Penric’s Fox

Bujold adds mystery to the wry humor that runs through her Penric and Desdemona fantasy series with this entertaining novella. Set between Penric and the Shaman and Penric’s Mission, this tale sees temple sorcerer Penric and his indwelling demon, Desdemona, once again involved in the affairs of shamans. When another sorcerer, Magal, is murdered in the woods near Easthome, Temple Locator Oswyl prevails on Penric to assist with the investigation, as he has in the past. Penric soon suspects that Magal’s demon did not transfer into another human at her death but is now probably within a fox. As shamans are wielders of animal-based magic, several of them are called in to help find and communicate with the new demon-fox hybrid. Penric is a rather ordinary young man; Desdemona is a vastly experienced demon who finds him a somewhat challenging host. Their unique relationship is full of good-natured banter, all within one physical body. Intriguing secondary characters round out the cast and enliven this unusual fantasy whodunit. Agent: Eleanor Wood, Spectrum Literary. (Mar.)