Unfallen Dead
Authors: Mark Del Franco
For a century since the Convergence of Faerie and modern reality, the Ways between this world and the next have been closed. But now signs point to the chance that the veil may lift again.
Connor Grey has enough problems with a vengeful Queen of Faerie and the return of his old Guild partner. Add an occult string of murders, and it's another case that just may kill him.
UNQUIET DREAMS
“A tale filled with magic, mystery, and suspense . . .
Unquiet Dreams
is a well-written story with characters that will charm readers back for another visit to the Weird.”
—Darque
Reviews
“Unquiet Dreams
is an urban fantasy wrapped around a police procedural, and that makes for a fast-paced, action-packed novel . . . a great new urban fantasy series.”
—SFRevu
“A solid adventure filled with unique characters and plenty of fast-paced suspense.”
—Pulp Fiction Reviews
“It’s back to the Weird for the second chapter in this striking first-person druid-detective series. Del Franco’s clear and textured voice ensures that readers vest instantly in characters and story. Waiting for the next installment will be tough.”
—Romantic Times
“Readers who like a mystery as the prime plot of an outstanding fantasy (think of Dresden) will be thoroughly entertained and challenged by
Unquiet Dreams
. This is a great new series.”
—Genre Go Round Reviews
“Mark Del Franco is a master at combining modern fantasy with crime detective mystery. Fans of either genre are sure to find a good read in
Unquiet Dreams
.”
—BookLoons
Praise for
UNSHAPELY THINGS
“A richly detailed world . . . It will pull you along a corkscrew of twists and turns to a final cataclysmic battle that could literally remake the world.”
—Rob Thurman, national bestselling author of
Madhouse
“An engaging urban fantasy . . . a bravura finale.”
—SF Reviews.net
“[An] entertaining contemporary fantasy mystery with a hard-boiled druid detective . . . a promising start to a new series.”
—
Locus
“Masterfully blends detective thriller with fantasy . . . a fast-paced thrill ride . . . Del Franco never pauses the action . . . and Connor Grey is a very likable protagonist. The twisting action and engaging lead make
Unshapely Things
hard to put down.”
—BookLoons
“The intriguing cast of characters keeps the readers involved with the mystery wrapped up in the fantasy . . . I look forward to spending more time with Connor in the future, and learning more about him and his world.”
—Gumshoe
“A wonderfully written, richly detailed, and complex fantasy novel with twists and turns that make it unputdownable . . . Mr. Del Franco’s take on magic and paranormal elements is fresh and intriguing. Connor Grey’s an appealing hero bound to delight fantasy and paranormal romance fans alike.”
—The Romance Readers Connection
“Compelling and fast paced . . . The world-building is superb . . . Fans of urban fantasy should get a kick out of book one in this new series.”
—Romantic Times
“A very impressive start. The characters were engaging and believable, and the plot was intriguing. I found myself unable to put it down until I had devoured it completely, and I’m eagerly looking forward to the sequel.”
—Book Fetish
“A wonderful, smart, and action-packed mystery involving dead fairies, political intrigue, and maybe a plot to destroy humanity . . . Unshapely Things has everything it takes to launch a long-running series, and I’m very excited to see what Del Franco has in store next for Connor Grey and his friends.”
—Bookslut
by Mark Del Franco
UNSHAPELY THINGS
UNQUIET DREAMS
UNFALLEN DEAD
The Berkley Publishing Group
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This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents either are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, business establishments, events, or locales is entirely coincidental. The publisher does not have any control over and does not assume any responsibility for author or third-party websites or their content.
UNFALLEN DEAD
Copyright © 2009 by Mark Del Franco.
eISBN : 978-1-440-68658-0
An Ace Book / published by arrangement with the author
PRINTING HISTORY Ace mass-market edition / February 2009
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To my sister Jody,
who hears all and makes coffee.
And to Jack, as always.
1
When I find myself walking through dark, unlit hallways in an abandoned warehouse in the middle of the night, it means one of two things: I am on my way to an after-hours party—or to a death. Since Detective Lieutenant Leonard Murdock wasn’t prone to inviting me to parties, I knew the only music I’d be hearing shortly was the squawk of police radios.
When Murdock called me out of a nice, quiet dive down on Stillings Street because he had something interesting for me, I didn’t think it meant feeling like a rat in a maze. The warehouse had been easy enough to find because of the police and ambulance out front. Once inside, though, I made a wrong turn and found myself wandering a series of corridors that led back onto themselves.
I put my cell phone to my ear. “Which way, Murdock?”
“I have no idea, Connor. Get to a window and tell me what you see,” he said.
Amusement colored his voice. I knew what he was thinking. Connor Grey, the great druid and former investigator for the Fey Guild, had gotten himself lost. In a building. Surrounded by police officers. With cell phones and radios. I may no longer have the ability to manipulate essence on a grand scale, but I didn’t think I’d lost my sense of direction, too.
Using the silvery blue glow from the cell phone as a flashlight, I managed to find a window with frosted chicken-wire glass. I pushed at the frame, but years of paint refused to budge. I swore under my breath and put the phone down. Breaking the glass wouldn’t help because of the safety mesh. It’s moments like this that I find particularly frustrating.
I used to have the power to do things humans could only dream of. Essence made it possible, the essence in everything, including myself. The superstitious call it magic. I’ve had some mystical moments, especially lately, but in general I don’t tend toward that kind of thinking. I like things to make sense, to be able to quantify them and apply rules. Essence is no exception.
Back in the day, I manipulated essence and caused it to flow out of my hands, my body—even my eyes—and it did things I intended it to do. Good things and bad things, but powerful things either way. Not anymore. Since the accident that caused the loss of most of my abilities, a dark mass in my brain blocks me from doing what I used to be able to do. Painfully so.
“Are you there?” Murdock’s voice sounded tinny in the small phone’s speaker.
“Yeah.” I had probably been stuck on the same floor for twenty minutes. I decided enough was enough and didn’t want the further humiliation of asking Murdock to send someone to find me.
Everyone has body essence to a different degree depending on their species. I can still access my own to an extent, but the thing in my head kicked up a storm of pain when I did. I avoided it most times. I put my hand on the window frame and shot a quick burst of body essence into it. Several things happened simultaneously. The window cracked; the frame cracked; and I’m pretty sure my head cracked. I clutched my temples as a searing pain shot behind my eyes.
“Connor?” Murdock’s voice was now flat with police concern.
I picked up the phone. “I’m good.” I pushed the window up, fighting its years of inertia, and stuck my head out. “I’m on the third floor, looking at an air shaft.”
