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jacemchale's review
adventurous
challenging
emotional
funny
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Totally loved this book. It sets up a series and leaves you asking questions, but it makes me excited for the next installment.
This book scratches a weird crossover itch with paranormal books and mystery books with a murder being solved by a group of three witches. I loved each one of the main characters so much even if they all have their flaws. Mallory's chronic pain makes her understandably cranky in some representation I loved, because it's truly difficult to be peppy all the time, especially with chronic pain. Diana is truly loveable with plenty of ex-girlfriends but the kind of friend to give tough love when it's needed. Cornelia experiences privileges with wealth and power and understands that systems are often unfair while also trying to battle some injustices while they try to solve murders.
I loved this book, and while the mystery isn't technically overly complicated the added magic mixed with science adds another layer to the mystery and makes it fresh and compelling.
This book scratches a weird crossover itch with paranormal books and mystery books with a murder being solved by a group of three witches. I loved each one of the main characters so much even if they all have their flaws. Mallory's chronic pain makes her understandably cranky in some representation I loved, because it's truly difficult to be peppy all the time, especially with chronic pain. Diana is truly loveable with plenty of ex-girlfriends but the kind of friend to give tough love when it's needed. Cornelia experiences privileges with wealth and power and understands that systems are often unfair while also trying to battle some injustices while they try to solve murders.
I loved this book, and while the mystery isn't technically overly complicated the added magic mixed with science adds another layer to the mystery and makes it fresh and compelling.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Chronic illness, Death, Injury/Injury detail, Blood, and Murder
Moderate: Grief and Ableism
Minor: Classism, Body shaming, Confinement, and Toxic relationship
madamenovelist's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Murder, Kidnapping, Injury/Injury detail, Chronic illness, Body horror, Cursing, Medical trauma, Medical content, Gore, and Grief
Moderate: Confinement
starrysteph's review
adventurous
funny
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
The Undetectables was a charming & sweet cozy mystery. Though it had its weaknesses, I loved the dynamic & healthy friendships, the fibromyalgia representation, and the often comedic writing style.
A trio of witch friends are reunited after the first case arrives on the doorstep of the investigative agency they attempted to start as teens: The Undetectables. Their task? Find the killer whose magical whistling causes their victims to choke on their own tongues. Clever and forensically-minded Mallory is navigating life with fibromyalgia, flirty Diana is ready to socially engineer any potential witnesses, and bug expert Cornelia has to try to see clearly through her hatred of police. And Theodore - whose murder was the first they ever witnessed - is eager to assist in ghostly form. He’s also perennially stuck in a cat costume, but don’t mention it. With no leads and no obvious motives, the team has to pull it together and catch The Whistler before they strike again.
The world, lore, and different systems of magic were simple/not super developed, but definitely interesting. I also appreciated the queernormative world and range of identities.
I really enjoyed our quartet of main characters. They’re all smart, they all care about each other, and they’re all doing their best to be good, supportive, accepting friends. However, their characterization was cartoonish at times, with Theodore’s dramatics, Diana’s never-ending parade of ex-girlfriends, the fact that they said things like “unalived”, etc. The characters did feel very young and immature for early 20s, and the humor felt a bit young as well.
I was so happy about the inclusion of fibromyalgia - and an exploration of what it means to have a chronic illness in a magical world. Also what it means for someone who has worked hard to become knowledgeable struggle with brain fog, someone who prides themself on their independence to ask for help and support from friends, and so many more little relatable tidbits.
My biggest stumble was the overarching mystery. I think it was too long and too slow. The villain was frustratingly obvious, and for a trio that was so clever and scientifically advanced it was disappointing that they didn’t manage to put ANY of the pieces together. I felt like I was twiddling my thumbs and waiting for them to catch up to my thought process, which wasn’t super fun.
Finally, one moment that has stuck with me involves the main character doing something needlessly cruel. I understood why it was happening in the moment/it narratively made sense, but in my opinion it was NOT resolved well at all - especially for a book with a lot of plot points around good friendship.
I am overflowing with questions from the ending - and I think I would pick up the next book (if there is going to be a next book) to see how some of the remaining mysteries shake out.
CW: murder, death, animal death, animal cruelty, chronic illness, grief, kidnapping, gore, confinement, toxic relationship, ableism, fire
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(I received a free copy of this book; this is my honest review.)
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death, Death, Animal cruelty, Ableism, Murder, Toxic relationship, Gore, Confinement, Chronic illness, Grief, Kidnapping, and Fire/Fire injury
fromjuliereads's review
adventurous
dark
funny
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
I went into this book based on an author I like posting about it (Lillie Lainoff), the tagline, and the synopsis. And I wasn't disappointed! I was looking for a unique premise and awesome characters, and this book definitely delivered on both!
Let's get the minor notes out of the way first. I think that this definitely had a slower pace than I expected as a fantasy mystery. There are a few spots in the middle that lagged - but the characters do keep you interested! I think this might be more a debut thing since the author has written more short stories previously. And nothing against the book, but I did guess the villain earlier than the characters.
But my list of good far outweighs those notes!!
- I really loved these characters! They are quirky, badass, and relatable! Mallory is taller than average, Cornelia wears glasses and is blunt, and Diana is plus-size and THEY ARE ALL SMART IN THEIR OWN WAYS. They have their strengths and distinct personalities and they all love each other for who they are. It's honestly one of my favourite friendships I've read.
- queernormative characters - like, lots of them. And there are multiple nonbinary characters with they/them pronouns on page.
- chronic illness rep. Mallory has fibromyalgia and it is part of her character and the plot in a realistic way. It was great to see it part of the story and how it affects her, both physically and mentally. While I don't have chronic illness, I have migraine and pain days and Mallory felt really relatable to me in a lot of ways. Which is amazing to see in a fantasy novel!
- while I did see who the villain was going to be, the backstory and WHY, how it's revealed, were all a surprise to me and well done! I didn't see that route coming honestly.
- Theodore.
While I don't think everyone will LOVE this book, there are definitely people who will appreciate everything I listed above with the mix of magic, witches, and the occult.
Let's get the minor notes out of the way first. I think that this definitely had a slower pace than I expected as a fantasy mystery. There are a few spots in the middle that lagged - but the characters do keep you interested! I think this might be more a debut thing since the author has written more short stories previously. And nothing against the book, but I did guess the villain earlier than the characters.
But my list of good far outweighs those notes!!
- I really loved these characters! They are quirky, badass, and relatable! Mallory is taller than average, Cornelia wears glasses and is blunt, and Diana is plus-size and THEY ARE ALL SMART IN THEIR OWN WAYS. They have their strengths and distinct personalities and they all love each other for who they are. It's honestly one of my favourite friendships I've read.
- queernormative characters - like, lots of them. And there are multiple nonbinary characters with they/them pronouns on page.
- chronic illness rep. Mallory has fibromyalgia and it is part of her character and the plot in a realistic way. It was great to see it part of the story and how it affects her, both physically and mentally. While I don't have chronic illness, I have migraine and pain days and Mallory felt really relatable to me in a lot of ways. Which is amazing to see in a fantasy novel!
- while I did see who the villain was going to be, the backstory and WHY, how it's revealed, were all a surprise to me and well done! I didn't see that route coming honestly.
- Theodore.
While I don't think everyone will LOVE this book, there are definitely people who will appreciate everything I listed above with the mix of magic, witches, and the occult.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Body horror, Chronic illness, Death, Grief, Injury/Injury detail, Kidnapping, Medical content, and Murder
Minor: Stalking, Abandonment, Alcohol, Blood, Confinement, Fire/Fire injury, and Toxic relationship
Bugs, room full of bugspurplepenning's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
3.5
A unique serial killer thriller in an urban fantasy setting that follows a trio of Gen-Z magical folk as they investigate — a fresh, spooky season read for murder mystery fans!
I picked it up for the tagline: "Be Gay. Solve crimes. Take naps." The writing didn't immediately click for me because I couldn't quite get a feel for the setting and characters, but I stuck with it for the absurdly endearing character of Theodore (an irrepressible ghost stuck in the ridiculous cat costume he died in on Halloween), the excellently portrayed chronic pain rep, and the Gen Z voice of it all. By the end, I found myself hoping that this is going to be the first in a series.
I picked it up for the tagline: "Be Gay. Solve crimes. Take naps." The writing didn't immediately click for me because I couldn't quite get a feel for the setting and characters, but I stuck with it for the absurdly endearing character of Theodore (an irrepressible ghost stuck in the ridiculous cat costume he died in on Halloween), the excellently portrayed chronic pain rep, and the Gen Z voice of it all. By the end, I found myself hoping that this is going to be the first in a series.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Murder, Body horror, and Chronic illness
Moderate: Animal cruelty, Toxic relationship, Violence, Blood, Grief, Ableism, Animal death, Classism, Confinement, Cursing, Gore, Infidelity, Injury/Injury detail, Kidnapping, and Medical content
Minor: Alcohol
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