A Talon's Wrath: An Urban Fantasy Thriller (Paperback) (ISBN-13: 9781039425248)

Lucas Rurik faces unwanted celebrity, ancient enemies, and dangerous zealots in a thrilling urban-fantasy noir from the author of the Hellequin Chronicles.

Centuries of life experience inside and outside the Rift couldn't prepare former Raven Guild member and riftborn detective Lucas Rurik for his latest set of challenges. First, when his capture of a prominent political figure "trends" on social networks, he finds himself the target of both the media and the public. Then, Noah Kaya, an Ancient, tracks him down for help on a job. As a rule, Lucas doesn't trust the Ancients; they always seem to have an ulterior motive. But something about this gig just won't let Lucas say no.

It seems one of Noah's close friends disappeared right after becoming the lead suspect in a murder case. The problem is the guy in question isn't the type to knock someone off. Not to mention a whole lot of rift-walkers have recently gone missing, the crime scene reeks of pure rift energy, and a deranged killer who Lucas thought was long deceased might not actually be dead after all.

Soon, what was originally a simple search for a missing person devolves into a dangerous game of cat and mouse with an age-old enemy--and it could bring Lucas face-to-face with Dr. Callie Mitchell, the depraved scientist he's been hunting for months . . .

Praise for The Last Raven

"McHugh's pithy prose energizes the narrative, even when there's no superpower on display, and builds intrigue with gradual reveals of Lucas' rift-derived skills and backstory. This slick introductory supernatural tale will leave readers eager for a sequel." --Kirkus Reviews

"The Last Raven has the appeal of a great action movie. There is a nice mystery, a compelling lead, strong support, and enough adrenaline to leave you with a pleasant high afterward. . . . Eagerly looking forward to the next installment." --The Cosmic Circus

"If you have a friend who loves both speculative fiction novels and thrillers, this is the perfect gift." --Medium, "10 Chilling Books for Mystery/Thriller Lovers This Winter"