The unfathomable curse by Courtney Smyth review
Genre: fantasy/mystery
Rep: LGBTQ+, POC, Disability (MC’s with fibromyalgia, hearing loss + hearing aids, PTSD, agoraphobia, undiagnosed ADHD. SC’s with ostomy bag, Deaf with sign language).

Thank you for NetGalley and Titan books for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

The unfathomable curse is the 3rd book in de Undetectables series, with the first book being Mallory’s book, the second book Diana’s and this book focusing on Cornelia. With a time sensitive murder mystery on their hands, Cornelia has to stay sharp while confronting her family.
As always, this book is full of amazing minority representation with our main characters being Queer, racially diverse and disabled. I love how each book gives us insight into the lives and obstacles each member of the Undetectables face. Finally getting to know Cornelia on such a deep level was a journey I wish I could experience twice. As with the last book, the Undetectables are called to investigate while one of them is very close to the people involved in the mystery. This makes perfect room to get to know Cornelia’s dynamic with her family. This is also the first time we actually get to know the family members.
The main things I loved about Diana’s book were repeated in a different flavour in this one, like the two investigations side by side with a difference between the main investigation and the side investigation. Still, the side investigation proved very important at the end, especially to speculate on the sequel. However, I think this book’s pacing would’ve been more than fine without the side investigation, although it added much more mystery and suspense overall. I truly can’t complain about it’s addition to the plot.
If I absolutely have to be critical it is that the beginning of the book takes us into the investigation that differs from the blurb on the book, so it left me a bit confused after a while as it takes a bit for the main plot to reveal itself. However, in my opinion the rest of the book is perfect. I didn’t know I could relate to Cornelia so much, especially with the PTSD rep and agoraphobia. After reading this book, Cornelia is so much more than the Rich Bitch (affectionately) of the three witches.
Please go read this series! the book will be available from the 23rd of September 2025!

A deliciously dark tangle of magic, murder, and mystery, The Unfathomable Curse delivers both chills and charm. Smyth weaves a sharp-witted, atmospheric tale where family drama and supernatural danger collide, and Cornelia’s hunt for her kidnapped sisters brims with tension and heart. Beautifully written, richly imagined, and satisfyingly twisty—this cosy-meets-creepy fantasy mystery is one I couldn’t put down.

This was the first book I’ve read by the author. I loved the cover and title.
The book features characters from different backgrounds and it is a fantasy murder mystery. The author’s writing is very fluent, and the style is incredibly beautiful. If you enjoy mystery; then this book is for you!

This is an ARC review. I appreciate receiving this copy from NetGalley and the publisher in return for an honest review.

After spending the best part of a year avoiding her parents, Cornelia has been cut off from the Broadwick fortune, but still she can't bring herself to speak to them. And then the Wickermere Reaper abducts Cornelia's twin sisters, and she finds herself back in the family home, in a race against the clock to save their lives...

The Unfathomable Curse is the third book in The Undetectables series, and I don't know how well it would work as a standalone. In addition to the main plot revolving around the Wickermere Reaper, there is also a subplot focusing on the Wrackton Digger, a character arc for Cornelia, and an overarching storyline that spans the entire series. The main plot resembles those from the first two books, as Mallory, Diana, and Cornelia have to put their own lives on the line to solve a fiendishly complex magical mystery in a race against the clock. But instead of Wrackton, the setting is an evocatively eerie Wickermere, and instead of the friends they usually rely on to help them, the witches have only the Ghoul Council headed by Cornelia's parents, who are also their only suspects. I love a mystery centred around a small group of suspicious characters, and this one kept me guessing right until the end.

In the subplot, Theodore takes the lead on investigating the Wrackton Digger who is stealing bodies from the cemetery, but as the book draws to a close, it becomes increasingly clear that not only these two cases but all the Undetectables' cases are somehow connected. There is a lot going on in The Unfathomable Curse and it all ends on something of a cliffhanger. After The Undetectables focused on Mallory and The Undead Complex on Diana, in The Unfathomable Curse it is Cornelia's turn. As well as the main plot being centred around her family, we also get to see her processing the trauma of being abducted by the Whistler and dealing with her feelings about Mallory, the Broadwicks, and herself. I love that the series is structured like this, and I hope it is Theodore's turn next!

I read Smyth's previous works and really liked them and this new entry was on pair with both! Really good all-around!

I really enjoyed this as a third entry in the Undetectables series, it uses the paranormal and murder mystery elements that I was wanting and was very clever in this plot of the book. I was engaged with the puzzles and how they were used in this universe. The characters were so well written and worked overall in the world and characters. Courtney Smyth has a strong writing style and was glad it was so well written that I was hoping for. I'm glad I got to read this and can't wait for more from Courtney Smyth and hopefully this series.