1912, Cairo — but in this timeline, djinn were released into the world forty years ago and Egypt is a global superpower of magic and steam. Agent Fatma el-Sha'arawi investigates when someone claiming to be the man who unleashed the djinn starts a murder spree. A Nebula-winning romp.
Clean — queer romance subplot.
Skip if you dislike:
Moods: Inventive Fun Diverse Steampunk-Adjacent
Tropes: Alternate Cairo Djinn Murder Mystery Queer Protagonist
Standalone novel — preceded by novellas in the same world.
Brilliantly — magical steampunk Cairo with djinn, angels, and politics.
Yes — she has a girlfriend. It's not a conflict, just a fact.