The Conductors (A Murder & Magic Novel)
“A seamless blending of magic, mystery, and history . . . Glover’s worldbuilding, characters, and attention to historical detail create a delightfully genre-bending debut!” — Tananarive Due, American Book Award winner, author of Ghost Summer: Stories
From a bold new voice in speculative fiction comes a vibrant historical fantasy of magic and murder set in the aftermath of the Civil War
Hetty Rhodes and her husband, Benjy, were Conductors on the Underground Railroad, ferrying dozens of slaves to freedom with daring, cunning, and magic that draws its power from the constellations. With the war over, those skills find new purpose as they solve mysteries and murders that white authorities would otherwise ignore.
In the heart of Philadelphia’s Seventh Ward, everyone knows that when there’s a strange death or magical curses causing trouble, Hetty and Benjy are the only ones that can solve the case. But when an old friend is murdered, their investigation stirs up a wasp nest of intrigue, lies, and long-buried secrets—and a mystery unlike anything they handled before. With a clever, cold-blooded killer on the prowl testing their magic and placing their lives at risk, Hetty and Benjy will discover how little they really know about their neighbors . . . and themselves.
“An unforgettable debut . . . Wholly original and thoroughly riveting.” — Deanna Raybourn, New York Times best-selling author of A Murderous Relation
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Community Reviews
I'm also a huge fan of books filled with magic. So when this came up in my NetGalley feed I jumped on it.
However... ... ...
It just wasn't for me. I wish I could pinpoint exactly *why* it wasn't for me. It's beautifully written. The main characters, Hetty and Benjy, were complex, and I cheered them on in their harrowing endeavors. It was also a sold storyline with an ending and villain I could not have predicted. On all technical levels, it was a solid 4 star read. But, I guess, in the end it just wasn't a book I would have finished if I hadn't needed to to write this review.
The beginning was a little slow for me, but midway through, I was curious to find out how it would all end. However, the story and the magic (mostly represented with astrology signs and symbols) seemed disjointed. The story itself, for the most part, could hold strong even without the magic - until the end, at least. Anytime the magic was used or mentioned, it pulled me out of a historical fiction novel I was enjoying.
Though, because the writing and storyline were so well done, I would absolutely recommend it to people who enjoy a historic fantasy powered by a crime solving duo.
Thank you to NetGalley & Houghton Mifflin Harcourt for the opportunity to read and review this novel.
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