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Connor Grey #3
Unfallen Dead
For a century since the Convergence of Faerie and modern reality, the Ways between this world and the next have been closed. But now signs point to the chance that the veil may lift again.
Connor Grey has enough problems with a vengeful Queen of Faerie and the return of his old Guild partner. Add an occult string of murders, and it?s another case that just may kill him.
Connor Grey has enough problems with a vengeful Queen of Faerie and the return of his old Guild partner. Add an occult string of murders, and it?s another case that just may kill him.
309 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published January 21, 2009
10 people are currently reading
821 people want to read
About the author
Mark Del Franco
13 books365 followersCATHARGO (2016) is Mark Del Franco's latest fantasy novel, an alternative history where chance and coincidence set the stage for an entire continent to be plunged into war over the use of magic.
WHIRLWIND (2014)is Mark Del Franco's first young adult novel, an urban fantasy featuring teens with elemental powers.
Mark is the author of the adult urban fantasy Connor Grey books. The best order to read the series is:
UNSHAPELY THINGS
UNQUIET DREAMS
UNFALLEN DEAD
UNPERFECT SOULS
UNCERTAIN ALLIES
UNDONE DEEDS
The Laura Blackstone urban fantasy books, also set in the Convergent World, are
SKIN DEEP and FACE OFF.
Mark Del Franco lives with his partner, Jack, in Boston, Massachusetts, where the orchids Just Won't Die.
WHIRLWIND (2014)is Mark Del Franco's first young adult novel, an urban fantasy featuring teens with elemental powers.
Mark is the author of the adult urban fantasy Connor Grey books. The best order to read the series is:
UNSHAPELY THINGS
UNQUIET DREAMS
UNFALLEN DEAD
UNPERFECT SOULS
UNCERTAIN ALLIES
UNDONE DEEDS
The Laura Blackstone urban fantasy books, also set in the Convergent World, are
SKIN DEEP and FACE OFF.
Mark Del Franco lives with his partner, Jack, in Boston, Massachusetts, where the orchids Just Won't Die.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 83 reviews
April 12, 2010
For a full review, check the Bitten by Books website: http://www.bittenbybooks.com/
January 6, 2016
As usual, the book starts a little slowly but the pace increases soon and by halfway through, I couldn't put it down. I love Connor. I love how del Marco is able to show me Connor's deepest feelings with very little telling. I love how equal the genders are. I love Meryl and I know why Connor cares about her. (Frequently in UF, I have no idea why the main chars are attracted to one another.) I feel Connors confused emotions around just about everything in the story. I love that he stands up and is snarky when he wants to be and feels pushed and not just any time he is angry and annoyed.
I love how in each book he find himself in a situation or two where he's being his old self-absorbed self and that when he realizes it, he feels like crap. I love how in each book there is something that wiggles into his head and allows him to think for awhile about going back to the old job and that maybe it would be okay. If he had changed 100%, it would be too unbelievable. This Connor, who is struggling to be the good man who's come to the surface while being caught by moments if his former self, is real to me. I also love how in this book we hear about the good man he was before he lost his abilities despite being an arrogant ass.
I also really like how del Marco usually recognizes that his readers are smart and knowledgeable about fae things and what they don't know they'll look up or figure out. So he doesn't go into long descriptive passages about what Ogham runes are (unlike the previous book I read) nor does he have the protagonist be ignorant in order to make the reader feel better. Connor is a Druid raised by fae and he would and does know what Ogham runes are.
I just love Connor Grey. If del Marco would just get into it faster (and bring a gay character permanently into the storyline) these would easily be 5 star books for me.
Just don't look at the covers. The guy on the cover looks too old for a Druid Conner's age: they live much longer and their bodies age more slowly. Plus, Connor's way cuter than that. ;)
I love how in each book he find himself in a situation or two where he's being his old self-absorbed self and that when he realizes it, he feels like crap. I love how in each book there is something that wiggles into his head and allows him to think for awhile about going back to the old job and that maybe it would be okay. If he had changed 100%, it would be too unbelievable. This Connor, who is struggling to be the good man who's come to the surface while being caught by moments if his former self, is real to me. I also love how in this book we hear about the good man he was before he lost his abilities despite being an arrogant ass.
I also really like how del Marco usually recognizes that his readers are smart and knowledgeable about fae things and what they don't know they'll look up or figure out. So he doesn't go into long descriptive passages about what Ogham runes are (unlike the previous book I read) nor does he have the protagonist be ignorant in order to make the reader feel better. Connor is a Druid raised by fae and he would and does know what Ogham runes are.
I just love Connor Grey. If del Marco would just get into it faster (and bring a gay character permanently into the storyline) these would easily be 5 star books for me.
Just don't look at the covers. The guy on the cover looks too old for a Druid Conner's age: they live much longer and their bodies age more slowly. Plus, Connor's way cuter than that. ;)
February 14, 2009
It's not bad enough that Connor Grey lost all his hair while averting a rather massive magical disaster, now he has to account for it too! Too bad that the dark matter lodged in his brain blocking his druidic abilities also seems to be causing him to forget spans of time with major magical happenings. And did I mention the loss of his locks (front cover not indicative of the plight the poor boy must be enduring)?
Connor remains an engaging detective amid the urban fantasy scene, kindling sympathy while also revealing the shades of when he was a total jerk for which he now is forced to rectify his previous errors of tact. A new nemesis/ally from Connor's past brings to light that he often did not fall on the side of the holiest of good boys. However, the best perpetrator of Connor-eats-humble-pie is his interest d'amour Meryl, druidess of the changing hair colors and wearer of big boots. She dishes out lots of karmic payback to our detective, one might, rather should say, gleefully and with vigorous vindication. Plus, she gets lobster out of the whole deal.
The magical mayhem and mystery deepens, the webs of connectedness reveal more strands, and Joe the Flit drinks a shitload and belches Oreos. Wrap all this up on the eve of the new year (the pagan one, not the Judeo-Christian one) at Samhain when an event that hasn't been seen since the Convergence seems likely to take place, and you've got another package full of exciting fantasy. Despite the numerous times I wanted to bop Connor on the head and say "it's a ghost stupid head" or "forget the woman and take a horizontal detour down memory lane with the couture crimson sweater boy," Del Franco delivers another in what I hope will be a long running series to rival Butcher.
Connor remains an engaging detective amid the urban fantasy scene, kindling sympathy while also revealing the shades of when he was a total jerk for which he now is forced to rectify his previous errors of tact. A new nemesis/ally from Connor's past brings to light that he often did not fall on the side of the holiest of good boys. However, the best perpetrator of Connor-eats-humble-pie is his interest d'amour Meryl, druidess of the changing hair colors and wearer of big boots. She dishes out lots of karmic payback to our detective, one might, rather should say, gleefully and with vigorous vindication. Plus, she gets lobster out of the whole deal.
The magical mayhem and mystery deepens, the webs of connectedness reveal more strands, and Joe the Flit drinks a shitload and belches Oreos. Wrap all this up on the eve of the new year (the pagan one, not the Judeo-Christian one) at Samhain when an event that hasn't been seen since the Convergence seems likely to take place, and you've got another package full of exciting fantasy. Despite the numerous times I wanted to bop Connor on the head and say "it's a ghost stupid head" or "forget the woman and take a horizontal detour down memory lane with the couture crimson sweater boy," Del Franco delivers another in what I hope will be a long running series to rival Butcher.
February 20, 2016
I found the parts of the plot involving the magical spear to be the most interesting, especially when all hell was breaking loose for the last 60 pages of the book.
The political machinations seem very murky, and I have trouble figuring out what the implications are. However, I’m still curious where all the strangeness is going to take Connor.
The political machinations seem very murky, and I have trouble figuring out what the implications are. However, I’m still curious where all the strangeness is going to take Connor.
June 3, 2013
Another good installment in the Connor Grey series. Like orannia, I didn't think the romantic relationship added anything to the story.
February 20, 2024
Once again, it had been years since I read the previous book and I remembered pretty much nothing whatsoever about this series and its characters - but as soon as I started reading, I was drawn right back in. Fastpaced with loads of action, just the way I like my Urban Fantasy. Maybe this time I'll actually manage to continue with these before I forget everything again?
November 5, 2021
4.5 Stars - definitely the best of the series. It's picking up.
October 15, 2010
In the third book of the series, damaged druid Connor Grey finds himself juggling between: a series of investigation by the representative of High Queen Maeve about the events that happened in Forest Hill (the previous book), a moving forward of his relationship with researcher extraordinaire Meryl Dian, a blast from the past in form of his former partner in New York, Dylan macBain, and a look into a couple of murders with his friend Murdock that seems to somehow linked into a plan to attack Tara during Samhain celebration, when the Dead can walk into the human world.
--
My, My, I start to love this series VERY MUCH!! In a world of UF, where the only male protagonist I read that clearly rules is Harry Dresden, I find Connor Grey as a great addition. He might not have Dresden's witty sarcasm remarks but I love Connor's voice as well. I love how he still struggles with his damaged condition, after losing all of his abilities -- except for sensing essence -- as well as being not respective towards the authority :). I love his roundabout friends: Meryl, Joe, and Murdock.
In this stories, we see more progress on Connor's dark mass that resides on his head and what it can do. It seems like the dark mass gives Connor's new abilities -- and I feel there are more to it than just dampening his other abilities. There is also a new development in Murdock's power, I think he is no longer just plain human. He must have developed some kind of stronger essence. AND that oreo-loving flit, Joe, adds the humor sense to the whole story with his attitude, especially when he's drunk (he's so cute!)
The climax of this book, when Connor and his company try to stop the attack to Tara as well as stopping the Dead from flocking Boston makes me glue to the story. It's heartpumping action and there is one scene that just makes me say to myself, "No, THAT does NOT happen!".
I can't WAIT to start reading book #4.
--
My, My, I start to love this series VERY MUCH!! In a world of UF, where the only male protagonist I read that clearly rules is Harry Dresden, I find Connor Grey as a great addition. He might not have Dresden's witty sarcasm remarks but I love Connor's voice as well. I love how he still struggles with his damaged condition, after losing all of his abilities -- except for sensing essence -- as well as being not respective towards the authority :). I love his roundabout friends: Meryl, Joe, and Murdock.
In this stories, we see more progress on Connor's dark mass that resides on his head and what it can do. It seems like the dark mass gives Connor's new abilities -- and I feel there are more to it than just dampening his other abilities. There is also a new development in Murdock's power, I think he is no longer just plain human. He must have developed some kind of stronger essence. AND that oreo-loving flit, Joe, adds the humor sense to the whole story with his attitude, especially when he's drunk (he's so cute!)
The climax of this book, when Connor and his company try to stop the attack to Tara as well as stopping the Dead from flocking Boston makes me glue to the story. It's heartpumping action and there is one scene that just makes me say to myself, "No, THAT does NOT happen!".
I can't WAIT to start reading book #4.
December 31, 2009
won on first reads. :D
Connor Grey has gotten out of a lot of tough spots, and now the mage's guild wants him to account for his latest transgression. He lost his memory when the taint was released at the graveyard, and even though he's told that to the guild they don't believe him. They send underqueen Ceridwen with a spear that makes those it is focused on tell the truth so that she can investigate the situation.
Also the darkness in his head is changing. Making his ability to sense essences even stronger.
And with all of this going on in his life, he is still working with the Boston P.D. in order to solve seemingly completely random murders that are the work of a druidess. She steels their essence and then carves runes on the victims forehead.
As Grey tries to solve the murders and get the guild to believe that he isn't part of some conspiracy both of these problems turn out to be connected. And with the help of his maybe girlfriend, his old friend from New York, and his old mentors Connor tries to find a way to keep the taint that has settled over the weird from turning all things to hell.
The first one was great, but this was defiantly better. It moved faster, and I couldn't put the book down. The battle especially at the end really held my attention.
Connor Grey has gotten out of a lot of tough spots, and now the mage's guild wants him to account for his latest transgression. He lost his memory when the taint was released at the graveyard, and even though he's told that to the guild they don't believe him. They send underqueen Ceridwen with a spear that makes those it is focused on tell the truth so that she can investigate the situation.
Also the darkness in his head is changing. Making his ability to sense essences even stronger.
And with all of this going on in his life, he is still working with the Boston P.D. in order to solve seemingly completely random murders that are the work of a druidess. She steels their essence and then carves runes on the victims forehead.
As Grey tries to solve the murders and get the guild to believe that he isn't part of some conspiracy both of these problems turn out to be connected. And with the help of his maybe girlfriend, his old friend from New York, and his old mentors Connor tries to find a way to keep the taint that has settled over the weird from turning all things to hell.
The first one was great, but this was defiantly better. It moved faster, and I couldn't put the book down. The battle especially at the end really held my attention.
December 31, 2009
This is a really terrific series. It's primarily a PI mystery/police procedural style combined with urban fantasy. Connon is far from perfect, which makes him much more interesting. The system of magic is absolutely consistent and feels very real and logical. The politics and social interactions are substantive and rich. The author weaves each layer of the current mystery into the continuing mystery of Connor's past with care and skill. And the supporting characters are fully-fleshed and jump off the page. I'm really impressed with Mark Del Franco and look forward to reading many more of his novels.
October 28, 2015
The 3rd book in the Connor Grey series - and it was so good. I couldn't put it down! It had everything that I love about urban fantasy stories: compelling characters, a murder mystery, rich supernatural world... I loved the new characters - especially Dylan - and all the revelations about the black mass in Connor's head. Murdock was his usual awesome self. Meryl kicked ass, literally this time. Joe was drunk and crazy. Good times!
Mark Del Franco is getting better and better with every book that he writes and he definitely belongs to my favorite urban fantasy authors!
Mark Del Franco is getting better and better with every book that he writes and he definitely belongs to my favorite urban fantasy authors!
February 16, 2010
Unfallen Dead is a good strong installment in the Connor Grey novels by Mark Del Franco, advancing the storyline not only for the world at large, but also for the story arc about what happened to Connor to disable his druid abilities. More specifically, we've got ourselves a story where the Convergence, the great merging of the human and Faerie worlds a hundred years or so back, seems to be finally reversing itself. But Connor's got his own issues; an underQueen of the Seelie Court is bent on interrogating him and Meryl Dian about the events at the tail end of the last story. And furthermore, Connor's old Guild partner from New York, Dylan macBain, has shown up in town to fill in for Keeva macNeve, suspended from duty because of those same questionable events.
And just to add insult to injury, Dylan's even got Connor's old office.
It's nice to be far enough along in the series arc at this point that we're past Connor's initial wave of resentment about his disability, and are moving on to him figuring out what it is and how to conquer it. There are events in the last act of this story that raise all sorts of interesting questions about what exactly happened to Connor, especially given how his nemesis Bergin Vize finally shows up on camera--in a state that Connor does not expect at all. But that's only part of what he has to deal with from Vize, given that that elf's bent on taking out the Seelie Court. Meanwhile, another fey is killing people and framing Meryl for the crime, giving Connor yet another challenge to juggle.
Good strong story over all and I'm looking forward to diving right into Book Four, now that it's out. Four stars.
And just to add insult to injury, Dylan's even got Connor's old office.
It's nice to be far enough along in the series arc at this point that we're past Connor's initial wave of resentment about his disability, and are moving on to him figuring out what it is and how to conquer it. There are events in the last act of this story that raise all sorts of interesting questions about what exactly happened to Connor, especially given how his nemesis Bergin Vize finally shows up on camera--in a state that Connor does not expect at all. But that's only part of what he has to deal with from Vize, given that that elf's bent on taking out the Seelie Court. Meanwhile, another fey is killing people and framing Meryl for the crime, giving Connor yet another challenge to juggle.
Good strong story over all and I'm looking forward to diving right into Book Four, now that it's out. Four stars.
May 25, 2011
...The more I think about the ending, the less sense it makes.
I think part of the problem is that I don't actually believe the elves and fairies are a dangerous world power. I mean, yes they have illusion magic, and yes they'd win a fistfight, but their secret weakness is that they can be killed by bullets. Bullets! Yes! If only humans had some sort of bullet-shooting device.
Anyway,
I think part of the problem is that I don't actually believe the elves and fairies are a dangerous world power. I mean, yes they have illusion magic, and yes they'd win a fistfight, but their secret weakness is that they can be killed by bullets. Bullets! Yes! If only humans had some sort of bullet-shooting device.
Anyway,
March 21, 2011
The black mass in Connor's head is getting bigger as Samhain approaches and the Veil thins. There are portals opening all over the place, the Seelie Court is playing politics with its typical array of strong, awesome female characters and Connor's ex-partner Dylan shows up. Swoon. (Also Murdock is a semi-fey super-hero now and that can only be COOL.)
Officially my favorite urban fantasy series. Del Franco's world is so detailed, so utterly fascinating, that having a flawed but trying-hard protagonist who actually acts like a grown up seems like an embarrassment of riches. I love this.
Officially my favorite urban fantasy series. Del Franco's world is so detailed, so utterly fascinating, that having a flawed but trying-hard protagonist who actually acts like a grown up seems like an embarrassment of riches. I love this.
January 8, 2011
I'm really growing fond of this series. It's an urban fantasy ideally suited to those on Harry Dresden withdrawl. The premise is that Connor Grey used to work for the magic police, but he lost most his power in an accident/attack and now consults for the Boston PD. Somehow, though, he ends up saving the day in a spectacular way in each book. This time, he closes the veil between the land of the dead and Boston on Halloween as some bad guys are trying to sneak through. If you read this series, do it in order - it builds a lot from book to book.
April 27, 2009
Del Franco is getting better the more he writes. Connor's abilities are not that of just a low-powered druid any more. He has some other new abilities discussed in the book, and he has to deal with questions from the High Queen herself.
The best thing about this series is that it has story arcs. Each novel has a plot, but there is an overarching plot that continues throughout the series.
If you like Jim Butcher, I think you'll like this series.
The best thing about this series is that it has story arcs. Each novel has a plot, but there is an overarching plot that continues throughout the series.
If you like Jim Butcher, I think you'll like this series.
February 16, 2009
And herein we get to learn a little more about the thing in his head, the relationships develop further, and we get more of a peek into the higher eschelons of the fairy world. Had at least one moment of "oh, how convenient" that related to a major plot mover, so had to give this one three stars instead of four for feeling cheated.
February 3, 2017
Still liking stubborn, bull-headed Connor. The series is enjoyable, if predictable and way too "neat" (every danger is almost instantly solvable). Appreciate that there's not too much past exposition to explain the plot to new readers. This is a nice comfortable series to read, light but not boring. Take it for the entertainment that it is and you will not be disappointed.
July 3, 2010
I enjoyed his installment in the Connor Grey series, but...I must confess that I could have done without the romantic relationship...it was very subtle, but...I just don't think the book needed it. And the ending has left me with HEAPS of questions. Where's the fourth book? *grin*
May 17, 2016
This book is awesome.
October 19, 2012
Third in the Connor Grey urban fantasy series about a powerless Druid in Boston who is discovering that while he may have lost some power, he has gained in other ways.
My Take
It's one of those series that it's taken me a bit to warm up to. And I am definitely becoming a fan. I like that del Franco has created a major protagonist who is flawed and discovering those issues. That he's man enough to realize he isn't perfect and still steps up. That he stands by his principles no matter who is involved. Or what's at stake.
In this particular story, the central theme revolves around the aftermath of events in Unquiet Dreams . The fey are concerned that the druids have a new weapon and everything centers around that. Well, and they're still stuck on the idea that the Consortium is the evil genius behind it all...bwa-hah-hah…! It's a bit like stereotypical thinking that all Muslims are terrorists.
There's action a'plenty with the above worry and a number of subplots that continue to pit the Humans against the fey. (Del Franco does a lovely job of spinning these various plots out and then pulling them back together and tying them up.) It's part of Connor's self-discovery that he is so much more aware of the ways in which the fey disrespect humans and his mission(s) always include finding closure and fair play for humanity. Connor is also quite disrespectful...snicker...towards anyone he sees as acting like a jerk.
Del Franco needs to work on making Meryl more believable as a possible evil fey. Her so-called behavior has more the feel of an afterthought on his part. Nor is Connor's attraction to Meryl believable. Sure, del Franco uses the words to tell us how much he wants her. But, it's just words. I just ain't feelin' it. As for Meryl's friendship with Winny...didn't Meryl know her background? I mean, besides having been the chief archivist before her??
I swear that del Franco must be setting up a long-term goal for Connor. It's part of what keeps drawing me back. I'm just dying to find out how del Franco plans to stick it to the man! And del Franco just keeps piling up the possibilities. Hmmm, Way Keeper… It has possibilities.
It cracks me up how Connor's wayward powers keep surprising him and others, such as Ceridwen. I don't get why Connor was so upset about Dylan. He's fey. They're both fey. And del Marco keeps going on about how sex is seen differently by the fey. So...what??
This is just full of examples of stupidity on the part of the various factions. Admittedly, their focused fears do provide quite a bit of the story.
Sneaky!! Connor has this little legal problem? And he and Joe come up with a very sneaky way around it. You'll love it!
The Story
The Taint from the essence explosion is affecting everyone, heightening emotions which are themselves exploding in all sorts of ways. Then an old friend of Connor's arrives to take command at the Guild in Boston with Keeva being suspended although his true missions are something different.
Every faction has their concerns about how the Taint from the essence explosion is affecting the world and what that effect will have on their own people: Briallen ponders the similarities on how essence affected the fey during Convergence and what's happening with Connor today, and Queen Maeve worries about a secret Druid plot. And Commissioner Scott is using the Taint as an excuse to treat the fey and the Weird like a second-class party.
What remains to be seen is how and why the unknown, murdering druidess fits into the murders that are occurring around Boston.
Meanwhile, the veil between our world and TirNaNog is thinning as it hasn't since Convergence and beings are assaulting Connor while the Way Seeker wants Connor.
The Characters
Connor Grey is a druid who lost what he had considered his powers in an eco-terrorist encounter right along with his job as an investigator in the Fey Guild. He's slowly been learning what an arrogant, selfish man he had been as well as discovering new benefits to his current state. Joe, a.k.a., Stinkwort, is a flit who has been with Connor's family for generations. A good person to have at your back. Even if he does eat all the Oreos!
Detective Lieutenant (someone got a promotion) Leo Murdock is the Boston cop who consults with Connor when the case involves the fey. Too often, the Guild refuses to take a case unless it involves someone powerful, and the police department is forced to deal with it. Murdock likes his work, likes working fey cases. He has his own mystery what with the explosion of essence he suffered in Unshapely Things . Completely unlike his father, Commissioner Scott Murdock, who hates the fey. Including Connor. Liz DeJesus is a fellow cop and an ex-flame of Murdock's who is investigating Olivia Merced's death. Seems there's a connection to the old Ardman case for both sides.
Meryl Dian is a druidess and the chief archivist for the Guild. She's also become Connor's friend although she's not above pointing out his weaknesses. Dylan macBain was Connor's partner in New York City before Connor ran off and now he's the department director. Today, he's on a secret assignment to recover stolen jewels and force Connor to talk. Briallen verch Gwyll ab Gwyll is Dylan's "aunt", Connor's friend, and a powerful druidess with the standing of an underQueen.
The Fey Guild is something of an all-in-one for the fey in Boston. Law enforcement, government, and consulate. Just don't expect them to help you. Keeva macNeeve is the fairy Community Liaison Officer for Community Affairs. She's also suspended after events in Unquiet Dreams which is only reasonable for all the screwing up she's done in the past two stories! Nigel Martin is a powerful druid. He was Connor's mentor when he still had his powers and dropped Connor like a hot coal after his accident. Ryan macGoren appears briefly. Guildmaster Manus ap Eagan is still alive and holding. Gillen Yor is the irascible High Healer at Avalon Memorial.
Ceridwen, an arrogant Danann fairie, is an underQueen of Faerie sent by Maeve, High Queen at Tara, to investigate the effects of the Taint from events in Unquiet Dreams . She doesn't care who she accuses as long as she gets the answers she wants. Whether the answers exist or not.
Eorla Kruge, the Marchgrafin, got the Guild Director position she wanted.
Josef Kaspar was a human who lost his love. Liddell Viten was a kobold masquerading as a human to scam both humans and fey. Rhonda Powell was his lover and partner. Lady Rosavear Ardman is Inverni fey; Sophie Wells is her assistant.
Carmine is a fey party planner, a.k.a., pimp. He rather misses Connor's old income… Belgor is an elf who runs a supply shop for the occult in the Weird; his real income is derived from stolen goods and he has served as a snitch for Connor frequently.
Bergin Vize is an eco-terrorist and an elf. A face-off with Connor resulted in Connor losing his powers and now he will do anything to thwart Vize.
Convergence occurred in the early part of the nineteenth century when Faerie and our world collided and parts merged. The Ways between the realms—Faerie, TirNaNog, Valhalla, Avalon, Caer Wydry, Asgard—closed. Tara is the heartland of the Celtic fey while Externsteine in Germany is that of the elves. The Weird is an insalubrious neighborhood in Boston with a preponderance of fey; Connor lives there.
The Cover
It's Connor squatting on the cover in amongst the gargoyles atop a high building with a nightlit Boston skyline far in the background.
The title is quite accurate in several ways: the Unfallen Dead include an unexpected "resurrection", a useful "death", a pack of angry terrorists from the Pride Wind of Connor's past, and those who are dead in TirNaNog and want to return.
My Take
It's one of those series that it's taken me a bit to warm up to. And I am definitely becoming a fan. I like that del Franco has created a major protagonist who is flawed and discovering those issues. That he's man enough to realize he isn't perfect and still steps up. That he stands by his principles no matter who is involved. Or what's at stake.
In this particular story, the central theme revolves around the aftermath of events in Unquiet Dreams . The fey are concerned that the druids have a new weapon and everything centers around that. Well, and they're still stuck on the idea that the Consortium is the evil genius behind it all...bwa-hah-hah…! It's a bit like stereotypical thinking that all Muslims are terrorists.
There's action a'plenty with the above worry and a number of subplots that continue to pit the Humans against the fey. (Del Franco does a lovely job of spinning these various plots out and then pulling them back together and tying them up.) It's part of Connor's self-discovery that he is so much more aware of the ways in which the fey disrespect humans and his mission(s) always include finding closure and fair play for humanity. Connor is also quite disrespectful...snicker...towards anyone he sees as acting like a jerk.
Del Franco needs to work on making Meryl more believable as a possible evil fey. Her so-called behavior has more the feel of an afterthought on his part. Nor is Connor's attraction to Meryl believable. Sure, del Franco uses the words to tell us how much he wants her. But, it's just words. I just ain't feelin' it. As for Meryl's friendship with Winny...didn't Meryl know her background? I mean, besides having been the chief archivist before her??
I swear that del Franco must be setting up a long-term goal for Connor. It's part of what keeps drawing me back. I'm just dying to find out how del Franco plans to stick it to the man! And del Franco just keeps piling up the possibilities. Hmmm, Way Keeper… It has possibilities.
It cracks me up how Connor's wayward powers keep surprising him and others, such as Ceridwen. I don't get why Connor was so upset about Dylan. He's fey. They're both fey. And del Marco keeps going on about how sex is seen differently by the fey. So...what??
This is just full of examples of stupidity on the part of the various factions. Admittedly, their focused fears do provide quite a bit of the story.
Sneaky!! Connor has this little legal problem? And he and Joe come up with a very sneaky way around it. You'll love it!
The Story
The Taint from the essence explosion is affecting everyone, heightening emotions which are themselves exploding in all sorts of ways. Then an old friend of Connor's arrives to take command at the Guild in Boston with Keeva being suspended although his true missions are something different.
Every faction has their concerns about how the Taint from the essence explosion is affecting the world and what that effect will have on their own people: Briallen ponders the similarities on how essence affected the fey during Convergence and what's happening with Connor today, and Queen Maeve worries about a secret Druid plot. And Commissioner Scott is using the Taint as an excuse to treat the fey and the Weird like a second-class party.
What remains to be seen is how and why the unknown, murdering druidess fits into the murders that are occurring around Boston.
Meanwhile, the veil between our world and TirNaNog is thinning as it hasn't since Convergence and beings are assaulting Connor while the Way Seeker wants Connor.
The Characters
Connor Grey is a druid who lost what he had considered his powers in an eco-terrorist encounter right along with his job as an investigator in the Fey Guild. He's slowly been learning what an arrogant, selfish man he had been as well as discovering new benefits to his current state. Joe, a.k.a., Stinkwort, is a flit who has been with Connor's family for generations. A good person to have at your back. Even if he does eat all the Oreos!
Detective Lieutenant (someone got a promotion) Leo Murdock is the Boston cop who consults with Connor when the case involves the fey. Too often, the Guild refuses to take a case unless it involves someone powerful, and the police department is forced to deal with it. Murdock likes his work, likes working fey cases. He has his own mystery what with the explosion of essence he suffered in Unshapely Things . Completely unlike his father, Commissioner Scott Murdock, who hates the fey. Including Connor. Liz DeJesus is a fellow cop and an ex-flame of Murdock's who is investigating Olivia Merced's death. Seems there's a connection to the old Ardman case for both sides.
Meryl Dian is a druidess and the chief archivist for the Guild. She's also become Connor's friend although she's not above pointing out his weaknesses. Dylan macBain was Connor's partner in New York City before Connor ran off and now he's the department director. Today, he's on a secret assignment to recover stolen jewels and force Connor to talk. Briallen verch Gwyll ab Gwyll is Dylan's "aunt", Connor's friend, and a powerful druidess with the standing of an underQueen.
The Fey Guild is something of an all-in-one for the fey in Boston. Law enforcement, government, and consulate. Just don't expect them to help you. Keeva macNeeve is the fairy Community Liaison Officer for Community Affairs. She's also suspended after events in Unquiet Dreams which is only reasonable for all the screwing up she's done in the past two stories! Nigel Martin is a powerful druid. He was Connor's mentor when he still had his powers and dropped Connor like a hot coal after his accident. Ryan macGoren appears briefly. Guildmaster Manus ap Eagan is still alive and holding. Gillen Yor is the irascible High Healer at Avalon Memorial.
Ceridwen, an arrogant Danann fairie, is an underQueen of Faerie sent by Maeve, High Queen at Tara, to investigate the effects of the Taint from events in Unquiet Dreams . She doesn't care who she accuses as long as she gets the answers she wants. Whether the answers exist or not.
Eorla Kruge, the Marchgrafin, got the Guild Director position she wanted.
Josef Kaspar was a human who lost his love. Liddell Viten was a kobold masquerading as a human to scam both humans and fey. Rhonda Powell was his lover and partner. Lady Rosavear Ardman is Inverni fey; Sophie Wells is her assistant.
Carmine is a fey party planner, a.k.a., pimp. He rather misses Connor's old income… Belgor is an elf who runs a supply shop for the occult in the Weird; his real income is derived from stolen goods and he has served as a snitch for Connor frequently.
Bergin Vize is an eco-terrorist and an elf. A face-off with Connor resulted in Connor losing his powers and now he will do anything to thwart Vize.
Convergence occurred in the early part of the nineteenth century when Faerie and our world collided and parts merged. The Ways between the realms—Faerie, TirNaNog, Valhalla, Avalon, Caer Wydry, Asgard—closed. Tara is the heartland of the Celtic fey while Externsteine in Germany is that of the elves. The Weird is an insalubrious neighborhood in Boston with a preponderance of fey; Connor lives there.
The Cover
It's Connor squatting on the cover in amongst the gargoyles atop a high building with a nightlit Boston skyline far in the background.
The title is quite accurate in several ways: the Unfallen Dead include an unexpected "resurrection", a useful "death", a pack of angry terrorists from the Pride Wind of Connor's past, and those who are dead in TirNaNog and want to return.
December 20, 2016
One of these days, I'm going to have to get around to making an Urban Fantasy shelf for these. And Dresden, and... there are a few others, though they escape me at the moment. I like Connor every bit as much as I like Harry. These are well written with good pacing, likable, multi-dimensional characters, and intriguing storylines. According to the back of this one, Del Franco has another series set in the same world. Will have to hunt that one up too.
August 23, 2017
A little more on the fantasy spo
September 1, 2021
A bit more grim, but a good read. All of the characters keep developing and become more solid.
March 4, 2019
Grey is missing pieces of his memory, and it's difficult enough to deal with that, but a Queen of Faerie doubts his memory loss and is making his life hell. At the same time, his old Guild partner from NYC has returned, bringing up old guilt. To make matters worse, there's a string of occult murders, whispers of an invasion of Tara against Maeve, and the Ways between worlds may be opening again.
May 4, 2011
Review brought to you by OBS staff member Verushka
The Connor Grey Series by Mark Del Franco is about a druid who lives in Boston and helps the cops solve those cases involving the supernatural and the Fey.
Hands up anyone who is thinking of Harry Dresden?
I know the similarities are the reason I picked the first novel in this series initially, but The Dresden Files have faltered for me in recent novels (I haven’t read anything since “Turncoat” and considering the blurbs on releases after, I don’t see myself going back) while this series has strengthened and distinguished itself from The Dresden Files.
“Unfallen Dead” brings Connor’s past to the fore, as his future progresses.
Dylan, an old partner when Connor worked for the Guild in New York comes to
Boston to take up a position in the Guild office there and Connor finds himself working
against a man he called a close friend and admired greatly. Dylan’s
presence also reveals that Connor’s memory losses in recent years
aren’t all that recent, for he has experienced them before and increases
the scope of what is currently plaguing Connor – the black mass in his
mind, blocking his powers. However, Dylan’s presence also proves to be the
weakest link in the book, for as interesting as Dylan is, and his
relationship with Connor was, not much is done with it at all. There is
some contrast to the relationship/partnership that Connor has with a human
cop, Murdock, but Dylan is sadly underused. I can only hope he returns in
later books.
Dylan’s presence and past with Connor also serves as a catalyst for the beginning of Connor’s “relationship” with Meryl, an archivist at the Guild. She is short, loud-mouthed, fiercely intelligent and more powerful than Connor and is prone to putting him in his place – a refreshing change from the usual female characters that populate urban fantasies. Meryl also has her own role to play in this book, along with a past and regrets that flesh her out beyond being just the exposition-girl in the novel.
The characters that populate this series are thus far more Fey/supernatural than human but as readers, our one constant link to humanity is Leonard Murdock; cop and friend to Connor. Murdock began as a cop turning to Connor for help with cases related to the supernatural, but quickly found himself drawn deeper into the Connor ‘s world. As a result of a case with Connor, Murdock has developed some powers of his own; though no one can explain how. We see him begin to try and deal with the power, try to control them better even as he very humanly refuses to acknowledge what it means for the other, very human parts of his life, like his bigoted, Police Commissioner father. It’s a very human reaction to have and I am so looking forward to see how this
develops.
In Book 3 occurs in the lead up to Samhain, when the dead will walk the earth. Connor, as the book begins, is called to testify regarding his actions in Book 2 in averting an apocalypse, while helping Murdock solve a murder case. As the book progresses those simple beginnings grow into something bigger and converge in a sense in a climactic battle against the Dead. The author is incredibly adept at holding the various threads of this book and the details of this world together for the climax of the book. And as always, underlying this is Connor’s own quest to find out what is happened to him when he lost his powers and how he can get them back.
Read more here:
http://openbooksociety.com/article/bo...
The Connor Grey Series by Mark Del Franco is about a druid who lives in Boston and helps the cops solve those cases involving the supernatural and the Fey.
Hands up anyone who is thinking of Harry Dresden?
I know the similarities are the reason I picked the first novel in this series initially, but The Dresden Files have faltered for me in recent novels (I haven’t read anything since “Turncoat” and considering the blurbs on releases after, I don’t see myself going back) while this series has strengthened and distinguished itself from The Dresden Files.
“Unfallen Dead” brings Connor’s past to the fore, as his future progresses.
Dylan, an old partner when Connor worked for the Guild in New York comes to
Boston to take up a position in the Guild office there and Connor finds himself working
against a man he called a close friend and admired greatly. Dylan’s
presence also reveals that Connor’s memory losses in recent years
aren’t all that recent, for he has experienced them before and increases
the scope of what is currently plaguing Connor – the black mass in his
mind, blocking his powers. However, Dylan’s presence also proves to be the
weakest link in the book, for as interesting as Dylan is, and his
relationship with Connor was, not much is done with it at all. There is
some contrast to the relationship/partnership that Connor has with a human
cop, Murdock, but Dylan is sadly underused. I can only hope he returns in
later books.
Dylan’s presence and past with Connor also serves as a catalyst for the beginning of Connor’s “relationship” with Meryl, an archivist at the Guild. She is short, loud-mouthed, fiercely intelligent and more powerful than Connor and is prone to putting him in his place – a refreshing change from the usual female characters that populate urban fantasies. Meryl also has her own role to play in this book, along with a past and regrets that flesh her out beyond being just the exposition-girl in the novel.
The characters that populate this series are thus far more Fey/supernatural than human but as readers, our one constant link to humanity is Leonard Murdock; cop and friend to Connor. Murdock began as a cop turning to Connor for help with cases related to the supernatural, but quickly found himself drawn deeper into the Connor ‘s world. As a result of a case with Connor, Murdock has developed some powers of his own; though no one can explain how. We see him begin to try and deal with the power, try to control them better even as he very humanly refuses to acknowledge what it means for the other, very human parts of his life, like his bigoted, Police Commissioner father. It’s a very human reaction to have and I am so looking forward to see how this
develops.
In Book 3 occurs in the lead up to Samhain, when the dead will walk the earth. Connor, as the book begins, is called to testify regarding his actions in Book 2 in averting an apocalypse, while helping Murdock solve a murder case. As the book progresses those simple beginnings grow into something bigger and converge in a sense in a climactic battle against the Dead. The author is incredibly adept at holding the various threads of this book and the details of this world together for the climax of the book. And as always, underlying this is Connor’s own quest to find out what is happened to him when he lost his powers and how he can get them back.
Read more here:
http://openbooksociety.com/article/bo...
January 23, 2011
Plot Summary: In the alleys of the decrepit Boston neighborhood known as the Weird, crime scenes show signs of residual magic, but the Guild, which polices the fey, has more “important” crimes to investigate and dumps the case on human law enforcement.
Boston police call in Connor Grey, a druid and former hotshot Guild investigator — whose magical abilities were crippled after a run-in with a radical environmentalist elf.
As Connor battles red tape and his own shortcomings, he realizes that the murders are not random, but part of an ancient magical ritual. And if Connor can’t figure out the killer’s M.O., the culmination of the spell might just bring about a worldwide cataclysm.
For a century since the Convergence of Faerie and modern reality, the Ways between this world and the next have been closed. But now signs point to the chance that the veil may lift again.
Connor Grey has enough problems with a vengeful Queen of Faerie and the return of his old Guild partner. Add an occult string of murders, and it's another case that just may kill him.
Review: Between Connor's disability, (the black mass in his brain), the political instability among the Fae and even Connor's relationship with Meryl, which ends in a romantic entanglement for like 1 page, Unfallen Dead gives some much needed spark to the series.
Connor's latest case involves two humans murdered by a druidess that link back to an old case of Keeva's. Keeva's got her own problems. She's on suspension for being manipulated against the Guild. Connor is stunned when his old Guild partner, Dylan MacBain, arrives from New York to temporarily take over her position. Connor and Dylan have unresolved issues that goes back 10 years to an incident on a Ferry. To top it off, the Faerie royal court sends Ceridwen to Boston. It seems Maeve has taken an interest in Connor and Meryl because of the events at Forest Hill and the malignant essence, Taint (book 3). Neither Connor, nor Meryl remember anything that happened that night, and the Seelie Court believes they are lying, or are traitors.
The other storyline is that Samhain, or day of the day is arriving and the veils between earth and TirNaNog are opening they haven't for a very long time. Which makes this a perfect time for Connor's nemesis Bergen Vize to make his attack on Tara effective.
I have to say, yes, the action and storlyline in this book was a bit better than the previous ones. Yes, Dylan's presence in this book was actually a relief since Connor and he had a partnership in the past and they also share a mentor in Briallen. However, I really wish that the author would stop with the temptations of a relationship between Connor and Meryl. I truly thought he was going to cross into the realm of my angry reader area by forming a relationship between Dylan and Connor. Luckily, he didn't. Sorry, but, I'm not interested.
I think one of the better characters remains Joe the Flit, or Stinkwort. Keeva is also starting to become more likable with each installment. I guess getting suspended will have that effect on someone.
There are several villians in this story. Rhonda Powell aka Ronwen ap Hywel, who was supposingly killed by her lover. Bergen Vizes attempt to storm across the veil with a coalition of Fey who hate Maeve was probably the best part of the book. I would difinitely like to see that storyline come to an end soon.
Rating: 3 stars.
Boston police call in Connor Grey, a druid and former hotshot Guild investigator — whose magical abilities were crippled after a run-in with a radical environmentalist elf.
As Connor battles red tape and his own shortcomings, he realizes that the murders are not random, but part of an ancient magical ritual. And if Connor can’t figure out the killer’s M.O., the culmination of the spell might just bring about a worldwide cataclysm.
For a century since the Convergence of Faerie and modern reality, the Ways between this world and the next have been closed. But now signs point to the chance that the veil may lift again.
Connor Grey has enough problems with a vengeful Queen of Faerie and the return of his old Guild partner. Add an occult string of murders, and it's another case that just may kill him.
Review: Between Connor's disability, (the black mass in his brain), the political instability among the Fae and even Connor's relationship with Meryl, which ends in a romantic entanglement for like 1 page, Unfallen Dead gives some much needed spark to the series.
Connor's latest case involves two humans murdered by a druidess that link back to an old case of Keeva's. Keeva's got her own problems. She's on suspension for being manipulated against the Guild. Connor is stunned when his old Guild partner, Dylan MacBain, arrives from New York to temporarily take over her position. Connor and Dylan have unresolved issues that goes back 10 years to an incident on a Ferry. To top it off, the Faerie royal court sends Ceridwen to Boston. It seems Maeve has taken an interest in Connor and Meryl because of the events at Forest Hill and the malignant essence, Taint (book 3). Neither Connor, nor Meryl remember anything that happened that night, and the Seelie Court believes they are lying, or are traitors.
The other storyline is that Samhain, or day of the day is arriving and the veils between earth and TirNaNog are opening they haven't for a very long time. Which makes this a perfect time for Connor's nemesis Bergen Vize to make his attack on Tara effective.
I have to say, yes, the action and storlyline in this book was a bit better than the previous ones. Yes, Dylan's presence in this book was actually a relief since Connor and he had a partnership in the past and they also share a mentor in Briallen. However, I really wish that the author would stop with the temptations of a relationship between Connor and Meryl. I truly thought he was going to cross into the realm of my angry reader area by forming a relationship between Dylan and Connor. Luckily, he didn't. Sorry, but, I'm not interested.
I think one of the better characters remains Joe the Flit, or Stinkwort. Keeva is also starting to become more likable with each installment. I guess getting suspended will have that effect on someone.
There are several villians in this story. Rhonda Powell aka Ronwen ap Hywel, who was supposingly killed by her lover. Bergen Vizes attempt to storm across the veil with a coalition of Fey who hate Maeve was probably the best part of the book. I would difinitely like to see that storyline come to an end soon.
Rating: 3 stars.
August 9, 2011
The first two Connor Grey novels were more like detective novels with a paranormal flair. This third volume is firmly in the paranormal, while still having an intricate mystery, giving readers a deep look at the world and characters Del Franco has imagined. It is easily the best of the series so far and makes me hungry for the next installment.
A lot of plot lines take route in Unfallen Dead, and readers finally get significant progress on Connor's disability, the political instability among the Fae and even Connor's relationship with Meryl. Yes! Connor is still struggling with the black mass in his mind which blocks his druid abilities, and working with Murdock on cases the Guild won't bother with. His latest case involves two humans murdered by a druidess that link back to an old case of Keeva's (so of course The Guild eventually gets involved). And Meryl is involved up to her neck as well, in ways that will startle Connor and the reader. Keeva's got her own problems - on suspension for being manipulated against the Guild. Connor is stunned when his old Guild partner, Dylan, arrives to temporarily take over her position. Connor and Dylan have unresolved issues, naturally, but their camaraderie is just what I was missing in Connor's relationship with Murdock. To top it off, the Faerie royal court has taken an interest in Connor and Meryl because of the events at Forest Hill and the malignant essence, Taint (book 3). Queen Ceridwen has come to investigate, or place blame, depending on one's point of view. She carries a spear which seeks the truth. Only, it does more than seek truth and it likes Connor more than her. Samhain is approaching and the veil between worlds is thinning - finally allowing crossovers that have not happened since Convergence.
Chock full of action, intrigue and outright adventure, this novel has it all. I was engrossed from the first page to the last. Connor finally recognizes that the black mass in his head has not so coincidentally saved his life, and the world, more than once now. It figures directly into the plot here, and like the spear, is more than it seems. The arrival of Dylan brought welcome information about Connor's past and a new ally. Dylan doesn't dismiss Connor because of his lack of power, and even offers him a way back into the Guild if he wants. Connor's command of the spear will take him through the veil in a kick-butt ending that includes a confrontation with his arch enemy, revelations about Queen Maeve and her motives, and the dead crossing over into Boston from Tir Na Nog (the land of the dead). I especially liked that Connor didn't "accidentally" save the day this time despite his disability, he planned and executed it. This author has a gift for hooking a reader with an awesome ending. Consider me hooked - and bring on book 4.
A lot of plot lines take route in Unfallen Dead, and readers finally get significant progress on Connor's disability, the political instability among the Fae and even Connor's relationship with Meryl. Yes! Connor is still struggling with the black mass in his mind which blocks his druid abilities, and working with Murdock on cases the Guild won't bother with. His latest case involves two humans murdered by a druidess that link back to an old case of Keeva's (so of course The Guild eventually gets involved). And Meryl is involved up to her neck as well, in ways that will startle Connor and the reader. Keeva's got her own problems - on suspension for being manipulated against the Guild. Connor is stunned when his old Guild partner, Dylan, arrives to temporarily take over her position. Connor and Dylan have unresolved issues, naturally, but their camaraderie is just what I was missing in Connor's relationship with Murdock. To top it off, the Faerie royal court has taken an interest in Connor and Meryl because of the events at Forest Hill and the malignant essence, Taint (book 3). Queen Ceridwen has come to investigate, or place blame, depending on one's point of view. She carries a spear which seeks the truth. Only, it does more than seek truth and it likes Connor more than her. Samhain is approaching and the veil between worlds is thinning - finally allowing crossovers that have not happened since Convergence.
Chock full of action, intrigue and outright adventure, this novel has it all. I was engrossed from the first page to the last. Connor finally recognizes that the black mass in his head has not so coincidentally saved his life, and the world, more than once now. It figures directly into the plot here, and like the spear, is more than it seems. The arrival of Dylan brought welcome information about Connor's past and a new ally. Dylan doesn't dismiss Connor because of his lack of power, and even offers him a way back into the Guild if he wants. Connor's command of the spear will take him through the veil in a kick-butt ending that includes a confrontation with his arch enemy, revelations about Queen Maeve and her motives, and the dead crossing over into Boston from Tir Na Nog (the land of the dead). I especially liked that Connor didn't "accidentally" save the day this time despite his disability, he planned and executed it. This author has a gift for hooking a reader with an awesome ending. Consider me hooked - and bring on book 4.
March 29, 2014
Connor Grey saved the city from Taint at the end of the last book; problem is he doesn’t know how he did it. And no one believes that. The dark shadow in his head is changing and has moved into a kind of self-defence mode. Some of his powers have come back and in ways they didn’t work before. Now, as a druid, he can sense someone’s essence to the point where he can identify their sex, he has some earth magic abilities of the troll, he has prescient dreams and he struggles to control the darkness in his head. He is gaining powers faster than he knows how to use them.
The fae have their own agenda and send an under queen to question him. Ceridwen is armed with a spear of power and an ugly attitude and tries to force him to speak the truth. It does not go well. Meryl is also called to the hearing and is her usual uncooperative self.
As the time approaches when the ways between the worlds traditionally open, it seems this year, they might actually do it when that hasn’t happened since Convergence more than 100 years ago. The Taint remnants coalesce on the Boston Common and make the fairy ring stronger.
Meanwhile, Connor’s old partner Dylan is in town investigating magic artefact theft and his aunt is Connor’s mentor so Connor can’t avoid him. He knows he treated Dylan badly when he left New York and he doesn’t know how to apologise. The fact that he tries, shows how much the character has grown. If he sticks with Meryl she will thump some more character into him.
Called in by Murdock to help out again, he finds the body of a homeless man, killed by an essence blast. The murderer is female and a druid. A second body bears the same female essence and they start to look for how the two are connected. Three separate cases start to tie together.
The world building is still growing and works well. I love the jurisdictional disputes between all the fae groups. They would SO do that. And the issues between born fae and older fae that came through before convergence. A huge generational conflict of old world and new. The human police are adopting a ‘we wash our hands of this weirdness’ philosophy and are actually trying to cordon off the Weird from the rest of the city. Clouds of Taint essence cause outbreaks of aggression and when both people have magic, the police have no way of controlling them.
Murdock has issues of his own and has been affected by the events of the last book; he now has a magic body shield. And no, he hasn’t told his father, the Commissioner of Police. Joe the flit is so excited by all this that he just stays drunk and hyped up on Oreos all the time.
Finally, the veil between the worlds opens and the dead start to come through. And a lot of those dead have Connor’s name.
The fae have their own agenda and send an under queen to question him. Ceridwen is armed with a spear of power and an ugly attitude and tries to force him to speak the truth. It does not go well. Meryl is also called to the hearing and is her usual uncooperative self.
As the time approaches when the ways between the worlds traditionally open, it seems this year, they might actually do it when that hasn’t happened since Convergence more than 100 years ago. The Taint remnants coalesce on the Boston Common and make the fairy ring stronger.
Meanwhile, Connor’s old partner Dylan is in town investigating magic artefact theft and his aunt is Connor’s mentor so Connor can’t avoid him. He knows he treated Dylan badly when he left New York and he doesn’t know how to apologise. The fact that he tries, shows how much the character has grown. If he sticks with Meryl she will thump some more character into him.
Called in by Murdock to help out again, he finds the body of a homeless man, killed by an essence blast. The murderer is female and a druid. A second body bears the same female essence and they start to look for how the two are connected. Three separate cases start to tie together.
The world building is still growing and works well. I love the jurisdictional disputes between all the fae groups. They would SO do that. And the issues between born fae and older fae that came through before convergence. A huge generational conflict of old world and new. The human police are adopting a ‘we wash our hands of this weirdness’ philosophy and are actually trying to cordon off the Weird from the rest of the city. Clouds of Taint essence cause outbreaks of aggression and when both people have magic, the police have no way of controlling them.
Murdock has issues of his own and has been affected by the events of the last book; he now has a magic body shield. And no, he hasn’t told his father, the Commissioner of Police. Joe the flit is so excited by all this that he just stays drunk and hyped up on Oreos all the time.
Finally, the veil between the worlds opens and the dead start to come through. And a lot of those dead have Connor’s name.
June 1, 2011
4 ½ stars.
In this third installment Connor, still lacking his old abilities but with a stronger essence sensing ability thanks to a troll, is under scrutiny from one of High Queen Maeve’s underQueens, Ceridwen, regarding the near apocalypse that took place at Forest Hills Cemetery. Not only that, but his old partner from New York City, Dylan macBain, shows up because of his job with the Guild. Thrown into the mix is Murdock and their latest case of dead bodies with runes carved into their foreheads. The fey holiday of Samhain (our Halloween), when the veil between this world and the world of the dead, TirNaNog, thins is coming up and the recent crimes seem to be related to it. As if that weren’t enough, it appears that Bergin Vize may be involved, too.
There’s a lot of history between Connor and Dylan and we learn a good bit more about Connor’s past in this book. Meryl (who I love) has a bigger role in Unfallen Dead and we learn more about the fey world and fey beliefs. A lot of the characters from the previous books, Briallen, Nigel, Keeva and Joe Flit are all back. Keeva and Connor’s antagonistic relationship is in full swing and, even though I like it when Connor gets a good dig in, I like her character and the fact that, when it really counts, she listens to him and doesn’t write him off, like so many at the Guild have done. Joe is funny and I love how loyal he is to Connor, even as he eats all of his Oreos and drinks his booze. And speaking of loyalty, Murdock is a great. He’s always got Connor’s back, especially in this book; I think I like Murdock as much as I do Connor. Plus, he continues to have interesting things happen as a result of the essence hit he took at Forest Hills.
The blurb on the front says that Connor Grey is rapidly becoming one of the reviewer’s favorite fantasy detectives. He’s already there for me. I love the way Del Franco writes; Connor’s dry, snarky observations are great. The secondary characters are well developed and interesting and there’s always a lot going on in his books; each one leaves me wanting more. I highly recommend this book and the series.
In this third installment Connor, still lacking his old abilities but with a stronger essence sensing ability thanks to a troll, is under scrutiny from one of High Queen Maeve’s underQueens, Ceridwen, regarding the near apocalypse that took place at Forest Hills Cemetery. Not only that, but his old partner from New York City, Dylan macBain, shows up because of his job with the Guild. Thrown into the mix is Murdock and their latest case of dead bodies with runes carved into their foreheads. The fey holiday of Samhain (our Halloween), when the veil between this world and the world of the dead, TirNaNog, thins is coming up and the recent crimes seem to be related to it. As if that weren’t enough, it appears that Bergin Vize may be involved, too.
There’s a lot of history between Connor and Dylan and we learn a good bit more about Connor’s past in this book. Meryl (who I love) has a bigger role in Unfallen Dead and we learn more about the fey world and fey beliefs. A lot of the characters from the previous books, Briallen, Nigel, Keeva and Joe Flit are all back. Keeva and Connor’s antagonistic relationship is in full swing and, even though I like it when Connor gets a good dig in, I like her character and the fact that, when it really counts, she listens to him and doesn’t write him off, like so many at the Guild have done. Joe is funny and I love how loyal he is to Connor, even as he eats all of his Oreos and drinks his booze. And speaking of loyalty, Murdock is a great. He’s always got Connor’s back, especially in this book; I think I like Murdock as much as I do Connor. Plus, he continues to have interesting things happen as a result of the essence hit he took at Forest Hills.
The blurb on the front says that Connor Grey is rapidly becoming one of the reviewer’s favorite fantasy detectives. He’s already there for me. I love the way Del Franco writes; Connor’s dry, snarky observations are great. The secondary characters are well developed and interesting and there’s always a lot going on in his books; each one leaves me wanting more. I highly recommend this book and the series.
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