Unraveling by Karen Lord

Unraveling

by Karen Lord

In this standalone fantasy novel by an award-winning author, the dark truth behind a string of unusual murders leads to an otherworldly exploration of spirits, myth, and memory, steeped in Caribbean storytelling.
 
Dr. Miranda Ecouvo, forensic therapist of the City, just helped put a serial killer behind bars. But she soon discovers that her investigation into seven unusual murders is not yet complete. A near-death experience throws her out of time and into a realm of labyrinths and spirits. There, she encounters brothers Chance and the Trickster, who have an otherworldly interest in the seemingly mundane crimes from her files. 

It appears the true mastermind behind the murders is still on the loose, chasing a myth to achieve immortality. Together, Miranda, Chance, and the Trickster must travel through conjured mazes, following threads of memory to locate the shadowy killer. As they journey deeper, they discover even more questions that will take pain and patience to answer. What is the price of power? Where is the path to redemption? And how can they stop the man—or monster—who would kill the innocent to live forever?

Reviewed by layawaydragon on

4 of 5 stars

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Won from Penguin’s First to Read site.

WTF did I just read? I legit don't know. I feel mindfucked in a satisfying way.

I was initially intrigued by the paranormal mystery aspect and it being inspired by Caribbean mythology.

The first half does include the ‘who is killing these people’ mystery. But it goes about it in such SUCH a different way.

Then it shifts to this soul-searching soul-mated redemption kind of thing.

All set in this weird-but-not-really world with landowners reigning like Rome and America's electoral college.

It kept me reading and thinking about it afterwards. I immediately started trying to research the inspiration for this to try & understand better. I feel this is very important to do for colonists reading from other cultures instead of trying to supplant their own over it.

It sounds like Redemption in Indigo is a prequel to Unraveling. It gave me more tips to find out more about the inspiration for this story to understand it better.

I'm going to read Redemption in Indigo and continue following Karen Lord. I really hope they have audiobook versions, since Caribbean storytelling is so verbal. And Lord's mentioned how that affects her writing. I’m really happy I found a new unexpected author with unique stories to follow!

This AMA was also enlightening.

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  • 13 April, 2019: Reviewed