Children of Chicago
A modern retelling of the Pied Piper legend
Format:Hardback
Publisher:Polis Books
Published:22nd Apr '21
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A detective confronts her past while investigating a series of child murders linked to an urban legend in Children of Chicago.
In Children of Chicago, acclaimed author Cynthia Pelayo offers a haunting contemporary retelling of the Pied Piper fairy tale, set against the gritty backdrop of Chicago's underworld. The narrative follows detective Lauren Medina as she investigates a shocking murder that echoes a personal tragedy from her past—the death of her sister. As Lauren delves deeper into the case, she uncovers a series of eerie graffiti that signals the return of an age-old horror: the Pied Piper. This modern twist on a classic tale intertwines themes of loss, guilt, and the haunting power of urban legends.
The story unfolds as Lauren grapples with the emotional weight of her father’s recent death, while also confronting her unresolved feelings about her sister’s murder. Each new victim adds urgency to her quest, as she realizes that the deaths of children are linked to a sinister force that demands payment for its help. The tension escalates as Lauren must navigate the delicate balance between her duty as a detective and her promise to protect the secrets that could shatter her world.
Children of Chicago is a gripping exploration of the darkness that can lurk beneath the surface of a city, blending elements of horror and detective fiction. Pelayo's vivid storytelling and complex characters invite readers to question the nature of evil and the lengths one will go to for love and redemption. This novel promises to keep readers on the edge of their seats, drawing them into a chilling narrative that resonates long after the last page is turned.
ONE OF THE "BEST OF THE BEST BOOKS" OF 2021 BY THE CHICAGO PUBLIC LIBRARYONE OF THE 10 "BEST HORROR NOVELS OF 2021"—Library JournalONE OF THE "MUST-READ BOOKS FOR SUMMER 2021"—The Chicago TribuneNOTABLE MENTION "THE BEST BOOKS OF THE YEAR; CRIME FICTION 2021"—CrimeReadsONE OF "THE BEST NEW CRIME NOVELS"—Book Riot
"Cynthia Pelayo’s wonderfully eerie CHILDREN OF CHICAGO, an ode to Humboldt Park and fairy tales and crime novels and Chicago’s Latinx community, has ambition to spare."—The Chicago Tribune
"Pelayo masterfully ratchets up the tension and the scares. Robert McCammon fans will be pleased."—Publishers Weekly (Starred)
"With superior worldbuilding, a relentless pace, a complex heroine, and a harrowing story that preys off of current events as much as its well-developed monster, this is a stellar horror novel that fires on all cylinders, from the first page through to its horrible conclusion. For fans of dark fantasy based on fairy tales such as Seanan McGuire’s 'Wayward Children' series or novels by Helen Oyeyemi, with just the right touch of Sara Paretsky’s V.I. Warshawski."—Library Journal (Starred)
"Cynthia Pelayo combines police procedural with suspense, horror, and a fairy tale to give you a dark genre-bending tale, perfect for X-file fans and readers who eschew cookie-cutter books."—Alma Katsu, author of THE HUNGER and THE DEEP
"CHILDREN OF CHICAGO is equal parts thriller and horror, occupying the same space as the Hannibal Lecter series by Thomas Harris or Falling Angel by William Hjortsberg, and this novel is equally worthy of your time."—Crime Fiction Lover
"Pelayo has crafted a love story to Chicago, particularly the Latinx community, weaving history, culture, and landmarks into the fabric of the story until the city practically breathes. It is also a love story to fairy tales, and Pelayo intersperses retellings throughout the book, examining the structure, meaning, and value of the original tales. Pelayo's dark, reimagined fairy tale will have readers leaving their lights on long after they’ve turned the last page.”—Booklist
"I was enthralled with each page. A perfect book for those who love horror."—Suspense Magazine
"Part police procedural, all horror, Cynthia Pelayo's CHILDREN OF CHICAGO is an immensely entertaining and thoroughly chilling novel, which just so happens to combine two of my favorite things: Chicago and fairytales. I challenge you not to have a good time with Pelayo's book. The confidence and style on display here say she's destined to become one of the greats."—Kealan Patrick Burke, Bram Stoker Award-Winning author of SOUR CANDY, KIN, and THE TURTLE BOY
ISBN: 9781951709204
Dimensions: unknown
Weight: unknown
304 pages