Unfallen Dead (Connor Grey, Book 3)

by Mark Del Franco

Book Overview

For a century since the Convergence of Faerie and modern reality, the Ways between this world and the next have been closed. But now signs point to the chance that the veil may lift again. Connor Grey... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Mass Market Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0441016898
• Release Date: January 2009
• Publisher: Ace
• Length: 320 Pages
• Weight: 0.35 lbs.
• Dimensions: 6.6" x 0.8" x 4.2"

Customer Reviews

In a world of kickin' heroines, Connor Grey is a breath of fresh air

Urban fantasy's full of kickin' heroines, but Connor Grey is completely different. Once a powerful Druid, he lost his abilities in an attack by a terrorist elf. He's estranged from the Guild where he once worked as an enforcer for the magical beings of this world and forced to work the Weird with Murdock, a human police officer. In this third offering of the series, Connor's handling magical crimes the Guild's not interested in because they involve the loss of only a bum and an old woman. But, he and Murdock rightly sense that there is something much more going on. This third offering's brought back an old love and introduced a new one, plus shown us some more backstory into Connor's attack and the terrorist elf, Vize. All of this with Samhain approaching and the possibility that the ways between the worlds of magic and human might just open again. Mark Del Franco is a great voice in the fantasy genre. He adds some real political issues, mystery and a whole lot of heart into his characters. Both Connor and his human partner, Murdock, are complex characters who unfold a bit with each new tale. I hope to see many more stories in this setting to come! Rebecca Kyle, August 2009

Connor and Joe are in the thick of things...

"Oh man, if the 3rd could have been any better! Wow, this series gets better instead of getting old. Connor is faced with voices and shadows he is seeing. To top that off a old associate of his shows up and reminds him of his not so honorable past. Connor is faced with the deaths of several normal people by the hand of a druidess. Why are these people being killed and what are the rune marks on them? Connor and Murdock get closer to the truth, more questions arise and it gets more confusing. Once again a great installment in this series with Connor Grey and his flit friend Joe aka Stinkwort.

Non Stop Storyline and Great Action

The third book in the series offers more insight into the world of Connor Grey and it is a fun ride. The characters are nicely written in the series in general and this book is no exception. We meet people from Connor's past that give us insight into who he was. There is a great mix of joy, pain, war, and deception that blends well. Events that took place in this book will be no doubt effect future books in the Connor Grey series. There was good character development with Meryl and Connor. This series is promising and so far none of the 3 books has disappointed. The book isn't terribly long but is filled with a good story that is sure to have you turning the page nonstop waiting to see what will happen next. Once you step into the world of Connor Grey it's hard to withdraw from.

Another great Connor story!

The third in the Connor Grey series, Unfallen Dead was simply great! I really like Connor Grey's character and find that he makes a wonderful hero. Lots of new developement in this installment, which you'd have to read the first two to fully appreciate. I won't go into detail as I'm sure other great reviewers will do that. All I can say is that I strongly recommend not only this novel, but the whole series if you're looking for a good urban fantasy. I suspect there is going to be lots more of Connor Grey in the future and will eagerly look forward to them. If you like Rob Thurman, Jim Butcher and his Harry Dresden Files and Anton Strout and Simon R. Green, then pick up a Mark Del Franco book. He won't disappoint!

Easily the Best of the Series

The first two Connor Grey novels were more like detective novels with a paranormal flair. This third volume is firmly in the paranormal, while still having an intricate mystery, giving readers a deep look at the world and characters Del Franco has imagined. It is easily the best of the series so far and makes me hungry for the next installment. A lot of plot lines take route in Unfallen Dead, and readers finally get significant progress on Connor's disability, the political instability among the Fae and even Connor's relationship with Meryl. Yes! Connor is still struggling with the black mass in his mind which blocks his druid abilities, and working with Murdock on cases the Guild won't bother with. His latest case involves two humans murdered by a druidess that link back to an old case of Keeva's (so of course The Guild eventually gets invoved). And Meryl is involved up to her neck as well, in ways that will startle Connor and the reader. Keeva's got her own problems - on suspension for being manipulated against the Guild. Connor is stunned when his old Guild partner, Dylan, arrives to temporarily take over her position. Connor and Dylan have unresolved issues, naturally, but their camaraderie is just what I was missing in Connor's relationship with Murdock. To top it off, the Faerie royal court has taken an interest in Connor and Meryl because of the events at Forest Hill and the malignant essence, Taint (book 3). Queen Ceridwen has come to investigate, or place blame, depending on one's point of view. She carries a spear which seeks the truth. Only, it does more than seek truth and it likes Connor more than her. Samhain is approaching and the veil between worlds is thinning - finally allowing crossovers that have not happened since Convergence. Chock full of action, intrigue and outright adventure, this novel has it all. I was engrossed from the first page to the last. Connor finally recognizes that the black mass in his head has not so coincidentally saved his life, and the world, more than once now. It figures directly into the plot here, and like the spear, is more than it seems. The arrival of Dylan brought welcome information about Connor's past and a new ally. Dylan doesn't dismiss Connor because of his lack of power, and even offers him a way back into the Guild if he wants. Connor's command of the spear will take him through the veil in a kick-butt ending that includes a confrontation with his arch enemy, revelations about Queen Maeve and her motives, and the dead crossing over into Boston from Tir Na Nog (the land of the dead). I especially liked that Connor didn't "accidentally" save the day this time despite his disability, he planned and executed it. This author has a gift for hooking a reader with an awesome ending. Consider me hooked - and bring on book 4.