Die and Stay Dead

In this smart and fast-paced follow-up to Dying Is My Business, unkillable gangster Trent and the rest of the Five-Pointed Stars race against time to stop a madman from destroying the world—but the true danger comes from a far closer source. Kaufmann wastes no time in taking Trent and his allies all across New York City, where they uncover hidden magic and danger everywhere. He crafts twin mysteries—figuring how to stop a villain from summoning a destructive demon and finding the truth of Trent’s past—that gradually intersect. The fighting and introspection are finely balanced in this well-developed magical world, which includes harsh costs and sacrifices that don’t always pay off. Each character has a strong voice, allowing for quick engagement even if the reader missed the first book. The strong writing and open ending will leave fans hungry for the next installment. (Oct.)