Blood and Moonlight

Beaty conjures a complex and socially conscious murder mystery set in a Western European–inspired medieval fantasy city that’s hiding cataclysmic secrets. As master architect Magister Thomas’s assistant, Catrin, 17, is privy to the ins and outs of Collis’s streets, including Thomas’s current project, a church dubbed the Holy Sanctum. Cat’s magical foresight—kept secret to avoid societal rejection—also grants her premonitions that help evade potential construction calamity. After finding the body of a violently murdered sex worker in the Holy Sanctum, Cat becomes entangled in the investigation. Considered the crime’s only witness, she is expected to cooperate with Simon, 19, the handsome, enigmatic man conducting the inquiry. Though she must keep her magic hidden from Simon or face potentially deadly consequences, she uses it to lead the pair to more bodies and clues. But the longer the serial killer terrorizes Collis and the more secrets the duo uncover, the more danger Cat finds herself in. Beaty thoroughly and deftly examines prejudice against sex workers and people with mental illnesses, combining introspective dialogue, subtle magic, and hair-raising thrills for a riveting, thoughtful read. A contextualizing author’s note concludes. Ages 14–up. Agent: Valerie Noble, Donaghy Literary. (June)