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....

Thank you to NetGalley for providing me with an ARC for this book.

I'm usually not a mystery reader. That said, I read the first book a while ago and fell in love with all the characters so when I saw there was a second one out soon I just had to read it. These books make it so much fin to keep guessing along with the characters on who did it. And when I connect something before the characters do its the most satisfying thing ever lol. Having finished this, Id say it sounds like there will be a third book too. Personally, I can't wait.

Entertainingly different fantasy. Having read book one, I read this for the banter, puns and relationships. Cosy and satisfying. Read book one first, this book will be more enjoyable that way, because this is a series to enjoy the development of our knowledge of the characters. An other mystery for The Undetectable Detective Agency to solve, and again find themselves in the paranormal firing line. With wit, style and intelligence, and maybe a few deaths along the way they are ready to solve the case. Maybe showing their hearts to each other and the world. That might actually prove to be more painful than dying. And again a hint of more ‘undetectable’ mayhem to come. I really hope that will be soon. Thank you to Titan Books and NetGalley for the ARC. The views expressed are all mine, freely given.

4.5 stars

One of my most anticipated releases of 2024 and it did not disappoint! The Undetectables are back and they're just as fun as ever. I really enjoyed being back with these characters in this world, and the mystery had me hooked.

I think I would have enjoyed this even more if I had refreshed myself on Book One, but I will definitely end up rereading the series at some point anyway so it just means I still have that to look forward to!

Our main characters are so loveable, the writing has a great sense of humour, and I love the queer and disability representation. It's a queer-normative world and it's always so refreshing to have that and not have to deal with characters having plot lines to do with coming out, that usually have some addition of shame or homophobia from others around them.

I don't know if this is expected to be a trilogy or have even more installments (I hope it's the latter, "detective agency" type books have great potential for being long series), but I'm enjoying the threads that go from book to book and I like that Mallory and Cornelia aren't being rushed. I'm sad that we didn't get as much Theodore in this one but his mystery has me very intrigued.

The overall mystery definitely had me overly-confused at some points. There were a lot of people involved and at times I struggled to follow the Undetectables' logic and reasoning in terms of some of the assumptions and discoveries they made. It ended up being very satisfying though, and the final act was also surprisingly funny.

My only complaint really is that I feel like we saw less of the world than in book one. A lot of this one was spent with our three main characters in their basement having conversations that bordered on feeling a bit repetitive, and considering this comes in at just over 500 pages, I wanted more of the outside world. Book one really had that "magic town full of witches and demons and vampires" feel and I think that was missing here, possibly because book two has very few "locations".

The Undetectables was one of my favourite books last year, and I loved returning to this world again. There was plenty of mystery to be had again, and once again I enjoyed the way that Smyth drew out all the details. It is a slow-paced book and some readers may become frustrated with how slowly things move, however, I personally consider it a credit to Smyth's style.

Her characters are wonderfully written, and their flustering as they try to solve their second big case feels very genuine. There were many times when I laughed out loud while reading the dialogue. I also appreciated that the real look at their friendship, acknowledging that no one and no relationship is perfect.

With regard to disability representation, this book continues the solid representation of Fibromyalgia (Mallory) and introduces the topic of a possible neurodiverse diagnosis for one of the other characters. Another is struggling with hearing loss and tinnitus after the events of the first book. I liked the way that Smyth introduced both of these, especially the hearing loss, as it makes the point that anyone can become disabled at any point.

The one thing I disliked about this book was the emphasis placed on the way a character spoke with an accent. I felt that it was completely unnecessary after the first time a word was spelt out to keep doing so. The whole thing felt very ignorant.

The sequel to the Undetectables, where you following Mallory and the Agency once more. Another mysterious death and the team are hired to investigate. Not my favourite sequel, as I felt he mystery was a little slow at times.

I love the team in this series...kind of reminds me of "The Naturals" by Jennifer Lynn Barnes. Anywho...The team returns for another mystery. The mystery aspect of the story kept me guessing and made this incredibly hard to put down. Additionally I love the inclusivity of this series. Really looking forward to another installment and am also looking forward to adding this to my library!

The Undead Complex by Courtney Smyth review

Genre: Fantasy mystery
Minority rep: BIPOC, LGBTQ+, disability (fibromyalgia, hearing loss)

Thank you to NetGalley and Titan Books for this ARC in exchange for an honest review!

The undead complex is the sequel to the undetectables and was just as enjoyable!
The book takes you onto a filmset, a workplace Diana is familiar with, which means we get a lot more insight into her interests and thought process.

Of course, there's been a murder. The undetectables are called in by someone one of them knows, which makes for entertaining scenes between these characters. It's the perfect set up to get the fun mix of serious investigation and amazing banter and jokes.

There's also the aspect of there being two investigations, the main one being the death at the filmset and the other one sprinkled in.

I also loved the recurring sidecharacters and the moments our MC's and SC's have heartfelt conversations about the events of the first book. It was so nice to see how everyone is coping with the aftermath.

I was not dissapointed by the plot in this book. It felt different from the first books, but the quality was still there and I had an absolute blast. I felt like the pacing in this book was an improvement compared to the first one. I also think the sideplot helped with that a lot!

To conclude, I loved this book as much as the undetectables and I would encourage everyone to read this one!! It's so effortlessly queer with great disability rep.

The undead complex will be out on September 24!

In a world where magic and the mundane coexist, the three witches of the Undetectables private investigations company are the go-to team when things get strange. *The Undead Complex* picks up a few months after the events of *The Undetectables*. Diana’s old flame, Taylor, is working in the prop department on a TV horror series pilot at Larkin Studios, located on the grounds of Oakpass Manor—the former home of the Larkin family, who mysteriously vanished one night 100 years ago. When Taylor’s body is found at the studio, only for Taylor to show up for work later that day, it becomes clear that something sinister and bizarre is at play. Taylor enlists the Undetectables to investigate, while Mallory delves deeper into the murder of their ghost friend, Theodore. As the witches navigate their inexperience and learn on the job, their missteps add both suspense and humor.

Smyth's universe is richly diverse, encompassing a wide array of magical beings alongside a full spectrum of intersectional human identities. She continues to deepen the world she builds through intricate details of its history, magical systems, and politics, while also adding layers to her characters. The relationships among the three friends are complex, with their individual strengths and vulnerabilities enriching their interactions.

Start with *The Undetectables* and then dive into this one. Highly recommended for its delightful blend of humor, action, and its multifaceted portrayal of queer, disabled, and neurodivergent characters.

2SLGBTQIA+ Paranormal Mystery about a detective agency run by three witches and a ghost in a cat costume as they deal with ancient magic and fiendish puzzles on their newest case.

5/5 stars: This is the second entry in Smyth's The Undetectables series, which is a 2SLGBTQIA+ Paranormal Mystery that features three very different witches and a ghost stuck forever in a cat costume, who work together as magical forensic investigators. Hired to solve a murder on a TV shoot by the victim herself the team will have to unravel fiendish puzzles and deal with ancient magic. With plenty of twists and turns, Smyth has masterfully crafted a mystery that deftly balances the suspects, clues and red herrings and will leave you pondering the whodunit until the final reveal. Smythe's world building is well-crafted; you'll find a modern world filled with magic, ghosts and other supernatural beings. Told in multiple POVs, Smyth's writing and character work are stellar. With a diverse and inclusive 2SLGBTQIA+ cast, the characters are well-rounded and complex while remaining incredibly likable. Each of the four MCs have a unique voice and it's great to catch up with them. Additionally, I appreciate Smyth's approach to Mallory's fibromyalgia and dealing with chronic pain. Smythe takes on some sensitive subjects; so take care and check the CWs. While you could read this as a stand-alone, you'll gain so much more by reading the series from the beginning; so be sure to pick up book one, The Undetectables.

I received this eARC thanks to NetGalley and Titan Books in exchange for an honest review. Publishing dates are subject to change.