Unquiet Dreams (Connor Grey, Book 2)

Connor Grey is on the move again in a mystery of huge ramifications. A human teen gang member turns up dead in a part of the Weird known as the Tangle, a couple of blocks over a elf diplomat is murdered also.. How are they related and why? Connor and his flit sidekick Joe, get called in to investegate and the clues lead them into more trouble than they can imagine. Old friends and enemies show their true colours in the second installment of Connor Greys' Weird world.

After reading both UNSHAPELY THINGS and now UNQUIET DREAMS, Mark Del Franco's books have now become one of my favorite urban fantasy series along with Jim Butcher's DRESDEN FILES. I can only hope that Connor Grey can have as long a shelf-life as Harry Dresden obviously does. Connor is an ability-impaired Druid who lost his powers and then his job at the Fey Guild after an encounter with a hostile Elf left him near death. Deemed useless by his old employers, he now spends his spare time working as a Fey consultant on homicide cases with his friend, Detective Leonard Murdock. As a human cop working in "The Weird" Murdock often finds himself at a loss while investigating cases involving the Fey (elves, trolls, druids, fairies, flits, etc.), so Connor's help and support become invaluable to him. While the mysteries surrounding the cases Connor helps Murdock with are interesting and intriguing, what I like most about these books are the characters themselves - starting with Connor. He is a man who's hit rock bottom and is forced to start over. He could easily have fallen into depression and apathy, but he hasn't. Instead he's decided to not only get on with his life, but to become a better person while doing it. Before his accident, Connor was a fairly shallow and self-centered man who didn't care about much beyond his own little world. Now he's expanding his horizons and reshaping himself, becoming more compassionate and aware. He's not fighting for justice just for the glory anymore, but because it's the right thing to do. The supporting players are also well characterized: My favorite is Murdock. I love the dynamics of their relationship and how well it works despite their differing backgrounds and political affiliations. The two work well together professionally and have a good balance of strengths and weaknesses; Connor's wannabe girlfriend and fellow Druid(ess), Meryl, is quite a hoot and I like that she's not just the damsel in distress. In fact, I'm fairly certain that there is a LOT more going on with her than is readily apparent. She's definitely got some kind of hidden agenda going on; and last, but certainly not least, is Joe. He's a foot-long "Flit" (his real name is "Stinkwort") who's been a part of Connor's family since before Connor was born. Flits attach themselves to Fey families and Joe is both protective of, and helpful to, Connor in many ways. These are just the main players, however. There are many more in the world of The Weird who are just as entertaining. This is a fun read and an enjoyable series so far. The next book - UNFALLEN DEAD - is due out early next year. Pre-order it now! (I want to add that I agree with an earlier review by "Wakey" in thinking it would be much more interesting - not to mention a refreshing change from the norm - if Connor were to hookup with Murdock instead of Meryl. Whether deliberate on the author's part or not, their were several things indicated in the books about their characters

This is one of those rare instances where the sequel is better than the original. Good murder mystery with misleading clues, fantasy aspects, Boston locale. All the clues are there, everything is tied up nicely. I will definitely buy the third book in the series when it comes out.

As the second in del franco's urban fantasy series ("un" series?), this book seals the deal: this is an author to follow. Unquiet Dreams takes us through another mystery with lapsed druid Connor Grey, through Elven power struggles and magical politics. Other reviewers lament the fact that Connor's powers don't advance in this volume, but I say, bravo to del franco. It is precisely because Connor doesn't really get anywhere with getting his powers back that makes these books' premise so good! And don't think that because Connor doesn't get power back that we don't receive some clues about the nature of his problem. Deftly done, I say. Along with a great main figure, the side characters in these books are terrific: the pixy, the fellow druids, the humans, all have rich, complex characters that make these books a truly engrossing read. But do read Unshapely Things first.

I purchased and read both of Mark Del Franco's books, "Unquiet Dreams" and "Unshapely Things", in the space of one week. Now why did I do that? Well, I read for enjoyment and the genre of fantasy is, after all, a bit of escapism and a pleasant diversion after a day of pretending to be a (shudder) grown up and a (longer shudder) professional. Pure and simple, Mark Del Franco is a great new writer and his works are a fantastic find and wonderfully entertaining. Okay, if his work or the genre isn't to your liking, PUT THE BOOK DOWN AND DON'T READ IT, YA FOOL! But, if it IS to your liking, as it is to mine, you are in for a truly great read. I understand his third book is now at the publishing house of Ace Books and I can't wait to read it!