A stand-alone set in the world of the Murder and Magic series The Improvisers is the tale of Velma Frye, a barnstorming pilot and former bootlegger, set in the waning days of Prohibition with unusual enchantments, high flying adventure – and murder most foul.
Velma Frye is many things. A pilot, a former bootlegger, a well-seasoned traveler, a jazz pianist…and a wielder of celestial magic. She’s also an investigator for arcane oddities for a magic rights organization with cases that take her all over the country.
When a pocket watch instigates a magical brawl after one of her flight shows, things become very complicated.
The watch is part of a collection of dangerous artifacts manipulating people across the country—and in some cases, leading to their deaths.
To prevent catastrophe Velma will have to use every trick in her tool kit, including some well-placed magical improvisation, to win the day.
Praise for The Improvisers
The complex mystery keeps readers on their toes and the pages flying. The colorful cast, unique magic system, and slow-burning, enemies-to-lovers romance between Velma and Dillon add to the fun. New readers and returning fans alike will devour this.
Publishers Weekly (Starred Review)
Fantasy fans and steampunk enthusiasts will enjoy Glover’s astounding, creatively envisioned Prohibition-era United States, where magical and historical events intertwine in a thrilling plot full of adventurous characters.
Library Journal (Starred Review)
The Improvisers is packed with action, family drama, and even some romance. The plot is fast-paced and varied and Velma is a protagonist who feels realistic and accessible. There are lots of great characters, including a librarian named Lois, but Dillon Harris, Velma’s rival and companion, stands out as a foil to the famed aviator, often saving and annoying her in the same paragraph. Velma and Dillon’s back-and-forth banter is reminiscent of classic screwball comedies and contrasts delightfully with the complex mystery at the center of the story.
Booklist (Starred Review)
Nicole Glover 