition of an even-keeled, easy going guy. In reality, you need those kind of people, in fiction, they can be a bit boring.

In addition to steady-as-a-rock Connor, the supporting cast is huge. So much so that I had a hard time keeping track of who was who. That confusion wasn’t helped by the fact that apart from Connor’s semi girlfriend Meryl, they didn’t really distinguish themselves. That could be due to the fact that I haven’t read the previous books, but even still.

Del Franco does do an amazing job of bringing new readers up to speed on the previous installments of the Connor Grey series in a nice concise opening and then continues to drop little reminders throughout UNCERTAIN ALLIES as to the significance or history whenever new characters popped up. Given the density of the worldbuilding, which again was excellent, I can see both old and new readers appreciating this.
Overall all, Connor Grey is a laid back guy with a lot of guilt who accepts the knocks he’s taken in life as his due and doesn’t complain. And that’s basically how UNCERTAIN ALLIES feels as a book. It’s a steady, solid read set in a very intriguing world with plenty of mystery in lieu of the usual urban fantasy adrenaline.

Sexual Content:
Kissing. References to homosexuality.(less)

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Bastard Connor Grey series is currently one of my favorite UF, although at the beginning I found it a bit underwhelming. Books 2-4, particularly #3 are the be...more
May 06, 2011 04:33pm

All Things Urban Fantasy Bastard wrote: "Connor Grey series is currently one of my favorite UF, although at the beginning I found it a bit underwhelming. Books 2-4, particular...more
May 06, 2011 04:42pm

Mar 04, 2013 Gregory Litchfield rated it 4 of 5 stars

What I liked best about Uncertain Allies was how the events of the past four books in the series all start to come together in this fifth novel! Connor Grey is once again dragged into Fey power struggles, having to rely on his wits and some of his magic welding friends. My naming my favorite of these characters’ reemergence would spoil it, so I’ll only say that one of Connor’s best friends becomes one of his mightiest allies as well.

It can get a little confusing at times keeping track of all the...more

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Aug 17, 2011 Kati rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: 2011, ebooks, het, in-english, urban-fantasy

4.5 stars. 5 books in and this is still my most favorite urban fantasy series ever! The stories always feel intimate and cozy, yet they are huge and epic at the same time, too, and Connor, always at the center of whatever is happening, keeps changing the world time and time again. And this time, he goes against Donor Elfenkonig, the Elven King, himself! All the usual suspects are present too, of course: Briallen, Meryl, Murdock, Joe, Shay, Uno... And as always, Connor kicks major ass - unintenti...more

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Sep 25, 2011 Hali Sowle rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: mark-del-franco, connor-grey, boston, fey, urban-fantasy, elves, fantasy, kindle

Another solid outing in the Connor Grey series, but I just wish that poor Connor could catch a break. This time it seems like everyone is out to get him, of course, what's new with that? but it's more malevolent than normal because even his friends need to pull back some else be tainted by association with him. Somethings draining the fey in Boston and someone or someones want to start a war and of course Connor is smack dab in the middle. I was not overly fond of the cliff-hanger ending but tha...more

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May 07, 2011 Lorelei rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: urban-fantasy

Not the most original in the genre, but certainly one of the better written. This series is rich with detail and well-rounded characters.

The plotting is a little convoluted and could have done with a tidy-up, but really I just love visiting this world and these characters time and gain.

I read a lot of authors and don't watch for too many, but Mark del Franco is one that I watch for. He has a great way of seeing the world and a sharp sense of humanity that I love. Now I have to wait a year for...more

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Jan 29, 2012 Ami rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: urban-fantasy-with-male-protagonist

3.5 stars
People are missing in the Weird and a strange blue light marked their disappearance. Connor Grey, an ex-Guild as well as ex-independent consultant for Boston Police has been asked for help by Eorla to look into it. Then conspiracies are revealed, friends becomes enemies and vice versa, and all Connor is trying to do is to make things right.

One thing, the book might be lack of action ... it is more of Connor investigating the disappearance of the people, while trying to control the dark...more

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Jun 10, 2011 Shelley aka Gizmo's Reviews rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: 2011-releases, fantasy

Rating: 3.0 - Like the rest of the series, the last 100 pages made the story for me.
Genre: Urban Fantasy

Uncertain Allies is the fifth book in the Conner Grey series by Mark Del Franco. It tells the story of Connor Grey a druid who once was a hot shot investigator for the Guildhouse, but now gets by as a part time investigator for the Boston PD because of his knowledge of the Fey and on disability payments. He lives in the Weird which is a decrepit Boston neighborhood where shunned Fey and other...more

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Jun 25, 2012 Robin rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: mark-del-franco, connor-gray

This is the fifth book from Mark Del Fanco in the Connor Gray series. This is a good series. Not my usual fare. It's straight up Urban Fantasy with a touch, just a touch of romance.
Well written with secondary characters that are every bit of engaging as the mains. The plots are easy to follow but not fluff. I'm continually surprised by the events in the books and that doesn't happen often. Will certainly continue with this series.

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Jan 16, 2013 Sandra rated it 5 of 5 stars

I liked this one, a lot. My one complaint would be that there are so many wheels within wheels, it's hard to keep them straight, just who's got Connor's back, and who he doesn't dare turn his back on. You need a score card with little markers you can move back and forth. And I still don't really grasp why everything is always Connor's fault, no matter which side is doing the pissing and moaning.

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Jun 08, 2011 Barbara rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: sf-f-goodies

I don't even want to try to do a synopsis of this book...So I won't.
But I really liked it and it sure did up the tension that has been building throughout the series. I am not sure this book would make sense to anyone who had not read the earlier books.
This series just gets darker and darker. I hope the author has plans to wrap this up soon--I can't take the tension.

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May 29, 2011 Sarah rated it 2 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: urban-fantasy

The plot of this book is not bad, although it does disturbingly little to move the series forward at all - it just sort of nudges it forward in a little baby step. It nudges it forward in a little mess of political plots and a promise of more nightmares to come, so thats something at least.

What is so bloody frustrating - and what ultimately bogs the book down - is that the author by now has created a huge backstory, and yet assumes that many a reader will be jumping in to the series at this poi...more

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Aug 04, 2011 Nocturne Romance Reads rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: paranormal

It hooked me completely with the trash can of characters that are running rampant. Trolls? Check. Elves? Check. Fairies? How about Irish AND German fairies? Double check. I’m telling you, I absolutely loved it!

Read the full review by Kelly
http://nocturnereads.com/Uncertain-Al...

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Mar 09, 2013 Anita rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: urban-fantasy, paranormal-mystery, fairy-tale

This is the 5th Connor Grey novel, and he's still a prick. A self-righteous, sometimes likeably self-deprecating, ass. What idiot walks up to a king and threatens him? Connor, that's who. Karma is actually pretty good to Connor given what he brings down on himself.

This story is so complicated, I barely know where to begin. For the first half of the book Meryl is in a coma and someone is killing old dwarves, and it seems to be tied to a blue light. Somehow the plot twists around from that fairly...more

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May 24, 2011 Cyn Bagley rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: urban-fantasy

Mark Del Franco is one of my favorite writers because he combines mystery with the paranormal. Although Connor Grey is not a detective, he reminds me of earlier hard-boiled detective novels like Raymond Chandler.

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May 11, 2013 Pat rated it 4 of 5 stars

Ok, this is in the middle of a very convolusted, intense gritty dark world that is very well written. I read the last book before i back tracked to the earlier ones, and it has a good twist at the end of the series.

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Feb 19, 2012 Val rated it 4 of 5 stars

Further adventures of druid Connor Grey. We get to meet the Elven King and he's pretty much as obsessed with battle as is the Fairy Queen. And Connor, of course, is in the middle. A very enjoyable series.

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Jul 13, 2011 April rated it 4 of 5 stars

3.5 stars, rounded up.

All in all a good story. There was a long slog to the actual happenings of the book but it wasn't enough to make me put the book down and read something else for a bit. I thought it would be for a while but it wasn't.

What gets me is that even as a decent character, he tends to just wander around and annoy people until something happens and no matter where he is he can't help trying to annoy people. I suppose that is just who he is, but it doesn't really make me like him all...more

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Jun 13, 2011 Dan rated it 3 of 5 stars

I'm still enjoying the writing, but I'm getting very tired of vague prophecies, and especially of plot artifacts that behave according to the unknowable Will Of The Author.

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Dec 21, 2011 orannia rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: urban-fantasy

I really want the next book. Weirdly, I'm more intrigued to know what will happen with Leo & Kevin (and their druid talent) than the overall plot ATM...although I love where the overall plot is going :)

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Apr 30, 2011 Mark Stratton rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: fantasy

More introspective than previous entries in the series, far more character driven, more of a bridge novel in the overall scheme of things. enjoyable, and Grey shows quite a bit of growth.

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May 29, 2011 Darcy rated it 2 of 5 stars

Shelves: 2011, uf, fae

I feel like this book was filler, it seemed to tie up past story lines, but the focus was fey politics which caused most of the book to be quite boring. We did get a very small glimpse more of Murdock's family, I have a feeling there will be lots more there to learn and will have an impact later. Connor faced his nemesis and at this point we aren't really sure if he came out on top or not, but things sure have changed for him. It will be interesting to just what those changes bring.

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Oct 12, 2012 Emy rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: 2012

More awesome - I love Connor because he makes sense to me... He's petulant, childish and yet still cool :P In this one, I thought his relationship with Meryl was beautifully written. It struck me that the author has done a great job of a relationship where the genders are not actually important. It is clear that they both do and have done the deed but by not dwelling overly on the physical aspects, the question of who possesses which bits becomes less important than the way in which the interact...more

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About Mark Del Franco

Mark Del Franco's first novel UNSHAPELY THINGS was published in 2007 by Ace Books. That title began the urban fantasy series featuring Connor Grey and continues in UNQUIET DREAMS (2008) and UNFALLEN DEAD (2009). In July 2009, a new series featuring Guild agent Laura Blackstone will begin with SKIN DEEP.

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Uncertain Allies (Connor Grey #5)

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