The Liar's Knot, by M. A. Carrick (Orbit)
If you, like me, couldn’t get enough of the Renaissance
Venice-like world of The Mask of Mirrors, dive right in! The Liar's
Knot picks up the story during a brief pause, a moment of uneasy peace. The
evil House Indestor may be finished, but an ancient darkness still weaves
through the city’s filthy alleys and jewel-bright gardens. Ren (aka the Black
Rose and a bunch of other alter egos), Vargo, and Grey Serrado (aka The Rook)
each have their own gifts, weak points, and suspicions as they are drawn
together. To say more is to risk spoiling the unfolding of secrets. Take my
word for it, though. This sequel is just delicious!
Titanshade, by Dan Stout (DAW)
Dan Stout’s debut novel is a quirky, gritty cross between
noir detective and science fiction. The protagonist, Carter, is a
mostly-disgraced homicide cop perpetually on the verge of either a fight or a
collapse from ignoring the long-term physical injuries. His beat is the oil
town of Titanshade, once booming but now on the break of bankruptcy as the
wells run dry. The city's future hangs on an inflow of cash from the reclusive
amphibians known as Squibs. The action opens with the murder of the Squib
ambassador, there to negotiate for the creation of wind farms to replace the
dying oil industry. Lots of conflicting interests here. Carter’s less
than thrilled when he’s paired with a junior cop, an alien Mollenkampi with
several sets of jaws who is a really nice person.
The real strength of this novel lies in its worldbuilding,
the innovative ways in which scarce resources create impoverishment, especially
a society that includes a diversity of races. It’s definitely worth checking
out, especially if cross-over mysteries appeal to you.
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