When Selena travels to the remote desert town of Quartz Creek in search of her estranged Aunt Amelia, she is desperate and short of options. Fleeing an unhappy marriage, she has exactly twenty-seven dollars to her name, and her only friend in the world is her dog, Copper.
On arrival, Selena learns Amelia is dead. But the inhabitants of Quartz Creek are only too happy to have a new resident. Out of money and ideas, Selena sees no harm staying in her aunt's lovely house for a few weeks, tending to her garden and enjoying the strange, desolate beauty of the desert. The people are odd, but friendly, and eager to help Selena settle into her new home.
But Quartz Creek's inhabitants share their town with others, old gods and spirits whose claim to the land long predates their human neighbours. Selena finds herself pursued by disturbing apparitions, visitations that come in the night and seem to want something from her.
Aunt Amelia owed a debt. Now her god has come to collect.
Perfect for fans of Silvia Moreno-Garcia, Chuck Tingle, and Rachel Harrison.
Kingfisher provides all the chills, thrills, and laughs she's known for in this dextrous dark fantasy. . . This time out, Kingfisher's prose is as stark as the desert setting, but still preserves all the usual charming creativity of her worldbuilding...Kingfisher remains extremely good at what she does.
-Publisher's Weekly, STARRED Review
Delightful supporting characters, intriguing mythology, and a neurodivergent protagonist come together for an entertaining story. Besides fans of Kingfisher's (Hemlock & Silver), place it in the hands of readers of Katherine Addison and Lois McMaster Bujold.
-Library Journal
Praise for T. Kingfisher
Kingfisher never fails to dazzle.
-Peter S. Beagle on Thornhedge
I opened, I devoured.
-Naomi Novik on Thornhedge
Funny, frightening and full of heart.
-Alix E. Harrow on Nettle & Bone
A sharp-edged delight.
-Katherine Addison on Thornhedge
Exciting, deeply wise, sad, brutal and compassionate all at once.
-Catriona Ward on Nettle & Bone
Haunting and unusual, a unique retelling of a classic tale.
-Tamora Pierce on Thornhedge
Kingfisher weaves elements of fairy tale, folklore and history in this beautifully crafted story of loss, endurance, terror and kindness.
-Juliet Marillier on Thornhedge
T. Kingfisher solidifies her place as natural and inevitable heir to the greats of her genre, while remaining clearly and unquestionably a unique voice in fantasy.
-Seanan McGuire on Nettle & Bone
Full of melancholy charm. . . such a pleasure to read.
-The New York Times on Thornhedge