Liar City

An empath forms an uneasy alliance with a secretive special agent to solve a murder in this gripping paranormal series launch from Therin (the Magic in Manhattan series). In an alternate present-day Seattle, genetic mutation has given rise to empaths, rare humans who can read emotion through touch. Empath Reece Davies, younger brother to Det. Briony “Jamey” St. James and occasional police consultant, heads to the crime scene when he hears that antiempath Sen. Hannah Hathaway has been murdered—but as he arrives, he receives a cryptic text message from a man called Evan Grayson, telling him to run. Reece later learns that Grayson is the legendary “shadow agent” known as Dead Man. The men team up to investigate, with Reece’s biting sarcasm nicely playing off of Grayson’s gruff care. Therin leaves the attraction between these two on simmer throughout this installment; readers will need to tune in again to see the relationship truly take off. Meanwhile, Jamey funnels information to FBI agent Damian Nolan, as she’s unaware that he’s secretly working for a powerful antiempath company. Therin blends fascinating mythology with tight action sequences and shifting perspectives that keep tensions high. The result is a taut magical mystery that will get readers excited for the next in the series. Agent: Laura Zats, Headwater Literary. (Feb.)