Cassidy Kincaide runs Trifles & Folly in modern-day Charleston, an antiques and curios shop with a dangerous secret. Cassidy can read the history of objects by touching them and together with Teag (a hacker and weaver witch) and Sorren, a 600 year-old vampire, they get rid of cursed objects and keep Charleston and the world safe from supernatural threats.An extension of the Deadly Curiosities … Curiosities urban fantasy novel series, this collection contains three full novellas and four short stories: The Final Death, Predator, Fair Game, Fatal Invitation, Redcap, Bloodlines, plus three bonus stories: Among the Shoals Forever, The Low Road, and Steer a Pale Course.
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When I think of the deep South, I think of southern courtesy, showcase gardens and hospitality dripping with graciousness. I know that there is a darker side to that hospitality but Ms. Martin’s Deadly Curiosities world makes that darker than I hope to ever encounter. I am never going to think about hospitality in the way I used to. Brrrr…. (I got this book from Hidden Gems and I am voluntarily leaving a review.)
I never read Trifles & Folly 1 so I did not know what to expect from thus collection. Happily the nine stories here stand in their own. Even happier – they’re uniformly fantastic. Cassidy Kincaide is a great leading lady. Just the sort of kick-a** character I love. That she has psychometry (the ability to read the history of objects by touching them) is just cool. Her partners, Teag, the “Weaver” mage hand Sorren, the 600 year-old vampire, are Aldo perfectly crafted. Their antiques and curios (and do much more) shop, the eponymous Trifles & Folly, is a place I’d love to have access to, and their work to keep Charleston and the world safe from supernatural threats? Perfect. But for the fact that I’m literally dictating this review to my husband from my hospital bed I could go on and on with praises. This collection of stories definitely deserves it. Since I can’t do that I will simply note that the collection is most definitely one to read, and it is easy to highly recommend.
The whole book is excellent. The writer has a way with telling a story. He will keep you enthralled and delighted. An awesome spine thrilling adventure. I received a complimentary review copy of the book and I am voluntarily leaving a honest review.
1) The Final Death; This is awesome. The story has a lot of mystery and intrigue. Going through history, reading diaries and old documents. Getting the feel of that time and trying to gather information on what was going on. It is interesting and fun to look back and see through there eyes. Very good story.
2) Fatal Invitation; This story is exciting and very good. The people at the store of Trifles and Folly have a set up to catch two murders. The food is almost ready the table set from things at the store. All is ready, now to greet the dark witch and a rogue vampire and make them welcome. After all they are in Charleston, South Carolina.
3) Redcap; Did you know that a Redcap is a bloodthirsty pixie that likes human flesh? I didn’t but now I do. How do you get rid of Krampus? It is a very good and short story. I did enjoy reading it.
4) Bloodlines; What do generations of heartache, bad luck, and death have in common? Very good story and plot. I liked it.
5) Predator; OOH! This one is a good one. How would you feel about shifters when you did not know that they even existed and then found out? Games on lets find out why all the shifters are missing. Exciting, and scary. Very good story. The plot is a good one also.
6) Fair Game; Charleston World Fair scandals, gossip, tragedy, ghosts, secrets and lies. I like Father Anne and I do believe that her tattoo has grown since I have started reading these stories. I like how they research things and find answers. I also like the friends and co-workers they have. They have their backs and viseaversa. They are short but they have a lot of excitement and danger. Sometimes you can learn some things also. Very good story.
7) Unraveled; A very interesting story. Teag is the ass. manager of Trifles and Folly. He helps Cassidy who is the part owner in the store with a silent partner Sorren. Cassidy can touch items and read them. Teag is a Weaver and Sorren is a vampire who works for the Alliance, sort of a cop.
This story is more in line with Teag and his ability as a weaver. Very exciting story. So we can get a idea of just what a weaver is capable of doing. An enjoyable read.
8) Bonus; Tells a story about starting a legacy, one handed down through the ages. Well done.
I loved Vendetta and Deadly Curiosities so I was so happy when Gail Z. Martin started to write short stories and novellas in this universe. This is the second collection, and it is as good as the first one was. I warmly recommend it. 🙂