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WORK TITLE: City of Wolves
WORK NOTES:
PSEUDONYM(S):
BIRTHDATE:
WEBSITE: https://willowrants.wordpress.com/
CITY: Madison
STATE: WI
COUNTRY:
NATIONALITY:
http://us.macmillan.com/author/willowpalecek/
RESEARCHER NOTES:
PERSONAL
Married.
ADDRESS
CAREER
Author; creator of roleplaying games Awesome Adventures, Escape from Tentacle City, and The Arm.
WRITINGS
SIDELIGHTS
Willow Palecek is perhaps best known for her role-playing games (she is the creator of the games Awesome Adventures, Escape from Tentacle City, and The Arm), In 2016, Palecek published her first novella, City of Wolves, a “gaslamp fantasy noir,” as it is described on the Web site of its publisher, Tor.
The protagonist of City of Wolves, private investigator Alexander Drake, has unfortunately given aid to the losing side in a civil war that has wracked the fantasy kingdom where the story is set. At the end of the fifteen-year conflict, Drake descends into drunkenness and poverty, doing odd jobs for the local constabulary and occasionally getting commissions from the new government. He is given a reprieve by Colin Abergreen, younger brother of the heir of Lord Abergreen, who was found murdered on his own land. The lord’s corpse had been covered with bite marks, and his will has gone missing. Some would prefer that Drake never finds the will, and solving the case may well place Drake into serious danger.
Several reviewers were impressed with Palecek’s debut as a novelist. “I’m impressed with all that Palecek was able to pack into this very slim volume, which features well-crafted characters and a fast-paced plot,” stated a reviewer at the Bibliosanctum book blog. “I would love for there to be a sequel. I wouldn’t hesitate to read another Alexander Drake novella, especially if future installments will be as enjoyable as this one. City of Wolves was a quick, entertaining read and what I saw definitely left me wanting more.” A guest reviewer at the Brazen Babe Reviews blog likewise enjoyed the novel’s “engaging main character, worldbuilding, and suspense plot.” The same reviewer recommended the book to “those who like a blend of history, mystery, urban fantasy, and steampunk.”
“City of Wolves introduced me to a new, interesting world,” remarked an All Things Urban Fantasy reviewer, “and Alexander Drake is definitely a character I would be interested in reading more about.” Noting that “a nifty murder mystery, with supernatural elements” can be “tricky to pull off,” Sci-Fi and Fantasy Reviews contributor Chris Meadows felt that the book succeeds “because the story sticks to its own internal logic for the supernatural elements–and throws in others we’re more familiar with.” “As a mystery,” summarized Meadows, City of Wolves is “entertaining, and the fantasy elements give it a good flavour.”
BIOCRIT
PERIODICALS
Publishers Weekly, April 11, 2016, review of City of Wolves, p. 42.
ONLINE
All Things Urban Fantasy, http://allthingsuf.com/ (September 12, 2016), review of City of Wolves.
Bibliosanctum, https://bibliosanctum.com/ (August 5, 2016), review of City of Wolves.
Brazen Babe Reviews, http://www.brazenbabereviews.com/ (October 21, 2016), review of City of Wolves.
Criminalelement.com, http://www.criminalelement.com/ (August 2, 2016), review of City of Wolves; excerpt.
Macmillan, http://us.macmillan.com/ (March 5, 2017), author profile.
Rocket Stack Rank, http://www.rocketstackrank.com/ (August 10, 2016), Greg Hullender, review of City of Wolves.
Sci-Fi and Fantasy Reviews, http://sfandfreviews.blogspot.com/ (July 26, 2016), Chris Meadows, review of City of Wolves.
Tor.com, http://www.tor.com/ (June 27, 2016), review of City of Wolves; excerpt.
Willow Palecek Home Page, https://willowrants.wordpress.com (March 5, 2017), author profile.
ABOUT
My name is Willow Palecek. I published Awesome Adventures, a small-press roleplaying game. I’m currently juggling several other projects, including more roleplaying games, novels, and playing lots of XBox.
I can be reached at willow@willowpalecek.com
WILLOW PALECEK
Willow Palecek
Tim Jensen
Willow Palecek is the writer of the role-playing games Awesome Adventures, Escape from Tentacle City, and The Arm. City of Wolves is her first published novella. Willow resides in Madison, Wisconsin, with her husband and their two cats.
City of Wolves
Publishers Weekly. 263.15 (Apr. 11, 2016): p42.
Copyright: COPYRIGHT 2016 PWxyz, LLC
http://www.publishersweekly.com/
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City of Wolves
Willow Palecek. Tor.com, $11.99 trade paper (112p) ISBN 978-0-7653-8975-6
[ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]
Games writer Palecek (The Arm) offers a tantalizing glimpse of an interesting imagined world in this short supernatural mystery. PI Alexander Drake had supported the losing side in a recent civil war in his fantasy kingdom, which closely resembles England, and now struggles to make a living "digging up dirty laundry for suspicious spouses." His rule about avoiding the nobility has left him broke, and he's willing to make an exception when he's offered a year's wages by Colin Abergreen to probe the murder of Colin's father, whose nude body was found, covered with canine bite marks, in the garden of his estate. Drake's investigation is fast-tracked after Colin learns that the Crown has dispatched a royal inspector to the scene of the crime, an indication that there are larger issues at stake than Drake had suspected. Palecek smartly underplays the supernatural element and makes it feel integral to the setting, opening with just a passing reference to Colin having located Drake via a wizard's tracking charm, and the conclusion sets the stage nicely for future books. (July)
Wednesday, August 10, 2016
City of Wolves, by Willow Palecek
Cover illustration by Cliff Neilsen
Find this story
(Fantasy Mystery) Alexander Drake avoids investigations involving the nobility, but he can't resist the invitation to investigate the mysterious death of Lord Aberdeen. (18,375 words; Time: 1h:01m)
Rating: ★★★☆☆ Average
See related articles on Tor.com.
"City Of Wolves," by Willow Palecek [bio] (edited by Carl Engle-Laird), published on July 26, 2016 by Tor.com.
Mini-Review (click to view--possible spoilers)
Pro: The mystery is interesting, and all the details add up at the end. The revelation that the entire nobility are werewolves was a bit of a surprise, but not entirely so. (Patch's reaction to the question about Werewolves was a clue.)
Con: Several points in the story strain disbelief. Why do Mr. Winters's thugs manhandle Drake before he's even talked to him yet? Why does Corth suggest a duel with Drake, even though Drake is a commoner?
Other Reviews: Search Web, GoodReads.com
Willow Palecek Info: Interviews, Websites, ISFDB
Posted by Greg Hullender at 8/10/2016 07:03:00 PM
Alexander Drake, Investigator for Hire, doesn’t like working for the Nobility, and doesn’t prefer to take jobs from strange men who accost him in alleyways. A combination of hired muscle and ready silver have a way of changing a man’s mind.
A lord has been killed, his body found covered in bite marks. Even worse, the late lord’s will is missing, and not everyone wants Drake to find it. Solving the case might plunge Drake into deeper danger.
City of Wolves is a gaslamp fantasy noir from debut author Willow Palecek—available July 26th from Tor.com Publishing!
Chapter 1
I was on my way home after a night ill spent at the Stool and Rooster, a filthy little dive with lousy clientele and lousier drinks. As an Investigator for Hire, I needed my drinks to be of the lowest caliber, as the money was terrible. I could have led a comfortable life working for the Ministries or as a wealthy lord’s private retainer, but I tried to keep away from jobs involving the nobility; the money was good but the price was trouble. Instead, I got my income by digging up dirty laundry for suspicious spouses or tracking down prison escapees. Once in a while, I’d manage to get hired on for a consultation with the City Watch, but these days, the Watch was more concerned with hushing up murders than solving them.
I was broke. I was drunk. I was pretty sure I was being followed.
A fellow must either be very brave, or very stupid, to go out alone in the dead of night in the neighborhood that surrounds the Stool and Rooster. It is left as an exercise to the reader to decide which category I fall into. I stumbled down the middle of the lane, built-up tenements and workhouses on either side, not venturing too close to the alleyways. I was not a block from the Stool and Rooster when three men emerged from an alley some fifteen feet behind me. Two of them tall, the other plump and short. I didn’t let my concern or even my awareness show. I kept my pace steady and staggered toward the edge of the lane, turning into the next alley.
Large arms gripped me from either side. Struggling, I managed to get a hand on the face of one of my attackers and dug my fingers into his flesh as hard as I could. He let loose a yowl of pain while his partner forced my other arm behind my back, pressing hard. He could have easily broken the arm, but it was my good fortune (such as it was) that he only desired to inflict agony upon me. I clenched my jaw and ground my teeth, refusing to give him the satisfaction of a scream.
“That will be enough, gentlemen.” The fat one’s voice was refined but also labored. The meaty jowls of his face were surrounded by massive sideburns, and round spectacles covered his small eyes. He had to be a member of the Ministries or possibly the trusted retainer of a nobleman. The latter seemed more likely; the Ministries wouldn’t have to resort to hired muscle. They had plenty of thugs on the payroll already.
My arm was released and the two goons retreated, one farther into the alley and the other into the light of the street. The deep scratches I had inflicted on his face bled profusely; he wiped his face on his sleeve, soaking it with blood.
“Make it quick,” I said. Freed from the thugs, I swept my coat open to reveal the brace of pistols and the hatchet on my belt. The little lump of a man did not react, but his companions moved to display their own weaponry.
“Mr. Drake, my employer is interested in procuring your services,” he said. “There is a delicate matter that requires a consultant.”
“I don’t work for the nobility.”
“I rather suspect that you’ll make an exception in this case.” He withdrew a leather pouch from his satchel and opened it. Even in the dim reflections of the streetlights, I could see the glimmer of gold.
“Thirty crowns, Mr. Drake. Another thirty upon successful completion of the job.”
Sixty crowns was almost as much money as I’d made in a year hauling drunks out of gutters, bringing parole jumpers back to the gaol, and spying on wives for cuckolded husbands. And then there was the matter of my debts. They weren’t enough to send me to the debtors’ prisons, but the offer was certainly tempting. I considered what that sum would buy. Conviction and pragmatism wrestled for primacy in my thoughts.
“How can I refuse?”
Chapter 2
Geoffrey Winters, as the pudgy little man was named, had a carriage waiting not too far yonder to convey me to his employer’s town house. The trip was silent. Mr. Winters curtly insisted that all inquiries about the job be directed to his employer. The thug I had gouged sat across from me, glaring with bloodshot eyes and poorly contained rage. I smirked at him and turned to my side to steal a quick nap.
The carriage brought us to the stables. Despite my inebriation, I could tell the carriage was taking a circuitous route. Once at the stables, I was quickly ushered into a well-appointed sitting room dominated by a few pieces of abstract art, a rather garish set of lamps, and a number of bookcases. Reflexively, I scanned some of the titles.
I was not kept waiting long. A young nobleman entered the room. He was well dressed, with a tailored jacket and trousers, wavy hair, and neatly trimmed sideburns. His handsomeness was marred by lips slightly too big for his face, which seemed permanently pursed in a look of bland confusion. A servant soon followed, pushing a cart with a silver pitcher of water.
“Mr. Drake, pleased to make your acquaintance. I apologize for the circumstances of our meeting, but my position demands a certain degree of discretion. Please, be seated.”
I was standing—not out of respect for him but to better size up the room and its contents. By his leave I took a seat in a large, leather-upholstered chair.
“You seem to have me at a disadvantage, Mister…”
He was silent for a moment, contemplating. “Mr. Drake, tell me. Did you fight in the war?”
“For the Crown.”
“Most everyone in the war was fighting for one crown or another. Which side, Mr. Drake?”
“Loyalist,” I spat.
“I appreciate a man who values loyalty. My family is in a sensitive position. While our house eventually declared for King Werton, we fought under the banner of the Grey Wolf in several early skirmishes. My name is Colin Abergreen.”
When a Lupenwalder mentions “the war,” he is referring to the War of the Wolves—a schism in the royal house that set two would-be Kings against each other. King Sebastian, the Grey Wolf, was the rightful heir, and was traveling on the Continent when old King Joachim died. His uncle, Werton, prevented Sebastian from returning, proclaimed himself King, and consolidated power in himself and his supporters. Those of us who supported the Grey Wolf called ourselves Loyalists; those who supported Werton, the Red Wolf, called themselves Unifiers. We called them Pretenders; they called us Traitors.
The war lasted almost fifteen years, ending only with the death of King Sebastian, the Grey Wolf. At the dawn of the war, I was young and idealistic, eager to serve for the rightful King. That was ancient history. I’d since learned the true meaning of the war: a pointless monument of death celebrating two men’s vanity.
“I don’t know much about loyalty.” I fished out one of the coins from Winter’s pouch. “But I do know coin. This is what buys my loyalty.” I set the coin on the small table between us, face up. “The coins bear the face of King Sebastian. I understand most such coins were melted down. That makes their value complicated, since officially, they are no longer legal tender.” I retrieved the coin, hefting it in my palm. “A more suspicious man might see this as a trap, an attempt to pay me in contraband.”
Mr. Colin Abergreen hesitated. “The coins were a test of your ability, Mr. Drake. Your astuteness recommends you as a capable man for the job. By way of apology, I will have my man tender you with coins minted with the face of our reigning King.”
“Old Pretender?” I laughed. “That will do for my payment upon completion, but I’d rather not look upon his ugly visage more than I have to.” I moved the pouch into my pocket. “These coins are well worth their weight. Mr. Abergreen, I accept your case.”
Chapter 3
“My father, the late Lord Abergreen, was murdered on the grounds of our family estate,” said Colin Abergreen.
“And you don’t feel safe leaving the matter in the able hands of the Crown’s investigator?” I asked.
“A fresh perspective is all I’m looking for,” he replied. “My father is dead, Mr. Drake. I want to know the truth.”
“You suspect one of your siblings.”
“Yes. Our father did not leave a will. My elder brother, Corth Abergreen, will have full inheritance. He gets the title, the wealth, everything to parcel out as he sees fit.”
I nodded. It was unusual for an influential noble to fail to leave a will; usually, there would be some bequest left aside for each heir. I’d gotten involved in such a case before—not murder, but digging up dirty laundry during a protracted legal battle. It was one of the reasons I didn’t like working for the nobility—too many complications.
“Mr. Abergreen, the hour is rather late, and I am rather drunk.” I rubbed my eyes. I felt deathly tired. “I would prefer to discuss further details of the case in the morning. The very late morning. And I’ll need to see the body.”
“Of course. I will be leaving for my family estate two days hence. I suggest you get rested and take any preparations you require.”
“One more thing,” I added. “Your men had an awfully easy time finding me. Is there anything you aren’t telling me about my terms of employment?”
A nervous look crossed Colin Abergreen’s face, quickly replaced with a smile. “I had forgotten. The Tracking Charm. I’ll have Mr. Winters turn it over to you.”
“Why not hire the wizard who made it to investigate your father’s death?”
“A wizard deals in forces. I need a man who deals in conclusions. I need you.”
City of Wolves: New Excerpt
Willow Palecek
City of Wolves by Willow Palecek is a gaslight fantasy noir and debut novel (Available now!).
Alexander Drake, Investigator for Hire, doesn’t like working for the Nobility, and doesn’t prefer to take jobs from strange men who accost him in alleyways. A combination of hired muscle and ready silver have a way of changing a man’s mind.
A lord has been killed, his body found covered in bite marks. Even worse, the late lord’s will is missing, and not everyone wants Drake to find it. Solving the case might plunge Drake into deeper danger.
Read this exclusive excerpt from City of Wolves by Willow Palecek, and make sure you're signed in and comment below for a chance to win a copy of the book!
Read Chapters 1-3 at Tor.com!
Chapter 4
I spent the next day getting my affairs in order. First a visit to my barber, Bill Hughes, who gives what is perhaps the closest shave in Lupenwald. Then, a payment made to Miss Margaret, my landlady, for several months of back rent. After that, I picked up a few supplies that would be useful for my investigation. And I burned the damnable Tracking Charm.
The most important visit of the day was Butcher, a fence. Butcher was a short, ugly little man, with a bulbous nose and an uneven beard, large, perceptive eyes, and wide lips covering large teeth, usually clamped around a cigar while he did his business, which involved more than just cutting meat. He'd never betray his own clients, but he kept his ear to the ground and was a valuable source of information about the criminal element.
“I'm looking to cash in some of these.” I held open my palm with one of the Sebastian-headed coins, and clamped my hand tightly closed as he attempted to take it. “You get your cut when the job's done, Butcher, not before.”
“Of course, of course.” He pulled t a jeweler's glass out of his apron pocket. “Just need a closer look.” I held the coin out between thumb and forefinger. “How many?” he asked.
“Twenty five. All the same quality.” I had already broken the others with the type of moneychangers who get you coming and going.
“I'll give you twenty crowns with the smiling face of Old Pretender, right here and now.”
“I'm not looking to sell them fast, Butcher. I'm looking for the best price.”
“I'll ask around. My fee is ten percent, straight off the top.”
“Fair enough. Let me know when you have a serious offer.”
I returned to my lodgings, and was surprised to see a coach out front with Mr. Winters standing next to it, flanked by two of his brutes. He was checking his pocket-watch and looking worried.
“Ah, Mr. Drake, wonderful.” He sounded apprehensive, hardly wonderful at all. “I must apologize, there's been a change in plans. We must leave for the Abergreen estate, posthaste.”
Chapter 5
“I don't appreciate it when plans change.”
We were in the carriage, driving through the outskirts of Lupenwald. Slums gave way to fashionable new neighborhoods, which gave way to farmland, which the cruel forces of time and civilization would one day turn into fashionable new neighborhoods and then reduce to slums. Mr. Winters sat across from me, a hired brute crammed in next to each of us.
“My apologies, Mr. Drake. However, we've received word of the Crown's involvement.”
I grunted a harsh affirmative, waiting for him to continue.
“Royal Inspector Sir Ernst Loxley-Birmingham.”
Bloody hell, I thought. Loxley-Birmingham was widely regarded as the Ministries' finest investigative mind. He could have been Inspector General if he wanted, but he'd turned down the position. If the Ministries were sending him, then this was far bigger than I had realized.
“What are the known facts of the case?” I asked.
“Lord Abergreen was found in the gardens. He had fallen from the window of his study, and his body was covered with wounds.”
I was taking notes in a small book, cursing my shaky hand as the carriage bounced over uncertain terrain.
“What sort of wounds?”
“Bite wounds. Canine.”
“Was Lord Abergreen— or anyone close to him — a dog fancier?”
“No more than anyone else. A kennel, a staff breeder, perhaps twenty hounds in total.”
Foreigners may not fully appreciate the significance of a Lupenwalder's hound. Specimens of the Walder breed are cunning, loyal, ferocious and large; sometimes as tall as four feet at the shoulder. Truly, they are closer to wolves in character and stature than they are to most domesticated dogs, and they are a far cry from the small, furry lap-dogs popular in parts of the Continent.
Lupenwald was so named for the locals' use of hunting wolves, and the name stuck. The wolf was the symbol of the Royal Family, and now a Walder hound was a possible murder weapon.
“I'll need to see the site of death, the Lord's study, and I’ll need access to the corpse. I'll want to speak with some members of the household staff once I know more.”
“Of course,” said Mr. Winters.
“Tell me more about the missing will, Mr. Winters. I find it surprising that Lord Abergreen would not have left any specifications for his entail.”
Mr. Winters shifted uncomfortably. “He was in excellent health for his age. There was nothing registered with the family solicitor, but our employer is quite concerned that there was not even an informal document.”
“Perhaps I will find one. But suppose I don't. What does the law have to say about the inheritance?”
“The standard disbursement would be that the heir— in this case, Corth Abergreen, the eldest son — would receive the estate, the title, and sixty percent of all assets. The remainder would be divided amongst Lord Abergreen's remaining four children.”
Lord Abergreen was a wealthy man. Was he killed, I wondered, to ensure someone's ten percent? Or for sixty?
Copyright © 2016 Willow Palecek.
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Novella Review: City of Wolves by Willow Palecek
A review copy was provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
City of WolvesCity of Wolves by Willow Palecek
Mogsy’s Rating: 3.5 of 5 stars
Genre: Fantasy, Mystery
Series: Book 1
Publisher: Tor.com (July 26, 2016)
Length: 112 pages
Author Information: Website
Out of Tor.com’s big lineup of releases for this summer, City of Wolves was one that immediately caught my eye and I’m glad I got a chance to read it. New author Willow Palecek has written an outstandingly well-developed and complete tale in a brisk 100 pages or so, while still managing to leave me salivating for more. I’ve always had a penchant for paranormal Victorian mysteries and detective stories; throw in werewolves too, and I am totally game.
The story’s protagonist is Alexander Drake, an investigator-for-hire in the bustling Victorian London-esque city of Lupenwald. A former soldier who fought on the losing side for a deposed king, Drake now prefers to stay under the radar, taking on modest opportunities while staying away from jobs offered by the nobility even though they often pay a lot better. He’s forced to reconsider that position, however, when he finds himself ambushed one evening by Lord Colin Abergreen’s hired goons. Cornering Drake in an alleyway and dangling a large purse as an incentive, the nobleman makes our detective an offer he can’t refuse.
Drake, now retained by the Abergreens, agrees to investigate the strange death of the family’s patriarch, Colin’s father. The older man was found dead in the gardens right beneath the shattered window of his chambers, his body completely naked. Old Lord Abergreen was also fond of keeping dogs, a large wolf-like breed that Lupenwald is famous for, and apparently the dogs were fond of him too, as indicated by the canine teeth marks on his corpse. Curiously, the man died without leaving a will, which is rather unusual for a nobleman. The easy thing to do would be to chalk this up to an inheritance dispute, but Drake thinks there’s something more to this case, especially when a werewolf follows him home afterwards and tries to kill him…
I’m impressed with all that Palecek was able to pack into this very slim volume, which features well-crafted characters and a fast-paced plot. Hardly any words are wasted here, as in, blink and you might miss something.
There are both positives and negatives to this, of course. City of Wolves feels very much like other paranormal mysteries of its type, except it accomplishes everything in one third the number of pages. The story is very streamlined, with hardly an ounce of fat on it. The mystery takes off at a fast clip and never falters, and I liked that there was never a dull moment. Still, just because the plot is so efficient, doesn’t mean things aren’t tough for our detective. There are plenty of suspects to consider, and just as many scenarios to ponder in the face of perplexing clues and unexpected twists. There are even a couple scenes of thrilling action and chase sequences to shake things up.
As for the downsides, the world-building feels a bit lean, admittedly. Drake zips from one place to another, and aside from a few cursory observations about his surroundings, we don’t get to see much of the city, and I feel like I’ve been robbed of the opportunity to experience Lupenwald in all its glory. I also failed to get a sense of atmosphere from the writing, which to me is such an important aspect of Victorian-era style fiction.
Furthermore, Drake identifies himself as a Loyalist, something that’s clearly significant to his character and goes back to the War of the Wolves, a fight for the throne between two would-be kings. The book doesn’t dwell much on the conflict, but what little background was revealed about it was very intriguing. If the story could have been a little longer, I would have liked to see more of Lupenwald’s sights and sounds and for the narrative to fill in more of the world’s history—especially since the war was so obviously a defining event for our main protagonist.
Needless to say, I would love for there to be a sequel. I wouldn’t hesitate to read another Alexander Drake novella, especially if future installments will be as enjoyable as this one. City of Wolves was a quick, entertaining read and what I saw definitely left me wanting more.
Brazen Babe Reviews
#GuestReview by @sophiarose1816: City of Wolves by Willow Palecek
By: Sharonda BrazenBabe on 7:23:00 AM
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Hey Brazen Babes & Guys! Please welcome Sophia back to the blog, she has another awesome review for us!
26847054
Format: eARC
Series: NA
Genre: Historical Urban Fantasy Suspense
Author: Willow Palecek
Publisher: Tor.com
Published: 7.26.16
Pages: 128
Rating: 4
Flames: NA
Source: Net Galley
Available: Amazon | BN | ARe | +Goodreads
♥Sophia's Review♥
City of Wolves was a lot of things and all those things were packed into a swift-moving novella. While I enjoyed this one, as, indeed, I did, I also felt that if this was not serving as a prequel- introductory story to something beyond then it fell short. Because I want to give the benefit of the doubt, I'm going to be generous as well as hopeful that there is a whole lot more coming from this fascinating and exciting alternate historical fantasy suspense staring the most impressive, witty, and roguish investigator for the common people, Alexander Drake.
As, I noted, this is an alternate history. It is based on perhaps a smash-up of Scottish history and English history with the paranormal elements of magic and more tossed in for good measure. Alexander Drake fought for the loyalist cause and they lost. Now he is scraping a living as an investigator. He could work for the government as one of their detectives just as he could take cases involving the nobility which would both pay vastly more than the pittance he earns on uninteresting cases, but he's had bad experiences with both and wants to just live his life without the trouble that comes from tangling with his supposed betters.
But, unfortunately, if he wants room and board and to stay out of debtor's prison, he must take this latest case involving the death of an aristocrat and a missing will. As soon as he takes the case, someone would rather him not find out the truth. Drake has a time of it staying one step ahead of the government investigator and also the shadowy nemesis trying to stop him for good.
Alright, this was a novella so it clipped along pretty well. I was immediately taken with the main character, Alexander Drake. He's the underdog who is cynical and somewhat disillusioned, but he has a code of morality and he is loyal. He might take the short cut to get there, but he is honorable in his own way.
I enjoyed the introduction to Alexander's world. It is the British Empire essentially- there is a monarchy, a government, a class system, and regional types that are familiar, but there is also the known use of magic, a little gadgetry, and another surprise element that I'll not mention by name so as not to spoil things.
The mystery was moderately challenging though I figured out quite a bit well before the end. That said, there were a few surprises and it was great following along with Alexander as he tracked down the trail of clues and did his 'voila' at the end. But that last jangling line of reveal at the end is what has me believing that there is oh so much more to come. I did have one niggle about the mystery in that I couldn't remember the story making clear why the victim chose to do what he did. Again, I wonder if that is part of what might come after this one. I knew who killed the victim and who was after Drake, but in the victim's case, the 'why' was murky.
So, whether this was the start of something more or its own shorter story, I still had a pretty good time with an engaging main character, worldbuilding, and suspense plot. The author did a bang up job with her debut. I would recommend it for those who like a blend of history, mystery, urban fantasy, and steampunk (or as the book is described by the blurb- Gaslight Fantasy Noir).
*I received this book from Net Galley in exchange of an honest review.
All Things Urban Fantasy
Review: City of Wolves by Willow Palecek
September 13, 2016 Kate Review 0
Review: City of Wolves by Willow PalecekCity of Wolves by Willow Palecek
Published by Tor.com on July 26, 2016
Genres: Adult, Fantasy, Historical
Format: eBook
Pages: 96
Source: NetGalley
Excerpt: Excerpt
Sexual Content: N/A
Reviewed by: Kate
4 Stars
Alexander Drake, Investigator for Hire, doesn’t like working for the Nobility, and doesn’t prefer to take jobs from strange men who accost him in alleyways. A combination of hired muscle and ready silver have a way of changing a man’s mind. A lord has been killed, his body found covered in bite marks. Even worse, the late lord’s will is missing, and not everyone wants Drake to find it. Solving the case might plunge Drake into deeper danger.
CITY OF WOLVES is an enjoyable novella. I loved the main character, the sense of humor, and the world building, but I felt there were some aspects that were unnecessary and distracting, something which is all the more obvious in a novella length piece, where every word counts.
CITY OF WOLVES is described by Tor.com as "gaslamp, fantasy noir" and it definitely fits those genres.The world that Alexander Drake inhabits in CITY OF WOLVES comes off as rather dark and dingy. Drake is an excellent narrator, and the whole thing reads a bit as a hardboiled detective novel would. Except with werewolves!
There was one major scene that was a bit out of place for me though. It introduced a character who didn't actually appear to move the plot along, and instead I was left a bit confused as to why the scene was included. Especially because to me, the ending felt a bit rushed.
CITY OF WOLVES introduced me to a new, interesting world, and Alexander Drake is definitely a character I would be interested in reading more about. However, CITY OF WOLVES makes an excellent stand alone novella, and is a nice, short, entertaining read.
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Publishers Weekly
Reanne Reads
The Bibliosanctum - 3.5/5
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Tags: 4 bats adult fantasy historical Kate werewolves
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Tuesday, July 26, 2016
City of Wolves - Willow Palecek
City of Wolves is a novella from Willow Palecek. It follows the wonderfully named Alexander Drake, a private investigator swimming in a sea of vice, iniquity and the occasional smidge of magic.
The world of City of Wolves is drawn in carefully minimalist strokes.
There’s enough here to engage the reader, and get their mind working, but the prose doesn’t carry any extraneous detail. The narrative occurs in and around Lupenwald, the titular City of Wolves – and it’s a city of several parts. There’s a nobility here, with a sense of class privilege and corruption in place. There’s law enforcement ready to turn a blind eye when crimes impact on their masters. Then there’s dens of vice, where the law, if it does not exactly fear to tread, certainly treads carefully. It’s a city that seems to have stark divides along social lines, but also where money can buy you anything, from bread, to swords, to silence. There’s a sense of a wider political context here too. A civil war has resulted in a reunified, but still fractious kingdom. This leaves a scent of disorder wafting through the air.
If the wider world evokes Chandler, the central strand of the narrative has hints of Christie. There’s a coziness of structure, if not of mood, as our protagonist digs into a murder – interviewing witnesses, combing flowerbeds for evidence, and making some rather convincing conclusions. If the world is the backdrop to the murder, this view of a self-centred, fractious nobility in a sprawling country pile too small for all of them – that’s the backdrop to the story. It’s sufficiently well drawn that you’re able to fill in the blanks yourself with familiar elements – but distinct enough to make the world feel unique.
The characters get very similar treatment. I would have rather liked to spend more time with all of them, if I’m honest. Drake fills the role of world-weary investigator well, and there’s some hints of his past peppered throughout the dialogue. He’s also clearly a man with a certain type of connections. There’s intelligence on display here too, though perhaps he’s a bit too used to being the smartest person in the room. Still, there’s a life, a heft to Drake, and I’d quite like to spend some more time in his company.
The remaining cast don’t fare as well, sadly. There’s a wonderful turn from a police Inspector with a firm dislike of private investigators and an aura of knowing on which side his bread is buttered. But beyond that, there’s a variety of foppish noble scions, none of whom stand out particularly. Don’t get me wrong, they do the job of driving the plot, serving as distractions and suspects – but it would be nice to have the opportunity to see more of them.
The plot – well, it’s a nifty murder mystery, with supernatural elements. These are always tricky to pull off, I think. This time it succeeds because the story sticks to its own internal logic for the supernatural elements – and throws in others we’re more familiar with – Holmesian style footprints in the garden, rifle fire from concealed glades, missing items of clothing. It’s all delightfully convoluted, the reality wrapped in red herring after enigma. The conclusion makes sense, and carries a nice sting in the tail as well. As a mystery, it’s entertaining, and the fantasy elements give it a good flavour.
Worth reading? If you’re into the fantasy-mystery space, then this may be for you. It’s nice to see this area seeing a bit of a revival; this novella will fit happily alongside the Maradaine Constabulary and Amra Thetys, and serves as a tautly intriguing introduction to characters and a world that I hope to see more of.
Posted by Chris Meadows at 12:00 AM