Starred review from September 23, 2019
Powell’s debut is a not-to-be-missed tale of mystery, love, and community. The coastal town of Twillengyle is home to both humans and sirens. Most of the time, they coexist peacefully, so long as the townspeople carry iron to protect them from siren song, but sirens are blamed when the body of Connor, 12, is found on the shore, and many of the town’s residents begin clamoring to lift the ban that prevents siren hunting. But violinist Moira and friend Jude don’t buy the police’s siren story; having seen the corpse themselves, they believe that Connor was murdered as a step toward undoing their deceased fathers’ work establishing the ban. In the quest to discover the culprit and protect the sirens, Moira and Jude find they’re closer to the murderer than they thought. Featuring solid worldbuilding, unforgettable characters, and well-paced plot that fantasy and mystery fans alike will enjoy, this twisty, atmospheric story grips readers like a siren song while examining questions about what really distinguishes humans and monsters. Ages 12–up. Agent: Kristy Hunter, the Knight Agency.