Review - Greymalkin by Chris Quinton
Greymalkin
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Volume 1 of Melusine's Cats
Tags: Fantasy Contemporary UK Setting
Posted in Book Reviews on 7 June, 2026
Professional rugby player Jesse is licking his wounds after being wrongly convicted of assault when he turned the tables on four gay bashers that attacked him. His team has released him so Jesse’s agent suggest he spend some time out of the public eye to write an autobiography to put his version of events on the record. Jesse decides to rent a cottage in a small village near the coast. Shortly after settling in, Jesse meets local police constable Will. The two hit it off and begin to figure out what kind of relationship they can have. What neither man knows is they’re about to be drawn into a centuries-long battle over an ancient betrayal.
“Greymalkin” is a fantasy set in contemporary England and Wales based on European folklore stories about water sprites and heroic warriors. This series starter combines common fantasy themes of multiple realms, earth magic, and shape-shifting animals. It’s all blended well enough with contemporary realities to make a believable story.
The narration alternates between Jesse and Will. When we first meet Jesse, he’s really been through the wringer. Not only has he been wrongly convicted of assault, it came soon after the breakup with his ex. In a way, the publicity around the breakup led to the assault. Jesse may be beaten but he’s not broken. Through sheer stubbornness, if nothing else, the man powers through his troubles by staying fit and writing. Starting a new relationship doesn’t seem like a good idea, but Will’s charms prove irresistible.
It feels like we don’t get to know Will quite as well as Jesse, but it’s enough to confirm he is definitely one of the good guys. The two men aren’t quite opposites. They’re different enough to think their relationship might have a sound basis. There’s essentially a third member of the new relationship: The Greymalkin of the title is the formal name of a seemingly stray large gray tomcat that appears to adopt Jesse and Will.
“Greymalkin” is available from Smashwords or see Bookshop.org to purchase from an independent bookseller.