Hidden Things

Sometimes, you can go home again, albeit taking a few supernatural shortcuts on the way. Calliope Jenkins, singer turned PI, heads back to Iowa to find her missing business partner, Josh White, who keeps leaving messages for her after his reported death. Following Josh’s trail takes Calliope into the Hidden Lands, an alternate Midwest where legendary creatures roam. Provoked by a guide and a goad, Calli learns to confront her own fears of making a life for herself and of losing her best friend. Debut novelist Testerman provides a satisfying blend of noir and magic, and if the bantering dialogue keeps covering the same ground, at least the story keeps moving, with sweet revelations such as a mundane piece of tire tread turning out to be a lilac-scented dragon scale. (Sept.)