Married in Green

InCryptid #0.05

by Seanan McGuire

After a rocky start and a lot of dangerous adventures, the day everyone has been waiting for has finally arrived: Jonathan Healy and Frances Brown are going to be married, and none too soon, since their first child is set to arrive at any moment. Alexander and Enid couldn't be happier about their son gaining a wife and a child, while giving them a daughter-in-law. The mice have been celebrating for weeks. If only Jonathan and Fran were so sure...

Marriage is a big step, and Fran is terrified of what her future will bring. Is this her happily ever after, or just one more short-term home in a long string of the same? Help comes in the form of her old circus friends...but that just raises more questions. Will she ever be happy holding still? And what does it mean to be married in green?

You are cordially invited to join the Healys and the members of the Campbell Family Carnival on the joyous event of the marriage of Jonathan Healy and Frances Brown. Assuming they go through with it.

Everything changes today.

Genres: Urban Fantasy, Fantasy, Short Stories, Paranormal, Fiction, Historical Fiction, Romance

34 pages, ebook

First published March 4, 2013

About the author

Hi! I'm Seanan McGuire, author of the Toby Daye series (Rosemary and Rue, A Local Habitation, An Artificial Night, Late Eclipses), as well as a lot of other things. I'm also Mira Grant (www.miragrant.com), author of Feed and Deadline.

Born and raised in Northern California, I fear weather and am remarkably laid-back about rattlesnakes. I watch too many horror movies, read too many comic books, and share my house with two monsters in feline form, Lilly and Alice (Siamese and Maine Coon).

I do not check this inbox. Please don't send me messages through Goodreads; they won't be answered. I don't want to have to delete this account. :(

Reviews

[Robin (Bridge Four) · Rating 5 out of 5]

The most difficult part of reading some of these shorts is that you already know that some of the Healy/Price family had some tragic endings already.

Even though this focuses on a pretty happy time, the wedding of Fran and Jonathan just days before their child is about to arrive, by the end there is a turn to the cautionary where you know that this HEA isn't necessarily going to last that long.

But Jonathan proves how much he loves Fran by doing something very romantic and sweet for her. I like that he is so giving towards Fran. Even though he feared that maybe she would want to run away back to her old life Johnny boy take a chance and gives Fran the best pre-wedding present a girl could ask for.

The Aeslin Mice are pretty adorable as always and I love how they are with their Gods and Priestesses.

Another great short by Seanan McGuire.

[ᴥ Irena ᴥ · Rating 3 out of 5]

The blurb is more confusing than anything. Every sentence I expected something to happen to cause Frances question her decision to marry Jonathan Healy. That does not happen. Not even once.
Her circus family comes too and her best friend gets to see if Frances is in the right place or not. After meeting the Aeslin mice, there was nothing to be said about, well, pretty much anything.
As for Jonathan and Frances, the only problem they had was whether the baby would decide to come during the wedding.

Cute story but without monsters.

[Molly · Rating 3 out of 5]

Rating 3.5

"Married in white, you've chosen all right;
Married in blue, your love is true.
Married in green, you'll not long be seen.."



Well, the title is somewhat of a spoiler in this one.

Like in No Place Like Home, this short doesn't have any paranormal beings (if we don't count the mice), monsters, adventures, travels or such.....Just a wedding (well those can be scary in their own way)

It's the day of the wedding, and Jonathan arranges a last minute present for his very pregnant bride.

We end this one on a happy note. but ... I think I glimpsed some unpleasant foreshadowing....



I always knew I couldn’t stay this lucky forever.

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's been about 4 years since Jonathan and Fran met and he's finally going to make an honest woman of her - not a moment too soon considering she's about 8 months pregnant! It's taken him a long time to convince Fran she's ready to settle down and even now she's still feeling a little nervous about the idea but Jonathan has arranged a perfect surprise for her, one that will help her decide once and for all what it is that she really wants.

There are no monsters to fight in this short but it's was a really sweet read, these two are great together and it was great to see that their relationship is finally moving forward. The Aeslin mice are on top form as always and they're well and truly ready to celebrate. Another fun little freebie from Seanan McGuire.

[Angela · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love this little story. There's not much in the way of crytpid type stuff happening, much like No Place Like Home, but there's a lot happening emotionally.

I loved what Jonathan did for Fran, even if he thought that they were going to "persuade her not to make a mistake." I loved the moments of Fran and Juniper, even though it had a vaguely ominous air snaking through the entire thing.

And, as always, I love the Aeslin mice. I want some for my own.

But, and this is a big "but", it ends with a very foreboding feeling, and though I know Jonathan and Fran are long dead by the time the current Healy/Price family story happening, it doesn't mean I'm anxious to see the end...and I fear that's exactly what's coming.

[Ivy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Yay. Jonathan and Fran have finally got married. Nice that the carnival came for the wedding. Nice to see the mice again. Hope Jonathan and Fran have more fun adventures.

[Marjolein (UrlPhantomhive) · Rating 3 out of 5]

Read all my reviews on http://urlphantomhive.booklikes.com

Jonathan and Fran are about to get married, and not a moment too soon, considering Fran is 8 months pregnant. While they are about to finally settle down (as we always knew they would) Fran is having some doubts about her future.

The mice are back and they are awesome as ever! They're my favorite characters for sure! The story is nice but not very exciting, no monsters or action, but there is some foreshadowing of darker times to come.

(You can find this short story, and the others I'm reviewing, on the author's website. Free!)

[Sophie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Oh Seanan, you and your fucking ominous endings. A very pregnant Frances Brown marries Jonathan Healy, everything is going well, and then it's like "NOT ALL STORIES HAVE HAPPY ENDINGS." THANK. I FEEL GRATE NOW.

I like that the Healy family believes in rituals. Even if they don't actually practice religion most of the time, they know that rituals have power, both in the cultural sense and also, I assume, in the magic sense.

Juniper, Fran's friend from her carnival days (and a routewitch, and a bibliomancer(?)), shows up and does a card reading for Fran's future. But she never turns over the last card, and WE NEVER FIND OUT WHAT WAS ON IT. I assume it was the DOOM AND GLOOM card, given the ominous ending, BUT I STILL WOULD HAVE LIKED TO KNOW.

[Nyssa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Of course, I loved this story despite the foreshadowing. The pair's love for one another is clear to everyone, and I'm happy to know Frannie has her family's blessings. I'm curious if we'll see any of them going forward.

The mice are fantastic! I love them more and more with each tale! (Ha!)

[Mairéad (is roaming the Undying Lands) · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars.

A bittersweet feeling as the wedding is under way for Jonathan and Fran as friends and family reunite. I really adore Jonathan and Fran together, and even more so with their bundle of joy on the way. And of course the mice too!

[Brok3n · Rating 4 out of 5]

Jonathan and Fran Healy

To begin, let me lay out what I will be reviewing here. Seanan McGuire's website has a page entitled Incryptid Short Stories. About two dozen stories are listed here. These stories are also listed as books in the Goodreads Incryptid Series page. Neither of these lists is complete: McGuire has also published many stories on her Patreon site. They can be found in the Bibliography page on her site. I don't know if the Bibliography is complete with respect to Patreon stories.

Most of the stories on the Short Stories page are available for free download there. Some of them, however, were published in anthologies, and to get these you need to buy or borrow the book. For access to the Patreon stories you need to sign up as a supporter at Patreon. The minimum charge is $1.50. That's a recurring charge, but you only need to sign up once for access to all currently available stories. The Short Stories page is organized by the primary characters and time period. Here I will be reviewing the stories listed under the heading Jonathan Healy and Frances Brown (1928-1945). These are:

The Flower of Arizona (published in Westward Weird)
One Hell of a Ride (free download)
No Place Like Home (free download)
Stingers and Strangers (published in Dead Man's Hand: An Anthology of the Weird West)
Married in Green (free download)
Sweet Poison Wine (free download)
The First Fall (free download)
Loch and Key (free download)
We Both Go Down Together (free download)
Oh Pretty Bird (free download)
Bury Me In Satin (free download)
Broken Paper Hearts (free download)
The Star of New Mexico (free download)

As you can see, there's a lot of material here. Even though it is formatted as stories, the stories in totality (in the order listed) are pretty much a novel about Jonathan and Fran. Of the two anthologized stories, which you would have to buy or borrow, the first, The Flower of Arizona, is entirely dispensible. You will read most of it in the other stories. Stingers and Strangers, in contrast, is a substantial story and important both to the continuity of the Jonathan and Fran stories and to the Incryptid series as a whole. What's more, the anthology Dead Man's Hand: An Anthology of the Weird West is pretty good, with a star-studded list of science fiction authors. So, if you're going to buy or borrow something, I would recommend it.

Well, how are the stories? They're excellent, of course. If you really want the backstory on the Healy/Price family, this is the place to look. Although the stories focus on Jonathan and Fran (more Fran than Jonathan), Jonathan's parents Alexander and Enid Healy are important characters as well, and you will pick up several hints about their backstories. Fran doesn't have a regular family, but the members of the circus/carnival where she performed before Jonathan swept her away are also important characters.

Of the main Incryptid novels, I have only read Discount Armageddon, and I was a bit surprised by the Jonathan and Fran stories. They are not as light-hearted as Discount Armageddon. Although McGuire's trademark humor and irreverence permeate the stories, they are more somber than I expected. In fact, there is tragedy, especially in the so-short-it-is-barely-there Broken Paper Hearts. I was also surprised at how important the Aeslin Mice were. In Discount Armageddon they are mostly just comic relief -- delightful, but not terribly necessary to the plot. In the Jonathan and Fran stories I can think of at least three occasions where they play crucial roles in the plot. The most important occurs when Alice, The Exceptionally Noisy Priestess, is born.

So, yeah, if you're into the Incryptid books, you should definitely read these stories.

[Sana Zameer · Rating 4 out of 5]

"I feel like just about every cautionary tale in the book right now,"Don't talk to strange men who hunt monsters, little girl, or you'll wind up pregnant, unmarried and stranded in Michigan."

Fran is finally marrying Jonathan Healy. Not an easy task as she is eight months pregnant and worried the baby might pop during the wedding. Jonathan surprised Fran by inviting the whole circus over for the wedding. It was sweet with no cryptids making appearance except the Aeslin Mice and we all love them! There is also promise of trouble in the future which those who have read Midnight Blue-Light Special already know.

[Elizabeth McCoy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really love how McGuire provides (for free, even, because she is generous and kind as well as ruthless and full of authorial body-count!) snippets from the lives of her characters. Normally, readers would have to turn to fanfic to get matters that don't have an overarching Save The X plot, but are a weird little slice of life, emotional exploration, etc. But McGuire provides these tidbits herself, and it is always awesome. It's good to know that an author thinks of their characters in depth, and not just as names in a zippy outline. Enjoy the interstices, then go back to the main books, with nuance-enriched mindset.

[Veronica · Rating 3 out of 5]

Another short story from the Incryptid universe, this one dealing with the marriage of Frances Brown and Jonathan Healy (Verity's great-grandparents...if I've got the genealogy straight). It's a sweet little story with just a touch of the bittersweet, as the last two lines amply demonstrate. And if you've read Midnight Blue-Light Special, then you know how Frances and Jonathan eventually meet their ends - and that's where the bittersweet comes from.

[BrokenMnemonic · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wedding jitters, ominous portents, Aeslin Mice engaging in fits of religious fervour ... everything I could ask for in a short story (with the possible exception of mayhem)!

[Jacqueline · Rating 4 out of 5]

Awwww!

[Maria Dimitrova · Rating 4 out of 5]

Anther wonderful story set in the InCryptid world. There's no way I wouldn't have loved a story starting with:

"I feel like just about every cautionary tale in the book right now,"[...]"Don't talk to strange men who hunt monsters, little girl, or you'll wind up pregnant, unmarried and stranded in Michigan."

Four years have passed since Jonathan and Fran arrived at the family house and things have finally progressed to the point where those two will get married. Jonathan shows his devotion to his beloved Priestess of Unexpected Violence by tracking down the travelling circus that raised her and getting them to Michigan for the wedding. So sweet! But the sweetest moment of all was when one of the mice thanked Fran for finding Jonathan and becoming his priestess and thus making sure the mice will have another generation of Healys to worship. The Aeslin mice make this series. Apparently Fran thinks so too as she shares with her friend that it was the mice that got her attention before Jonathan managed to woo her. And now let the celebration begin!

[Skye · Rating 5 out of 5]

This short story opens with a bit of a quote. A saying about marriage that is full of superstition, but one that I thoroughly enjoyed. It was a unique and fun way to set the setting for this short story. The fact that it hints at some possible sadness in the future of Fran and Johnny’s lives doesn’t really make me feel super happy and lighthearted. But it was a good way to start a story about a marriage in the insane Healy clan.

Fran’s family in and her past with the Circus are established fairly early on in this series of short stories. But it isn’t until this tale that you actually get to meet all of the players. I’ve not had the pleasure of reading many stories which feature circus folk. But the few that I have made this one feel something like coming home. Or maybe, that was just because Fran’s emotions and this feeling seemed to just jump from the pages. It was such a beautiful reason for a delay in a wedding and a great way to introduce an extended family.

Even though this story is all about Fran and Johnny’s wedding, the Aeslin Mice still steal the show. There is just something wonderful, funny and completely adorable about these creatures that makes every single moment all about them. Which is, in my mind, exactly how it should be.

[Liz (Quirky Cat) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Forever onward I truck, as I work through my seriously massive pile of short stories to read. So far, it feels like I've barely made a dent – and I'm still on one author! At least I'm enjoying what I've been reading, so I can hardly complain.

Married in Green is the next installment in Fran and Johnny's story. Those fans who have read the series already know very well where the story will end up, but it has still been a delight to read about.

The moment has finally come. Johnny and Fran are finally getting married, and there are a few (thankfully pleasant) surprises in store before the day is done.

This was a light and fun short story to read, though admittedly, it did have a few darker hints woven throughout. Still, I think it's the happiest/lightest novel of their story so far and has several really sweet moments throughout.

Read more reviews over at Quirky Cat's Fat Stacks

[Ronnie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Despite foreshadowing (red herrings, I suppose) to the contrary, not a whole lot happens in this. Fran's carnival family shows up, she gets married to Johnny, and that's all she wrote. The final line of the story was pretty charming though.

Anyway, this story was fine. It was a story that needed to be written if we're going to get the full story of Fran and John Healy, but I did spend most of the story wondering when the shoe would drop.

[J.A. Ironside · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jonathan Healy and Frances Brown are finally getting married. Naturally this can't happen in a wholly traditional way but is attended by a psychic, the Aeslin mice and the entire Campbell family carnival. No violence or surprise monsters but this is really - and laced with foreboding. There's a definite hint of 'be happy and enjoy this now because darkness is coming'. Really enjoying this series of InCryptid shorts.

[Nirkatze · Rating 4 out of 5]

Like the "meet the parents" scene earlier, this is the "wedding" sequence. No action, no mystery, just a slice of John & Fran's life. It's about nine months since the last story--and they aren't wed yet. I like that there was an actual good reason for that, and the surprise John and his family have for Fran was heartwarming. There's mention of a new type of magic, bibliomancy, and the mice again take the cake for "awww" factor.

[Kathleen · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Campbell Family Circus has become the Campbell Family Carnival and a long awaited wedding arrives. The last line of this short story, though...

There are no monsters to fight in this vignette, only a future to be told, and for Fran's wedding day just before the birth of her first child, that future isn't bright.

[Nerdy Werewolf · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Gods bring the Heavens to us. Priestesses bring the Gods to Heaven. So we thank you. You have brought about the continuation of our faith."

The Aeslin mice worship the Healy family-religiously (no, literally). I haven't gotten to the story that explains why yet, but I'm very much looking forward to it. This is the cute story about Fran and Jonathan's wedding.

[Amy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Light, romantic, and everything I needed after this long of a day. Save this one for when you desperately need a happy story. But don't skip ahead and read it without reading the other Johnny and Fran stories as it won't have the impact without that background.

[Ami · Rating 3 out of 5]

I don't love the Fran Brown/Jonathan Healy plot thread as much as I love the Verity Price ones. Verity kind of kicks Fran's butt. Still, the Aeslin mice play a large role in this group of short stories, which is always a good thing.

[Louisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great, fantastic story! I enjoyed it so much, of the doubts, and the surprises, and yeah, just so awesome!

[Kathy K. · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Celebration of the Union Between the Patient Priestess and the God of Uncommon Sense
Does what it says on the tin - and it was nice to see Fran and Jonathon happy.

[Robin · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm really enjoying these InCryptid shorts. I'm curious where it will all be when we get to the first actual book.

[Freyavenlyo · Rating 4 out of 5]

Married in green ... never to be seen...
very ominous wedding day, but sweet too.