Turns of Fate, by Anne Bishop

Junior detective Beth Fahey has joined a special unit of the police force tasked with investigating crimes linked to the supernatural. This involves liaising with the Isle of Wyrd, a place where the human world touches and interacts with an otherworld of the Arcana. The unit has a high turnover as dealing with the uncanny is not for everyone, but despite her inexperience Beth has an unusual affinity with Wyrd. This puts her at risk and she finds she needs to uncover secrets from her past to be able to make decisions about her future and perhaps change her fate. Words have power; intentions matter. This new world holds some similarities with Bishop’s Others series in its relationships between humans and other beings and the police force plays a similarly important role. But the Arcana are more related to myth and legend, with some recognisable figures and scenarios. Familiar themes are also present, in particular wealthy people who put themselves above the law and the battle with populist nativism and toxic masculinity that holds much resonance with today’s real world issues. With a few loose ends left to tantalise about what may come there is sure to be a sequel to explore more of this fascinating new culture. Can’t wait.