Publisher's Weekly Review
Beaty conjures a complex and socially conscious murder mystery set in a Western European--inspired medieval fantasy city that's hiding cataclysmic secrets. As master architect Magister Thomas's assistant, Catrin, 17, is privy to the ins and outs of Collis's streets, including Thomas's current project, a church dubbed the Holy Sanctum. Cat's magical foresight--kept secret to avoid societal rejection--also grants her premonitions that help evade potential construction calamity. After finding the body of a violently murdered sex worker in the Holy Sanctum, Cat becomes entangled in the investigation. Considered the crime's only witness, she is expected to cooperate with Simon, 19, the handsome, enigmatic man conducting the inquiry. Though she must keep her magic hidden from Simon or face potentially deadly consequences, she uses it to lead the pair to more bodies and clues. But the longer the serial killer terrorizes Collis and the more secrets the duo uncover, the more danger Cat finds herself in. Beaty thoroughly and deftly examines prejudice against sex workers and people with mental illnesses, combining introspective dialogue, subtle magic, and hair-raising thrills for a riveting, thoughtful read. A contextualizing author's note concludes. Ages 14--up. Agent: Valerie Noble, Donaghy Literary. (June)
Kirkus Review
A girl uncovers her own secrets while chasing a serial killer in a fantasy city. Catrin is the assistant to Magister Thomas, the head architect of the wondrous Holy Sanctum in the city of Collis. While inspecting scaffolds at night, Cat hears a scream and follows the sound only to find a gruesome murder scene. The Comte de Montcuir assigns Simon, a handsome, young distant relation of his, to investigate. As a witness, Cat hides some information because the murdered girl visited Magister Thomas earlier that evening, and she doesn't want to give his political enemies leverage. In the course of investigating, Cat starts to uncover her own past and things that may make her uniquely qualified to hunt the killer. As more sex workers are brutally killed, Cat, Simon, and his Montcuir cousins develop a profile of the killer--a profile that fits multiple people close to Cat. Plenty of clues and red herrings keep her (and readers) guessing. The romantic storylines gain tension as Cat must decide whom to trust. The "madness" of the killer is clearly separated from mental illness, and diversity in the presentation of mental illness is emphasized. Racially, most characters read as White; there's an in-universe diversity storyline related to an isolationist nocturnal sect some believe to have magick. The story ends with high-stakes action and long-reaching consequences. Dark thrills for fans of psychology, magick, and murder. (author's note) (Fantasy thriller. 14-adult) Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Booklist Review
The adventurous and preternaturally talented Catrine is grateful for having the architect, Magister Thomas, take her under his wing and out of the dreaded convent where she grew up. Within the city of Collis, Catrine steals into the night, inspecting building structures for flaws or damages. One night, while conducting her routine scaffold inspection, Catrine hears a blood-curdling scream, only to discover the freshly mutilated corpse of the young Perrete. Catrine finds herself teaming up with the young and handsome investigator, Simon, to conduct psychological profiling and find the murderer before they strike again. Beaty's (The Traitor's Kiss, 2017) protagonist is a medieval version of Clarice from The Silence of the Lambs, and she is constantly surrounded by chauvinistic men who underestimate her and make crude remarks. While it may take a while to understand the lingo and nonlinear time line, readers will appreciate this period piece starring a heroine with uncharted gifts and bravado. An elementary choice of a read.
