A Trinket for the Taking
  • Published: 9 December 2025
  • ISBN: 9781496742506
  • Imprint: Kensington
  • Format: Paperback
  • Pages: 304
  • RRP: $35.00

A Trinket for the Taking

Formats & editions
Paperback
9 Dec 2025
Hardback
7 Jan 2025
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This mesmerizing mystery series debut from New York Times bestselling author Victoria Laurie introduces the captivating, 200-year-old Dovey Van Dalen, once the belle of 1840s Copenhagen, now charged with recovering magic property from mortals in modern day Washington DC—whatever it takes.

This mesmerizing mystery series debut from New York Times bestselling author Victoria Laurie introduces the captivating, 200-year-old Dovey Van Dalen, once the belle of 1840s Copenhagen, now charged with recovering magic property from mortals in modern day Washington DC—whatever it takes.

Dovey Van Dalen has a gorgeous day planned for her 200th birthday: driving her new Porsche, admiring the cherry blossoms abloom in her adopted city of Washington, D.C., and a little pampering. But her boss has other ideas. A powerful artifact has been stolen, and he fears it’s causing chaos in the unmagical world . . .

The rich and connected Ariti family has suffered a string of suspicious deaths, with no signs of foul play. Yet each member has died in the way they feared most. As the enchanting agent most skilled at blending in with mere mortals, Dovey must find answers and retrieve the dangerous trinket.

There’s just one unexpected wrinkle: By the time Dovey arrives at the art gallery where the Ariti patriarch died, FBI agent Grant “Gib” Barlow has taken control of the scene. Dovey needs his cooperation to investigate—but she’ll have to hide her abilities, and her true objective, from a man who uncovers deceptions every day. And as they inch nearer a deadly truth, both will face danger even the spellbound would be lucky to survive . . .
  • Published: 9 December 2025
  • ISBN: 9781496742506
  • Imprint: Kensington
  • Format: Paperback
  • Pages: 304
  • RRP: $35.00
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About the author

Victoria Laurie

When Victoria Laurie was eleven, her family moved from the United States to England for a year abroad. She attended the American Community School at Cobham, and one day, while on a class field trip, she first glimpsed the White Cliffs of Dover. Her trip to the cliffs, the year abroad, and her grandfather's stories of his childhood as an orphan left such an indelible impression on her that when she turned to a career as an author, she was compelled to write the Oracles of Delphi Keep series. The Curse of Deadman's Forest is the second book in this series. The first book, Oracles of Delphi Keep, is available from Delacorte Press.
You can visit Victoria at www.oraclesofdelphikeep.com.

When Victoria Laurie was eleven, her family moved from the United States to England for a year abroad. She attended the American Community School at Cobham, and one day, while on a class field trip, she first glimpsed the White Cliffs of Dover. Her trip to the cliffs, the year abroad, and her grandfather's stories of his childhood as an orphan left such an indelible impression on her that when she turned to a career as an author, she was compelled to write the Oracles of Delphi Keep series. The Curse of Deadman's Forest is the second book in this series. The first book, Oracles of Delphi Keep, is available from Delacorte Press.
You can visit Victoria at www.oraclesofdelphikeep.com.

Also by Victoria Laurie

Coaching Fire
Coached Red-Handed
Coached in the Act
To Coach a Killer
Coached to Death
A Grave Prediction
A Ghoul's Guide to Love and Murder
See all

Praise for A Trinket for the Taking

Praise for A TRINKET FOR THE TAKING by Victoria Laurie:

“Laurie’s series debut packs quite a punch. In addition to murders, there’s a juicy romance between Dovey and the handsome special agent, a bunch of gory fight scenes, and heaps of mystic-on-mystic malevolence—enough to satisfy readers who like their puzzles with more than a hint of the supernatural. A magical mystery tour coming to take you away.” —Kirkus Reviews

“Blends fantasy, mystery, and romance.” —Publishers Weekly

“Full of excellent world-building and a writing style that will draw you right in. Victoria Laurie’s new book release is an urban fantasy mystery full of magic and romance.” —Geek Girl Authority

“Laurie fans will not be disappointed in A Trinket for the Taking. The concept of two different worlds in this cozy will draw the reader into a fantastical story.” —New York Journal of Books

“Fans of Carolyn Hart’s Bailey Ruth Ghost mysteries will enjoy meeting Dovey in this first in a new series describing a mystic world parallel to our mortal one.” —Booklist

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