TRAILER PARK TRICKSTER

A magic-using young man fights to save his family from dark forces in Slayton’s urban fantasy novel, the second in a series.

Adam Binder, a detective with supernatural abilities, returns to his hometown of Guthrie, Oklahoma, following the death of his beloved great-aunt Sue, the member of his dysfunctional extended family with whom he got along best. Adam has reason to believe her death was caused by something other than the reported heart attack, especially when the dead woman’s trailer blows up right in front of him. Adam, who rushes into the burning structure to save his cousins, spots a dark figure (whom Adam identifies as a druid) lurking at the edge of the flames. Adam suspects this man is Robert Binder Sr., the father he’s long been searching for. The man officially died years ago, but could he actually be alive and living as a warlock? Back in Denver, Adam’s policeman boyfriend, Vic, tries to figure out why Adam left town without saying anything. While Adam rushes to stop the mysterious man from targeting members of his family, Vic, due to his past magical adventures with Adam, becomes caught up on a mission of his own in the magical dimension known as the Other Side, where sea elves are intent upon drowning the world. The author’s evocative prose marries dark fantasy with trailer-park grit, resulting in a style that feels distinctly grounded even when it’s describing magical occurrences: “Adam squeezed his eyes shut and opened them when cold filled the air, sweeping over the car like a sleet storm. The scent of rotten blackberries and battery acid surged. He knew this magic, knew its greasy flavor, its cloying, clinging stench.” The plot picks up where the previous book ended, so new readers may have trouble orienting themselves in the various continuing storylines. Even so, fans of the genre will appreciate Slayton’s relentless pace, complex characters, and inventive turns. More fantasy novels could use a dash of the trailer park.

An engrossing urban fantasy novel with an eclectic milieu.