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A review by analenegrace
The Undetectables by Courtney Smyth
adventurous
funny
hopeful
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
As a reader with Fibromyalgia, I thought reading a book where the MC had the same disability would be enjoyable, but unfortunately (in the best way possible), Mallory was so relatable that certain sections of the book made me put it down because I was so emotional seeing myself and my disability reflected on the page. Smythe, as a fibro-having author, is an amazing author, and I cannot thank them enough for putting themself and myself on the page.
Plotwise, the first half of this book is quite slow, and it took me a while to get into the mystery part, but at about the 50% mark, it picked up, and I flew through the second half. Mysteries are not my favorite genre, but this, a fantasy setting with queer and disabled characters, was very enjoyable. The twists and turns were engaging, and although I figured out who did it before the reveal, it was less than ten pages before the reveal when I said, "Oh shit wait what if it's this character!?!?" so Smythe did a great job of keeping the reader on their toes with who the murderer was.
I felt like some of the dialogue between these characters felt too young for how old they are, but I appreciated Mallory's internal dialogue beyond her disability; her relationship with her best friends was very relatable and understandable as a disabled queer reader. I was a little unhappy with the last little bit as I was hoping that the character would stay gone, but I understand that for the sequel to work, this character needed to return. Lastly, I was not particularly a fan of how they decided to continue working with the cops, even if they weren't signing a contract, simply Fuck the Police...
I am really looking forward to the sequel, even with my criticisms!
Best Line: "Mallory was sick of grinning and bearing every little thing that came her way. Sick of accepting help and pretending it didn't make her feel like shit, sick of also being afraid to ask, never quite able to smush the feelings down, never quite able to contain her grief, her rage, her loneliness. Sick of having a career on a plate and not being able to grasp it with both hands. Sick of being sick."
Plotwise, the first half of this book is quite slow, and it took me a while to get into the mystery part, but at about the 50% mark, it picked up, and I flew through the second half. Mysteries are not my favorite genre, but this, a fantasy setting with queer and disabled characters, was very enjoyable. The twists and turns were engaging, and although I figured out who did it before the reveal, it was less than ten pages before the reveal when I said, "Oh shit wait what if it's this character!?!?" so Smythe did a great job of keeping the reader on their toes with who the murderer was.
I felt like some of the dialogue between these characters felt too young for how old they are, but I appreciated Mallory's internal dialogue beyond her disability; her relationship with her best friends was very relatable and understandable as a disabled queer reader. I was a little unhappy with the last little bit as I was hoping that the character would stay gone, but I understand that for the sequel to work, this character needed to return. Lastly, I was not particularly a fan of how they decided to continue working with the cops, even if they weren't signing a contract, simply Fuck the Police...
I am really looking forward to the sequel, even with my criticisms!
Best Line: "Mallory was sick of grinning and bearing every little thing that came her way. Sick of accepting help and pretending it didn't make her feel like shit, sick of also being afraid to ask, never quite able to smush the feelings down, never quite able to contain her grief, her rage, her loneliness. Sick of having a career on a plate and not being able to grasp it with both hands. Sick of being sick."
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Cursing, Toxic relationship, Chronic illness, Grief, and Death