Even Though I Knew the End

Polk blends noir, urban fantasy, and doomed romance into a compact story that feels satisfyingly complete. Set in an alternate 1940s Chicago, the novella follows a magical detective hunting a serial killer while trying to outrun her own bargain with Hell. The setup is pulpy and stylish, but the emotional center is unexpectedly tender. Polk is especially good at atmosphere—smoke, shadows, hidden clubs, and last chances. The romance gives the story urgency without softening its harder edges. The prose is efficient and elegant, making the world feel larger than the page count should allow. There’s sadness built into the premise, and the novella wisely leans into it rather than trying to escape it. A stylish little heartbreak with demons and detective work.