Stephen King's The Gunslinger meets Breaking Bad in Laura Bickle's novel Dark Alchemy.
Some secrets are better left buried
Geologist Petra Dee arrives in Wyoming seeking clues to her father's disappearance years ago. What she finds instead is Temperance, a dying western town with a gold rush past and a meth-infested present. But under the dust and quiet, an old power is shifting. When bodies start turning up-desiccated and twisted skeletons that Petra can't scientifically explain-her investigations land her in the middle of a covert war between the town's most powerful interests. Petra's father wasn't the only one searching for the alchemical secrets of Temperance, and those still looking are now ready to kill. Armed with nothing but shaky alliances, a pair of antique guns, and a relic she doesn't understand, the only thing Petra knows for sure is that she and her coyote sidekick are going to have to move fast-or die next.
Industry Reviews
"Dark Alchemy reads like a stand-alone work, but Petra is such a likable protagonist... that it's hard not to hope we'll see more of Petra's adventures. [Bickle] has a clear, clean sense of plotting that gives the novel a wonderful pace and sense of completeness. More, please."--RT Book Reviews on DARK ALCHEMY, 4.5 Stars "You should read this wonderfully odd book that's an irresistible mashup of folklore, horror, and Wild West story. You really should. It will surprise you."--My Bookish Ways on DARK ALCHEMY "Dark Alchemy is brilliant as a stand-alone, yet a return trip to Temperance wouldn't be unwelcome. Come for the western, but stay for the weird science!"--Tez Says on DARK ALCHEMY "A fun urban fantasy read, complete with undead cowboys, Dark Alchemy... is a great standalone for readers not looking to jump into a series."--Bookish on DARK ALCHEMY "I'm just so glad I didn't miss out on this book. You shouldn't either!"--Christy's Love of Books on DARK ALCHEMY "The best part of Dark Alchemy was the creep factor Laura Bickle infused into every page. This isn't a scary book, but it carries a subtle dread throughout. I know I would be first on the train if Petra's story did become a series!"--Bad Ass Book Reviews on DARK ALCHEMY "If Dark Alchemy was a movie, it'd pass the Bechdel Test and more than passes equity tests... Dark Alchemy was a compelling read with a satisfying conclusion promising more Petra Dee stories set around Temperance. I'm hooked."--Dark Matter Zine on DARK ALCHEMY "Dark Alchemy is a fascinating page-turner. It's something new, different, and refreshing."--Books that Hook on DARK ALCHEMY "Dark Alchemy plays with the typical urban fantasy tropes, but puts a unique spin on them all. The magic and the mystery are the hook, but the characters are what will keep you reading. It's a fast-paced adventure... racing towards a suitably epic climax."--Beauty in Ruins on DARK ALCHEMY Dark Alchemy reads like a stand-alone work, but Petra is such a likable protagonist that it s hard not to hope we ll see more of Petra s adventures. [Bickle] has a clear, clean sense of plotting that gives the novel a wonderful pace and sense of completeness. More, please. --RT Book Reviews on DARK ALCHEMY, 4.5 Stars" You should read this wonderfully odd book that s an irresistible mashup of folklore, horror, and Wild West story. You really should. It will surprise you. --My Bookish Ways on DARK ALCHEMY" Dark Alchemy is brilliant as a stand-alone, yet a return trip to Temperance wouldn t be unwelcome. Come for the western, but stay for the weird science! --Tez Says on DARK ALCHEMY" A fun urban fantasy read, complete with undead cowboys, Dark Alchemy is a great standalone for readers not looking to jump into a series. --Bookish on DARK ALCHEMY" I m just so glad I didn t miss out on this book. You shouldn t either! --Christy's Love of Books on DARK ALCHEMY" The best part of Dark Alchemy was the creep factor Laura Bickle infused into every page. This isn t a scary book, but it carries a subtle dread throughout. I know I would be first on the train if Petra s story did become a series! --Bad Ass Book Reviews on DARK ALCHEMY" If Dark Alchemy was a movie, it d pass the Bechdel Test and more than passes equity tests... Dark Alchemy was a compelling read with a satisfying conclusion promising more Petra Dee stories set around Temperance. I m hooked. --Dark Matter Zine on DARK ALCHEMY" Dark Alchemy is a fascinating page-turner. It s something new, different, and refreshing. --Books that Hook on DARK ALCHEMY" Dark Alchemy plays with the typical urban fantasy tropes, but puts a unique spin on them all. The magic and the mystery are the hook, but the characters are what will keep you reading. It s a fast-paced adventure racing towards a suitably epic climax. --Beauty in Ruins on DARK ALCHEMY" Bickle writes with an individual clarity and style, leaving the reader to appreciate a dark sense of wonder that s all her own. Highly recommended. --Fantasy & Science Fiction on DARK ALCHEMY" "Bickle writes with an individual clarity and style, leaving the reader to appreciate a dark sense of wonder that's all her own. Highly recommended."--Fantasy & Science Fiction on DARK ALCHEMY "This fun adventure in modern-day Wyoming introduces Petra Dee, a geologist looking for her missing father and trying to make peace with her past. Bickle (Rogue Oracle) adds a dash of romance to the charming adventure, wrapped up with a perfect ending."--Publishers Weekly (starred review) This fun adventure in modern-day Wyoming introduces Petra Dee, a geologist looking for her missing father and trying to make peace with her past. Bickle (Rogue Oracle) adds a dash of romance to the charming adventure, wrapped up with a perfect ending. --Publishers Weekly (starred review)"
