In 1940s Chicago, a serial killer known as the White City Vampire spreads fear as everyone wonders who his next victim will be. Helen Brandt, an exiled magician deemed a warlock for her crimes against the Brotherhood, is on the case. But as the mystery unfolds, her past comes back to haunt her, and she finds herself in a battle beyond humanity.
The beginning is jarring, as it jumps straight into using the jargon for the world’s magical societies and those who practice magic. Without context or prior knowledge of related stories, it takes a chapter or two to navigate the language. But once you become accustomed to the words, you become fully immersed in the world.
Aside from the world of magic, Polk brings to life a noir mystery amid Chicago’s underground LGBTQ+ culture. Helen and her girlfriend, Edith, make plans to move out west to San Francisco, where they’ve heard tell of a city that will accept them as they are. But all the while, you get the feeling Helen is hiding something that keeps their future out of reach.
SPOILERS AHEAD
Eventually, Helen reveals that she sold her soul to bring her brother back from the dead after a terrible accident she and her family were in. It’s why the Brotherhood exiled her from their society. It also left a rift between her and her brother. But, as Helen gets more deeply involved with the mystery of the White City Vampire, that relationship begins to mend.
END OF SPOILERS
It’s hard to talk about the novel without spoiling too much, but Helen finds herself in a battle between angels and demons. Much of the lore used will sound familiar to fans of the TV show Supernatural. That is part of what made the story so compelling for me, as it felt like a familiar narrative, but with characters that more reflected my queer identity.
For such a short novel, it packs a punch. The storytelling is well-paced and leaves you trying to solve the mystery right alongside Helen. Much like the title suggests, we all know how it’s going to end for our protagonist. And like Helen, we can’t help but keep hoping for the best outcome.
It’s easy to root for the characters. Helen is a suave and debonair heroine who has talent as a magician. She doesn’t let the sexism and homophobia of her time define her, using her skills to tip the scales back in her favor as much as possible. As hopeless as her situation seems, she still fights to have some kind of future with the love of her life, Edith, even if it’s limited.
This book is perfect for readers looking for a compelling mystery, magic, and lore about angels and demons.
