I had fallen off from reading Seanan McGuire’s InCryptid series due to some grimdark happenings! (I really need to get back to them, to find out what happened.) But I decided to read and review Installment Immortality because Mary Dunlavy, ex-crossroads ghost and baby sitter to the Price-Healy family of cryptid researchers/conservationists is one of my favorite characters in the series. (Possibly not as much as I like Sarah or Verity though.)
Mary, having been brought back by the anima mundi is in an interesting position as of this book. She has to a) navigate the trauma her double death brought to her family b) reunite with same and get updated on all happenings c) deal (in many senses of that word) with the recovered anima mundi, the avatar/overmind/spirit of the earth. Mary’s interactions with her family have all of the tensions and stress of a unexpected reunion, equal part relief and anger. (Lots of lovely complicated emotions–everyone is very surprised she’s back! They’re happy she’s back! They’re also mad she didn’t turn up sooner!)
From there, Mary’s given a mission from the anima mundi: the Covenant of St. George is up to no good (again). This time, they are kidnapping ghosts from their various hauntings, for some unknown purpose. (It is a bad, terrible, no good purpose.) The anima mundi would like this stopped, and feels that the solution is Mary Dunlavy shaped. This leads to some increased tensions because Mary does not want to be in a situation in any way similar to the one she had with the crossroads. (Hint: it was nasty and traumatic.) Joining her on this mission are Elsie and Arthur Harrington, neither of whom have been out in the field. Mary has her misgivings about Arthur, who is still recovering (or not recovering) from having his mind pieced carefully back together but the wrong way around by Sarah.
The tension shifts to a more horror/thriller/mystery vibe as Mary goes on the case. This leads to dangerous situations with the local ghosts, the local cryptids and of course the ghost hunters from the Covenant of St. George. (Who turn out to have personal beefs with the Price/Healy/Harrington families.) McGuire cranks up the tension in this book, as well as the intensity. Mary’s having something of an existential crisis–and the anima mundi seems to have capital P plans for her.
I enjoyed the book! It’s tightly written with lots of twists and turns. The characterization is great and I enjoyed the interactions of Mary with the various members of her family. There was some angst (Elsie dealing with grief over her mother’s death, Arthur and his disintegrating mind/soul/sense of self.) Both situations are written with sympathy and care for the characters personalities and personal arcs.
This review is based on a galley copy received from Netgalley. Said galley copy also has an excerpt for the next book in the series, which will feature Verity. (Who is barely coping with a combination of her pregnancy and personal tragedy. Fortunately, she has a good support system.)
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