Besieged: Stories from the Iron Druid Chronicles

Hearne’s Iron Druid, better known as Atticus O’Sullivan (whose most recent full-length adventure is Staked), enjoys more mythological high jinks and humor in these fast-moving short stories detailing some tidbits of his 2,000 years of life. In “The Eye of Horus,” Atticus is tasked by Ogma with slipping into a secret room underneath the library in Alexandria to steal a few scrolls. In “The Demon Barker of Wheat Street,” a wonderfully gruesome homage to horror movies, Atticus and Granuaile take on a murderous pack of imps masquerading as carnies. “The Bogeyman of Boora Bog” tells how Atticus’s story begins. Hearne’s lighthearted approach and witty asides are amusing, and he also subtly digs at modern humans’ lack of love for the land and its conservation. Agent: Jill Grinberg, Jill Grinberg Literary. (July)