A Killing Frost

Fourteen books into the consistently enjoyable October Daye urban fantasy series, McGuire shows no signs of slacking. This volume (following 2019’s The Unkindest Tide) finds changeling private investigator October planning her wedding to Tybalt, King of Cats. In the process, October learns that, to prevent a potentially disastrous breach of Fae etiquette, she must invite her estranged father, Simon Torquill, to the wedding. But Simon is under the influence of an insidious curse and working to awaken one of October’s greatest foes from an enchanted slumber. To reunite her fractured family, October must travel to long-hidden corners of Faerie, face off against a host of magical dangers, and solve a centuries-old mystery. Even if she survives, she risks losing her hard-won romance and sense of self in the process. October has evolved from an embittered loner into a fierce protector of her chosen family, making for a richly emotional tale filled with series-standard fare of adventure, intrigue, and blood-soaked mayhem. With this installment, McGuire addresses some long-outstanding narrative threads and answers at least one major question, while still leaving much for the future. This is sure to hit the spot for series fans. Agent: Diana Fox, Fox Literary. (Sept.)