Deadly Curiosities

Written by Gail Z. Martin

Narrated by Thérèse Plummer

Cassidy Kincaide owns Trifles Folly, an antique/curio store and high-end pawn shop in Charleston, South Carolina that is more than what it seems. Dangerous magical and supernatural items sometimes find their way into mortal hands or onto the market, and Cassidy is part of a shadowy Alliance of mortals and mages whose job it is to take those deadly curiosities out of circulation. Welcome to Trifles Folly, an antique and curio shop with a dark secret. Proprietor Cassidy Kincaide continues a family tradition begun in 1670-acquiring and neutralizing dangerous supernatural items. It's the perfect job for Cassidy, whose psychic gift lets her touch an object and know its history. Together with her business partner Sorren, a 500 year-old vampire and former jewel thief, Cassidy makes it her business to get infernal objects off the market. When mundane antiques suddenly become magically malicious, it's time for Cassidy and Sorren to get rid of these Deadly Curiosities before the bodies start piling up.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Recorded Books, Inc.
• Release date: Aug 5, 2016
• ISBN: 9781501929397

Reviews for Deadly Curiosities

[Tamye Whitener · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

An interesting story of ghost, demons, pirates, and other supernatural creatures as well as those that try to keep the troublesome ones contained. Action-packed adventure with a growing number of intriguing participants kept me tuned in.

[montzaleew · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Deadly Curiosities(Deadly Curiosities #1)by Gail Z. MartinThis book goes in my favorite folder for sure! It has wonderful main characters, super creepy atmosphere when needed, evil abounds, ghosts, supernatural elements, and so much more! The further I went into the book the more I loved it. The main character, Cassidy, can see the past when she touches an item. Her partner to the shop is a vampire. They work to get evil items out of circulation. They also have another guy helping and at the end of this story they may have recruited another. I will have to wait and see if I am right about that.I got this when it was on sale on chirp and the narration was great!

[carol420 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

I am a huge fan of several of this writer's other series...Witchbane. Badlands...and Treasure Trail which I have reread numerous times and she writes under the name of Morgan Brice. In the last Witchbane book Cassidy Kincaide and her team helped the characters from Witchbane with a hunt that they were on. Seems that she is the cousin of one of the hunters in Witchbane and she has also given advice to the characters of Badlands and Treasure Trail. It’s what I love about this author’s works...she never lets our favorite people disappear. For some reason I hadn’t read any of this series until I spent time in her shop with the two guys from Witchbane. I decided then that I had to know more about Cassidy and Teag and Sorren. I liked the characters when they were in the series above, but to my surprise I couldn’t get into this series. I can't believe that I would not devour anything Gail Z.Martin/Morgan Brice wrote. In all fairness I may try it again when I can get the book instead of the audio book. The reader either has a terrible southern accent, or is trying to too hard to come across as “southern”. I’m not prejudice...I’m from the south... but this didn’t do anything to help the story at all.

[tldegray-1 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

I love the trope of collecting evil artifacts, so right away I was into this book. (Provided by publisher)

[wyvernfriend · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I found this one very interesting and would love to read more in this world.Cassidy Kincade owns an antique shop and some of the antiques that pass through her hands stop with her. She's a psychometrist and anything that has too much of a residue is passed on to Sorren, a 500 year old vampire who has been associated with the business for many years. Working with her is Teag who has some magical powers of his own and a long-term relationship with someone else.And that was one of the things I really liked about this, there was no shoehorned in romance between main characters just because. Refreshing in the Urban Fantasy genre. When I started I could barely put it down. I really enjoyed Cassidy finding out what was going on in her part of the world. It made me want to read more in this series.

[thelibraryhag · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Cassidy is the owner of Trifles and Folly, an antique and collectibles store Charleston, SC. But more is going on there than meets the eye. Cassidy and her partners are tasked with finding dangerous magical items and keeping them away from the public. It helps that Cassidy is a sensitive and her partner is a 500 year old vampire. But this time they are up against a demon and they are going to need all the help they can get.Well, ghosts, vampires, antiques and Charleston. Yep, right up my street. I really liked this book with its look at Charleston history, real and imagined. I also like the story line which reminds me of that old tv show, Friday the 13th. The characters in the book are well developed and I felt that I knew them by the end of the book. Cassidy did make me a bit annoyed a couple of times but to me that just shows that she was believable. There was lots of action that in some ways reminded me of The Dresden Files, not sure why. There are some related short stories that I plan to read that all precede this book. But I really want to read more about Cassidy and company.

[glennis.leblanc · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

The first book in a new urban fantasy series that at first glance seems to remind me of the premise of Friday the 13th: The Series. The book is based in Charleston, SC and the city does very much feel fleshed out and a part of the story. Cassidy owns an antique store that has been in her family for generations. The store has a silent partner that is a vampire that hunts down dangerous artifacts. Cassidy can tell the history of an object by touch alone and her employee/friend Teag has an interesting power that he can gather information magically. The three of then work for a loosely affiliated group of supernaturals and humans with magical powers that try to keep evil objects out of the hands of people and supernaturals that want to use them for their own ends. Good world building and the huge plus for me is there is no romance building the background between the characters. I'll be looking for more books in this series.


Digital review copy provided by the publisher through NetGalley

[shelleyraec · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

Deadly Curiosities is the full length introduction to a new urban fantasy series by Gail Z. Martin, preceded by seven related short stories self published by the author.Cassidy Kincaide is the owner of Trifles & Folly, an antique/curio store and high-end pawn shop in Charleston, South Carolina. Cassidy inherited the family business, in operation since 1670, upon her uncle's death, finally learning of the family secret and the truth about her own unique skill with psychometry - the ability to know the history associated with an object by touch. Her gift allows Cassidy, with the help of her 500 year old business partner, Sorren, to assist The Alliance - a group of mortals and paranormal beings, in identifying and removing dangerous items harbouring supernatural power from public circulation. In Deadly Curiosities, antiques previously assessed as inert are suddenly creating problems for their new owners. It's up to Cassidy, along with friend and colleague Teag, to determine the cause of the black magic igniting Charleston' deadly history and put a stop to it.I was excited by the premise of Deadly Curiosities, and I still think the concept is strong, but the style of the narrative didn't quite work for me. I struggled with the incidences of repetition, not only in the information presented, but Martin's tendency to state and then restate lines. I also felt the way in which Cassidy's visions were presented, in the past tense with Cassidy as an observer, dampened the sense of immediacy and gave the narrative a somewhat disjointed feel.I do think there is real potential in the characters for Martin to develop an interesting cast. Cassidy is likeable, and her talent is interesting though I didn't feel like I learned much about her outside of what she is capable of. I was quite intrigued by Teag's abilities as a 'weaver' that not only gives him in an infinity for traditional materials such as fabric and knots but also the world wide web. Sorren is a bit of an enigma however I've since learned that his character is established in the short stories prequels.I really liked the atmospheric setting, Deadly Curiosities is set in Charleston, a town rich in history, which Martin exploits to good effect, though I have to admit I have no idea how much of what is presented is actually based on truth.Overall I would have to judge Deadly Curiosities as an 'okay' read for me, though I can see, in the story and characters, the potential.

[strider66_1 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

Pros: interesting plot, varied forms of magic, characters actually work day jobs, satisfying conclusionCons: characters feel like Mary Sues, middle of the book had several scenes that follow the same pattern, unnecessary repetitionCassidy Kincaide is psychometric, able to see images of an item’s past. She inherited the estate auction and antiques shop Trifles and Folly when her uncle, who had a similar power, died a few years back. Along with the store she also inherited her uncle’s silent partner, Sorren, a vampire and member of the Alliance, an organization dedicated to keeping humans safe from dangerous magical artifacts. When some of the safe items Cassidy sold start haunting a local BnB, she and her co-worker Teag start investigating.The characters are really interesting, with Cassidy having contacts all over the city with connections that help with her business - both the antique store and when investigating potentially dangerous items. I really appreciated that Cassidy not only owned a store, but she and Teag actually work there. Lots of urban fantasy books mention that characters have jobs but somehow show them with lots of free time to investigate whatever the mystery is. These characters spend their days at work, sometimes it’s slow and they can research and do other things, and sometimes it’s busy and they can’t. But I appreciated the veracity of their situation, that they need money to keep the store and pay rent and so have to do most of their investigative work after hours. Having said that, they seem remarkably lucky with their investigative work, generally learning pretty quickly what they need to from all the sites and people they visit. Now, the book explains that as due in part to Cassidy’s knowing and having a good relationship with many of the important people in town and the rest is chalked up to her and Teag’s respective magics. Still, they have an uncanny knack of reaching the right conclusion pretty quickly, which, coupled with their martial arts knowledge and ability to get out of sticky situations starts to make them feel Mary Sue-ish.Another thing I really liked about the book was the varied forms of magic employed. Cassidy can see objects’ pasts, Teag can weave together pieces of information as well as spells, Sorren has the strength and agility of the undead. The book also introduces several other characters with their own powers, a Voodon practitioner, a Viking Seior, and a Gullah root worker. Magic takes its toll on the practitioners and isn’t an infinite pool that be used continuously when facing bad guys. There is some repetition in how information is portrayed that irked me but probably won’t bother most readers. Something is introduced in one chapter and then expanded on in the next chapter in a way that repeats the previous information. A more obvious issue is that several scenes in the middle of the book follow the same pattern of checking something out, getting attacked, and getting out of the situation. It happened too often in the same way that I started wondering why they didn’t anticipate the attacks more readily.There is a highly satisfying end battle and all the plot threads tie up neatly before the book is over. Despite its flaws it’s a fun start to a new series.

[amdrane2 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

This wasn't what I thought it was gonna be when I started reading it. And by that I mean I thought it was gonna be a paranormal romance with a little action on the side. Boy, was I wrong. There was no romance (not even a hint) and it was full of action from visions to full out street brawls. The history in each object was neat to see instead of just being told about it. Very different. Looking forward to reading more in this series.Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC.

[isisunit · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I would like to thank NetGalley & Solaris for granting me a copy of this e-ARC to read in exchange for an honest review. Though I received this e-book for free that in no way impacts my review. I give this book 4.5 stars, but as most places only accept whole numbers I'm rounding it up to 5 stars.Cassidy Kincaide owns Trifles & Folly, an antique/curio store and high-end pawn shop in Charleston, South Carolina that is more than what it seems. Dangerous magical and supernatural items sometimes find their way into mortal hands or onto the market, and Cassidy is part of a shadowy Alliance of mortals and mages whose job it is to take those deadly curiosities out of circulation.Welcome to Trifles & Folly, an antique and curio shop with a dark secret. Proprietor Cassidy Kincaide continues a family tradition begun in 1670—acquiring and neutralizing dangerous supernatural items. It’s the perfect job for Cassidy, whose psychic gift lets her touch an object and know its history. Together with her business partner Sorren, a 500 year-old vampire and former jewel thief, Cassidy makes it her business to get infernal objects off the market. When mundane antiques suddenly become magically malicious, it’s time for Cassidy and Sorren to get rid of these Deadly Curiosities before the bodies start piling up. A truly exciting read, Ms. Martin has created one of the best urban fantasies I've had the pleasure of exploring recently. Her characters are all robust, with many layers and facets, giving them the feel of real people. And her world-building is top notch, rich and replete with realistic settings and scenes that place you directly in the story. This is easily one of the more thrilling urban fantasies I have read in the past year or more. Certainly to the point where I am anxious to get my hands on more of her stories, particularly any that continue on with the core cast from this book.Cassidy is a psychometric, meaning she can tell the history of an item just by touching it. And in a place like Charleston, South Carolina, that pretty much guarantees lots of real interesting experiences for Cassidy. And many of them are sadly, highly unpleasant histories. This is a city renowned for slavery, pirates, smuggling, and lots of things that go bump in the night. Things that Cassidy has learned are real, and you don't want to face them unprepared. Cassidy is the kind of girl that takes a licking and keeps on ticking. She's got the heart of a lion, and her non-corporeal protectors are great choices on Ms. Martin's part. They are warm and fuzzy, one in the literal sense, but anyone threatens their girl Cassidy will be facing some serious defenses.Brought into the Alliance by her friend and mentor Sorren, Cassidy's education comes in fits and starts. Sorren is a 500+ year-old vampire who has been working with a member of Cassidy's family since the opening of Trifles & Folly in 1670. His protective feelings toward Cassidy reminds me a bit of Stefan's feelings for Mercy in Patricia Briggs' Mercy Thompson series, minus the romantic inclinations Stefan harbors for Mercy, at least that we're aware of thus far!Teag is Cassidy's assistant manager and close friend. They met through a martial arts class, where he was her instructor. He knows tons of different styles and is definitely a force to be reckoned with, and all that is before you add in his Weaver magic, which he is still learning about. Just like Sorren, Teag is also very protective of Cassidy. He is also every bit as invested in the real reason Trifles & Folly exists as Cassidy and Sorren.Items they sold (that hadn't give Cassidy any history of the nasty sort) are suddenly becoming increasingly dangerous. It is only luck that a local woman bought a bunch of pieces for her B&B, thus leading her back to the shop, and Cassidy, when things begin to get seriously spooky at her previously quiet B&B. From there Cassidy and company discover that all kinds of formerly 'mundane' pieces have become charged, in the scary way, and all in the past six months. Which unfortunately aligns with the beginning of a series of unsolved murders. The more they learn the worse things look. This is one 'adventure' that could take everything they've got and it still might not be enough to put an end to the danger. But if they don't try the danger will most certainly extend well beyond a few pieces of affected furniture and locations, and could very well destroy all of Charleston and beyond.Sorren brings more help onboard, and Cassidy trusts her instincts and brings in another person to help, much to the frustration of the rest of the team, though they allow him to stay. But will their small team be enough to deal with what's out there? Will they be able to get justice for the innocents who died simply because they knew too much, or were in the wrong place at the wrong time? Will they even survive the coming battle? Full of suspense and intrigue, this book keeps you on your toes. It is nearly impossible to set it down once you've begun reading, as the characters and storyline reel you in like a fish on a line (though far more enjoyably). I am very hopeful that there are more books with Cassidy and crew awaiting me, and more Ms. Martin plans to put onto paper for us!

[stefferoo · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

This is the second novel I’ve read by Gail Z. Martin and I have to say, her books have a way of wrapping around the reader like a well-loved, comfortable sweater. Prior to Deadly Curiosities, I’ve read the first book of her Ascendant Kingdoms series Ice Forged, and as traditional fantasies go, it wasn’t groundbreaking but still offered enough new with the old to give me that nice, warm fuzzy feeling. Similarly, I felt good about being in familiar urban fantasy territory with her new book Deadly Curiosities, at the same time delighting in some of the things that made it unique. The book stars Cassidy Kincaide, owner of an upscale antique/curio store called Trifles & Folly in the heart of Charleston, South Carolina. Being able to touch an object and know its history is a special psychic gift that runs in her family – an ability that comes in handy in her line of work. It’s the perfect front for Cassidy and the Alliance’s real work: to seek out supernatural and possibly dangerous items and weed them out of the general public before they can harm anyone. However, when reports that a number of mundane antiques are suddenly turning into “Spookies”, it’s up to Cassidy and her coworkers to find out what dark force is changing all these previously harmless things into haunted objects.Without a doubt, the highlight of this book for me was the setting. No joke, I wanted to drop everything right there and then and move to Charleston. I have read urban fantasies set in a number of different places, from big cities to sleepy towns, and very few have made me feel a pull this intense. Martin captured the atmosphere perfectly, combining the fictional paranormal elements with the rich history and culture of the city, as well as the hospitality and charm of its people. I wanted to shop the antique shops, visit the museums, stay at the bed and breakfasts, even do the nighttime ghost tours and the whole shebang. Well, minus the evil demons, of course.In the past I’ve also noticed that authors who go from writing epic fantasy to urban fantasy often stumble with pacing. There is definitely less of an issue with Deadly Curiosities. However, I did feel that sections in the middle lagged a bit, and several characters central to the strike team at the end were introduced much later than I would have preferred. Still, this was probably my one and only complaint. On the whole, this was a great story and I especially enjoyed the first part of the novel, which hooked right away with the introduction to the central premise. I also love the smooth, natural and modern voices of Cassidy and the crew. Gail Z. Martin is a natural at writing urban fantasy; you would think she’s been doing this right from the start. One interesting thing to note though, is that unlike every other urban fantasy series out there, there is a conspicuous lack of a romantic side plot for our protagonist. Whether this is a good thing or a bad thing is up to the individual reader. Those who like a bit of romance with their UF might be disappointed, while others who are neutral or don’t mind something different might find it refreshing. Personally, I don’t think you can force a love story; it either works or it doesn’t. I would rather read an urban fantasy sans romance than one with a romance awkwardly shoehorned in just for the sake of having one, so I say good for Martin! (But for a second, I did get worried – I thought perhaps Cassidy would end up falling for Sorren, her silent business partner at Trifles & Folly. He’s also a 500-year-old vampire. So in this case, I guess you can say I was doubly glad it did not happen. The world has enough vampire romances.)I am, however, a little tempted to hunt down Gail Z. Martin’s other Deadly Curiosity Adventure stories, from her series that spans over 500 years starring Sorren. That’s what a good book does – make you want more. I do hope she has plans to continue expanding Cassidy’s story as well, because this was a lot of fun. I would return to Charleston and Trifies & Folly in a heartbeat.