Audiobook Review: Direct Descendant by Tanya Huff

Direct Descendant
Author: Tanya Huff
Narrator: Savannah Thomas
Publication: Tantor Media (April 8, 2025)
Length: 11 hours and 10 minutes

Description: This cozy horror novel set in modern-day Toronto includes phenomenal characters, fantastic writing, and a queer romance—the perfect balance of dark and delightful

Generations ago, the founders of the idyllic town of Lake Argen made a deal with a dark force. In exchange for their service, the town will stay prosperous and successful, and keep outsiders out. And for generations, it's worked out great. Until a visitor goes missing, and his wealthy family sends a private investigator to find him, and everything abruptly goes sideways.

Now, Cassidy Prewitt, town baker and part-time servant of the dark force (it's a family business) has to contend with a rising army of darkness, a very frustrated town, and a very cute PI who she might just be falling for . . . and who might just be falling for her. And if they can survive their own homegrown apocalypse, they might even just find happiness together.

Queer, cozy, and with a touch of eldritch horror mixed in just for fun, this is a charming love story about a small-town baker, a quick-witted PI, and, yes, an ancient evil.

My Thoughts: DIRECT DESCENDANT is a cozy fantasy with a touch of horror. Cassidy Prewitt in the new Mouth of the Dark. It is a traditional position for a member of her family. Lake Argen was settled by her ancestors who made a deal with the Dark so that the town will stay prosperous and successful. Their silver mine won't ever run out of silver leaving many of the citizens, including Cassidy, rich enough to not need to work. 

But, one day, a stranger comes to town and sacrifices himself. Cassidy is there but can't stop him. Now, she's looking for any changes in the town. The one change she didn't expect was the arrival of Melanie. She has been hired by the grandmother of the missing stranger. Melanie is an out-of-work English teacher who thinks making the $10,000 dollar fee will be an easy thing to do.

Melanie and Cassidy fall in love. But, when Cassidy tries to tell her the town secrets, Melanie won't believe her. Cassidy needs to break her own heart by taking Melanie's memory away and sending her away from the town. Only the grandmother forces Melanie to return because she has plans for the town and the Dark.

This was an entertaining romance filled with all sorts of paranormal beings. I enjoyed the worldbuilding and the characters. 

I bought this one September 17. You can buy your copy here.