The undertakers

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Language
English

Description

Nicole Glover delivers the second book in her exciting Murder & Magic series of historical fantasy novels featuring Hetty Rhodes and her husband, Benjy, magic practitioners and detectives living in post–Civil War Philadelphia.Nothing bothers Hetty and Benjy Rhodes more than a case where the answers, motives, and the murder itself feel a bit too neat. Raimond Duval, a victim of one of the many fires that have erupted recently in Philadelphia, is officially declared dead after the accident, but Hetty and Benjy’s investigation points to a powerful Fire Company known to let homes in the Black community burn to the ground. Before long, another death breathes new life into the Duval investigation: Raimond’s son, Valentine, is also found dead. Finding themselves with the dubious honor of taking on Valentine Duval as their first major funeral, it becomes clear that his passing was intentional. Valentine and his father’s deaths are connected, and the recent fires plaguing the city might be more linked to recent community events than Hetty and Benji originally thought.The Undertakers continues the adventures of murder and magic, where even the most powerful enchantments can’t always protect you from the ghosts of the past . . .  

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Contributors
Glover, Nicole Author
Turpin, Bahni Narrator
ISBN
9781529102086
9780358181804
9780358581949
9780358197102

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Also in this Series

  • The conductors (Murder and Magic Volume 1) Cover
  • The undertakers (Murder and Magic Volume 2) Cover

Author Notes

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Similar Series From Novelist

NoveList provides detailed suggestions for series you might like if you enjoyed this book. Suggestions are based on recommendations from librarians and other contributors.
Set in present-day Edinburgh (Edinburgh Nights) and Reformation-era Philadelphia (Murder and Magic), both fast-paced and suspenseful supernatural mysteries star characters who overcome their low standing in society to tangle with magic and secret societies. -- Andrienne Cruz
These fantasy books feature fast-paced adventures of investigators with magical abilities set in a historic alternate America. Both feature heterosexual couples with great chemistry as they go against powerful organizations in these exciting and socially conscious stories. -- Andrienne Cruz
These series have the genres "historical fantasy" and "african american fiction"; and the subjects "african americans," "murder investigation," and "murder."
These series have the appeal factors own voices, and they have the theme "urban police"; the genre "african american fiction"; the subjects "detectives," "african americans," and "women detectives"; and include the identity "black."
These series have the genre "african american fiction"; and the subject "murder investigation."
These series have the genres "fantasy mysteries" and "african american fiction"; the subjects "magic," "detectives," and "murder investigation"; and include the identity "black."
These series have the genres "historical fantasy" and "african american fiction"; and the subjects "murder," "crime," and "criminal investigation."
These series have the genre "african american fiction"; the subjects "detectives," "african americans," and "private investigators"; and include the identity "black."
These series have the genre "fantasy mysteries"; and the subjects "magic," "detectives," and "wizards."

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Published Reviews

Booklist Review

Hetty Rhodes never met a problem she couldn't solve. And when she gets into trouble, her husband, Benjy, calms her down and helps her out. But the couple has never faced so many crises at once. There are murders, of course. And arson. A few secret societies. Don't forget an unintelligible cypher that could lead to a fabulous treasure. Although The Undertakers is the sequel to The Conductors (2021), it works well as a standalone book. The novel covers multiple interconnected mysteries with humor and warmth. It also expands the cast of characters that fill out the Rhodes' found family and the city of Philadelphia, making the city feel like a character itself. A constellation-based magic system is heavily featured (especially in the many action scenes), and recalls the use of stars by enslaved people as navigational aids. Hetty and Benjy's camaraderie is the real star of the show, no matter how many spells they fire off at assailants. The Undertakers' historical fantasy vibe will appeal to fans of Alyssa Cole's Loyal League series and Maurice Broaddus' Buffalo Soldier (2017).

From Booklist, Copyright (c) American Library Association. Used with permission.
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Publisher's Weekly Review

Glover's charming sequel to The Conductors digs deeper into the captivating Black society of a post--Civil War Philadelphia that's infused with celestial magic. Magical married detective duo Hetty and Benjy Rhodes have enjoyed a quiet life of late. Their new funeral home isn't seeing much business and their most recent case, involving fires spontaneously sparking in their neighborhood and claiming the life of Raimond Duval, resolved almost too easily--until Raimond's son, Valentine, also dies, and questions about an old mission from Hetty and Benjy's days as conductors on the Underground Railroad resurface. Overnight, what seemed a simple investigation turns into a cryptic cipher the couple must puzzle through. Layers of intrigue and tension build into a gripping whodunit, while drama within Hetty's group of friends and tender moments between Hetty and Benjy offer juicy character beats. The easy momentum will keep both new and returning readers racing along to the end. It's fun, twisty, and richly detailed. Agent: Jennie Goloboy, Donald Maass Literary. (Nov.)

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Library Journal Review

The sequel to Glover's historical mystery/fantasy The Conductors picks up where it left off with magic-practicing detectives Hetty and Benjy, a Black formerly enslaved couple in post-Civil War Philadelphia who have recently become undertakers. As in the first book, Hetty is haunted by ghosts of the past and the disappearance of her sister, but this time there is something else unfolding--a series of fires throughout the city, followed by the mysterious deaths of Raimond Duval and his son. As they search for a link between the fires and the Duval deaths, Hetty and Benjy learn of a false spell book that may have fallen into the wrong hands, and it becomes clear that someone from their past is on their trail. Characters from The Conductors return and new ones are introduced, but Glover's latest can be read as a standalone. VERDICT Glover has written another fast-paced story of luck, fate, and betrayal. Readers will be engrossed by its celestial magic, hidden tunnels leading to unexpected places, and cliffhanger ending.--Stephanie Sendaula, Library Journal

(c) Copyright Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
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Booklist Reviews

Hetty Rhodes never met a problem she couldn't solve. And when she gets into trouble, her husband, Benjy, calms her down and helps her out. But the couple has never faced so many crises at once. There are murders, of course. And arson. A few secret societies. Don't forget an unintelligible cypher that could lead to a fabulous treasure. Although The Undertakers is the sequel to The Conductors (2021), it works well as a standalone book. The novel covers multiple interconnected mysteries with humor and warmth. It also expands the cast of characters that fill out the Rhodes' found family and the city of Philadelphia, making the city feel like a character itself. A constellation-based magic system is heavily featured (especially in the many action scenes), and recalls the use of stars by enslaved people as navigational aids. Hetty and Benjy's camaraderie is the real star of the show, no matter how many spells they fire off at assailants. The Undertakers' historical fantasy vibe will appeal to fans of Alyssa Cole's Loyal League series and Maurice Broaddus' Buffalo Soldier (2017). Copyright 2021 Booklist Reviews.

Copyright 2021 Booklist Reviews.
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Library Journal Reviews

First seen in The Conductors, which launched Glover's "Murder & Magic" series, Hetty Rhodes and her husband, Benjy, return in a second fantasy/mystery meetup set in post-Civil War Philadelphia. Both detectives and magic practitioners, Hetty and Benjy are investigating Raimond Duval's death in one of the many fires suddenly sweeping the city, with evidence suggesting that the nefarious Fire Company is allowing homes in the Black community to burn down. Then Raimond's son is found dead, and events start looking like murder. With a 25,000-copy first printing.

Copyright 2021 Library Journal.

Copyright 2021 Library Journal.
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Library Journal Reviews

The sequel to Glover's historical mystery/fantasy The Conductors picks up where it left off with magic-practicing detectives Hetty and Benjy, a Black formerly enslaved couple in post-Civil War Philadelphia who have recently become undertakers. As in the first book, Hetty is haunted by ghosts of the past and the disappearance of her sister, but this time there is something else unfolding—a series of fires throughout the city, followed by the mysterious deaths of Raimond Duval and his son. As they search for a link between the fires and the Duval deaths, Hetty and Benjy learn of a false spell book that may have fallen into the wrong hands, and it becomes clear that someone from their past is on their trail. Characters from The Conductors return and new ones are introduced, but Glover's latest can be read as a standalone. VERDICT Glover has written another fast-paced story of luck, fate, and betrayal. Readers will be engrossed by its celestial magic, hidden tunnels leading to unexpected places, and cliffhanger ending.—Stephanie Sendaula, Library Journal

Copyright 2021 Library Journal.

Copyright 2021 Library Journal.
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Publishers Weekly Reviews

Glover's charming sequel to The Conductors digs deeper into the captivating Black society of a post–Civil War Philadelphia that's infused with celestial magic. Magical married detective duo Hetty and Benjy Rhodes have enjoyed a quiet life of late. Their new funeral home isn't seeing much business and their most recent case, involving fires spontaneously sparking in their neighborhood and claiming the life of Raimond Duval, resolved almost too easily—until Raimond's son, Valentine, also dies, and questions about an old mission from Hetty and Benjy's days as conductors on the Underground Railroad resurface. Overnight, what seemed a simple investigation turns into a cryptic cipher the couple must puzzle through. Layers of intrigue and tension build into a gripping whodunit, while drama within Hetty's group of friends and tender moments between Hetty and Benjy offer juicy character beats. The easy momentum will keep both new and returning readers racing along to the end. It's fun, twisty, and richly detailed. Agent: Jennie Goloboy, Donald Maass Literary. (Nov.)

Copyright 2021 Publishers Weekly.

Copyright 2021 Publishers Weekly.
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