About the Author

C.E. Murphy is the author of more than twenty books--along with a number of novellas and comics. Born in Alaska, currently living in Ireland, she does miss central heating, insulation and--sometimes--snow but through the wonders of the internet, her imagination and her close knit family, she's never bored or lonely. While she does travel through time (sadly only forward, one second at a time) she can also be found online at www.cemurphy.net or @ce_murphy on Twitter

Reviews

Public defender Margrit Knight is enjoying a midnight run in Central Park when a strange man accosts her. Her instincts take over, and she flees. Later that night, she learns that a woman has been murdered near the site of the encounter. The prime suspect: Alban Korund, the man who approached her. The situation escalates as more women are found dead, and Alban seems to be stalking Margrit. He insists that he is not guilty and asks Margrit for her assistance. The hitch? Alban isn't human-he's a gargoyle, one of the five Old Races, and he can't take his case through the human legal system. Margrit has her doubts, but she enjoys a challenge and takes the case. However, clearing Alban's name means navigating a network of djinn, dragons, vampires, selkies, and gargoyles, all living among the humans of New York City-and they aren't always cooperative. There are enough dead ends, misdirection, and shady characters to keep mystery fans satisfied; the mild romantic elements will draw in romance readers; and fantasy aficionados will appreciate Murphy's (Urban Shaman) careful world-building. A satisfying beginning to a promising new urban fantasy series; highly recommended.-Nanette Donohue, Champaign P.L., IL Copyright 2007 Reed Business Information.

In Murphy's exciting series opener, Alban Korund, a winged, shape-shifting gargoyle, is framed as a murderer. He begs legal help from Margrit Knight, a human lawyer who at first thinks he's your average Central Park stalker. Margrit soon becomes attracted to her stony client and fascinated by the shadowy world of the Old Races, who live secretly among humans. As she struggles to prove Alban's innocence, Margrit herself battles a dangerous dragonlord, other gargoyles and a powerful vampire, as well as taking on the case of a selkie mother and baby living in a building destined for demolition. Margrit must also decide what to do about her jealous on-again/off-again boyfriend, Tony, a homicide detective who dislikes Alban and thinks he's guilty. Realist, feminist Margrit makes for a deeply compelling heroine as she struggles to sort out the sudden upheaval in her professional and romantic lives. Murphy (Coyote Dreams) has created a refreshing addition to the urban fantasy landscape. (Nov.) Copyright 2007 Reed Business Information.