Day 20 The Undetectables by Courtney Smyth

 In honor of Pride Month, I’ve decided to pick up a couple of LGBT+ fiction novels. While I’ve read books that fall under this genre before—and have long enjoyed fanfictions that pair same-gender characters—I’ve recently been more intentional about exploring queer-centered narratives. Fans of my posts on Substack have probably noticed my appreciation for shows like Hazbin Hotel and Helluva Boss, where many of the main characters are members of the LGBT+ community. I’ve always had a deep respect for writers and media that are inclusive and welcoming toward that audience.

One of the books I’ve picked up this month is The Undetectables by Courtney Smyth. Smyth is an emerging author whose magical mystery series of the same name blends murder, magic, and queer romance. She’s been writing stories about spells and sleuthing since the age of ten, and her debut novel in this series came out in 2023. The third installment is already slated for release this coming September.

I’ll say upfront—this book won’t be everyone’s cup of tea. The best way I can describe it is: imagine if Harry Potter merged with the investigative hijinks of Scooby-Doo, then threw in a generous helping of sapphic romance. The setting is a magical version of England, filled with very British humor, which swings between bone-dry sarcasm and off-the-wall absurdity. At times, the story dips into such bizarre territory that it might throw off readers who prefer a more grounded or serious tone.

The main cast revolves around three witches:

• Mallory Hawthorn, a forensic science expert grappling with fibromyalgia

• Cornelia Broadwick, Mallory’s impulsive love interest who is just as likely to kiss someone as she is to punch a cop

• Diana Chung Merryweather, a stylish and level-headed makeup artist turned magical PI

Adding a touch of the surreal is Theodore Wyatt, a ghost (and non-magical person) who died at a Samhain Ball while wearing a cat costume—yes, he’s still stuck with the ears. He’s equal parts dramatic roommate and lingering reminder of the trio’s first unsolved case.

The story opens with the girls as teenagers launching their amateur detective careers. After a flash-forward of six years, we find them estranged and living separate lives: Cornelia has pursued entomology at university, Diana is working as a makeup artist, and Mallory remains in their eerie hometown of Wrackton, worn down by chronic illness and loneliness.

As someone with disabilities myself, I found it meaningful that Mallory’s fibromyalgia is portrayed with nuance and empathy. While I don’t have fibromyalgia, I live with diabetes and a seizure disorder—both of which come with their own daily challenges. Mallory’s pain, fatigue, and depression are deeply relatable, and I appreciated that her condition wasn’t sidelined or romanticized, but woven into her character’s reality.

Theo, meanwhile, provides a curious mix of comic relief and emotional anchor. Though he died during the girls’ first (failed) case, he’s remained with Mallory like a haunting mascot—part ghost, part companion, part reminder of unfinished business. His melodramatic personality and ever-present cat ears strike a balance between quirky and tragic, adding depth to the supernatural tone of the book.

The plot thickens when a mysterious death draws the trio back together: a man has apparently died after biting off his own tongue in response to a mysterious whistling sound. It's gruesome, strange, and just the kind of case that only magical PIs like the Undetectables could attempt to solve.