Unshapely Things (Connor Grey, Book 1)

by Mark Del Franco

Book Overview

In the alleys of the decrepit Boston neighborhood known as the Weird, fairy prostitutes are turning up dead. The crime scenes show signs of residual magic, but the Guild, which polices the fey, has... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Mass Market Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0441014771
• Release Date: January 2007
• Publisher: Ace
• Length: 320 Pages
• Weight: 0.35 lbs.
• Dimensions: 6.7" x 0.8" x 4.2"

Customer Reviews

Skip it

2stars is only for the rare funny. I will not waste my money or my time on the rest of the series. I read very strong authors that write very strong characters and world buildings. This one was just way too weak for me. The characters are lame and uninteresting at best. Way too much filler ( who cares about a boring dinner with boring people) that is on almost every page. I am sure that when you are used to reading faith Hunter, Adrian Phoenix, darynda Jones, Kelly meding, the great and powerful Rob Thurman to mention and endorse a few, stories like this fall way short.this was disappointing. Pmonroe.

Depressed in the Weird makes you hungry for more

How deep can you fall when you once were a hero-druid, solving the most interesting crimes and being rewarded for it with money, star-dom and all kinds of pleasures? What if your powers get taken away from you and no one, no one, knows how to give them back to you? Connor knows. Connor lives in the Weird. If you can call waking up, being depressed and going to sleep 'living'... Fey are being killed and their hearts are removed. Connor gets involved and suspects a ritual is being prepared. Finding out just what ritual is not easy and the search pits him against some of the Druid guild, who are the Fey's police' he no longer calls his friends. Actually... Even before he lost his powers he wouldn't have called them his friends either. With strong enemies, it's a difficult race. With suddenly the finish in sight, Connor seems to have gotten a lot wrong but a few things dangerously right... Initially I was reluctant to buy this book. Since my addiction at a very young age to Agatha Christie I have developed an allergy against using deaths for plot reasons only and the description of this book provoked an allergic response. But I was wrong: the deaths in this book are not plot-drivers only; some of the people dying first appeared as well-developed characters who were very much alive. For a first book, this is an excellent beginning. The characters are well-developed, the friendships rich and dynamic and the world vibrant and interesting. You're probably going to want to buy book 2, just like me...

Fans of Urban Fantasy will really enjoy this

Early on, the author devotes almost too much time (in my opinion) to setting the scene, but once that's done the story picks up nicely. I'm hoping the extended scene setting means the author is paving the way to more books with these characters, though! I'd rank the alternative world creation up there with those of Will Shetterly, Terri Windling, and Emma Bull, so if you like those authors, you will almost certainly enjoy this one. Definitely hoping for a sequel or three.

Hella great surprise

I can't believe it. I expected a light-as-a-feather book, something that I'd probably forget five minutes after reading the last page. Instead, I got an interesting, involving, complex and very satisfying urban fantasy with a lead character that I give a damn about. I've always been drawn to fantasies that break down the barriers between worlds, and this one does it with grit, grime and magic intact. Seriously, do yourself a favor and grab a copy. A perfect read for a cold, rainy night. One with a moon that shouldn't be in the sky. Oh, and the only bad thing about this book ... knowing that you'll have to wait for his next one!

New Series Starting Off Strong

Set in an alternate Boston, preternatural beings have set up shop in a part of town renamed the Weird. The Weird is a little rough and living there can be tough. Connor Grey has recently had to move into the edge of the Weird. Because of an accident during a case for the Guild (preternatural political and policing body), Conner is a Druid without powers. Without powers, he can no longer work for the Guild and takes freelance jobs as a consultant and investigator to pay the bills. When the Boston police contact Conner about a series of ritualistic murders involving fairy prostitutes. This book combines classic police stuff with magic and mysticism. The background story of how the Fey and Others were outed to humans and how that blends in with what we know to be history is well done. Also, the politics are interesting, both human and not. The supporting characters are well done and complex. The combination of fey beings presented is rich. I found this book by accident and am very glad I did. I'm looking forward to reading the next book in the series. Most similar to the Desden files by Jim Butcher

New novelist starts off with a bang

Someone's killing fae prostitutes in the Weird, a fringe neighborhood of Boston where the poor and the fae intersect. Connor Grey, who used to live in much nicer environs, is seeing the effects in his new neighborhood--and he's been called in by his friend Murdock on the Boston Police Department to help with the investigation. Once upon a time, he'd have headed his own investigation on the part of the Guild, which serves as the Fae equivalent of a peace-keeping authority in this newly converged world. But after his injury at the hands of an eco-terrorist elf, his own druidic essence is blocked and the posh Guild office and status are gone. He's just a pensioner drawing disability and trying to get himself back together. Now, Grey's getting his dose of excitement by helping the humans. He quickly discovers that the deaths are magically based and if someone doesn't stop them--the world could have another event similar to the Cataclysm, which brought Human and Fae worlds together back in 1900. "Unshapely Things" is one of the best new novels I've read in a long time. Del Franco's world is well-realized, he's got both strong male and female characters, and he really knows how to keep the reader engaged and interested. If you like Jim Butcher's "Dresden Files," Kim Harrison's Rachel Morgan, and Anita Blake before the books turned to erotica, you're going to love "Unshapely Things." Very good start, Mr. Del Franco, I hope to see many more books from you in the future!