Titan's Day

Starred review from February 10, 2020
Stout impresses with his second Carter Archives novel (after Titanshade) drawing readers further into the gritty urban fantasy hellscape of the city of Titanshade while adding depth and complexity to his scarred, cynical hero. It’s been six weeks since manna, a precious magical fuel with unknown properties, was discovered beneath the city. Newcomers flock to Titanshade, the military has been sent to keep the peace, and Detective Carter and his partner, Ajax, who know more about manna than most, are ordered to stay out of the spotlight. But the murder of a suspected sex worker pulls them back to the streets. Carter is desperate to find justice for the Jane Doe, and his investigation soon threatens to expose the politicians, Mafiosi, and activist members of an underground resistance, each fighting for control over the future of the city. Despite Carter’s rough exterior, his insistence on Jane Doe’s humanity throughout the case makes him a refreshingly empathetic hero, injecting deeply felt emotion into the clever procedural plot. Stout’s detailed, impeccable worldbuilding and subtle characterizations are sure to captivate returning fans and new readers alike. Agent: Nat Sobel, Sobel Weber Assoc.