B. Pitts

Since the day that Tom Middleberry was rejected by the International Federation of Magical Law Enforcement, he has never been the same. He spends his days at his detective agency, Mysterious Happenings and Conundrums, Inc., trying to eat, drink, and smoke his tragic life away - until the murders, that is. Tom doesn't give up his gluttonous habits, however - for the first time - there's a sense of purpose in his step.

In the realm of Alera, where people bond with the furies - elementals of earth, air, fire, water, and metal - 15-year-old Tavi struggles with his lack of furycrafting. But when his homeland erupts in chaos - when rebels war with loyalists and furies clash with furies - Tavi's simple courage will turn the tides of war.