Things are looking up.
For the first time in what feels like years, October "Toby" Daye has been able to pause long enough to take a breath and look at her life - and she likes what she sees. She has friends. She has allies. She has a squire to train and a King of Cats to love, and maybe, just maybe, she can let her guard down for a change.
Or not. When Queen Windermere's seneschal is elf-shot and thrown into an enchanted sleep by agents from the neighboring Kingdom of Silences, Toby finds herself in a role she never expected to play: that of a diplomat. She must travel to Portland, Oregon, to convince King Rhys of Silences not to go to war against the Mists. But nothing is that simple, and what October finds in Silences is worse than she would ever have imagined.
How far will Toby go when lives are on the line, and when allies both old and new are threatened by a force she had never expected to face again? How much is October willing to give up, and how much is she willing to change? In Faerie, what's past is never really gone.
It's just waiting for an opportunity to pounce.
A Red-Rose Chain is the ninth installment in Seanan McGuire's urban fantasy October "Toby" Daye series.
The series
The October Daye series by Seanan McGuire invites readers into a world where the line between the mortal and the fae is not just blurred—it’s perilously thin. Following the life of October "Toby" Daye, a changeling private investigator with a dark past and an even darker future, this series pulls you into a labyrinth of ancient magic, dangerous politics, and mythical creatures. Toby is a half-human, half-fae detective who finds herself entangled in both the mundane and the supernatural, tasked with solving mysteries that threaten both worlds.
Read full series description
Set in a San Francisco where the Fae courts rule over hidden realms and human society exists in blissful ignorance, the October Daye series immerses you in a rich tapestry of lore, danger, and personal sacrifice. From fae politics to magical creatures both old and new, Toby’s journey is as much about uncovering the secrets of her world as it is about grappling with her own identity and past. Her struggles with being a changeling, caught between two worlds, are layered with complexity, making her a relatable yet resilient heroine who draws readers into her emotional and supernatural journey.
In a world where betrayals are common and loyalty is a rare gift, October Daye stands as a series where every choice has weight, every encounter can change everything, and the price of uncovering the truth is often higher than Toby could ever expect. With each book, McGuire builds a unique universe of perilous magic, bittersweet alliances, and intense character arcs, all while keeping the reader on the edge of their seat, craving more of Toby’s adventures.
Perfect for those who enjoy urban fantasy with deep character development and intricate world-building, the October Daye series is a perfect blend of mystery, magic, and personal stakes—where every case could be Toby's last, and every ally might just be a hidden enemy.
#1 · 2009Rosemary and Rue 
#2 · 2010A Local Habitation 
#3 · 2010An Artificial Night 
#4 · 2011Late Eclipses 
#5 · 2011One Salt Sea 
#6 · 2012Ashes of Honor 
#7 · 2013Chimes at Midnight 
#7.2 · 2016Full of Briars 
#8 · 2014The Winter Long 
#9 · 2015A Red-Rose Chain 
#10 · 2016Once Broken Faith 
#11 · 2017The Brightest Fell 
#12 · 2018Night and Silence 
#13 · 2019The Unkindest Tide 
#14 · 2020A Killing Frost 
#15 · 2021When Sorrows Come 
#16 · 2022Be the Serpent 
#17 · 2023Sleep No More 
#18 · 2023The Innocent Sleep 
#19 · 2025Silver and Lead 
#20 · 2026A Divided Duty 
#21 · 2027October Daye Book 21 Be the first reviewer
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