The Undermining of Twyla and Frank

From the author of The Undertaking of Hart and Mercy comes a heartwarming fantasy with a best friends-to-lovers romcom twist set in the delightful demigod and donut-filled world of Tanria.

The entire town of Eternity was shocked when widowed, middle-aged Twyla Banneker partnered up with her neighbour and best friend, Frank Ellis, to join the Tanrian Marshals. Eight years later, Twyla's rewarding career patrolling the strange land of Tanria remains a welcome change from the domestic grind of mom life, despite the misgivings of her grown children.

Fortunately (or unfortunately) a recent decrease in on-the-job peril has made Twyla and Frank's job a lot safer ... and a lot less exciting. So when they discover the body of one of their fellow marshals near an enormous footprint—and Frank finds himself the inadvertent foster dad to a baby dragon—they are grateful to be back in action.

Soon, the friends wind up ensnared in a nefarious plot that goes far deeper than any lucrative Tanrian mineshaft. But as danger closes in and Twyla and Frank's investigation becomes more complicated, so does their easy friendship. And Twyla starts to realise that her true soul mate might be the person who has lived next door all along...

About the Author

Megan Bannen is a former public librarian and an award-winning author of speculative fiction. Her work has been selected for the RUSA Reading List, the Indies Introduce list, and the Kids' Indie Next List, along with numerous best-of-the-year compilations. While most of her professional career has been spent behind a reference desk, she has also sold luggage, written grants, collected a few graduate degrees from various Kansas universities, and taught English at home and abroad. She lives in the Kansas City area with her family.

Reviews

"Hilarious, heartfelt, and irresistibly charming." —Stephanie Burgis, author of Wooing the Witch Queen

"A delightful story worth every minute of your time. Fans of cozy fantasy will find a lot to love here, from glitter-breathing, poodle-esque dragons to a down-to-earth romance between two middle-aged heroes on the brink of retirement. Seriously, the dragons breathe glitter. What more could you want?" —Kirkus

"Bannen's witty prose and skillful genre blending shine as she seamlessly weaves together elements of romance, mystery, and adventure. The mature protagonists, particularly the wonderfully complex Twyla, offer a refreshing perspective on love and self-discovery in midlife. Bannen's heartfelt exploration of second chances and the transformative power of friendship resonates. Perfect for fans of T.J. Klune and Alix E. Harrow, this cozy, humor-filled romp celebrates the enduring magic of love at any age." —Publishers Weekly

"Bannen manages to seamlessly blend fantasy, romance, and modern family dynamics, all while making you laugh until you (literally) cry. Not only is it sweet without being saccharine, it's also jam packed with whimsy around the kindest, biggest heart. I love this book so much that I would bury bodies for Twyla and Frank so deep no one would ever find them." —Lish McBride, author of the Uncanny Romance series

"One of the coziest, most whimsical fantasy reads I've ever come across! Megan Bannen has created a world that you'll never want to leave and characters that will carve a spot into your heart. This series is playfully unique, delightfully steamy, utterly romantic, and overall unmissable!" —Ali Hazelwood, New York Times bestselling author of The Love Hypothesis

Dimensions: 14.12 x 2.95 x 20.96 cm