Juniper Wiles

By: Charles De Lint

Narrated by: Mia Barron

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 LA 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.

“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)

"I can never recapture the feeling of first arriving in Newford and meeting the people and seeing the sights as a newcomer. However, part of the beauty of Newford is the sense that it has always been there, that de Lint is a reporter who occasionally files stories from a reality stranger and more beautiful than ours. De Lint also manages to keep each new Newford story fresh and captivating because he is so generous and loving in his depiction of the characters. Yes, there are a group of core characters whose stories recur most often, but a city like Newford has so many intriguing people in it, so many diverse stories to tell, so much pain and triumph to chronicle." (Challenging Destiny)

“De Lint creates an entirely organic mythology that seems as real as the folklore from which it draws.” (Publishers Weekly, starred review)

“De Lint is a romantic; he believes in the great things, faith, hope, and charity (especially if love is included in that last), but he also believes in the power of magic — or at least the magic of fiction — to open our eyes to a larger world.” (Edmonton Journal)

“It’s hard not to feel encouraged to be a better person after reading a book by Ottawa’s Charles de Lint.” (Halifax Chronicle Herald)

"If Ottawa-area author Charles de Lint didn't create the contemporary fantasy, he certainly defined it. …writer-musician-artist-folklorist de Lint has lifted our accepted reality and tipped it just enough sideways to show the possibilities that lie beneath the surface… Unlike most fantasy writers who deal with battles between ultimate good and evil, de Lint concentrates on smaller, very personal conflicts. Perhaps this is what makes him accessible to the non-fantasy audience as well as the hard-core fans. Perhaps it's just damned fine writing." (Quill & Quire)

"In de Lint's capable hands, modern fantasy becomes something other than escapism. It becomes folk song, the stuff of urban myth." (The Phoenix Gazette)

"Charles de Lint shows that, far from being escapism, contemporary fantasy can be the deep mythic literature of our time." (The Magazine of Fantasy & Science Fiction)

"Maybe you find it hard to believe that the dirty, smelly, crowded modern-day city can have any sort of mystique or magic to it, but believe me, there's a lot more than what meets the eye. Legends stalk the slums, ghosts haunt the cobblestoned streets, goblins dwell in the buried part of the city, and nightmares share the roads. The city itself possesses character, spirit, and an identity." (Green Man Review)

©2021 Charles de Lint (P)2021 Recorded Books

Another great Newford book

I love revisiting Newford, and especially seeing the original characters age and having new ones introduced, which this book does so well! The narrator was superb, bringing it all to perfect life.

Feels different But the same

It was lovely to fall into another Newford book. This one feels like it has more of an edge than others, but it also feels seamless. Moving on to the next book in the series now, thank youuuuu

Good characters and good story

Urban Fantasy with great characters and a city (Newford) I would love to visit. Charles de Lint never disappoints.

the original urban fantasy master.

this was a wonderful adventure. Charles de Lint has the most balanced way of writing fantasy. I always feel better after reading or listening to one of his books.

New era for Newford

I’ve loved the Newford books since I discovered them, and it was really fun rediscovering familiar characters through the eyes of Juniper Wiles. As ever, Charles de Lint has created another memorable and relatable protagonist, and it’s interesting to see how a former actress navigates the slippery liminal spaces that are such a big part of Newford. I’m looking forward to the second Juniper Wiles book!

Great Read

The narrator was excellent. The story was enjoyable. It was a little gory compared to other Delint, but only near the end.

more time with old friends

There are very few authors that create characters that I enjoy spending with/entering their world, and de Lint is definitely one. This time Jilly and friends are older and more settled - in a way. Jilly in particular does not come across as judgmental at all (at least to me) which allows new characters to fit right in with this extended family. De Lint once again finds a plot that challenges Jilly and company, and yet is a plot that makes this reader stop taking people and things at face value. I gobbled this book down.

Just ... no

I have been a fan of this author for decades but 3 chapters in I gave up on this one. The writing seemed childish and the narration was totally flat. If I had paid for it, I would demand a refund. Even free, I feel cheated.

Disappointed

I love Charles de Lint's stories. And this is the 3rd audio book of his I've listened to. This is the 1st time I've been disappointed. The story itself was just ok, definitely not what I've come to expect from him (I've read almost all of his books). However the real disappointment for me was in the reading by Mia Barron. In my opinion it was quite flat and monotone - it felt like she made very little effort. It was quite bland and it seemed as if she made no effort at all to make the different characters... well... have different voices - or even inflections and emotions. Other than one or two cases. Overall I was severely disappointed and I wish I had not purchased the audio book. I definitely would have enjoyed this more if I had purchased the physical book, or, even read it on Kindle.

Weakest De Lint ever

Maybe part of the reason I didn't like this one is because I missed some books in the series. I wish they were on audible. The story was just not that great. After having the great Kate Reading narrate the early one, makes me disappointed in the narrator also.