Courtney Smythe has another hit on her hands with this one. Brilliant writing style, a captivating plot and characters who you will love, gate and want to protect all at the same time.

3.5 stars rounded up. I really want to love this series, but I only seem to be able to like it. The original tagline - be gay, solve crime, take naps - was so much fun and right up my alley. Unfortunately, the execution of the stories haven't totally worked for me. I like the characters and the world a lot. I think it's mostly the pacing that's a problem for me. Both books were too long for my liking. I thought they could've used some trimming, mostly in the middle.

That said, I did enjoy this one more than the first. The characters are endearing and I found the plot more interesting this time. I wouldn't say the third book in the series (I'm assuming there will be one based on the ending to this one) is on my must read list, but I am curious to see where the story's heading and will keep an eye out for it.

I read an ARC of this book from NetGalley. All comments are my own.

I have so much love for these characters and the world of Wrackton. Courtney Smyth has created the most wonderfully imaginative world and you really get the sense that you could ask any question about these characters and this universe and get a fully comprehensive answer - they know exactly how this society and culture works right down to the smallest detail.

That said, I didn't get pulled in to this sequel to The Undetectables quite so quickly - perhaps a little bit of middle of the story syndrome? The chapters where the characters were most actively investigating were the best - at the Mayor's office, at Oakpass Manor - but it was interspersed with chapters were the plot was moved forward more by our three magical investigators chatting things through, rather than by detective work, which pulled me back out of the story. In the first book I loved the idea of Mallory developing a form of magical forensics and missed seeing her develop in that field of study more in this sequel.

That said, it's still a brilliant series and I'll be first in line for the next instalment. Courtney Smyth has well and truly hooked me into this inclusive, diverse world of the Occult and Apparent, and I can't wait to find out what happens next.

I absolutely adored the first book in the series, and the sequel was no different.

The mystery was twisty, the characters are wonderful, and the supernatural elements are just right.

I continue to adore the LGBTQ+ and disability rep in the series. The way it’s done feels so natural and just a part of who the characters are - as it should be.

I would highly recommend The Undead Complex and can’t wait to read more in the series.

I was so looking forward to this! I really enjoyed 'The Undetectables', so more in that world, with the most bizarre detective agency ever? Yes, please!

And it was fun - but somehow not as much as the first episode. I think perhaps it's because I didn't engage with Diana as much as I had Mallory. Of course we'll have favourites in the trio, but her frustrating inclination to essentially charge on regardless of others was annoying to me. Also the ongoing theme of secrets kept pulling me out of the story. This group really has trust issues (still!).

Also the underlying mystery made the town seem somehow very different to how it appeared before. From the political side to the media, this had more of a 'Jilly Cooper' vibe, which wasn't a bad thing - just a bit unexpected and jarring at times.

Definitely a good book, and I look forward to the (inevitable?) third, just not as gripping as Part 1.

Courtney Smyth’s second Undetectables novel brings another delightful dose of cosy queer family vibes and horror-tinged detective story. Private Investigators The Undetectables - Mallory, Diana, Cornelia and Theodore - are hired to solve a murder on a TV shoot . But they are hired by the victim herself. Oh, and she’s also Diana’s ex-girlfriend. Once again, things are not quite as they seem in Smyth’s supernatural enclave of Wrackton. The second novel in the series is narrated by Diana Cheung-Merriweather, who is the group’s confident, smartarse fashionista and I had a lot of fun with her POV!

Clocking in at over 500 pages; it’s a slow moving novel, sometimes frustratingly so. I enjoyed being back in Wrackton, with our favourite Private Investigators, though I did find myself taking a little time to get back into the groove of magic systems, supernatural personalities, and plot intricacies. And intricacies abound! There is a LOT going on here. We have the central murder mystery, plus two will-they-won’t-they romance subplots, plus two disability subplots, plus a couple of what-am-I-doing-with-my-life subplots. It’s an awful lot to get your head around - at times I wondered if I should be taking notes on character’s personalities, motivations and romantic dalliances.

Once I got my head in the game, I had an enjoyable time with this one though - Smyth does a great job or conjuring the world of Wrackton and its idiosyncratic inhabitants, and I also enjoyed their continuing excellence representation of disability, this time with Diana, who has gone deaf in one ear. The Undead Complex is undoubtedly overlong though - for me, I think a tighter edit and a sharper focus would have made it a much more enjoyable read.

"The Undead Complex" by Courtney Smyth is a super fun witchy mystery that I couldn't put down. I loved the first book, "The Undetectables," where three young witches and a ghost formed a chaotic detective agency. This sequel brings back Mallory, Cornelia, Diana, and Theodore as they solve a murder on a TV set, with the twist that the victim, Diana's ex Taylor, is surprisingly still alive. The main case is satisfying, and Taylor is a great addition to the cast. The book also touches on themes of disability, which I appreciated.

The found-family dynamic within the Undetectables team continues to shine, making the stakes feel personal and engaging. While the plot can sometimes lean into chaotic territory, the novel's overall charm, wit, and supernatural flair more than make up for it. I highly recommend "The Undead Complex" for its delightful blend of supernatural crime-solving and cozy, puzzle-filled fun. I'm definitely looking forward to the next installment in this series.

While I enjoy the characters and the setting (and throughly enjoyed the first book), this one didn’t quite hit the mark. I found myself skipping ahead just to get to the end and to figure out what was going on. Because frankly I was BORED.

The Undead Complex is a super fun witchy mystery story. The moment I read the description of the first books, I knew I had to have it and when I saw that I could request an ARC of the second book, I jumped at the chance. Super excited I was able to get it and I'm definitely looking forward to reading Courtney's other books! Fun series, awesome premise.

Faes Off

I really enjoyed The Undetectables, the first book in this series by Courtney Smyth. In that, three young witches and a ghost investigated an occult serial killer and formed their own rather chaotic detective agency in the process. It had good representation all round, which you might expect from the tagline “Be gay. Solve crimes. Take naps.”, but it also focused on one character’s chronic pain in a way I’d not seen before, as well as the general mental health of the characters.

In this sequel, Mallory, Cornelia, Diana, and Theodore are back, and trying to solve a murder on the set of a local TV show. The twist is that the victim is Diana’s ex, Taylor, and the twistier twist is that the person who hires them is also the surprisingly-still-alive Taylor.

Alongside this main case, they are still investigating Theodore’s own murder and other plot threads from the first book, while navigating their own rather messy relationships. If I had one criticism, it’s that we don’t get the resolution to all of these things in this book, and it’s clearly being set up for a future instalment. Which is not bad in itself, but perhaps something to be aware of going in. I don’t know if it is intended as a trilogy, or just an ongoing series, but each book has the feel of a season of a TV show.

Still, the main case alone is satisfying enough, and Taylor is a good addition to the cast, alongside a familiar face from the first book who is, shall we say, quite different here. Other themes of disability including hearing loss are also touched on, which I appreciated. There are elements of horror here that may be a bit much for some, but while the murders are gruesome, Smyth does not linger too much on the details.

Definitely recommended!

Thanks to Titan Books for the review copy.

Another well-thought-out mystery from Courtney Smyth. This was fun and explored more of the lives of the other members of the Undetectables whilst still keeping us looped in with Mallory and Theodore. There are several plotlines to follow in this novel but it avoids being too convoluted and there are plenty of fun moments to keep it lighthearted. I'm intrigued as to how the Theodore storyline will develop, it seems theres plenty more mystery to come!

A quirky, witchy mystery that brings together magic and murder, The Undead Complex delivers a delightful blend of supernatural crime-solving and cozy, puzzle-filled fun. In this second installment of the Undetectables series, Diana and her team are hired to solve the murder of Diana's ex, Taylor—by Taylor herself. The twisty plot, set against the backdrop of a TV set, quickly escalates, filled with dark humor, ancient magic, and a race to uncover the truth before time runs out.

Smyth excels at combining sharp wit and a Scooby-Doo-esque camaraderie between the characters, all while pulling readers deeper into a world brimming with occult puzzles and personal stakes. Diana’s internal struggle about her path in life adds depth to the humor, while Theodore’s unraveling adds a dark, emotional tension. The found-family dynamic within the Undetectables team continues to shine, making the stakes feel personal and engaging.

Though the plot can sometimes lean into chaotic territory, and not every clue feels as tight as it could be, the novel's overall charm, wit, and supernatural flair more than make up for it. Fans of cozy supernatural mysteries and character-driven stories will find this installment both entertaining and heartwarming.

Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for providing an advance copy in exchange for honest feedback. A slow start, but the build is worth it. Can't wait for the next book in the series.

The Undead Complex is a clever and enchanting fantasy murder mystery that brings together humor, ancient magic, and a diverse cast of lovable characters, keeping you guessing until the very last twist.

I read The Undetectables right before this because I'm a completionist, but I think Smyth does a great job of summarizing the events of the first book that you wouldn't be lost jumping in to this book without reading the first. The Undead Complex picks up shortly after the events of the first book, with Mallory, Diana, and Cornelia dealing with the ramifications of basically blowing up city hall and potentially having a new lead on the crime that launched them into detective work to begin with. However, that all get put to the sideline when someone from Diana's past shows up dead on a film set nearby - or is she dead? And if she's not dead, why is there a body that looks just like her? The mystery here was very intriguing and enticing. The use of the miniatures to help solve the crime was inspired. Very twisty and turny, and yet again surprisingly cozy for how gruesome some of the murders were. The pacing and plotting were solid for me and kept my interest, which is really saying something considering this book is even longer than the first. Though, that said, I do think the Katherine ghost solving bit felt a bit thrown away as a b-plot for what ultimately ends up having a huge impact. I would've loved to see more of Sully (the detective) and hope that she'll be incorporated to a greater degree in future installments. More than anything though I love the casual queerness. And that reveal on literally the last page of a book that is over 500 pages leaves me already gagging to see what happens in the next book.

A witty, witchy fantasy murder mystery brimming with ancient magic and puzzles, the sequel to *The Undetectables* picks up five months later. Mallory, Diana, Cornelia, and Theodore are hired to solve a murder by the victim herself, which makes it a perfect pick for anyone who loves supernatural mysteries with a cozy crime twist. Struggling to find magical cases, the team can’t say no when Diana’s ex, Taylor, asks them to investigate her own murder on the set of *Undead Complex*. Diana feels a bit out of her depth, Theodore’s coming apart after their last case, and Mallory’s struggling to help him.

As clues and bodies stack up, The Undetectables find themselves in a race to unravel the killer’s plan before it’s too late. Having loved *The Undetectables*, I couldn’t wait to dive into this sequel. It’s the perfect autumn read with all those witchy vibes—definitely creepier than the first but showing how much the team’s grown. The writing pulls you right in, and the representation, especially around disability, is so well done and truly refreshing. The characters are still the heart of it all, and I’m hoping we get more about Cornelia next. And that twist at the end? Didn’t see it coming! If you’re into atmospheric, witchy mysteries, you’ve got to check this out.

Big thanks to Titan Books and NetGalley for the e-ARC!

Perfect for fans of Her Majesty’s Royal Coven, The Undead Complex is fun, witchy and oh so gay. Combining murder mysteries and quintessential Britishness, it’s Midsommer Murders with a fantasy, Gen Z twist.

I love the disability representation in this series and that all of the FMCs have disabilities unique to them that are explored in each book. It’s also refreshing to step into a world where cis het couples and individuals aren’t the default with all the characters living happily entirely as themselves.

I actually enjoyed the plot more in this book than the first and the film set murder mystery really gripped me. I can’t wait for the next one!

I loved The Undetectables so was really excited to learn there would be a second book and even more delighted to get a copy. It’s not only a brilliant read but just perfect for autumn and the spooky season. Not to mention anyone who loves witches (and who doesn’t love them?).

I did feel this one was a little more creepy than the first. I think it works well since it shows how the team have come along from their first investigation to now. The writing is also so atmospheric and fantastic you feel like you are there.

The main thing I love about this series is the representation and it isn’t limited to certain areas. I actually adore the disability representation and while it most certainly is not easy for the characters they don’t let it fully define them. It’s so refreshing and well done, in my opinion at least, and I really hope more authors will start doing this going forward.

Characters are for me one of the best parts of this series and I really hope we get more information about Cornelia next. I will also say that twist at the end I did NOT see coming and now I have even more questions so I really hope Smyth isn’t going to stop here! If you love witchy mystery reads that have a lot of atmosphere and a fantastic cast this is for you.

As always thank you to Titan Books and Netgalley for my e-arc. My review is always honest and truthful.

I really enjoyed The Undetectables and was incredibly eager to dive back into this world with these amazing characters who I quickly grew to love. Honestly this series is the best for this time of year with its mystery and it's spooky vibes!

I loved the setting of this one and the film set as a whole! It was creepy, atmospheric and had me on the edge of my seat while also trying to figure out who the culprit was! Smyth has done an amazing job of crafting this fantastic mystery that has you guessing up until the very end.

One thing I love about this series is the representation, especially the disability representation which is something I feel you dont always see in books of this genre. I also loved that we got to know our loveable characters even more, especially Diana who has her own POV in this one! I'm so excited to (hopefully) learn more about Cornelia as I'm so intrigued by her character!

Honestly a great series that I cannot help but recommend, especially if you're looking for an urban-fantasy murder mystery with amazing representation and friendship at its core! I am so excited to read more!

Thank you so much to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with a copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.

"A witty, witchy fantasy murder mystery packed with ancient magic and fiendish puzzles. Mallory, Diana, Cornelia and Theodore are hired to solve a murder on a TV shoot by the victim herself. Perfect for fans of supernatural mysteries and cosy crime by authors such as Ben Aaronovitch, Josiah Bancroft and Tammie Painter.

Five months after they stopped The Whistler, business is booming for the Undetectables. Just not work that requires magical forensic investigators. So when Diana's ex asks them to solve a murder - her own - Diana, Mallory and Cornelia can't say no.

Going undercover to investigate the set of the TV show, Undead Complex, Diana returns to her life as a propmaker. But even the appearance of a genuine-article Francine Leon dollhouse leaves her feeling pulled down a path of crime-solving she doesn't want to walk forever.

Meanwhile, Theodore's coming apart at the seams - literally - and Mallory is running out of ways to help him. Especially as he seems to be keeping secrets from her.

As the clues - and the bodies - keep piling up, each one making less and less sense, the Undetectables find themselves in a race against time to find out what, exactly, the killer is up to - before the final cut."

I mean... I don't think I'd call Ben Aaronovitch cosy... And this reminds me more of Lockwood and Co....