4.5 stars

One of my most anticipated releases of 2024 and it did not disappoint! The Undetectables are back and they're just as fun as ever. I really enjoyed being back with these characters in this world, and the mystery had me hooked.

I think I would have enjoyed this even more if I had refreshed myself on Book One, but I will definitely end up rereading the series at some point anyway so it just means I still have that to look forward to!

Our main characters are so loveable, the writing has a great sense of humour, and I love the queer and disability representation. It's a queer-normative world and it's always so refreshing to have that and not have to deal with characters having plot lines to do with coming out, that usually have some addition of shame or homophobia from others around them.

I don't know if this is expected to be a trilogy or have even more installments (I hope it's the latter, "detective agency" type books have great potential for being long series), but I'm enjoying the threads that go from book to book and I like that Mallory and Cornelia aren't being rushed. I'm sad that we didn't get as much Theodore in this one but his mystery has me very intrigued.

The overall mystery definitely had me overly-confused at some points. There were a lot of people involved and at times I struggled to follow the Undetectables' logic and reasoning in terms of some of the assumptions and discoveries they made. It ended up being very satisfying though, and the final act was also surprisingly funny.

My only complaint really is that I feel like we saw less of the world than in book one. A lot of this one was spent with our three main characters in their basement having conversations that bordered on feeling a bit repetitive, and considering this comes in at just over 500 pages, I wanted more of the outside world. Book one really had that "magic town full of witches and demons and vampires" feel and I think that was missing here, possibly because book two has very few "locations".

The Undetectables was one of my favourite books last year, and I loved returning to this world again. There was plenty of mystery to be had again, and once again I enjoyed the way that Smyth drew out all the details. It is a slow-paced book and some readers may become frustrated with how slowly things move, however, I personally consider it a credit to Smyth's style.

Her characters are wonderfully written, and their flustering as they try to solve their second big case feels very genuine. There were many times when I laughed out loud while reading the dialogue. I also appreciated that the real look at their friendship, acknowledging that no one and no relationship is perfect.

With regard to disability representation, this book continues the solid representation of Fibromyalgia (Mallory) and introduces the topic of a possible neurodiverse diagnosis for one of the other characters. Another is struggling with hearing loss and tinnitus after the events of the first book. I liked the way that Smyth introduced both of these, especially the hearing loss, as it makes the point that anyone can become disabled at any point.

The one thing I disliked about this book was the emphasis placed on the way a character spoke with an accent. I felt that it was completely unnecessary after the first time a word was spelt out to keep doing so. The whole thing felt very ignorant.

The sequel to the Undetectables, where you following Mallory and the Agency once more. Another mysterious death and the team are hired to investigate. Not my favourite sequel, as I felt he mystery was a little slow at times.

I love the team in this series...kind of reminds me of "The Naturals" by Jennifer Lynn Barnes. Anywho...The team returns for another mystery. The mystery aspect of the story kept me guessing and made this incredibly hard to put down. Additionally I love the inclusivity of this series. Really looking forward to another installment and am also looking forward to adding this to my library!

The Undead Complex by Courtney Smyth review

Genre: Fantasy mystery
Minority rep: BIPOC, LGBTQ+, disability (fibromyalgia, hearing loss)

Thank you to NetGalley and Titan Books for this ARC in exchange for an honest review!

The undead complex is the sequel to the undetectables and was just as enjoyable!
The book takes you onto a filmset, a workplace Diana is familiar with, which means we get a lot more insight into her interests and thought process.

Of course, there's been a murder. The undetectables are called in by someone one of them knows, which makes for entertaining scenes between these characters. It's the perfect set up to get the fun mix of serious investigation and amazing banter and jokes.

There's also the aspect of there being two investigations, the main one being the death at the filmset and the other one sprinkled in.

I also loved the recurring sidecharacters and the moments our MC's and SC's have heartfelt conversations about the events of the first book. It was so nice to see how everyone is coping with the aftermath.

I was not dissapointed by the plot in this book. It felt different from the first books, but the quality was still there and I had an absolute blast. I felt like the pacing in this book was an improvement compared to the first one. I also think the sideplot helped with that a lot!

To conclude, I loved this book as much as the undetectables and I would encourage everyone to read this one!! It's so effortlessly queer with great disability rep.

The undead complex will be out on September 24!

In a world where magic and the mundane coexist, the three witches of the Undetectables private investigations company are the go-to team when things get strange. *The Undead Complex* picks up a few months after the events of *The Undetectables*. Diana’s old flame, Taylor, is working in the prop department on a TV horror series pilot at Larkin Studios, located on the grounds of Oakpass Manor—the former home of the Larkin family, who mysteriously vanished one night 100 years ago. When Taylor’s body is found at the studio, only for Taylor to show up for work later that day, it becomes clear that something sinister and bizarre is at play. Taylor enlists the Undetectables to investigate, while Mallory delves deeper into the murder of their ghost friend, Theodore. As the witches navigate their inexperience and learn on the job, their missteps add both suspense and humor.

Smyth's universe is richly diverse, encompassing a wide array of magical beings alongside a full spectrum of intersectional human identities. She continues to deepen the world she builds through intricate details of its history, magical systems, and politics, while also adding layers to her characters. The relationships among the three friends are complex, with their individual strengths and vulnerabilities enriching their interactions.

Start with *The Undetectables* and then dive into this one. Highly recommended for its delightful blend of humor, action, and its multifaceted portrayal of queer, disabled, and neurodivergent characters.

2SLGBTQIA+ Paranormal Mystery about a detective agency run by three witches and a ghost in a cat costume as they deal with ancient magic and fiendish puzzles on their newest case.

5/5 stars: This is the second entry in Smyth's The Undetectables series, which is a 2SLGBTQIA+ Paranormal Mystery that features three very different witches and a ghost stuck forever in a cat costume, who work together as magical forensic investigators. Hired to solve a murder on a TV shoot by the victim herself the team will have to unravel fiendish puzzles and deal with ancient magic. With plenty of twists and turns, Smyth has masterfully crafted a mystery that deftly balances the suspects, clues and red herrings and will leave you pondering the whodunit until the final reveal. Smythe's world building is well-crafted; you'll find a modern world filled with magic, ghosts and other supernatural beings. Told in multiple POVs, Smyth's writing and character work are stellar. With a diverse and inclusive 2SLGBTQIA+ cast, the characters are well-rounded and complex while remaining incredibly likable. Each of the four MCs have a unique voice and it's great to catch up with them. Additionally, I appreciate Smyth's approach to Mallory's fibromyalgia and dealing with chronic pain. Smythe takes on some sensitive subjects; so take care and check the CWs. While you could read this as a stand-alone, you'll gain so much more by reading the series from the beginning; so be sure to pick up book one, The Undetectables.

I received this eARC thanks to NetGalley and Titan Books in exchange for an honest review. Publishing dates are subject to change.

I’m really enjoying this series, it can be a touch convoluted at times but it’s definitely worth the effort.
I liked the twists and turns, and was pleased that the author managed to keep things unexpected.
There’s some excellent disability representation with a compassionately portrayed character who has fibromyalgia, and also a fair amount of diversity in the romantic aspects. All of which felt genuine and integral to the group dynamics. I’m really hoping to get Cornelia’s pov next time as she’s the only one of the trio we haven’t heard from. Although it would also be cool to hear Theo’s perspective.

I had a lot of fun with the first book in this series, but Undead Complex…I’m just bored. Now that the characters have been established, I’m not that interested, and again, it was fun to see the Undetectables figuring out magical forensics in book one, but now they have that down, the process of their investigation held no appeal for me. And it felt like Undead was taking forever to get anywhere – although I’m not sure if it actually was, or it it just felt like that because I wasn’t enjoying myself. I recognise that the new case – a dead body showing up with the face of someone still very much alive – is objectively weirder than a serial killer case (which is what we had in the first book), but still, I was bored. I didn’t care AT ALL about what was going on or who the killer might be, or how everything would resolve – I couldn’t care less about the tv set and the drama among the crew and cast. I just wanted it to be over – and then realised I could make that happen! So.

The fibro rep continues to be excellent, but I just don’t care about the story said rep is in, unfortunately.

The Undead Complex by Courtney Smyth is a captivating blend of supernatural intrigue, complex characters, and sharp wit that kept me hooked from start to finish. Smyth masterfully weaves a tale that is both thrilling and emotionally resonant, with a plot that twists and turns in unexpected ways.

If you're a fan of paranormal fiction with depth, heart, and a dash of humor, The Undead Complex is a must-read. Courtney Smyth has crafted a story that lingers in your mind long after the final page. I can't wait to see what she writes next!

Following on from he queer and sassy The Undetectables, this is a delightful gay witchy romp, full of found family and fun. Read in a single sitting.

I haven't read the first book in the series which may explain why I found the beginning very choppy with the relationship between all the characters a bit unclear. It smooths out a bit as the story went along, but honestly, the character development left me cold. The group is supposed to be tight knit, but never really feels that way.

The pacing of the mystery was slow and how it was laid/rolled out was not to my mystery reading taste.

If I came across the first book, or any subsequent book, at the library or for free (as I received this one from Netgalley in exchange for my honest review), I'd give it a go to see if more exposure to the characters and writing style increased my enjoyment of the series because there is potential.

Be gay. Solve Crimes. Take naps is a tagline from the first book that’s appropriate for the second book. This book is more gay than the first and I am here for it.

This book follows on from the events of book 1. Mallory has managed to bring Theo back (still a ghost with cat ears) and is still trying to solve his original murder. The Undetectables are technically banned from doing more detective work while the investigation into the last case wraps up (and of course the government is taking it’s sweet time), and Diana’s past catches up to her when an ex brings her a case she cannot refuse. This book, while having its own self-contained storyline, pulls at threads that weren’t fully resolved in book 1, and I don’t recommend reading this as a standalone. This book has two POV characters. There is still Mallory, who is predominantly following the unresolved issues from book one, but we also get to see Diana, who is leading the main storyline in this book. It’s actually nice getting a different POV, especially because Diana adds another insight into the Mallory/Cornelia situation (if you know, you know!). By the end of the book, Diana’s storyline is nicely resolved, but Mallory’s storyline is still developing, which I’m hoping means we get another book.

My one gripe about this book is that I don’t think it’s YA. I think this book falls into the space publishing refuse to acknowledge: new adult. The characters are in their twenties and are navigating jobs and more serious relationships, and we see that a lot in this book, especially with Diana’s storyline. That’s not to say a younger audience can’t read and enjoy this book, but I’m not sure how much they’ll relate to Diana trying to decide which direction she wants her career to go and whether she should remain with the detective agency.

Overall this was an absolutely delightful read and perfect for fans of paranormal/fantasy/crime. I’m hoping there will be more, because I really want to know how Theo died (the first time) and I’m starting to feel his storyline is dragging a little, so I’m hoping it gets wrapped up in the next book. Also: Will they or won’t they? (You need to read the book to find out because, spoilers!)

I was lucky enought to get a review copy of this book from netgalley. I had read the first book and loved it! It was great to return to these characters and their magical world. This one felt like it could be a spooky, cozy, queer midsommer murders. There was a mysterious murder on a horror movie set at a country house and the team had to infiltrate the set to make their investigations. I really appreciated the way these murders were set up, bodies that looked like people who were still alive, a mysterious doll house. And an fascinating subplot about what was up with their returned from the dead (again) ghost.
This series is really refreshing. It has such great disability and queer rep. More than anything I think it shows the best way to be a friend to someone who has a different energy level and pain level than most people. The ending was tantalising and I can't wait for book 3.
Even though I got a free preview copy from netgalley. I will definitely be buying this when it comes out as it will be one I'd like to read again as a physical copy.

I read the first in this series at the start of the year and really enjoyed it as a pacy, fun Gen Z take on the witchy/supernatural fantasy thriller. And while I don’t love it when a sequel spends a lot of time retreading ground from the previous book or books, it’s pretty much essential to at least give your reader SOME reminders because I struggled so much for the first half of this book trying to remember the lore, the characters and the events of the previous book and very little help was given. Suffice it to say, it absolutely would not work as a standalone. Once I’d got past the trying to remember who was who, with what powers, I did enjoy this but it was hard to regain ground from those first few hours spent constantly thinking “they what now?”

The Undead Complex is the second book in Courtney Smyth's Undetectables series and it is a strong addition. The set up is clever, with the team being tasked to investigate the murder of Diana's ex- girlfriend Taylor- by Taylor herself who is decidedly not dead despite appearances. This means the team going under cover on the set of a tv series to try to root out the killer. However that is not the only problem faced by the Undetectables, something is wrong with their ghostly pal Theo and time may be running out to help him, especially if he continues to deny that anything is wrong.
While you could read this book as a stand alone I think the reader would enjoy it much more having read the first book, the heart of the series is the friendship between the members of the Undetectables team which is established in book one and built upon here. I really appreciated the disability representation, Mallory , the forensic expert on the team has Fibromyalgia and throughout the book there is a real effort to show not just how it impacts her on a daily basis but also how important and impactful accommodations and acknowledgements are. There is also some really good queer representation and a slow burning romance that had me rooting for the characters in question to get it together.
In terms of the plot of this book, it is quite convoluted at times, I definitely needed to pay attention to keep up with what was going on, but it was cleverly done. The mystery is resolved by the end of the book but that does not mean I was not left wanting more, there is a little reveal that will keep me eagerly awaiting the next book.
I read and reviewed an ARC courtesy of NetGalley and the publisher, all opinions are my own.

Such a great follow up to the series. I love the characters so much. Queer, ,mysteries and magic, what more could we ask for?

This sequel to the Undetectables was great! The plot twist at the very end left me shaking my kindle, trying to get one more page! The characters only got better in this installment and the supernatural world was once again very well written.

The Undead Complex is such a good story. I recommend everyone to read this book as fast as they can because it's so immaculate the story that was created, the plot was fabulous.

Thank you to Net Galley and the publishers for sending me a copy in exchange for a review.

This is the sequel to The Undetectables, and the plot just got more deadly, heightened and complicated than ever! I loved every minute of this, especially with it being more from Diana's point of view, whereas the first was from Mallory. I hope the next instalment is from Cornelia's, given the plot twist dropped on us in the very last line - not cool, I need the next one immediately.

The character development was really interesting, and I look forward to learning more about what is going on with Theodore. Courtney Smyth has really turned it up a notch.

If you enjoy a group of friends turned found family fighting supernatural crime (almost in a Scooby Doo vibe) then this series is begging for you to read it!