AMBERLOUGH by Lara Elena Donnelly

AMBERLOUGH by Lara Elena Donnelly

A double-agent sacrifices all his ideals in order to save his smuggler lover before a government coup takes over their decadent city in Lara Elena Donnelly’s glam spy thriller debut


In Amberlough, amidst rising political tensions, three lives become intertwined with the fate of the city itself.

The Smuggler: By day, Aristide Makricosta is the emcee for Amberlough City’s top nightclub. By night, he moves drugs and refugees under the noses of crooked cops.

The Spy: Covert agent Cyril DePaul thinks he’s good at keeping secrets, but after a disastrous mission abroad, he makes a dangerous choice to protect himself…and hopefully Aristide too.

The Dancer: Streetwise Cordelia Lehane, burlesque performer at the Bumble Bee Cabaret and Aristide’s runner, could be the key to Cyril’s plans―if she can be trusted.

As the twinkling marquees lights yield to the rising flames of a fascist revolution, these three will struggle to survive using whatever means―and people―necessary. Including each other.

“Donnelly’s striking debut brings a complex world of politics, espionage, and cabaret life to full vision.” —Library Journal, starred review, Debut of the Month

“A sense of inevitable loss and futility permeates this rich drama [which] haunts the reader.” —Kirkus Reviews

“With rich description and morally gray characters, Donnelly has created a debut novel steeped in 1920s atmosphere and intrigue.” —Booklist

“Exploring the roots of hatred, nationalism, and fascism, while at the same time celebrating the diversity, love, romance, fashion, and joy the world is capable of producing.” ―Bookriot

"Amberlough grabbed me from the first page. It is beautiful, all too real, and full of pain. Read it. It will change you." —Hugo Award-winning author Mary Robinette Kowal

“Sparkling with slang, full of riotous characters, and dripping with intrigue, Amberlough is a dazzling romp through a tumultuous, ravishing world.” ―Robert Jackson Bennett, winner of the Shirley Jackson Award and the Edgar Award

LARA ELENA DONNELLY is a graduate of the Clarion Writers’ Workshop, as well as the Alpha SF/F/H Workshop for Young Writers, where she now volunteers as on-site staff and publicity coordinator. In her meager spare time she cooks, draws, sings, and swing dances. After an idyllic, small-town Ohio childhood, she spent time in Louisville, Kentucky. She currently resides in Harlem, in a tower named after Ella Fitzgerald. Amberlough is her debut novel.

On Sale February 13, 2018 from Tor Books. 9780765383822. $15.99 USD. Buy here!

The sequel, ARMISTICE, is coming May 2018.