The Dead Cat Tail Assassins

By: P. Djèlí Clark

Narrated by: Lynnette R. Freeman

Eveen the Eviscerator is skilled, discreet, professional, and here for your most pressing needs in the ancient city of Tal Abisi. Her guild is strong, her blades are sharp, and her rules are simple. Those sworn to the Matron of Assassins—resurrected, deadly, wiped of their memories—have only three unbreakable vows.

First, the contract must be just. That’s above Eveen’s pay grade.

Second, even the most powerful assassin may only kill the contracted. Eveen’s a professional. She’s never missed her mark.

The third and the simplest: once you accept a job, you must carry it out. And if you stray? A final death would be a mercy.

When the Festival of the Clockwork King turns the city upside down, Eveen’s newest mission brings her face-to-face with a past she isn’t supposed to remember and a vow she can’t forget.

“One of my favorite authors … I loved this one.”—Rebecca Roanhorse, New York Times bestselling author of Black Sun

©2024 P. Djeli Clark (P)2024 Recorded Books

Genuinely Excellent All Around

A book not for the faint at heart, this is an excellent assassin-thriller-whodunit-supernatural-time travel adventure. The writing was excellent, but also, the narrator? She was incredible. Absolutely brought all the characters to life with distinct and varied voices. 10/10 will recommend to anyone that will listen

A Modern Pulp Tale

This is not your typical modern fantasy story. This tale has more in common with the great pulp fantasy stories of the early 1900s. Modern dialogue, quirky heroes, swords and nebulous but omnipresent magic up lifted by a modern author. Lots of fun!

Lynnette R. Freeman killed it

I read this novel with Lynnette R. Freeman’s narration and for me, she knocked it out of the park. She really brings this story to life. I loved it. I couldn’t put it down. It was so fun and light — just what I needed. Lots of laughs and a satisfactory ending (that also ended in laughs)!

This performance is brilliant.

What an interesting world. Urban fantasy at it's finest. Guilds, Assassins and Urchins oh my. Love this and looking forward to more.

Funnier and lighter than I expected

“Ayro’s flaming tentacles!”
With the cover art and a summary promising binding assassin’s contract, I was expecting something darker, grittier, and violent. And yes, there are some F bombs and more than a few deaths.
But the overall tone is YA and more Brothers Grimm than grimdark.

Eveen: “So, I stopped and asked myself: what would the hero I most admire do in a spot like this?”
Behind her, Sky had put her head in her hands and was muttering, “Please don’t bring up Ashiel the Maniac Hunter”
Eveen: “Ashiel the Maniac Hunter!!”

There are mercurial goddesses, competitive killers, and one snarky spitfire assassin in over her head,
all narrated with unique variety by Ms. Freeman. I never thought I’d have so much fun listening to ladies who tsk, pfft, and click their teeth. Even the Rasta accents were over the top entertaining.
This was wicked fun.