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The Undetectables #3
The Unfathomable Curse
Not yet published
Expected 23 Sep 25A witty, witchy fantasy murder mystery packed with ancient magic and fiendish puzzles. When Cornelia’s twin sisters are taken by the Wickermere Reaper, Mallory, Diana and Theodore must race against time to uncover the buried secrets of the Broadwicks before it’s too late. Perfect for fans of supernatural mysteries and cosy crime by authors such as Ben Aaranovitch, Josiah Bancroft and Tammie Painter.
The summer after the events of The Undead Complex, the unthinkable finally happens – Cornelia’s money is running out. Estranged from her family, furious at her parents following recent revelations, the Broadwick heir finds herself living on her own resources for the first time.
Meanwhile two crimes are rocking the Apparent community. The Wrackton Digger is stealing bodies from the cemetery, and a new serial killer – the Wickermere Reaper – has emerged. But when the Reaper snatches their next victims – Cornelia’s twin sisters – she must return to her family’s home, and seat of the Ghoul Council, to conduct the search.
With their resources split, and a ticking clock on the race to save the twins, The Undetectables must do what they do best – solve the strangest, most well-hidden magical mysteries to save the people they love.
The summer after the events of The Undead Complex, the unthinkable finally happens – Cornelia’s money is running out. Estranged from her family, furious at her parents following recent revelations, the Broadwick heir finds herself living on her own resources for the first time.
Meanwhile two crimes are rocking the Apparent community. The Wrackton Digger is stealing bodies from the cemetery, and a new serial killer – the Wickermere Reaper – has emerged. But when the Reaper snatches their next victims – Cornelia’s twin sisters – she must return to her family’s home, and seat of the Ghoul Council, to conduct the search.
With their resources split, and a ticking clock on the race to save the twins, The Undetectables must do what they do best – solve the strangest, most well-hidden magical mysteries to save the people they love.
496 pages, Paperback
Expected publication September 23, 2025
152 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
August 20, 2025
“Queer witchcraft perfection”
Thank you to Net Galley and the publishers for sending me a copy in exchange for a review.
This series has my heart. So I'm a little biased.
The inclusivity, the disability rep, the queerness - perfection.
I love the group dynamics between our besties Cornelia, Mallory and Diana especially with the slow burn will they won't they between Mallory and Cornelia. Theodore is worrying me and I can't wait to get my mitts on the next book because I need my cat eared friend to be okay.
The plot had me on the edge of my seat, and although the investigation did lose me at some points (that's more of a my brain isn't braining rather than the book being badly written) this is definitely upping the stakes that were introduced in book one.
Perfect read for cosy autumn evenings and anyone who likes a little witchcraft in their reads.
Thank you to Net Galley and the publishers for sending me a copy in exchange for a review.
This series has my heart. So I'm a little biased.
The inclusivity, the disability rep, the queerness - perfection.
I love the group dynamics between our besties Cornelia, Mallory and Diana especially with the slow burn will they won't they between Mallory and Cornelia. Theodore is worrying me and I can't wait to get my mitts on the next book because I need my cat eared friend to be okay.
The plot had me on the edge of my seat, and although the investigation did lose me at some points (that's more of a my brain isn't braining rather than the book being badly written) this is definitely upping the stakes that were introduced in book one.
Perfect read for cosy autumn evenings and anyone who likes a little witchcraft in their reads.
September 4, 2025
4.5 stars
Full review to come!
Full review to come!
August 16, 2025
The unfathomable curse by Courtney Smyth review
Genre: fantasy/mystery
Rep: LGBTQ+, POC, Disability (MC’s with fibromyalgia, hearing loss + hearing aids, PTSD, agoraphobia, undiagnosed ADHD. SC’s with ostomy bag, Deaf with sign language).
Thank you for NetGalley and Titan books for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
The unfathomable curse is the 3rd book in de Undetectables series, with the first book being Mallory’s book, the second book Diana’s and this book focusing on Cornelia. With a time sensitive murder mystery on their hands, Cornelia has to stay sharp while confronting her family.
As always, this book is full of amazing minority representation with our main characters being Queer, racially diverse and disabled. I love how each book gives us insight into the lives and obstacles each member of the Undetectables face. Finally getting to know Cornelia on such a deep level was a journey I wish I could experience twice. As with the last book, the Undetectables are called to investigate while one of them is very close to the people involved in the mystery. This makes perfect room to get to know Cornelia’s dynamic with her family. This is also the first time we actually get to know the family members.
The main things I loved about Diana’s book were repeated in a different flavour in this one, like the two investigations side by side with a difference between the main investigation and the side investigation. Still, the side investigation proved very important at the end, especially to speculate on the sequel. However, I think this book’s pacing would’ve been more than fine without the side investigation, although it added much more mystery and suspense overall. I truly can’t complain about it’s addition to the plot.
If I absolutely have to be critical it is that the beginning of the book takes us into the investigation that differs from the blurb on the book, so it left me a bit confused after a while as it takes a bit for the main plot to reveal itself. However, in my opinion the rest of the book is perfect. I didn’t know I could relate to Cornelia so much, especially with the PTSD rep and agoraphobia. After reading this book, Cornelia is so much more than the Rich Bitch (affectionately) of the three witches.
Please go read this series!
Genre: fantasy/mystery
Rep: LGBTQ+, POC, Disability (MC’s with fibromyalgia, hearing loss + hearing aids, PTSD, agoraphobia, undiagnosed ADHD. SC’s with ostomy bag, Deaf with sign language).
Thank you for NetGalley and Titan books for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
The unfathomable curse is the 3rd book in de Undetectables series, with the first book being Mallory’s book, the second book Diana’s and this book focusing on Cornelia. With a time sensitive murder mystery on their hands, Cornelia has to stay sharp while confronting her family.
As always, this book is full of amazing minority representation with our main characters being Queer, racially diverse and disabled. I love how each book gives us insight into the lives and obstacles each member of the Undetectables face. Finally getting to know Cornelia on such a deep level was a journey I wish I could experience twice. As with the last book, the Undetectables are called to investigate while one of them is very close to the people involved in the mystery. This makes perfect room to get to know Cornelia’s dynamic with her family. This is also the first time we actually get to know the family members.
The main things I loved about Diana’s book were repeated in a different flavour in this one, like the two investigations side by side with a difference between the main investigation and the side investigation. Still, the side investigation proved very important at the end, especially to speculate on the sequel. However, I think this book’s pacing would’ve been more than fine without the side investigation, although it added much more mystery and suspense overall. I truly can’t complain about it’s addition to the plot.
If I absolutely have to be critical it is that the beginning of the book takes us into the investigation that differs from the blurb on the book, so it left me a bit confused after a while as it takes a bit for the main plot to reveal itself. However, in my opinion the rest of the book is perfect. I didn’t know I could relate to Cornelia so much, especially with the PTSD rep and agoraphobia. After reading this book, Cornelia is so much more than the Rich Bitch (affectionately) of the three witches.
Please go read this series!
September 5, 2025
Every time I finish a book in this series its like TAKE THIS CLIFFHANGER and then I suffer until the next one comes out.
I love puzzling along with the clues to figure out the mystery its so much fun even when I'm not smart enough to get it right 😂
And the queer rep??? The chronic pain rep?? I love it so much. Cornelias whole journey in this book was felt in my heart because it feels similar to how I often think about gender and stuff
Anyways I'll be yelling into the abyss for a while now about the fact that I don't know when book 4 will come out.
Thanks so much to netgalley for sending me an ARC for this book!
I love puzzling along with the clues to figure out the mystery its so much fun even when I'm not smart enough to get it right 😂
And the queer rep??? The chronic pain rep?? I love it so much. Cornelias whole journey in this book was felt in my heart because it feels similar to how I often think about gender and stuff
Anyways I'll be yelling into the abyss for a while now about the fact that I don't know when book 4 will come out.
Thanks so much to netgalley for sending me an ARC for this book!
July 31, 2025
The Unfathomable Curse is an enchanting mix of mystery, dark magic, and sharp wit that completely pulled me in. Beyond the clever puzzles and eerie suspense, what truly struck me was the emotional depth, Cornelia’s strained family ties and her desperate fight for her sisters give the story a heart that lingers long after the last page. A perfect blend of intrigue, atmosphere, and humanity, it’s both thrilling and unexpectedly moving.
August 13, 2025
This was the first book I’ve read by the author. I loved the cover and title.
The book features characters from different backgrounds and it is a fantasy murder mystery. The author’s writing is very fluent, and the style is incredibly beautiful. If you enjoy mystery; then this book is for you!
This is an ARC review. I appreciate receiving this copy from NetGalley and the publisher in return for an honest review.
The book features characters from different backgrounds and it is a fantasy murder mystery. The author’s writing is very fluent, and the style is incredibly beautiful. If you enjoy mystery; then this book is for you!
This is an ARC review. I appreciate receiving this copy from NetGalley and the publisher in return for an honest review.
August 13, 2025
A deliciously dark tangle of magic, murder, and mystery, The Unfathomable Curse delivers both chills and charm. Smyth weaves a sharp-witted, atmospheric tale where family drama and supernatural danger collide, and Cornelia’s hunt for her kidnapped sisters brims with tension and heart. Beautifully written, richly imagined, and satisfyingly twisty—this cosy-meets-creepy fantasy mystery is one I couldn’t put down.
September 3, 2025
Sometimes a new to me series can sometimes hard to get into. In this case, it was definitely hard for me. I just couldn’t get into it and click with the story.
While I love the concept and I love the characters on the set up. I just really struggled to get through the book. I’m hoping the previous two entries may help nd I can move forward with the series.
While I love the concept and I love the characters on the set up. I just really struggled to get through the book. I’m hoping the previous two entries may help nd I can move forward with the series.
September 1, 2025
After spending the best part of a year avoiding her parents, Cornelia has been cut off from the Broadwick fortune, but still she can't bring herself to speak to them. And then the Wickermere Reaper abducts Cornelia's twin sisters, and she finds herself back in the family home, in a race against the clock to save their lives...
The Unfathomable Curse is the third book in The Undetectables series, and I don't know how well it would work as a standalone. In addition to the main plot revolving around the Wickermere Reaper, there is also a subplot focusing on the Wrackton Digger, a character arc for Cornelia, and an overarching storyline that spans the entire series. The main plot resembles those from the first two books, as Mallory, Diana, and Cornelia have to put their own lives on the line to solve a fiendishly complex magical mystery in a race against the clock. But instead of Wrackton, the setting is an evocatively eerie Wickermere, and instead of the friends they usually rely on to help them, the witches have only the Ghoul Council headed by Cornelia's parents, who are also their only suspects. I love a mystery centred around a small group of suspicious characters, and this one kept me guessing right until the end.
In the subplot, Theodore takes the lead on investigating the Wrackton Digger who is stealing bodies from the cemetery, but as the book draws to a close, it becomes increasingly clear that not only these two cases but all the Undetectables' cases are somehow connected. There is a lot going on in The Unfathomable Curse and it all ends on something of a cliffhanger. After The Undetectables focused on Mallory and The Undead Complex on Diana, in The Unfathomable Curse it is Cornelia's turn. As well as the main plot being centred around her family, we also get to see her processing the trauma of being abducted by the Whistler and dealing with her feelings about Mallory, the Broadwicks, and herself. I love that the series is structured like this, and I hope it is Theodore's turn next!
The Unfathomable Curse is out on 23 September. Thank you to NetGalley and Titan Books for an advance copy.
The Unfathomable Curse is the third book in The Undetectables series, and I don't know how well it would work as a standalone. In addition to the main plot revolving around the Wickermere Reaper, there is also a subplot focusing on the Wrackton Digger, a character arc for Cornelia, and an overarching storyline that spans the entire series. The main plot resembles those from the first two books, as Mallory, Diana, and Cornelia have to put their own lives on the line to solve a fiendishly complex magical mystery in a race against the clock. But instead of Wrackton, the setting is an evocatively eerie Wickermere, and instead of the friends they usually rely on to help them, the witches have only the Ghoul Council headed by Cornelia's parents, who are also their only suspects. I love a mystery centred around a small group of suspicious characters, and this one kept me guessing right until the end.
In the subplot, Theodore takes the lead on investigating the Wrackton Digger who is stealing bodies from the cemetery, but as the book draws to a close, it becomes increasingly clear that not only these two cases but all the Undetectables' cases are somehow connected. There is a lot going on in The Unfathomable Curse and it all ends on something of a cliffhanger. After The Undetectables focused on Mallory and The Undead Complex on Diana, in The Unfathomable Curse it is Cornelia's turn. As well as the main plot being centred around her family, we also get to see her processing the trauma of being abducted by the Whistler and dealing with her feelings about Mallory, the Broadwicks, and herself. I love that the series is structured like this, and I hope it is Theodore's turn next!
The Unfathomable Curse is out on 23 September. Thank you to NetGalley and Titan Books for an advance copy.
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews