New Books Network Nicole Glover, "The Starseekers: A Murder and Magic Novel" (Harper Voyager, 2026)
Mar 7, 2026
Nicole Glover, author of The Starseekers and the Magic and Mystery series, blends magic, mystery, and family drama. She talks about Cynthia Rhodes’s complicated Rhodes family, the cultural shapes of Black magic, star sigils and arcane engineering, enchanted inks, and how she plants clues and red herrings while juggling multiple plot threads.
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Family Heritage Shapes Cynthia's Detective Drive
- Cynthia is part of a multi-generational family of mystery solvers that shapes her curiosity and adventurous approach to the world.
- Her branch, the Explorers, descended from Alexander and Eleonora Rhodes, who were librarians-adventurers and influenced Cynthia's drive to explore and solve mysteries.
Magic Is A Skill Diversely Practiced
- Magic in this world is universal but culturally diverse, like language, not restricted by bloodlines or race.
- Nicole designed multiple systems: wands, celestial practice, jewels, dance — talent plus training determines skill level.
Star Sigils Are A Family Craft Evolving With Education
- Star sigils are a family specialty passed down from Cynthia's ancestors and shaped her arcane engineering focus.
- The book shows evolution: peers like Mavis blend wand use with sigils while Theo learns sigils later, reflecting changing magical education.
