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The Kingfisher's Debt
Magic isn't real, right?
Within the small coastal city of Dunedin, local translator, Tamsin Fairchild has a reputation she hates. People think she's psychic... Tamsin belongs to a hidden community of Witches, Faeries and Elementals.
Always hovering around and interfering in Tamsin's life, part father-figure, part thorn in her side, Detective Jackson, is an old-school cop. Childhood friend to her deceased mother, Tamsin wonders could her mother have let an outsider in on the truth?
Newcomer, rookie cop Scott Gale is forced to team-up with Tamsin when they investigate the disappearance of a newborn baby and a bizarre crime scene--satanic ritual or hoax?
More and more the blame starts to point towards Tamsin...
Tamsin must uncover who's framing her, find the baby before it's too late, unravel the mystery behind her elder brother's disappearance, and stop Scott from entering a world not meant for human eyes.
But Scott has family secrets of his own and Tamsin doesn't know who to trust.
But can you trust Tamsin? What if the person who saved your life is about to frame you for murder?
Within the small coastal city of Dunedin, local translator, Tamsin Fairchild has a reputation she hates. People think she's psychic... Tamsin belongs to a hidden community of Witches, Faeries and Elementals.
Always hovering around and interfering in Tamsin's life, part father-figure, part thorn in her side, Detective Jackson, is an old-school cop. Childhood friend to her deceased mother, Tamsin wonders could her mother have let an outsider in on the truth?
Newcomer, rookie cop Scott Gale is forced to team-up with Tamsin when they investigate the disappearance of a newborn baby and a bizarre crime scene--satanic ritual or hoax?
More and more the blame starts to point towards Tamsin...
Tamsin must uncover who's framing her, find the baby before it's too late, unravel the mystery behind her elder brother's disappearance, and stop Scott from entering a world not meant for human eyes.
But Scott has family secrets of his own and Tamsin doesn't know who to trust.
But can you trust Tamsin? What if the person who saved your life is about to frame you for murder?
314 pages, Paperback
First published September 28, 2018
2 people are currently reading
46 people want to read
About the author
Kura Carpenter
2 books16 followersKura Carpenter is a Writer and Graphic Designer based in the small but perfectly formed coastal city of Dunedin, New Zealand.
Kura enjoys reading, practising calligraphy, doodling, sewing and constructing miniature furniture from ice-block sticks. A few years ago she was fortunate enough to adopt a retired racing greyhound and now wants everyone to experience the joy of sharing your house and heart with these gentle goofballs.
Kura enjoys reading, practising calligraphy, doodling, sewing and constructing miniature furniture from ice-block sticks. A few years ago she was fortunate enough to adopt a retired racing greyhound and now wants everyone to experience the joy of sharing your house and heart with these gentle goofballs.
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Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews
September 30, 2018
I’ve been glued to this book every night for the past week - it really is a “just one more chapter” kind of novel! Un-put-down-able.
I loved how urban fantasy and crime came together, and in a very kiwi setting. I became very invested in the characters, especially Fin (Aussie surfer dude) and Jackson (police chief who I could not help but picturing as Sergeant Maaka from Wellington Paranormal lol). There are flashbacks to the protagonist’s teen years as well that I really enjoyed, and which helped me grow attached to everyone.
I did learn something about myself as a reader in the process of reading this book - some of you might know I don’t often read high fantasy. And yes part of the reason for that is urban fantasy is less complicated, as you have a magic system and perhaps an underworld to learn about, but not a whole new world. What I realised was that actually, what makes fantasy easier for me to get into is not an urban setting so much as when it is told from the point of view of an outsider (eg. Harry in Harry Potter, Clary in TMI etc) because that way you’re learning about the world/magic system along with them.
This book is told from the point of view of one of the Fair Folk, and there are Elementals and witches and Chinese magic and clans - a bit complex for me! But very well done nonetheless, absolutely no dull info dumping and I felt like I had a grasp on all of it by the end. All you fantasy readers will love it even more than I did!
Witty writing and fast-paced. A fantastically unique book which I will definitely be re-reading in future.
I loved how urban fantasy and crime came together, and in a very kiwi setting. I became very invested in the characters, especially Fin (Aussie surfer dude) and Jackson (police chief who I could not help but picturing as Sergeant Maaka from Wellington Paranormal lol). There are flashbacks to the protagonist’s teen years as well that I really enjoyed, and which helped me grow attached to everyone.
I did learn something about myself as a reader in the process of reading this book - some of you might know I don’t often read high fantasy. And yes part of the reason for that is urban fantasy is less complicated, as you have a magic system and perhaps an underworld to learn about, but not a whole new world. What I realised was that actually, what makes fantasy easier for me to get into is not an urban setting so much as when it is told from the point of view of an outsider (eg. Harry in Harry Potter, Clary in TMI etc) because that way you’re learning about the world/magic system along with them.
This book is told from the point of view of one of the Fair Folk, and there are Elementals and witches and Chinese magic and clans - a bit complex for me! But very well done nonetheless, absolutely no dull info dumping and I felt like I had a grasp on all of it by the end. All you fantasy readers will love it even more than I did!
Witty writing and fast-paced. A fantastically unique book which I will definitely be re-reading in future.
August 31, 2018
It’s been a while since I’ve read Urban Fantasy, and even longer since suffering the angst that comes from being forced to put a book down when you really just wanted to shut the door on the world and read!
The Kingfisher’s Debt by Kura Carpenter is a great example of a genre that blends crime drama with fantasy in a modern setting. Like many of the urban fantasy genre, The Kingfisher’s Debt has a strong female protagonist in the form of Tasmin Fairchild, although she plays in a mostly male dominated world.
The story weaves through layers, starting with alternating chapters of past and present running in parallel until the two parts converge in the present action. I found the story based in the present to be gripping and although returning to the past added extra depth there was one instance where I audibly groaned to be dragged out of the moment I was engrossed in.
There isn’t much filler in this book, like many urban fantasy’s there is an assumption that you have at least a cursory understanding of things fantasy. So, if you’re looking for in-depth explanations to the world of myth & magic, you’re out of luck. The Kingfisher’s Debt gets on with telling the story, and if you have at least a cursory understanding of magical beings you’ll have an extra layer of intrigue (if you’re read Kylie Chan books or understand Chinese mythology you’ll get another layer again). This isn’t integral to understanding and enjoying the story, but much like reading a Discworld novel, rereading with extra awareness brings an additional level of enjoyment.
Speaking of Discworld… I love the character Police Chief Jackson, who reminds me of Pratchett’s Vimes (although in a very kiwi way). His humour is dry and his attitude no-nonsense. Yet for a secondary character he is very well developed.
This is one of the things that stands out with Kura Carpenters writing, there are no wasted characters. Each character has a purpose in the plot, somehow. They are all important, and all have a role to play. The characters are all well-developed, but without endless descriptions. Like in life with growing friendships, personalities and backstories unfold in natural progressions.
It took me a few pages to get into the story, but I think that’s more from being out of practice than the writing, however I was quite quickly addicted once I got into this absolute page turner.
I am looking forward to the next instalment – and there had better be one, I want to hear more from this world!
The Kingfisher’s Debt by Kura Carpenter is a great example of a genre that blends crime drama with fantasy in a modern setting. Like many of the urban fantasy genre, The Kingfisher’s Debt has a strong female protagonist in the form of Tasmin Fairchild, although she plays in a mostly male dominated world.
The story weaves through layers, starting with alternating chapters of past and present running in parallel until the two parts converge in the present action. I found the story based in the present to be gripping and although returning to the past added extra depth there was one instance where I audibly groaned to be dragged out of the moment I was engrossed in.
There isn’t much filler in this book, like many urban fantasy’s there is an assumption that you have at least a cursory understanding of things fantasy. So, if you’re looking for in-depth explanations to the world of myth & magic, you’re out of luck. The Kingfisher’s Debt gets on with telling the story, and if you have at least a cursory understanding of magical beings you’ll have an extra layer of intrigue (if you’re read Kylie Chan books or understand Chinese mythology you’ll get another layer again). This isn’t integral to understanding and enjoying the story, but much like reading a Discworld novel, rereading with extra awareness brings an additional level of enjoyment.
Speaking of Discworld… I love the character Police Chief Jackson, who reminds me of Pratchett’s Vimes (although in a very kiwi way). His humour is dry and his attitude no-nonsense. Yet for a secondary character he is very well developed.
This is one of the things that stands out with Kura Carpenters writing, there are no wasted characters. Each character has a purpose in the plot, somehow. They are all important, and all have a role to play. The characters are all well-developed, but without endless descriptions. Like in life with growing friendships, personalities and backstories unfold in natural progressions.
It took me a few pages to get into the story, but I think that’s more from being out of practice than the writing, however I was quite quickly addicted once I got into this absolute page turner.
I am looking forward to the next instalment – and there had better be one, I want to hear more from this world!
September 2, 2018
Of course Dunedin is the home of Fair Folk and Elementals in the middle of a never ending feud. Where else could they hide in plain sight among the lesser humans? Of course they are casting spells and causing trouble. Like any other notorious crim' on the East Coast they have a reputation to uphold. Of course they expect the worst but hope for the best. With power comes responsibility. Debut novel The Kingfisher's Debt by Kura Carpenter, is an escape into the life of Tamsin Kingfisher as she helps to untangle a culture crossing crime while dealing with the issue of solstice messing up her magic. Woven throughout the novel is the heartache of her own Romeo and Juliet love story as well as her search for her missing beloved older brother. Tamsin adds nuance to the meaning of a busy working woman fulfilling family responsibility, hiding family secrets and getting the job done. With clever re-imagining of witches as gang members, magic as the drug for sale, and poetic touches of what lives look like on the line between good and evil, Kura brings us a touch of ‘if only’ in Aotearoa. I can't wait to read what happens next.
March 3, 2023
Not gonna lie, I was 100% interested in this book because the author being from Dunedin, and even setting the story here too!
Plotwise it was a cool urban fantasy with a sort of murder/fantasy mystery and buddy cop style. Tasmin our MC is a powerful 'Kingfisher' but with her powers diminished over the solstice has to use her wit and wiles to not only solve the crime(s) but also avoid accusation herself.
That's the present day plot, we also get flashbacks to Tasmin's younger years to help explain the magical world of Dunedin(lol) and Tasmin's and several family mysteries from her past.
It's so fun reading a work of fiction set in Dunedin, although I confess I'm so unused to actually knowing the locations in the story its kind of jarring. I wonder if people in NY feel the same with action movies?
Plotwise it was a cool urban fantasy with a sort of murder/fantasy mystery and buddy cop style. Tasmin our MC is a powerful 'Kingfisher' but with her powers diminished over the solstice has to use her wit and wiles to not only solve the crime(s) but also avoid accusation herself.
That's the present day plot, we also get flashbacks to Tasmin's younger years to help explain the magical world of Dunedin(lol) and Tasmin's and several family mysteries from her past.
It's so fun reading a work of fiction set in Dunedin, although I confess I'm so unused to actually knowing the locations in the story its kind of jarring. I wonder if people in NY feel the same with action movies?
Read
April 7, 2019Great read. I’m obsessed with anything Fae, and the urban and gritty setting was refreshing. Loved the magical laws and the Chinese influence! So cool!
August 24, 2018
If I was a fan of urban fantasy I'm sure this would rate a 5 star from me! So why did I read it? Well, it is set in my home town, Dunedin, New Zealand. Now there are not too many books about set in this beautiful city, so that's why I read out of my usual genre.
The writing was crisp, clear, and had a cracking pace, often sparse with a tactile feel to them, you could almost hear things move: the crackle of paper, the rev of an old engine, or hear the voices with their different inflections, as you journeyed through the story. The protagonist was unusual and I had to keep reading to find out just what made her tick and just what this magic was all about. The other characters where just as fascinating and well rounded. The author has a great command of the story, she's in charge and there is nothing unneccesary here.
Despite my lukewarm affair with this genre, I look forward to reading more from this promising new author.
The writing was crisp, clear, and had a cracking pace, often sparse with a tactile feel to them, you could almost hear things move: the crackle of paper, the rev of an old engine, or hear the voices with their different inflections, as you journeyed through the story. The protagonist was unusual and I had to keep reading to find out just what made her tick and just what this magic was all about. The other characters where just as fascinating and well rounded. The author has a great command of the story, she's in charge and there is nothing unneccesary here.
Despite my lukewarm affair with this genre, I look forward to reading more from this promising new author.
July 16, 2019
“Aunty Tamsin, was Billy my dad?”
I stopped applying my lipstick and and angled the rear-view mirror. … With grey eyes and auburn hair framing her face, Gwyn looked like her mother. She hadn’t inherited the blonde hair and blue eyes I shared in common with my older brother Billy, her dad.
“Well, was he?”
“No, sweetheart.”
From the opening paragraphs of The Kingfisher’s Debt, New Zealand author Kura Carpenter’s debut novel, I was hooked. Who was this Tamsin and why was she lying to her niece? The answer to that question is a long time coming, and lots of other questions are raised along the way.
The main plot driver of this urban fantasy, set in the city of Dunedin on New Zealand’s South Island, is a mystery involving forbidden bloodmagic. The police call in Tamsin Fairchild, translator and presumed psychic, to help when a dead baby is found with a knife through a pentagram drawn on its chest. Another baby is missing. Kidnapped.
Tamsin is not a psychic. She’s not human, either. She is, however, in debt to the Chief of Police R. Wiremu Jackson, and can’t refuse when he pairs her with new cop Scott Gale and sends them off to research the ritual sacrifice angle. It soon becomes clear that someone from the shadowy world of Fair Folk, elementals, and witches that Tamsin inhabits is involved, and she has to find out who is responsible for the kidnapping, before she and Gale are framed for the crime.
For about three quarters of the book, this present-day storyline taking place around the Winter Solstice alternates chapters with a summer romance twelve years earlier, providing much-needed backstory. The secondary thread draws the reader into the extended family of Tamsin’s clan, and its Capulet vs. Montague world of Fair Folk vs. Elementals, and cops vs. criminals. Both threads are engaging, and at the end, with the focus back solely on the mystery, I didn't want to put the book down.
The things you get from this novel include an intriguing mystery and a sweet romance, fine writing, great characterisations, some terrific dialog, and snark. Lots of snark.
And there are some things you don’t get:
* Filler, fluff, or info dumps. You do have to be willing to work at figuring out what’s going on, but the payoff is worth it. (Reminds me of Ben Aaronovitch’s Peter Grant series. They both throw you into a fantasy environment and write as if they are talking to a friend, expecting you to keep up.)
* All your questions answered and all the dangling plot threads neatly tied up. The end is a bit messy, like real life.
* Fairies that fit cleanly into the established folklore. (Fairies drive hot muscle cars? Who knew?)
I had to read this through twice for it to really make sense. The first time through, I skimmed, and that was a mistake. Important details are embedded in what look like throwaway lines. (Embedded in the prologue, too. Don’t skip it.) After the first reading I was a bit frustrated with all my unanswered questions, but my second, closer reading answered some (not all), and convinced me this is a terrific story despite the loose ends.
The things I like include the acknowledgement that family ties are sometimes lifelines, sometimes shackles. Also the richness of the imagined world and the feeling of depth in Tamsin’s history. Some events that must have been traumatic—life with her grandmother, her boyfriend’s sister’s death, among others—were just touched on in a couple of sentences.
There’s enough meat there for many more stories in this world. I will be looking forward to them.
Trigger warning: a brief mention of non-sexual child abuse, and some swearing.
This review was first published on This Need to Read.
I stopped applying my lipstick and and angled the rear-view mirror. … With grey eyes and auburn hair framing her face, Gwyn looked like her mother. She hadn’t inherited the blonde hair and blue eyes I shared in common with my older brother Billy, her dad.
“Well, was he?”
“No, sweetheart.”
From the opening paragraphs of The Kingfisher’s Debt, New Zealand author Kura Carpenter’s debut novel, I was hooked. Who was this Tamsin and why was she lying to her niece? The answer to that question is a long time coming, and lots of other questions are raised along the way.
The main plot driver of this urban fantasy, set in the city of Dunedin on New Zealand’s South Island, is a mystery involving forbidden bloodmagic. The police call in Tamsin Fairchild, translator and presumed psychic, to help when a dead baby is found with a knife through a pentagram drawn on its chest. Another baby is missing. Kidnapped.
Tamsin is not a psychic. She’s not human, either. She is, however, in debt to the Chief of Police R. Wiremu Jackson, and can’t refuse when he pairs her with new cop Scott Gale and sends them off to research the ritual sacrifice angle. It soon becomes clear that someone from the shadowy world of Fair Folk, elementals, and witches that Tamsin inhabits is involved, and she has to find out who is responsible for the kidnapping, before she and Gale are framed for the crime.
For about three quarters of the book, this present-day storyline taking place around the Winter Solstice alternates chapters with a summer romance twelve years earlier, providing much-needed backstory. The secondary thread draws the reader into the extended family of Tamsin’s clan, and its Capulet vs. Montague world of Fair Folk vs. Elementals, and cops vs. criminals. Both threads are engaging, and at the end, with the focus back solely on the mystery, I didn't want to put the book down.
The things you get from this novel include an intriguing mystery and a sweet romance, fine writing, great characterisations, some terrific dialog, and snark. Lots of snark.
And there are some things you don’t get:
* Filler, fluff, or info dumps. You do have to be willing to work at figuring out what’s going on, but the payoff is worth it. (Reminds me of Ben Aaronovitch’s Peter Grant series. They both throw you into a fantasy environment and write as if they are talking to a friend, expecting you to keep up.)
* All your questions answered and all the dangling plot threads neatly tied up. The end is a bit messy, like real life.
* Fairies that fit cleanly into the established folklore. (Fairies drive hot muscle cars? Who knew?)
I had to read this through twice for it to really make sense. The first time through, I skimmed, and that was a mistake. Important details are embedded in what look like throwaway lines. (Embedded in the prologue, too. Don’t skip it.) After the first reading I was a bit frustrated with all my unanswered questions, but my second, closer reading answered some (not all), and convinced me this is a terrific story despite the loose ends.
The things I like include the acknowledgement that family ties are sometimes lifelines, sometimes shackles. Also the richness of the imagined world and the feeling of depth in Tamsin’s history. Some events that must have been traumatic—life with her grandmother, her boyfriend’s sister’s death, among others—were just touched on in a couple of sentences.
There’s enough meat there for many more stories in this world. I will be looking forward to them.
Trigger warning: a brief mention of non-sexual child abuse, and some swearing.
This review was first published on This Need to Read.
December 3, 2018
I think the speed with which I read this one is testament to how much I enjoyed it. Sorry family, I am indeed behind on dishes, etc. And sorry to my readers, I did put off a day of writing to read.
As others have mentioned, there is some time-hopping between "present day" and the MC's teenage years. It took a few chapters for me to get into partly for this reason -- a lot of characters to meet -- but I liked how it let us see the MC's teenage romance develop, which definitely affected how I felt about things happening in the present timeline. And I'm all about feelings.
This is Urban Fantasy. And it's Urban Fantasy set in NZ. There is snark. The author is a master of snark.
Partly due to the snark, I was concerned that I would be dealing with an unreliable narrator, which had me nervous for the first quarter or a third of the book. But eventually, as I settled into the MC's way of thinking/working, I just found it delightful.
Probably my biggest trip ups was picturing the local settings. I grew up around the corner from St Clair beach, so I know it very well, and my dad had a business near the Court House, so same thing. The details were not overly important to the enjoyment of the story, I don't think, so I feel that people from outside of Dunedin (or even NZ) could still enjoy the story for the essence of the story itself. Although, yes, there are some details that will give a local a bit of a chuckle but might pass a non-local by. No biggie, though. Some of the NZ-specific and, of course, Māori terms may confuse many around the world, but I say understanding is not essential to the overall enjoyment of the story.
There were times when the story jumped back to the present where I just wanted to get back to the past to watch romance blossom, and then later I wanted to leave the past behind to get back to the present-day developing drama... I think this added to the page-turning, rather than detracted.
So, Urban Fantasy:
* Crime/mystery -- check
* Romance -- check
* Romeo/Juliet family/clan politics and the ensuing drama -- check (instead of vampires/werewolves, it's Fairies/Elementals)
* People who know about magic/Muggles -- check
I think if you are a Urban Fantasy fan with NZ ties, you can't go past this one. But I think it's got potential to find a broader audience, too.
Go forth and read!
PS: There be swearing, just in case you're bothered by that.
As others have mentioned, there is some time-hopping between "present day" and the MC's teenage years. It took a few chapters for me to get into partly for this reason -- a lot of characters to meet -- but I liked how it let us see the MC's teenage romance develop, which definitely affected how I felt about things happening in the present timeline. And I'm all about feelings.
This is Urban Fantasy. And it's Urban Fantasy set in NZ. There is snark. The author is a master of snark.
Partly due to the snark, I was concerned that I would be dealing with an unreliable narrator, which had me nervous for the first quarter or a third of the book. But eventually, as I settled into the MC's way of thinking/working, I just found it delightful.
Probably my biggest trip ups was picturing the local settings. I grew up around the corner from St Clair beach, so I know it very well, and my dad had a business near the Court House, so same thing. The details were not overly important to the enjoyment of the story, I don't think, so I feel that people from outside of Dunedin (or even NZ) could still enjoy the story for the essence of the story itself. Although, yes, there are some details that will give a local a bit of a chuckle but might pass a non-local by. No biggie, though. Some of the NZ-specific and, of course, Māori terms may confuse many around the world, but I say understanding is not essential to the overall enjoyment of the story.
There were times when the story jumped back to the present where I just wanted to get back to the past to watch romance blossom, and then later I wanted to leave the past behind to get back to the present-day developing drama... I think this added to the page-turning, rather than detracted.
So, Urban Fantasy:
* Crime/mystery -- check
* Romance -- check
* Romeo/Juliet family/clan politics and the ensuing drama -- check (instead of vampires/werewolves, it's Fairies/Elementals)
* People who know about magic/Muggles -- check
I think if you are a Urban Fantasy fan with NZ ties, you can't go past this one. But I think it's got potential to find a broader audience, too.
Go forth and read!
PS: There be swearing, just in case you're bothered by that.
October 2, 2018
Truncated review here - the full review is on Scoop Books (http://books.scoop.co.nz)
It’s been a long time since I’ve read such an engrossing urban fantasy. This wonderfully written story is sure to appeal to fans of Ben Aaranovitch, Brendon Sanderson or Maggie Stiefvater.
Okay, so the plot summary: It’s midwinter in Dunedin. Solstice, when the nights are long and magic powers ebb. Tamsin Fairchild, part-time Power worker, part-time occult expert (and full-time criminal) is hired to help find a missing baby by the Dunedin Police.
As the story unfolds, the reader gradually learns about the Fair Folk of the Dunedin, their Elemental rivals, and their darkly exciting, half-hidden world. Initially, the story comes across as an who-dunnit starring snarky Tamsin, but as the plot unfolds a deeper tale emerges, of plotting and betrayal and forbidden Bloodmagic.
The story moves skillfully from present day to past, without losing the reader in the narrative. Time-hopping is a difficult technique to pull off, as there’s a good chance you’ll risk slowing the plot or confusing the reader – so kudos to Carpenter for managing it in a debut novel.
The Kingfisher’s Debt is a gritty read in places, with an abused and damaged heroine, but the heart of the story is redemption and some fine, fine writing. I've just bought the hard copy so I can read it again!
It’s been a long time since I’ve read such an engrossing urban fantasy. This wonderfully written story is sure to appeal to fans of Ben Aaranovitch, Brendon Sanderson or Maggie Stiefvater.
Okay, so the plot summary: It’s midwinter in Dunedin. Solstice, when the nights are long and magic powers ebb. Tamsin Fairchild, part-time Power worker, part-time occult expert (and full-time criminal) is hired to help find a missing baby by the Dunedin Police.
As the story unfolds, the reader gradually learns about the Fair Folk of the Dunedin, their Elemental rivals, and their darkly exciting, half-hidden world. Initially, the story comes across as an who-dunnit starring snarky Tamsin, but as the plot unfolds a deeper tale emerges, of plotting and betrayal and forbidden Bloodmagic.
The story moves skillfully from present day to past, without losing the reader in the narrative. Time-hopping is a difficult technique to pull off, as there’s a good chance you’ll risk slowing the plot or confusing the reader – so kudos to Carpenter for managing it in a debut novel.
The Kingfisher’s Debt is a gritty read in places, with an abused and damaged heroine, but the heart of the story is redemption and some fine, fine writing. I've just bought the hard copy so I can read it again!
August 20, 2018
A competently written debut novel combining the family politics and drama of Outrageous Fortunes with the supernatural intrigue of the Dresden Files.
Meet Tamsin Fairchild, hailing from a family that dance on the far side of the law, she's got a few secrets - and special abilities - of her own. But when the cops come knocking, it's not to arrest her (yet!) but to employ her. A baby has gone missing, and another has been found - dead - with evidence indicating foul play of a supernatural nature. Reluctantly drawn in and partnered with a cynical cop, Tamsin becomes tangled in a complicated web of intrigue - and all evidence hints at treachery ...
The supernatural aspect is unique and well developed, filled with interesting lore of witches, elementals - and the not-so-fair fair folk. The pacing is excellent, with a pleasing array of twists and turns, a hearty dash of humor, and a few flashbacks to help us get to know the characters a bit better. Well crafted and written - I look forward to reading more!
Meet Tamsin Fairchild, hailing from a family that dance on the far side of the law, she's got a few secrets - and special abilities - of her own. But when the cops come knocking, it's not to arrest her (yet!) but to employ her. A baby has gone missing, and another has been found - dead - with evidence indicating foul play of a supernatural nature. Reluctantly drawn in and partnered with a cynical cop, Tamsin becomes tangled in a complicated web of intrigue - and all evidence hints at treachery ...
The supernatural aspect is unique and well developed, filled with interesting lore of witches, elementals - and the not-so-fair fair folk. The pacing is excellent, with a pleasing array of twists and turns, a hearty dash of humor, and a few flashbacks to help us get to know the characters a bit better. Well crafted and written - I look forward to reading more!
November 20, 2018
I was excited to receive an ARC copy of local speculative writer Kura Carpenter’s debut novel The Kingfisher’s Debt. Carpenter is an active member of New Zealand’s speculative community and since I’d had a chance to read an advance excerpt of this work some time ago, I’ve been looking forward to reading the book. It’s an excellent debut, a soundly-written urban crime fantasy with a cast of complex characters, some of whom aren’t too savoury. In the story, protagonist Tamsin Fairchild, linguist, is employed by the police to track down a baby killer, while keeping the supernatural powers of her extended family under wraps. On top of everything, someone might be out to frame her. To be honest, I liked the linguistic aspects of this novel as much as its twist on the traditional crime narrative, and the witches as gang members metaphor is inspired. Set in Dunedin’s gothic underbelly, the New Zealand flavour of this work is less pronounced than I’d expected, although the Kiwi vernacular is certainly there, as are the multi-cultural themes.
February 23, 2019
A story of magic and fairies
This book kept me guessing and threw in a few twists I didn't see coming. The ending was satisfying and also intriguing, I would love to visit this world again and get to know more of the characters. The Kingfisher's Debt is a tale of magic featuring both elemental beings and fairies masquerading as humans. Kura Carpenter has set her magical world within the city of Dunedin, New Zealand, and it was wonderfully done blurring the real with the imagination and I really enjoyed reading a story set in one of my favourite cities. For anyone looking for a tale of magic and intrigue with an NZ hook, I would totally recommend this story. I'm glad to see Fairies brought to our corner of the world 😊
This book kept me guessing and threw in a few twists I didn't see coming. The ending was satisfying and also intriguing, I would love to visit this world again and get to know more of the characters. The Kingfisher's Debt is a tale of magic featuring both elemental beings and fairies masquerading as humans. Kura Carpenter has set her magical world within the city of Dunedin, New Zealand, and it was wonderfully done blurring the real with the imagination and I really enjoyed reading a story set in one of my favourite cities. For anyone looking for a tale of magic and intrigue with an NZ hook, I would totally recommend this story. I'm glad to see Fairies brought to our corner of the world 😊
August 11, 2019
I just finished this book and its completely amazing. I really like how magic works in this world and how the characters talk to each other. The twists all made sense as soon as they happened but i never saw them coming.
And the main character is just delightful.
The alternating present and past plot threw me alittle but once i got used to it, its a really interesting way to learn about the character.
Completely brilliant urban fantasy! The focuses on the detective and adventure, and fairy clan politics.
And the main character is just delightful.
The alternating present and past plot threw me alittle but once i got used to it, its a really interesting way to learn about the character.
Completely brilliant urban fantasy! The focuses on the detective and adventure, and fairy clan politics.
December 12, 2018
I've read Kingfisher's Debt twice now. The first time it took me a while to get used to the time switches, and the detail of the characters and their magical world. Reading it again, I picked up things I missed, or didn't quite connect to the first time. Having traveled to Dunedin a few times, it was nice to see familiar landmarks and the quirky nature of the NZ attitude presented so accurately. It is a new interpretation of magic with a kiwi twist. I think it is a strong first novel, and I am looking forward to reading more of these characters. I'd love to see more of Madame Wu. She was awesome. :)
December 5, 2018
I love this book by the talented Kura Carpenter so much. Great New Zealand flavour, magic, mayhem and mustang's. I also love a book with a badass chick as the main character. I always think a book is great if I don't want to leave the world it created when I've finished it. This definitely fits. I would love to immerse myself in this world again for other stories. Get writing please Kura!
January 24, 2019
Tamsin Fairchild, thought to be a physic by local police, is called in to assist when the body of a baby is found at the Forsyth Bar Stadium in Dunedin. She teams up with Officer Scott Gale to examine the bizarre crime scene and they wonder is it a satanic ritual or hoax?
“There wasn’t a spell painted on the body …..And there was no sacrifice. The baby was already dead, a preserved medical specimen.”
Kura Carpenter’s novel The Kingfisher’s Debt, unravels two storylines as it moves from the present day crime and another mystery disappearance during the summer twelve years ago.
The story weaves through layers, starting with alternating chapters of past and present running in parallel, with the reader learning about the Fair Folk of Dunedin, their Elemental rivals and their darkly exciting half hidden world.
Reading The Kingfisher’s Debt took me on a wild romp around Dunedin to many places I have been to, but after reading this Urban Fantasy I will look and think differently about these familiar places.
Carpenter’s crisp descriptive writing is delightful and I could mentally picture many places she includes in the novel. “Their vivid dark blooms a tangle of untrimmed canes.The state of the roses, like the cars filling every space along Pitt Street, indicated this neighbourhood was primarily rental properties.” The cover of the book is stunning and inviting, with appropriate photos cleverly aligned in the kingfisher photo.
I enjoy a good thriller / mystery but this book is unlike what I normally read, with fantasy elements skillfully interwoven throughout, adding more intrigue and mystery to the plot, and keeping me guessing to the end. The ending was strong but I am hoping the Dunedin based author will write a sequel to The Kingfisher’s Debt ,so we can get a chance to learn more about these characters and the Power of the Solstice .
“There wasn’t a spell painted on the body …..And there was no sacrifice. The baby was already dead, a preserved medical specimen.”
Kura Carpenter’s novel The Kingfisher’s Debt, unravels two storylines as it moves from the present day crime and another mystery disappearance during the summer twelve years ago.
The story weaves through layers, starting with alternating chapters of past and present running in parallel, with the reader learning about the Fair Folk of Dunedin, their Elemental rivals and their darkly exciting half hidden world.
Reading The Kingfisher’s Debt took me on a wild romp around Dunedin to many places I have been to, but after reading this Urban Fantasy I will look and think differently about these familiar places.
Carpenter’s crisp descriptive writing is delightful and I could mentally picture many places she includes in the novel. “Their vivid dark blooms a tangle of untrimmed canes.The state of the roses, like the cars filling every space along Pitt Street, indicated this neighbourhood was primarily rental properties.” The cover of the book is stunning and inviting, with appropriate photos cleverly aligned in the kingfisher photo.
I enjoy a good thriller / mystery but this book is unlike what I normally read, with fantasy elements skillfully interwoven throughout, adding more intrigue and mystery to the plot, and keeping me guessing to the end. The ending was strong but I am hoping the Dunedin based author will write a sequel to The Kingfisher’s Debt ,so we can get a chance to learn more about these characters and the Power of the Solstice .
July 9, 2019
I totally love this book! it had many layers of complexity plus being urban fantasy. I liked the writing a lot. In the beginning, I got a little confused about the setting but reading on it was all clear up and become really interesting.
I must read in fantasy, a very creative way to read about fairies.
I must read in fantasy, a very creative way to read about fairies.
March 19, 2022
1 star: didn't like it.
a painful read that i only finished because of my school-girl desire to see the **other ** guy get the girl (Twilight style). that ended up going nowhere, the physical equivalent of blowing a raspberry. yikes.
pros:
- yay a new zealand author writing within a new zealand setting. SOMEONE MENTIONED NEW ZEALAND, EVERYBODY GO MENTAL!!!
- our protagonist Tamsin isn't completely insufferable - she's smart, snarky, acts quickly in dicey situations, has real emotions, real flaws. my favourite thing about her was how she treated Scott.
- the real antagonist is obfuscated until the end, which ended up being a well-earned twist with the reader.
- Detective Wiremu is a very likeable character despite his demeanour and possibly being the bad guy.
- there are some good gems of dialogue, description, metaphor in places
- last quarter of the book was going places.
cons:
- kinda... implausible... that there's a magical underworld set in dunedin. like, just why?? at least have a reason for it? i'm half joking here, but yeah this could have been set anywhere, it had nothing tying the story to "Why Dunedin?". more work could have been done worldbuilding.
- confusing plot, what with the smoke and mirrors of the Elementals/Fair Folk, witches, spells, power, Glamour, different gangs, her stinky almond breath etc. just too much vital info held back in the early parts that i felt lost for most of the book, wondering what the hell was going on, before a new element (excuse the pun) was added to the story that i was already treading water in. there is a right way to do this and this wasn't it.
- too many characters, managed sloppily, gets confusing keeping up with who's this and that, who's where, who's dead and alive.
- on that note, the past and present timelines also add to the confusion, would've been better as a straightforward timeline with a few flashbacks, and the past timeline didn't go anywhere interesting.
- random homophobia scattered throughout?? i get it, "homo" and "fag" is actually common vocab with some groups in new zealand society, and it seems normalised within the cast of this story. hot tip - that's not going to make me like them. pointless references to threats to masculinity - even from the protagonist (the anklet is now a 'manklet' for some reason) - left me shaking my head. even if it was in a 'boys will be boys' context, it shouldn't have even been included.
- what's with the random Māori words? using tapu like it's just another word? i get the kid using 'taniwha'... but wasn't hinted Tamsin was Māori, and if that *was* implied, that brings with it more questions than answers.
- titilating build-up of chemistry between Scott-no-mates and our protagonist that unfortunately had a giant bucket of water thrown on it at the end. they have a suggestively long and intimate embrace and then later she decides she doesn't like him. oh okay. i really wished she was pushed by spite to make that relo go somewhere. plus the 20 minutes we spent in Scott's dingy room i decided he already had a more interesting backstory than Fin.
- through all this, the book never steered me in any direction that made me care about Billy. it was always Billy this, Billy that, but never revealed what he's actually done to deserve the reader's respect, or care. "he's my brother" isn't good enough.
- wish we saw more of madame wu.
- a few too many clumsy or underdeveloped parts. e.g. "How had I got myself involved in this mess? A few weeks ago my life was on track. Until... " then next paragraph. er, awkward transition much...
i simply didn't like this book, and it took me a month to get through. i'm sure others would enjoy it, but it was a little too 'teen reads' for me that was mostly confusing and frustrating. a second read would bring clarity, but i'm in no rush to read it again.
a painful read that i only finished because of my school-girl desire to see the **other ** guy get the girl (Twilight style). that ended up going nowhere, the physical equivalent of blowing a raspberry. yikes.
pros:
- yay a new zealand author writing within a new zealand setting. SOMEONE MENTIONED NEW ZEALAND, EVERYBODY GO MENTAL!!!
- our protagonist Tamsin isn't completely insufferable - she's smart, snarky, acts quickly in dicey situations, has real emotions, real flaws. my favourite thing about her was how she treated Scott.
- the real antagonist is obfuscated until the end, which ended up being a well-earned twist with the reader.
- Detective Wiremu is a very likeable character despite his demeanour and possibly being the bad guy.
- there are some good gems of dialogue, description, metaphor in places
- last quarter of the book was going places.
cons:
- kinda... implausible... that there's a magical underworld set in dunedin. like, just why?? at least have a reason for it? i'm half joking here, but yeah this could have been set anywhere, it had nothing tying the story to "Why Dunedin?". more work could have been done worldbuilding.
- confusing plot, what with the smoke and mirrors of the Elementals/Fair Folk, witches, spells, power, Glamour, different gangs, her stinky almond breath etc. just too much vital info held back in the early parts that i felt lost for most of the book, wondering what the hell was going on, before a new element (excuse the pun) was added to the story that i was already treading water in. there is a right way to do this and this wasn't it.
- too many characters, managed sloppily, gets confusing keeping up with who's this and that, who's where, who's dead and alive.
- on that note, the past and present timelines also add to the confusion, would've been better as a straightforward timeline with a few flashbacks, and the past timeline didn't go anywhere interesting.
- random homophobia scattered throughout?? i get it, "homo" and "fag" is actually common vocab with some groups in new zealand society, and it seems normalised within the cast of this story. hot tip - that's not going to make me like them. pointless references to threats to masculinity - even from the protagonist (the anklet is now a 'manklet' for some reason) - left me shaking my head. even if it was in a 'boys will be boys' context, it shouldn't have even been included.
- what's with the random Māori words? using tapu like it's just another word? i get the kid using 'taniwha'... but wasn't hinted Tamsin was Māori, and if that *was* implied, that brings with it more questions than answers.
- titilating build-up of chemistry between Scott-no-mates and our protagonist that unfortunately had a giant bucket of water thrown on it at the end. they have a suggestively long and intimate embrace and then later she decides she doesn't like him. oh okay. i really wished she was pushed by spite to make that relo go somewhere. plus the 20 minutes we spent in Scott's dingy room i decided he already had a more interesting backstory than Fin.
- through all this, the book never steered me in any direction that made me care about Billy. it was always Billy this, Billy that, but never revealed what he's actually done to deserve the reader's respect, or care. "he's my brother" isn't good enough.
- wish we saw more of madame wu.
- a few too many clumsy or underdeveloped parts. e.g. "How had I got myself involved in this mess? A few weeks ago my life was on track. Until... " then next paragraph. er, awkward transition much...
i simply didn't like this book, and it took me a month to get through. i'm sure others would enjoy it, but it was a little too 'teen reads' for me that was mostly confusing and frustrating. a second read would bring clarity, but i'm in no rush to read it again.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 19, 2020
An intriguing story
While the story skips back and forth between past and present, it weaves a tale of fae, dragons and humans, all within the confines of my favourite City, Dunedin.
Tamsin is a mysterious fairy, who has other mysterious power, and universally tied to the Chief of the local police through a life bond. How this happened is explained in the past flashbacks while the current story tells of the death of a baby, which is surrounded in magic.
The story has been carefully crafted, weaving fact and fiction into a story that captures the imagination and sucks you into its reality. Great characters, fabulous storyline, and an open ending...perhaps more kingfisher books are in the future?
While the story skips back and forth between past and present, it weaves a tale of fae, dragons and humans, all within the confines of my favourite City, Dunedin.
Tamsin is a mysterious fairy, who has other mysterious power, and universally tied to the Chief of the local police through a life bond. How this happened is explained in the past flashbacks while the current story tells of the death of a baby, which is surrounded in magic.
The story has been carefully crafted, weaving fact and fiction into a story that captures the imagination and sucks you into its reality. Great characters, fabulous storyline, and an open ending...perhaps more kingfisher books are in the future?
January 17, 2020
A gritty and gripping debut novel! As a Dunedin girl I'm always excited to read books set in my hometown and even better when it's urban fantasy. The worldbuilding is a great twist on fae (the chop shop - amazing) and the characters are all well drawn and totally believable. Tamsin is a difficult heroine but the book's dual timeline offers a great insight into why current-day Tamsin is how she is. I would love to read more in this universe.
August 8, 2020
It is very Dunedin.
Unfortunately it brought a whole pile of cultural cringe along with the familiarity of setting.
I really wanted to like it, and I liked a lot of the ideas, but overall I was just left feeling pretty 'Meh, whatever' about the experience of reading the book.
Unfortunately it brought a whole pile of cultural cringe along with the familiarity of setting.
I really wanted to like it, and I liked a lot of the ideas, but overall I was just left feeling pretty 'Meh, whatever' about the experience of reading the book.
October 8, 2018
This book is an urban fantasy that combines a crime thriller with an urban fantasy. Set in Dunedin it is a New Zealand tale written in the New Zealand dialect. There are fairy folk and elementals and magic and mystery. There is also a complicated line up of characters who are all interrelated through clan ties.
I liked the book and found it difficult to put down. It is witty and cleverly written. But I really struggled to understand it. Too many characters all twisted together with magic and cultural rules. Added to this were New Zealand words that I did not know and couldn’t contextualise. The book also switched from past to present, like two books running parallel, which just added to the confusion. I couldn’t follow the plot and I hoped as I neared the end it would become clear but it didn’t for me. It might for you.
I liked the book and found it difficult to put down. It is witty and cleverly written. But I really struggled to understand it. Too many characters all twisted together with magic and cultural rules. Added to this were New Zealand words that I did not know and couldn’t contextualise. The book also switched from past to present, like two books running parallel, which just added to the confusion. I couldn’t follow the plot and I hoped as I neared the end it would become clear but it didn’t for me. It might for you.
July 16, 2019
This story quickly wove its magic on me, drawing me in as the tale unfurled as if the central character was reaching out from the pages and weaving one of her spells on me, as the reader, until I was trapped and just couldn’t put it down.
Set in Dunedin at the bottom of New Zealand’s South Island, this is urban fantasy shaped by a master of the craft. Kura Carpenter’s command of words and language along with her ability to weave an entrancing tale held me spellbound until the very end – and what an ending it was.
This is a great read by a master storyteller. Highly recommended.
Set in Dunedin at the bottom of New Zealand’s South Island, this is urban fantasy shaped by a master of the craft. Kura Carpenter’s command of words and language along with her ability to weave an entrancing tale held me spellbound until the very end – and what an ending it was.
This is a great read by a master storyteller. Highly recommended.
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