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Juniper Wiles #1
Juniper Wiles
Juniper Wiles once starred as a plucky teen detective in the popular TV show, Nora Constantine. When the series ended seven years ago, Juniper made a decision to leave L.A. and return home to Newford where she joined friends at the artists' collective, Bramleyhaugh, the center of which is her pal, beloved faerie artist Jilly Coppercorn.
Now, out of the blue, the fictional world of Nora Constantine is bleeding into Newford, starting with the inexplicable murder of a young man. Juniper may have wanted to leave her role as a detective behind, but when she's accosted by the ghost of that young man everything changes. To solve this crime will require all the skills she learned training for Nora Constantine. And the effervescent Jilly, always up for a new adventure, is ready to come along for the ride.
Now, out of the blue, the fictional world of Nora Constantine is bleeding into Newford, starting with the inexplicable murder of a young man. Juniper may have wanted to leave her role as a detective behind, but when she's accosted by the ghost of that young man everything changes. To solve this crime will require all the skills she learned training for Nora Constantine. And the effervescent Jilly, always up for a new adventure, is ready to come along for the ride.
206 pages, Paperback
First published April 29, 2021
132 people are currently reading
488 people want to read
About the author
Charles de Lint
446 books3,993 followersCharles de Lint is the much beloved author of more than seventy adult, young adult, and children's books. Renowned as one of the trailblazers of the modern fantasy genre, he is the recipient of the World Fantasy, Aurora, Sunburst, and White Pine awards, among others. Modern Library's Top 100 Books of the 20th Century poll, conducted by Random House and voted on by readers, put eight of de Lint's books among the top 100.
De Lint is a poet, folklorist, artist, songwriter and performer. He has written critical essays, music reviews, opinion columns and entries to encyclopedias, and he's been the main book reviewer for The Magazine of Fantasy & Science Fiction since 1987. De Lint served as Writer-in-residence for two public libraries in Ottawa and has taught creative writing workshops for adults and children in Canada and the United States. He's been a judge for several prominent awards, including the Nebula, World Fantasy, Theodore Sturgeon and Bram Stoker.
Born in the Netherlands in 1951, de Lint immigrated to Canada with his family as an infant. The family moved often during de Lint's childhood because of his father's job with an international surveying company, but by the time Charles was twelve—having lived in Western Canada, Turkey and Lebanon—they had settled in Lucerne, Quebec, not far from where he now resides in Ottawa, Ontario.
In 1980, de Lint married the love of his life, MaryAnn Harris, who works closely with him as his first editor, business manager and creative partner. They share their love and home with a cheery little dog named Johnny Cash.
Charles de Lint is best described as a romantic: a believer in compassion, hope and human potential. His skilled portrayal of character and settings has earned him a loyal readership and glowing praise from peers, reviewers and readers.
Charles de Lint writes like a magician. He draws out the strange inside our own world, weaving stories that feel more real than we are when we read them. He is, simply put, the best.
—Holly Black (bestselling author)
Charles de Lint is the modern master of urban fantasy. Folktale, myth, fairy tale, dreams, urban legend—all of it adds up to pure magic in de Lint's vivid, original world. No one does it better.
—Alice Hoffman (bestselling author)
To read de Lint is to fall under the spell of a master storyteller, to be reminded of the greatness of life, of the beauty and majesty lurking in shadows and empty doorways.
—Quill & Quire
His Newford books, which make up most of de Lint's body of work between 1993 and 2009, confirmed his reputation for bringing a vivid setting and repertory cast of characters to life on the page. Though not a consecutive series, the twenty-five standalone books set in (or connected to) Newford give readers a feeling of visiting a favourite city and seeing old friends.
More recently, his young adult Wildlings trilogy—Under My Skin, Over My Head, and Out of This World—came out from Penguin Canada and Triskell Press in 2012, 2013 and 2014. Under My Skin won 2013 Aurora Award. A novel for middle-grade readers, The Cats of Tanglewood Forest, published by Little Brown in 2013, won the Sunburst Award, earned starred reviews in both Publishers Weekly and Quill & Quire, and was chosen by the New York Times Editors as one of the top six children's books for 2013. His most recent adult novel, The Mystery of Grace (2009), is a fascinating ghost story about love, passion and faith. It was a finalist for both the Sunburst and Evergreen awards.
De Lint is presently writing a new adult novel. His storytelling skills also shine in his original songs. He and MaryAnn (also a musician) recently released companion CDs of their original songs, samples of which can be heard on de Lin
De Lint is a poet, folklorist, artist, songwriter and performer. He has written critical essays, music reviews, opinion columns and entries to encyclopedias, and he's been the main book reviewer for The Magazine of Fantasy & Science Fiction since 1987. De Lint served as Writer-in-residence for two public libraries in Ottawa and has taught creative writing workshops for adults and children in Canada and the United States. He's been a judge for several prominent awards, including the Nebula, World Fantasy, Theodore Sturgeon and Bram Stoker.
Born in the Netherlands in 1951, de Lint immigrated to Canada with his family as an infant. The family moved often during de Lint's childhood because of his father's job with an international surveying company, but by the time Charles was twelve—having lived in Western Canada, Turkey and Lebanon—they had settled in Lucerne, Quebec, not far from where he now resides in Ottawa, Ontario.
In 1980, de Lint married the love of his life, MaryAnn Harris, who works closely with him as his first editor, business manager and creative partner. They share their love and home with a cheery little dog named Johnny Cash.
Charles de Lint is best described as a romantic: a believer in compassion, hope and human potential. His skilled portrayal of character and settings has earned him a loyal readership and glowing praise from peers, reviewers and readers.
Charles de Lint writes like a magician. He draws out the strange inside our own world, weaving stories that feel more real than we are when we read them. He is, simply put, the best.
—Holly Black (bestselling author)
Charles de Lint is the modern master of urban fantasy. Folktale, myth, fairy tale, dreams, urban legend—all of it adds up to pure magic in de Lint's vivid, original world. No one does it better.
—Alice Hoffman (bestselling author)
To read de Lint is to fall under the spell of a master storyteller, to be reminded of the greatness of life, of the beauty and majesty lurking in shadows and empty doorways.
—Quill & Quire
His Newford books, which make up most of de Lint's body of work between 1993 and 2009, confirmed his reputation for bringing a vivid setting and repertory cast of characters to life on the page. Though not a consecutive series, the twenty-five standalone books set in (or connected to) Newford give readers a feeling of visiting a favourite city and seeing old friends.
More recently, his young adult Wildlings trilogy—Under My Skin, Over My Head, and Out of This World—came out from Penguin Canada and Triskell Press in 2012, 2013 and 2014. Under My Skin won 2013 Aurora Award. A novel for middle-grade readers, The Cats of Tanglewood Forest, published by Little Brown in 2013, won the Sunburst Award, earned starred reviews in both Publishers Weekly and Quill & Quire, and was chosen by the New York Times Editors as one of the top six children's books for 2013. His most recent adult novel, The Mystery of Grace (2009), is a fascinating ghost story about love, passion and faith. It was a finalist for both the Sunburst and Evergreen awards.
De Lint is presently writing a new adult novel. His storytelling skills also shine in his original songs. He and MaryAnn (also a musician) recently released companion CDs of their original songs, samples of which can be heard on de Lin
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 164 reviews
May 10, 2021
Classic de Lint
I've been reading Charles de Lint for twenty-five years, and he never fails to impress. This fast-paced yarn takes us back to a familiar Newford character and introduces another who should have some staying power. By incorporating several other Newford characters, de Lint has made me want to dive into his back-catalogue for the first time in a couple decades.
I've been reading Charles de Lint for twenty-five years, and he never fails to impress. This fast-paced yarn takes us back to a familiar Newford character and introduces another who should have some staying power. By incorporating several other Newford characters, de Lint has made me want to dive into his back-catalogue for the first time in a couple decades.
April 26, 2022
Juniper Wiles is a very nice return to de Lint's Newford in which a fictional story takes on a life in the "real" world. It's a rather familiar theme, but he handles it with considerable skill and humor and interesting and innovative twists. It was nice to revisit the familiar characters from previous books, though I thought he could have done with a bit more refreshing and reintroducing their circumstances and contexts. The titular character is the former star of a television detective show, and I hope de Lint will continue to chronicle her adventures with the iconic Jilly Coppercorn. Urban fantasy at its very best.
May 5, 2021
I've been looking forward to this book by one of my favorite authors so needless to say, I was saddened not to be able to give it more stars. Mr. de Lint writes wonderfully about the other worlds, the magic that could lie just out of sight, and complex characters who come alive. The Wind in His Heart, Onion Girl, The Painted Boy, are just a few titles that show's the mastery of this author. Yet, Juniper Wiles is missing the complexity and depth that one has grown use to from Mr. de Lint but for those fans of Newford and its magic, they will be happy to see all their favorites gathered once again in one place.
A mysterious death, a ghost that comes when called, living characters from a popular show, and Juniper's acceptance of those things makes for a quick read.
A mysterious death, a ghost that comes when called, living characters from a popular show, and Juniper's acceptance of those things makes for a quick read.
January 31, 2022
I really enjoyed this. The dog bits were.especially good and I'm looking forward to reading another story about Juniper someday. I also liked revisiting so many beloved characters from other Newford books. It had been a while.
Normally this is the sort of book I'd keep around for comfort rereading but there were just a couple of awkwardly handled though clearly well intentioned things that put me on the defensive (intro of trans character through mostly-corrected misgendering and other slight oddnesses in how he is described and treated - nothing upsetting just uncomfortable to notice; characters being alienated from fanfic especially explicit fanfic and kind of lumping it all together as equally gross even though trying to have empathy and draw distinctions). These things were in character(-ish) for the characters and didn't screw up the world building, but did alienate me some. And alienation does not make for comfort reading. Alas.
Good story though. Glad it exists.
Normally this is the sort of book I'd keep around for comfort rereading but there were just a couple of awkwardly handled though clearly well intentioned things that put me on the defensive (intro of trans character through mostly-corrected misgendering and other slight oddnesses in how he is described and treated - nothing upsetting just uncomfortable to notice; characters being alienated from fanfic especially explicit fanfic and kind of lumping it all together as equally gross even though trying to have empathy and draw distinctions). These things were in character(-ish) for the characters and didn't screw up the world building, but did alienate me some. And alienation does not make for comfort reading. Alas.
Good story though. Glad it exists.
May 3, 2021
Newford at its best
This book is like coming home for de Lint fans. And life is perfectly where we left it, a bit mysterious, a bit wild, and full of heart. I would read another Juniper Wiles mystery in a heartbeat!
This book is like coming home for de Lint fans. And life is perfectly where we left it, a bit mysterious, a bit wild, and full of heart. I would read another Juniper Wiles mystery in a heartbeat!
January 22, 2023
I've loved de Lint's Newford for a long, long time, and it was so good to see familiar characters again. It felt like visiting old friends, and I love de Lint's writing.
I hesitated over four or five stars but wound up docking one because of an issue I've been uneasy with in other Newford books too. An outside character, one not even remotely steeped in the otherwordly like much of the familiar crew and having gone through a fairly traumatic event/time recently, is blamed rather harshly for being unprepared to accept guilt for what is, for many, a fairly normal coping mechanism. I didn't like it in The Onion Girl and I don't like it here.
But I do love Newford. It was good to visit again.
Upon second read: I still agree with the above. It really hampered my enjoyment.
I hesitated over four or five stars but wound up docking one because of an issue I've been uneasy with in other Newford books too. An outside character, one not even remotely steeped in the otherwordly like much of the familiar crew and having gone through a fairly traumatic event/time recently, is blamed rather harshly for being unprepared to accept guilt for what is, for many, a fairly normal coping mechanism. I didn't like it in The Onion Girl and I don't like it here.
But I do love Newford. It was good to visit again.
Upon second read: I still agree with the above. It really hampered my enjoyment.
December 5, 2022
Deep joy! A new de Lint book! And it's set in Newford! So happy!
There's only ever one problem with de Lint's books - they're so good that I read them non-stop and then get desperate for the next one.
Five stars is not enough!
There's only ever one problem with de Lint's books - they're so good that I read them non-stop and then get desperate for the next one.
Five stars is not enough!
December 18, 2022
Charles de Lint books are filled with folklore, mythology, magic and more and all are set in fictional places that are believable despite the many wondrous characters that sometimes are not of this world. The setting of this book is the fictional town of Newford, a place familiar to de Lint readers. If you are not one of those readers as yet then this delightful place is still waiting for you to discover. In this book we meet Juniper Wiles for the first time she is a feisty protagonist who used to be a young TV actress but is now retired from acting and living in Newford. She too is discovering the magic of Newford just as new readers to de Lint would be if they pick up this book. Highly recommended.
May 2, 2021
I can’t go on holiday so at least my favourite place can come to me with some old friends and some new ones solving mysteries together. Honestly I would not have guessed teaming Jilly and Crazy Dog up with a tv crime fighter but it works. Special appearances from Cody, Whiskey Jack AND BO (No Maida and Zia tho). Is this the start of something new? I hope so
Thanks Charles. Right when we needed a visit back.
(PS I’ve been reading CdL since the 80s. I’d read a shopping list he wrote. But I reckon you could read this without any history)
Thanks Charles. Right when we needed a visit back.
(PS I’ve been reading CdL since the 80s. I’d read a shopping list he wrote. But I reckon you could read this without any history)
February 5, 2023
It was so lovely to revisit Newford, with Jilly and all the rest of the characters! It was like a reunion, with so many of the characters from earlier books. They, and the book, are imbued with the same warmth, kindness, and magic as always - delightful.
Juniper has retired as an actress, and gets prickly when people address her as her character, Nora Constantine, plucky young detective. But then she is presented with a mystery and needs to solve it to avoid the bad guy from the world of her TV show, who has started to invade her dreams. Because of the situation, Jilly and the others tell her about the existence of other worlds and specifically how that affects her situation.
I'd like to give the book five stars, but it has some discontinuities and weaknesses (which I absolutely forgive, but still). The original author of Nora Constantine is named Emma Rohlin - does that sound like Rowling? There's also a trans character, who is treated fairly respectfully, and Rohlin has lost her moxie since she originally wrote the books (and is treated rather harshly for that). So I think so. The trans character and several other peripheral characters are not developed, making parts of the book seem shallower and cardboardy. And the infodumps about the worlds of magic are slightly awkward.
Still, I loved the book and want to read the next Juniper Wiles adventure soon.
Juniper has retired as an actress, and gets prickly when people address her as her character, Nora Constantine, plucky young detective. But then she is presented with a mystery and needs to solve it to avoid the bad guy from the world of her TV show, who has started to invade her dreams. Because of the situation, Jilly and the others tell her about the existence of other worlds and specifically how that affects her situation.
I'd like to give the book five stars, but it has some discontinuities and weaknesses (which I absolutely forgive, but still). The original author of Nora Constantine is named Emma Rohlin - does that sound like Rowling? There's also a trans character, who is treated fairly respectfully, and Rohlin has lost her moxie since she originally wrote the books (and is treated rather harshly for that). So I think so. The trans character and several other peripheral characters are not developed, making parts of the book seem shallower and cardboardy. And the infodumps about the worlds of magic are slightly awkward.
Still, I loved the book and want to read the next Juniper Wiles adventure soon.
May 6, 2021
Reuniting with old friends
I’ve been reading Charles de Lint since I was in college 30-something years ago. It was great to catch up with characters I loved back then and still do. Seeing Jilly and all the others “grown up” and happy was amazing. Liked Juniper and am looking forward to more stories about her!
I’ve been reading Charles de Lint since I was in college 30-something years ago. It was great to catch up with characters I loved back then and still do. Seeing Jilly and all the others “grown up” and happy was amazing. Liked Juniper and am looking forward to more stories about her!
May 6, 2021
Quite an enjoyable book. It was great to visit Newford and see it through the eyes of a relative newcomer (Juniper), especially as she learns faerie is real. Hope to see more stories with her and Jilly.
May 5, 2021
This was an excellent read. Charles deLint never fails to deliver, and while this story is slightly askew from his usual stuff, it still put a smile on my face. Well done!
May 10, 2024
First in the Juniper Wiles urban fantasy sub-series with a couple of amateur sleuths (and twenty-first in the overall Newford universe) revolving around a former teen TV detective. It takes place some fifteen years after
Widdershins
, 11.
My Take
It’s an unexpected intro to the primary character, as de Lint both introduces us to his primary protagonist with her introspection on her life in LA and sets the background for what is to come. Yet the story splits between Juniper and Jilly.
It’s useful that de Lint uses first person protagonist point-of-view from Juniper’s perspective, as it tunes us in to Juniper’s easygoing nature, content for her residuals to pay her bills while she seeks out a new life at home. Her biggest problem is the number of fans who insist that she’s really “Nora Constantine”, the character she played on the TV show — which leads to the start-up of Coppercorn & Wiles, Private Investigators. Well, okay, being thought to be Nora used to be her biggest problem until Jilly introduces her to the “other” side of Newford. Thankfully Juniper’s experiences on-set have prepared her for her new life as a badass. Good preparation for the otherworld of Crescent Beach where a monster threat may invade our world.
The action is all about the characters. Some of it involves weapons and battle with a lot of activity helping Jilly prep for the show and participating in Jilly's volunteer activities. –Ya gotta love Jilly. She’s such a giving character who has a career doing what she loves while her idea of fun is helping and interacting with people. She helps at the soup kitchen, visits old folks — usually with a few dogs she’s “borrowed” from the shelter to take for walks — she’s a dog whisperer, counsels kids in art, and best of all, her attitude about life and her point that we don’t pay attention to the “little everyday mysteries and enchantments that are going on all around us . . .” They’re beautiful.
I know Juniper is the main character, but Jilly is right up there. She sure has a different take on life, partly because of the traumas she experienced earlier in her life, and has the friends to prove it. She’s attracted a lovely family of choice who are so supportive of her and each other. This family includes a unique security team, lol. That point she makes about the progression of songs in an album telling a story makes me want to re-listen to a few.
Hmm, Jilly has had a fascination with police sketch artists, which reminds me of Phoebe Monday’s character. Jilly is eager for her and Juniper to be detectives, and she thinks they need to “practice being more quippy”.
There’s a parallel world, well, many otherworlds, but the one that concerns us is Crescent Beach from Nora Constantine.
There is an ick factor, for it seems that Ethan had a real thing for “Nora Constantine”, so real that he wrote fanfic that ticks Juniper off. It is funny to learn that some of Jilly's family are fans of Nora Constantine and don't have a problem with Ethan's porn.
Ooh, that Joe can be snarky! Particularly when Emma does not do well with Juniper’s reveal.
There's a metaphysical feel to the prose and is a cozy read with a nice flow.
The Story
Juniper is settling in at home and reacquainting herself with old friends and old haunts. Now if only people would stop thinking her TV character, Nora Constantine, was really her! She is not a detective! She only played one on TV!
Yet Jilly introduces her to the other side of Newford and a character who's murdered before Juniper meets him — and is still getting text messages from him! — drags Juniper into a world she never expected and a moral obligation to prevent a monster invasion.
The Characters
Juniper “Joon” Wiles is a former actress who has retreated from the craziness of LA to her hometown of Newford to go back to her true love for creating art. She’s also taking boxing lessons to stay in shape. Tam Wiles is her music-loving and -playing obsessed brother, and together they live in the house they inherited from their grandparents. Lydia is but one of Tam’s girlfriends.
Bramleyhaugh is . . .
. . . the house on Stanton Street inherited from Bramley Dapple, Jilly’s and Sophie’s old art professor. It’s really an artists’ colony these days housing Jilly Coppercorn, a fae-like woman renowned for her fairy paintings and giving nature; Geordie, who is Jilly’s musician husband ( Widdershins ); Wendy writes poetry, has a blog, and is a computer whiz; Mona, who creates a comic strip, “Life as a Bird”; Lyle, a werewolf, is Mona’s boyfriend; and, Christy, Geordie’s brother, who is a writer and lives on the third floor with Saskia — she writes poetry and talks to the spirits in the wires, in other words, she is plugged into the Internet through her mind. No paying for Internet! Christiana Tree is a shadow of all the things Christy didn’t like about himself. The Grumbling Greenhouse Studio is out back of Bramleyhaugh.
Also on Stanton Street is the Rookery, whose inhabitants turn into birds! The Kelledy house is actually inhabited by faerie royalty.
Members of Georgie’s Celtic band include Amy Scanon, Meran Kelledy, Lesli Batterberry, and Miki Greer. Isabelle Copley, a numena, is an artist who paints abstracts. Isabelle might be Izzy who lives with Kathy (they're numena) and they live up in the attic. John Sweetwater appears to be a numena too.
Joe, a.k.a. Crazy Dog and Bones, is a tall Native whose parentage is Kickaha with a half of corbae and canid on the other half; he easily steps sideways into otherworlds. Cassie is Joe’s wife and reads fortunes ( The Onion Girl , 8, and The Dreaming Place , 14). Middleworld is the first part of otherworld you step into. Cousins are shapeshifters; we’re the five-fingered. Cody, a.k.a. Coyote, is a friend of Joe’s. Whiskey Jack and Nanabozho “Bo” are handy friends of Joe’s.
Nora Constantine is . . .
. . . a TV show based on a series of books about a teen detective by Emma K. Rohlin that ended after three seasons. The lead character is “Nora” who was played by Juniper. The Goth “Gabi Ramos” is a hacker and was played by Allison Bennet. “James Hearne” (played by Dean Farris) and “Toby Cannon” were “Nora”’s boyfriends in the series. “Carmen Hale” is Nora’s frenemy. “Roland Anders” is a teacher’s assistant who keeps getting sucked into the investigations. Greta Swirsky is Juniper’s agent. "Bret Palmer", played by Adam Hendrix, is the big bad in the story. Charlie Midnight is a monster in the unpublished manuscript — the backstory on this is so sad and scary! The city setting is a place called Crescent Beach.
Emma’s daughter, Shannon, wanted her mother to write a story with her. Thomas Scott is Emma’s son-in-law and a gambler. The novelizations were written by Emmett Rowland, Erica Roberts, and Evelyn Roome. I can’t tell if these novelizations were of the TV series or further stories.
Bloods are vampires. Salty’s Fish Fry is still there as are Kelly’s Fashions and Souvenirs, Eddy’s Surf Shop, and the Dog’n’Burger, although they’re not doing well. Gavin is/was a cryptid hunter. Chief irvine and Mayor Sanders are/were there.
Newford is . . .
. . . a laidback town filled with the supernatural. Enough so that the police department has the "Newford Spook Squad" with Sam Cray in charge. Crowsea is a neighborhood. The Half Kaffe Café is where “Jason”, “Tess”, Amana, Robert, and Emma are some of the baristas. The Deer Mouse Diner. Second Home. The Light of India is a favorite restaurant. Pop's Pins is a bowling alley.
Nick Burns manages Burns’ Books, a used bookstore owned by his uncle. Annie is one of the employees. Holly has a used bookstore too — she has a hob, and then there’s Turtle Moon. The open-minded Pearse O’Shaunessy runs a gym with a pretty gym out front and a basic boxing club in back. Gabrielle is a new boxer.
Ethan Law is the “boy” from the café with a fixation on Nora Constantine. Edward is his trans friend.
Judy is one of the people at the animal shelter where Jilly borrows Bobo, a terrier/poodle mix; James, a golden retriever; Sonora is a bull terrier; Charlie, a husky/shepherd cross; Rubie, who’s part black lab; and, Ginger who is a shepherd/setter mix. Jilly also teaches at the Arts Court.
FaerieFest is an annual event that celebrates the mythic and musical. Marisa and Alan Grant run East Side Press and take a very active part in the fest. Bands that play at the fest include Faun, The Clockwork Noise Smiths, the Goblin Kings, and Cerin (from the Cerin Songweaver Tales) joins in. Maddie and Carla are fest attendees who love art.
Many of the people from Wren Island are numena, characters, including Cosette and Rosalind, brought to life by a certain kind of artist. Eadar are characters from books, created when enough people believe in them — boy, does this one remind me of Jasper Fforde’s Thursday Next series. Do remember that the Eadar do not like it when you refer to our world as the real world. Mabon is an otherworld.
The Cover and Title
The cover is subdued with a dim background of woods and a blonde fairy. In the foreground is Juniper in a black sports bra, her hair pulled back in a ponytail and wearing brown boxing gloves. She’s in profile, leaning her forehead on a light gray pillar, which her gloved hands grasp. The text is all in white with the title at the top with a red outline. The author’s name is below Juniper’s elbows with an info blurb below that.
The title is all about Juniper Wiles.
My Take
It’s an unexpected intro to the primary character, as de Lint both introduces us to his primary protagonist with her introspection on her life in LA and sets the background for what is to come. Yet the story splits between Juniper and Jilly.
It’s useful that de Lint uses first person protagonist point-of-view from Juniper’s perspective, as it tunes us in to Juniper’s easygoing nature, content for her residuals to pay her bills while she seeks out a new life at home. Her biggest problem is the number of fans who insist that she’s really “Nora Constantine”, the character she played on the TV show — which leads to the start-up of Coppercorn & Wiles, Private Investigators. Well, okay, being thought to be Nora used to be her biggest problem until Jilly introduces her to the “other” side of Newford. Thankfully Juniper’s experiences on-set have prepared her for her new life as a badass. Good preparation for the otherworld of Crescent Beach where a monster threat may invade our world.
The action is all about the characters. Some of it involves weapons and battle with a lot of activity helping Jilly prep for the show and participating in Jilly's volunteer activities. –Ya gotta love Jilly. She’s such a giving character who has a career doing what she loves while her idea of fun is helping and interacting with people. She helps at the soup kitchen, visits old folks — usually with a few dogs she’s “borrowed” from the shelter to take for walks — she’s a dog whisperer, counsels kids in art, and best of all, her attitude about life and her point that we don’t pay attention to the “little everyday mysteries and enchantments that are going on all around us . . .” They’re beautiful.
I know Juniper is the main character, but Jilly is right up there. She sure has a different take on life, partly because of the traumas she experienced earlier in her life, and has the friends to prove it. She’s attracted a lovely family of choice who are so supportive of her and each other. This family includes a unique security team, lol. That point she makes about the progression of songs in an album telling a story makes me want to re-listen to a few.
”Life isn’t meant to be comforting . . . It’s big and it’s messy.Jilly has her own come-to-Jesus moments, and I love when she introduces Bobo to her housemates. I loved Lyle’s acceptance of Bobo! As for Geordie teaching Bobo about “Inside voice!” . . . I wish more owners could teach their dogs this trick!
Hmm, Jilly has had a fascination with police sketch artists, which reminds me of Phoebe Monday’s character. Jilly is eager for her and Juniper to be detectives, and she thinks they need to “practice being more quippy”.
There’s a parallel world, well, many otherworlds, but the one that concerns us is Crescent Beach from Nora Constantine.
There is an ick factor, for it seems that Ethan had a real thing for “Nora Constantine”, so real that he wrote fanfic that ticks Juniper off. It is funny to learn that some of Jilly's family are fans of Nora Constantine and don't have a problem with Ethan's porn.
Ooh, that Joe can be snarky! Particularly when Emma does not do well with Juniper’s reveal.
There's a metaphysical feel to the prose and is a cozy read with a nice flow.
The Story
Juniper is settling in at home and reacquainting herself with old friends and old haunts. Now if only people would stop thinking her TV character, Nora Constantine, was really her! She is not a detective! She only played one on TV!
Yet Jilly introduces her to the other side of Newford and a character who's murdered before Juniper meets him — and is still getting text messages from him! — drags Juniper into a world she never expected and a moral obligation to prevent a monster invasion.
The Characters
Juniper “Joon” Wiles is a former actress who has retreated from the craziness of LA to her hometown of Newford to go back to her true love for creating art. She’s also taking boxing lessons to stay in shape. Tam Wiles is her music-loving and -playing obsessed brother, and together they live in the house they inherited from their grandparents. Lydia is but one of Tam’s girlfriends.
Bramleyhaugh is . . .
. . . the house on Stanton Street inherited from Bramley Dapple, Jilly’s and Sophie’s old art professor. It’s really an artists’ colony these days housing Jilly Coppercorn, a fae-like woman renowned for her fairy paintings and giving nature; Geordie, who is Jilly’s musician husband ( Widdershins ); Wendy writes poetry, has a blog, and is a computer whiz; Mona, who creates a comic strip, “Life as a Bird”; Lyle, a werewolf, is Mona’s boyfriend; and, Christy, Geordie’s brother, who is a writer and lives on the third floor with Saskia — she writes poetry and talks to the spirits in the wires, in other words, she is plugged into the Internet through her mind. No paying for Internet! Christiana Tree is a shadow of all the things Christy didn’t like about himself. The Grumbling Greenhouse Studio is out back of Bramleyhaugh.
Also on Stanton Street is the Rookery, whose inhabitants turn into birds! The Kelledy house is actually inhabited by faerie royalty.
Members of Georgie’s Celtic band include Amy Scanon, Meran Kelledy, Lesli Batterberry, and Miki Greer. Isabelle Copley, a numena, is an artist who paints abstracts. Isabelle might be Izzy who lives with Kathy (they're numena) and they live up in the attic. John Sweetwater appears to be a numena too.
Joe, a.k.a. Crazy Dog and Bones, is a tall Native whose parentage is Kickaha with a half of corbae and canid on the other half; he easily steps sideways into otherworlds. Cassie is Joe’s wife and reads fortunes ( The Onion Girl , 8, and The Dreaming Place , 14). Middleworld is the first part of otherworld you step into. Cousins are shapeshifters; we’re the five-fingered. Cody, a.k.a. Coyote, is a friend of Joe’s. Whiskey Jack and Nanabozho “Bo” are handy friends of Joe’s.
Nora Constantine is . . .
. . . a TV show based on a series of books about a teen detective by Emma K. Rohlin that ended after three seasons. The lead character is “Nora” who was played by Juniper. The Goth “Gabi Ramos” is a hacker and was played by Allison Bennet. “James Hearne” (played by Dean Farris) and “Toby Cannon” were “Nora”’s boyfriends in the series. “Carmen Hale” is Nora’s frenemy. “Roland Anders” is a teacher’s assistant who keeps getting sucked into the investigations. Greta Swirsky is Juniper’s agent. "Bret Palmer", played by Adam Hendrix, is the big bad in the story. Charlie Midnight is a monster in the unpublished manuscript — the backstory on this is so sad and scary! The city setting is a place called Crescent Beach.
Emma’s daughter, Shannon, wanted her mother to write a story with her. Thomas Scott is Emma’s son-in-law and a gambler. The novelizations were written by Emmett Rowland, Erica Roberts, and Evelyn Roome. I can’t tell if these novelizations were of the TV series or further stories.
Bloods are vampires. Salty’s Fish Fry is still there as are Kelly’s Fashions and Souvenirs, Eddy’s Surf Shop, and the Dog’n’Burger, although they’re not doing well. Gavin is/was a cryptid hunter. Chief irvine and Mayor Sanders are/were there.
Newford is . . .
. . . a laidback town filled with the supernatural. Enough so that the police department has the "Newford Spook Squad" with Sam Cray in charge. Crowsea is a neighborhood. The Half Kaffe Café is where “Jason”, “Tess”, Amana, Robert, and Emma are some of the baristas. The Deer Mouse Diner. Second Home. The Light of India is a favorite restaurant. Pop's Pins is a bowling alley.
Nick Burns manages Burns’ Books, a used bookstore owned by his uncle. Annie is one of the employees. Holly has a used bookstore too — she has a hob, and then there’s Turtle Moon. The open-minded Pearse O’Shaunessy runs a gym with a pretty gym out front and a basic boxing club in back. Gabrielle is a new boxer.
Ethan Law is the “boy” from the café with a fixation on Nora Constantine. Edward is his trans friend.
Judy is one of the people at the animal shelter where Jilly borrows Bobo, a terrier/poodle mix; James, a golden retriever; Sonora is a bull terrier; Charlie, a husky/shepherd cross; Rubie, who’s part black lab; and, Ginger who is a shepherd/setter mix. Jilly also teaches at the Arts Court.
FaerieFest is an annual event that celebrates the mythic and musical. Marisa and Alan Grant run East Side Press and take a very active part in the fest. Bands that play at the fest include Faun, The Clockwork Noise Smiths, the Goblin Kings, and Cerin (from the Cerin Songweaver Tales) joins in. Maddie and Carla are fest attendees who love art.
Many of the people from Wren Island are numena, characters, including Cosette and Rosalind, brought to life by a certain kind of artist. Eadar are characters from books, created when enough people believe in them — boy, does this one remind me of Jasper Fforde’s Thursday Next series. Do remember that the Eadar do not like it when you refer to our world as the real world. Mabon is an otherworld.
The Cover and Title
The cover is subdued with a dim background of woods and a blonde fairy. In the foreground is Juniper in a black sports bra, her hair pulled back in a ponytail and wearing brown boxing gloves. She’s in profile, leaning her forehead on a light gray pillar, which her gloved hands grasp. The text is all in white with the title at the top with a red outline. The author’s name is below Juniper’s elbows with an info blurb below that.
The title is all about Juniper Wiles.
June 17, 2021
It was lovely to visit Newford again and see some of my favourite characters again, as well as meet Juniper! This novel is structured in a way that people who have never read the Newford books can still follow and appreciate the story.
It's a fun read and like all De Lint's book very imaginative and creative.
It's a fun read and like all De Lint's book very imaginative and creative.
November 2, 2021
I just re-read Juniper Wiles. I find I re-read Charles de Lint's work often and it's been a while since I first read it in April when it came out. Newford calls to me regularly.
I was introduced to his work back in 1994 when I was 12 years old and my father gifted me with Memory and Dream - a book unlike anything I had ever read, and as a huge bookworm, I'd been reading close to a book a week and lived in the local public library.
De Lint's books really stood out to me as totally unique with their Celtic and Indigenous mythology. Jilly was the most real character I'd met, and her childhood trauma resonated with my own experiences. Jilly's resilience and ability to find joy in the everyday magic around her after being through so much trauma inspired me to keep going in my own life. But ... it's the wonder of discovering the dream/spirit world, where anything can happen, that got me hooked.
After that, de Lint became my all-time favourite writer and I've read every Newford book (and most of his other books as well) over the almost 20 years since that first introduction.
When Juniper Wiles came out, I was so elated to be back in Newford and reunited with Jilly and her band of eccentric friends. Juniper is a tough, self-possessed, wonderful new edition to the group of characters. It's a bit of a departure from his other books, in the best way, while keeping the same themes and continuing the characters' stories I love so much. This book could also be a stand-alone read since it's from the new protagonist's point of view and would be a great introduction for a young reader or anyone new to his work.
I highly recommend going through his other books either before or after this read. Someplace To Be Flying and Widdershins are my other favourites.
Charles de Lint changed my life, for the better and made me feel less alone as a young traumatized 12 year old. No matter who you are, there's something timeless yet so relatable waiting for you in his books.
I was introduced to his work back in 1994 when I was 12 years old and my father gifted me with Memory and Dream - a book unlike anything I had ever read, and as a huge bookworm, I'd been reading close to a book a week and lived in the local public library.
De Lint's books really stood out to me as totally unique with their Celtic and Indigenous mythology. Jilly was the most real character I'd met, and her childhood trauma resonated with my own experiences. Jilly's resilience and ability to find joy in the everyday magic around her after being through so much trauma inspired me to keep going in my own life. But ... it's the wonder of discovering the dream/spirit world, where anything can happen, that got me hooked.
After that, de Lint became my all-time favourite writer and I've read every Newford book (and most of his other books as well) over the almost 20 years since that first introduction.
When Juniper Wiles came out, I was so elated to be back in Newford and reunited with Jilly and her band of eccentric friends. Juniper is a tough, self-possessed, wonderful new edition to the group of characters. It's a bit of a departure from his other books, in the best way, while keeping the same themes and continuing the characters' stories I love so much. This book could also be a stand-alone read since it's from the new protagonist's point of view and would be a great introduction for a young reader or anyone new to his work.
I highly recommend going through his other books either before or after this read. Someplace To Be Flying and Widdershins are my other favourites.
Charles de Lint changed my life, for the better and made me feel less alone as a young traumatized 12 year old. No matter who you are, there's something timeless yet so relatable waiting for you in his books.
January 30, 2022
Visiting Newford time and time again is always a treat, but damn if I wasn’t excited to finally get a new book in my favourite urban fantasy town! As with all of the Newford stories, de Lint spins a tale of lightly magical adventure, populated by an eccentric cast of characters, but with Juniper Wiles we get something a bit different than the normal. The magic is still there (of course), and so are many of our favourite characters, but de Lint decides to give modernised (and magic-tinged) detective noir a spin alongside his new titular character. Juniper is an actress who made it big on a television show playing a feisty detective, before retiring from the Hollywood scene and returning to her hometown of Newford - reinventing herself as a dabbling artist after becoming friends with Jilly Coppercorn and company. But Juniper is missing out on what all of our Newford characters are all too aware of (magic!), and when an unexpected ghost comes looking for her tv-show detective alter ego she is thrown into the deep end trying to figure out who murdered him. I’m still not a big fan of detective/murder mysteries, but de Lint’s introduction of themes around fantasy worlds made real through belief (which obviously have much to do with the murder) keeps the story from straying too far from what we’ve come to expect of him, and it was a fun romp to see him explore a slightly different style of story. I don’t know if I’m really jonesing for any more stories about Coppercorn & Wiles, PIs, but Juniper and her brother Tam are some fun new cast to add to the Newford stage - and so is the mysteriously adorable bookshop keeper Nick!
October 22, 2025
A fun little novellanl from a favorite author that I wouldn't recommend unless you're familiar with his work.
Charles de Lint often gets called the Father of urban fantasy, but I would say his brand of urban fantasy isn't the same as what is popular now (and he would agree according to the intro). He writes more fae and folklore with worlds that touch our world and magic being real, but the monsters are often very human. Covid being covid, he decided to write his own take on modern urban fantasy, and Juniper Wiles was born.
My favorite part of the novella is that it's set in Newford, the city of my favorite de Lint books, and I think almost all of my favorite characters are at least mentioned. It was like a little reunion homecoming with a fresh main character and plotline.
Unfortunately, I thought this could use a little bit more editing. There are some clunky repetitions and a little heavy-handed explaining of de Lints' worldbuilding/magic system. For a fan, it felt like overkill. For a newbie to his works, I still think it would read as bad info dumping, and yet not really all that well explained.
While I personally had fun reading this, it wasn't my favorite thing he's written. It feels like a fan service novella, which I'm totally OK with, but not something I would use as a starting point for his works.
Charles de Lint often gets called the Father of urban fantasy, but I would say his brand of urban fantasy isn't the same as what is popular now (and he would agree according to the intro). He writes more fae and folklore with worlds that touch our world and magic being real, but the monsters are often very human. Covid being covid, he decided to write his own take on modern urban fantasy, and Juniper Wiles was born.
My favorite part of the novella is that it's set in Newford, the city of my favorite de Lint books, and I think almost all of my favorite characters are at least mentioned. It was like a little reunion homecoming with a fresh main character and plotline.
Unfortunately, I thought this could use a little bit more editing. There are some clunky repetitions and a little heavy-handed explaining of de Lints' worldbuilding/magic system. For a fan, it felt like overkill. For a newbie to his works, I still think it would read as bad info dumping, and yet not really all that well explained.
While I personally had fun reading this, it wasn't my favorite thing he's written. It feels like a fan service novella, which I'm totally OK with, but not something I would use as a starting point for his works.
January 16, 2023
Самое интересное в этом романе - история его создания.
Если верить писателю де Линту (что не всегда стоить делать), то он однажды открыл википедию и прочел в статье "Городское фэнтези" про характерные признаки жанра, такие как:
- повествование от первого лица
- героем книги выступает современная молодая женщина
- героиня расследует преступления с участием сказочных существ (ведьм, вампиров, оборотней, призраков)
- героиня сама является сказочным существом или, как минимум, обладает сверхъестественными способностями
- помимо детективной линии, обязательно присутствует романтическая
И тогда писатель де Линт подумал, что как это вообще понимать, я известный писатель, довольно талантливый, многие вообще называют меня "отцом жанра городского фэнтези", но при этом я за всю жизнь не написал ни одной книги, которая отвечала бы этим требованиям. Надо срочно исправить ситуацию!
Сказано—сделано. В результате получился довольно занятный эксперимент. С одной стороны, книга бесспорно соответствует всем формальным критериям жанра, а с другой—это по-прежнему чистый де Линт, которому мало интересна детективная интрига, зато очень важно описать, как любимые персонажи пьют кофе, шутят, выгуливают собак и ходят на свидания.
Если бы это написал кто-то другой, то, вероятно, читать было бы невыносимо. Но легкое перо де Линта превращает бытовую банальщину в чистое золото, и мы с удовольствием следим за новой (двадцать, кажется, второй?) серией его бесконечного сериала "Друзья" с щедрой порцией мистики и сдобных булочек.
В психологически трудные времена такие книги, считаю, просто необходимы.
7/10
Если верить писателю де Линту (что не всегда стоить делать), то он однажды открыл википедию и прочел в статье "Городское фэнтези" про характерные признаки жанра, такие как:
- повествование от первого лица
- героем книги выступает современная молодая женщина
- героиня расследует преступления с участием сказочных существ (ведьм, вампиров, оборотней, призраков)
- героиня сама является сказочным существом или, как минимум, обладает сверхъестественными способностями
- помимо детективной линии, обязательно присутствует романтическая
И тогда писатель де Линт подумал, что как это вообще понимать, я известный писатель, довольно талантливый, многие вообще называют меня "отцом жанра городского фэнтези", но при этом я за всю жизнь не написал ни одной книги, которая отвечала бы этим требованиям. Надо срочно исправить ситуацию!
Сказано—сделано. В результате получился довольно занятный эксперимент. С одной стороны, книга бесспорно соответствует всем формальным критериям жанра, а с другой—это по-прежнему чистый де Линт, которому мало интересна детективная интрига, зато очень важно описать, как любимые персонажи пьют кофе, шутят, выгуливают собак и ходят на свидания.
Если бы это написал кто-то другой, то, вероятно, читать было бы невыносимо. Но легкое перо де Линта превращает бытовую банальщину в чистое золото, и мы с удовольствием следим за новой (двадцать, кажется, второй?) серией его бесконечного сериала "Друзья" с щедрой порцией мистики и сдобных булочек.
В психологически трудные времена такие книги, считаю, просто необходимы.
7/10
March 12, 2023
Dit boek heb ik gelezen ter nagedachtenis aan M, een vriendin van mijn ff-leesclub die onlangs is overleden. Zij was een enorme fan van de boeken van Charles de Lint en als leesclub hebben wij besloten om de twee Juniper Wiles boeken te lezen als SLS (SamenLeesSerie) ter ere van haar.
Ik heb nog nooit eerder iets van CdL gelezen, maar ik denk niet dat het bij deze boeken zal blijven. Ik vind ze namelijk echt leuk. Alternatieve werelden, een verscheidenheid aan personages die allemaal een speciaal magisch talent hebben. Gedaante-verwisselaars, mensen die internet in hun hoofd hebben, weerwolven, geesten uit andere werelden die hun heil zoeken in de wereld van Juniper.
Als zij wordt aangesproken door Ethan en zij hem niet te woord wil staan, komt ze er een dag later achter dat Ethan al een week dood is. Dat zet haar aan het denken en zij en haar vriendin Jilly gaan op onderzoek uit. Erg leuk en prettig leesbaar geschreven.
Ik heb nog nooit eerder iets van CdL gelezen, maar ik denk niet dat het bij deze boeken zal blijven. Ik vind ze namelijk echt leuk. Alternatieve werelden, een verscheidenheid aan personages die allemaal een speciaal magisch talent hebben. Gedaante-verwisselaars, mensen die internet in hun hoofd hebben, weerwolven, geesten uit andere werelden die hun heil zoeken in de wereld van Juniper.
Als zij wordt aangesproken door Ethan en zij hem niet te woord wil staan, komt ze er een dag later achter dat Ethan al een week dood is. Dat zet haar aan het denken en zij en haar vriendin Jilly gaan op onderzoek uit. Erg leuk en prettig leesbaar geschreven.
May 12, 2021
(3.5 stars) I was really looking forward to this one but came away wanting more. The story is entertaining enough but the book lacks the rich imagery and depth I've come to love in de Lint's previous novels: Wind In His Heart; Moonheart; Spiritwalk; Memory & Dream; Widdershins and my absolute favorite all time fantasy : Someplace To Be Flying. That said, I was happy enough to return to Newford as Juniper & her brother Tam are likeable, though I wish the author had spent more time developing their characters and *less* time on Jilly's art & Renaissance Fair - both of which add nothing to the storyline. I enjoyed the characters of Joe & Lyle & wish the author had spent more time with them as well (and other manitou). The premise of a ghost seeking a PI to investigate a mystery was light entertainment & a pleasant way to spend an afternoon. I hope though for more from de Lint along the lines of Wind In His Heart & Someplace To Be Flying.
May 10, 2021
After waiting for another Newford book or set of stories, I jumped on Juniper Wiles, read it in an evening. Thank you, Mr. de Lint! Not only are all my favorite characters here, but you kept them in character (for your readers) so that it was like meeting them again, and with delight. The story kept me hopping, I liked the new hero (heroes), and you still have your awesome touch. Thank you, thank you...keep writing. I am one of your greatest fans! (And yes, I confess, I never get tired of Jilly.)
July 26, 2021
Juniper is a former actress who got fed up with Hollywood and went home to Newford. She is contacted by a man who mistakes her for the detective she used to play on TV. He wants her to take on a case for him. She is shocked the next day to see his picture in the newspaper, saying his body has been found and he had been dead for several days. How could that be when she just saw him yesterday? She had refused to take on the case, insisting she isn't a detective, but now she feels she has to know what happened to him. This is a new Newford character for de Lint. Supposedly there are more books about her coming up. I enjoyed this urban fantasy very much and look forward to reading the others.
May 5, 2021
Another win for de Lint.
I may be biased as Charles Dr Lint is one of my favorite authors. I have been an avid reader of his for years, and I grab his books as soon as they come out. This book did not disappoint. It has the same heart and love of magic that all of his books have,and I love that he returned to Newford. It's like seeing good friends that you haven't seen for years and falling back into form as if no time had passed at all. De Lint has a way of drawing you in and keeping you engaged. This book is no exception.
A must for any fan of true urban fantasy.
I may be biased as Charles Dr Lint is one of my favorite authors. I have been an avid reader of his for years, and I grab his books as soon as they come out. This book did not disappoint. It has the same heart and love of magic that all of his books have,and I love that he returned to Newford. It's like seeing good friends that you haven't seen for years and falling back into form as if no time had passed at all. De Lint has a way of drawing you in and keeping you engaged. This book is no exception.
A must for any fan of true urban fantasy.
May 8, 2021
I read this book way too fast. I wanted to sink into a syrupy slow Newford chronicle. After missing this place for so long... But it was written quick and fast-paced perhaps due to the nature of the story—detective P.I. ing. However it’s still a treasure.
May 3, 2021
Charles de Lint is one of my all-time favourite writers - not only does he construct intricate and believable worlds, his characters are all nuanced, 3 dimensional, and frankly the sort of people I would love to meet. His stories are mythic, with people interacting with creatures and worlds from legend and fairytale.
In this quite short but amazing tale, he runs with the idea that worlds "created" by writers do actually exist. The main protagonist is the former star of the "Norma Constantine" detective series, who's asked to take on a case by a ghost.....
I read this pretty much straight through- and loved it. Worthy of your attention.
In this quite short but amazing tale, he runs with the idea that worlds "created" by writers do actually exist. The main protagonist is the former star of the "Norma Constantine" detective series, who's asked to take on a case by a ghost.....
I read this pretty much straight through- and loved it. Worthy of your attention.
May 8, 2021
Fantasy detective
Not the first fantasy detective books I have read but one of the best. Delint can make his characters seamlessly slide into any genre.
Not the first fantasy detective books I have read but one of the best. Delint can make his characters seamlessly slide into any genre.
May 7, 2021
What a treat to go back to Newford. With a new character and some old friends. Charles de Lint never disappoints!
May 1, 2021
Urban fantasy at its finest
I have always enjoyed novels by Charles de Lint and this was no exception. It was great seeing old "friends" like Jilly and Saskia and meeting a new one in Juniper. Urban fantasy at its finest as Juniper, who used to play a detective on TV finds mystery and characters from her old show bleeding into her new life in Newford where things aren't always as they seem and magic is real
I have always enjoyed novels by Charles de Lint and this was no exception. It was great seeing old "friends" like Jilly and Saskia and meeting a new one in Juniper. Urban fantasy at its finest as Juniper, who used to play a detective on TV finds mystery and characters from her old show bleeding into her new life in Newford where things aren't always as they seem and magic is real
May 1, 2021
Extremely fun and satisfying!
This little book is exactly what I wanted and needed! That Newford magic, Jilly and the crew with all their humor and magic, and now Juniper, encompasses everything from myth and legend to fan fiction and movies, anything that has ever captured minds and hearts. De Lint's world has always been a place of wonders and I'm always excited for a new doorway appearing to let me in again.
This little book is exactly what I wanted and needed! That Newford magic, Jilly and the crew with all their humor and magic, and now Juniper, encompasses everything from myth and legend to fan fiction and movies, anything that has ever captured minds and hearts. De Lint's world has always been a place of wonders and I'm always excited for a new doorway appearing to let me in again.
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