Publishing November 2025
 
Unteholz is a divided city built on the backs of dying monsters.
 
When an old foe turns up dead, executioner Lena Sturm reluctantly sets out to solve the murder. An outcast scavenger, a clockwork engineer, and a decadent slave trader all become suspects as she tries to make up for past mistakes. It’s a case that no one else wants, threatening to stir up prejudices and bankrupt the city.
 
But there are bigger dangers than a single killer. Armies are marching. Crowds are rioting. A unicorn is out for blood and giant ants are swarming in the mines. From the pitch-black tunnels under the mountains to the blazing heat of the city mint, Lena faces her most dangerous adventure yet as she weighs the value of one man’s life.