The Last Hour Between Worlds: The Sunday Times Bestseller (The Echo Archives, #1)

by Melissa Caruso

'I completely adored this book and would read a dozen more of Kembral's adventures'
Shannon Chakraborty, New York Times bestselling author of The Adventures of Amina Al-Sirafi

'A masterpiece - filled with excitement, romance and characters you would protect with your life . . . Unmissable!
Andrea Stewart, author of The Bone Shard Daughter

Follow a star investigator and her rival as they journey through layers of reality to save their city in this whip-smart adventure fantasy packed full of murder, mystery and mind-bending magic.

Kembral Thorne is spending a few precious hours away from her newborn, and she's determined to enjoy herself at the year-turning ball. But when the guests start dropping dead, Kem has no choice but to get to work. She's a member of the Guild of Hounds, after all, and she can't help picking up the scent of trouble. Especially when her professional and personal nemesis, notorious cat burglar Rika Nonesuch, is also on the prowl.

At the heart of the mayhem is a mysterious clock that sends the ballroom down into strange and otherworldly new layers of reality every time it chimes. As the party plunges through increasingly dangerous versions of their city, Kem will have to rely on her wits - and Rika - to unravel the mystery before catastrophe is unleashed on their world.

'A time-bending triumph, a compelling adventure . . . A gorgeous, witty, fast-paced and atmospheric novel' Locus

'Melissa Caruso's writing is razor-sharp and this book is one heck of a page-turner'
Nicholas Eames, author of Kings of The Wyld

'An absolute delight!'
Alix E. Harrow, author of The Ten Thousand Doors of January

'A brilliant, breathlessly twisty fantasy adventure that I utterly adored'
Tasha Suri, author of The Jasmine Throne

Five-star reader reviews:

'Oh dear god I loved this book . . . I hope I can convince some of you to read this when it's out, because WOW'

'I just loved every second of this'

'What a book! I immediately fell in love with it . . . Definite 5 stars!!'

'A queer, locked-room, time-hopping fantasy? Yes please! . . . I really hope there are more adventures for Kembral and Rika because this wasn't nearly enough!'

'Absolutely adored this book . . . a swashbuckling good time'

'I absolutely love this book'

'A stunning blend of fantasy and intrigue, masterfully weaving together high-stakes action and deeply emotional storytelling'

'This was such a thrilling read. I loved every second of it'

'This was such an exciting book and is one of the best page-turning fantasy books I've read all year. It was fun, it was weird, a bit camp, and a lot bad ass'

'It is truly brilliant and deserves to be read by everyone'

• ISBN10: 0356517543
• ISBN13: 9780356517544
• Publish Date: 8 July 2025 (first published 19 November 2024)
• Publish Status: Forthcoming
• Publish Country: GB
• Imprint: Orbit
• Format: Paperback (B-Format (198x129 mm))
• Pages: 432
• Language: English