3,5 stars ( )

2022 re-read: Yep, still five stars. Short and scary and just the right drop or two of tenderness.

2016 original review:
I read this one out of order because the amazon sample caught me, and I couldn't help it. It is supposed to fit between A Case of Posession (CoM 2) and Flight of Magpies (CoM 3). Now I've read the former, I understand this one better. (I also read Jackdaw out of order, but I think it won't matter too much.)

This one is VERY compelling. :) ( )

A nice short mystery that was impressive because the author fit so much into so few pages. We get a little more insight into Merrick's past, we get a really weird magical curse, we meet some characters that appear in the third book of the main series, and see a little more about how Dr. Gold works his healing magic. There's also a sweet scene between Lucien and Stephen. This is how you do a novella. ( )

Nice addition to the series.
A small glimpse into strength of bonds. ( )

This short story didn't especially grab me (unlike usual for this author), but really it was perfectly fine. ( )