My Dead Body
Charlie Huston
Del Rey, Oct 13 2009, $14.99
ISBN: 9780345495891
The vampyres of Manhattan are outraged with private eye Joe Pitt; they want to drain him slowly dry for exposing EVERY LAST DROP of their blood supply. Having lived in the sewers where he feasted on the lost, Joe figures he will return to his underground abode waiting for one the vampyre clans from Manhattan or the other boroughs to find him.
As civil war between the clans seems coming, his friend, skin flick producer Chubby, persuades Joe to help a pregnant woman who insists a vampyre is her unborn’s sire. Knowing what she means if her baby is born healthy though he still wants to reject the protection case, his former girlfriend persuades Joe to return above ground subject to his usual beatings from his enemies. At the same he uses diabolical tactics to maneuver the various fighting groups to insure the supernatural civil war is between his enemies.
The Fifth Pitt Casebook (see Every Last Drop) is a great private investigator NYC fantasy (I say NYC not just Manhattan as he did spend a stint insuring the flow of Half The Blood In Brooklyn). Joe is a hardboiled vampiric detective who even has a favorite East River body dumping ground. This time he alienates more than just the Coalition as seemingly every sect in Manhattan want to drink EVERY LAST DROP of his blood and abduct the pregnant female who will make that group the most powerful. Although not easy to just enter Joe’s caseload with MY DEAD BODY as so much has happened to send him scurrying in and out of the sewers more frequently than Ed Norton ever did, fans of the saga will enjoy his latest bloody caper all because of a baby.
Harriet Klausner
Friday, October 2, 2009
Bitter Night-Diana Pharaoh Francis
Bitter Night
Diana Pharaoh Francis
Pocket, Nov 2009, $7.99
ISBN: 9781416598145
Three decades ago Giselle the witch converted her college roommate Max into a slave. Giselle used a series of spells to torture and break Max; succeeding into making her an obedient weapon Shadowblade.
Thirty years later Max leads thirteen other warriors enslaved to increasingly powerful Giselle; their job is to protect their witch ruler and her magical haven, Horngate. However, a witch’s coven is summoned as the more powerful Guardians of Earth coveting the planet’s magic declare war on those members of humanity that fail to pledge their allegiance to them. To save Horngate, Max has put aside her ire and become the prophesized savior who will need have whom she distrusts; the worst being Giselle who she has loathed for thirty years ever since the odious witch conquered her will.
From the opening caller ID to the climax, the first Horngate Witches urban fantasy is a fabulous action packed tale driven by the relationship between the two former college roommates. Max seethes with frustration and rage that has built up since 1979 when Giselle used compulsion spells to turn her into her obeying slave. Although Max has too many supernatural powers at her disposal, it is her acrimony that leaves her vulnerable to paranormal attacks in spite of her strengths; she knows she needs to move on and ally with her enemies including Giselle or watch the BITTER NIGHT turn a pandemic slaughter.
Harriet Klausner
Diana Pharaoh Francis
Pocket, Nov 2009, $7.99
ISBN: 9781416598145
Three decades ago Giselle the witch converted her college roommate Max into a slave. Giselle used a series of spells to torture and break Max; succeeding into making her an obedient weapon Shadowblade.
Thirty years later Max leads thirteen other warriors enslaved to increasingly powerful Giselle; their job is to protect their witch ruler and her magical haven, Horngate. However, a witch’s coven is summoned as the more powerful Guardians of Earth coveting the planet’s magic declare war on those members of humanity that fail to pledge their allegiance to them. To save Horngate, Max has put aside her ire and become the prophesized savior who will need have whom she distrusts; the worst being Giselle who she has loathed for thirty years ever since the odious witch conquered her will.
From the opening caller ID to the climax, the first Horngate Witches urban fantasy is a fabulous action packed tale driven by the relationship between the two former college roommates. Max seethes with frustration and rage that has built up since 1979 when Giselle used compulsion spells to turn her into her obeying slave. Although Max has too many supernatural powers at her disposal, it is her acrimony that leaves her vulnerable to paranormal attacks in spite of her strengths; she knows she needs to move on and ally with her enemies including Giselle or watch the BITTER NIGHT turn a pandemic slaughter.
Harriet Klausner
Bound To Shadows-Keri Arthur
Bound To Shadows
Keri Arthur
Dell, Oct 27 2009, $6.99
ISBN: 9780553591163
A serial killer is on the loose with the culprit’s modus operendi being the beheading of vampires; not an easy task to achieve yet the psychopath seems to do it quite easily. Guardian Riley Jensen investigates the homicides when a second case surfaces. Someone is snuffing out human females with not the slightest trace of violence. The locals are in a feeding frenzy of fear.
Her personal life is even more out of control since her werewolf soulmate Kye Murphy has returned. She wants no part of the amoral mercenary, but the sexual pull is devastating. Even her millennium old suave lover Quinn the vampire may not be enough to keep Kye from her. However, investigating the case might prove the answer to eluding her desire for her soulmate.
Bi-species hybrid Riley continues to be pulled in two conflicting directions externally between the vampires and the werewolves, and internally her soul. She makes the BOUND TO SHADOWS superb; as she investigates the serial killing beheadings while being pulled between two lovers, her bad ass werewolf soulmate and her urbane vampire heart’s mate. This is a great entry in a terrific police procedural romantic urban fantasy series (see Darkest Kiss).
Harriet Klausner
Keri Arthur
Dell, Oct 27 2009, $6.99
ISBN: 9780553591163
A serial killer is on the loose with the culprit’s modus operendi being the beheading of vampires; not an easy task to achieve yet the psychopath seems to do it quite easily. Guardian Riley Jensen investigates the homicides when a second case surfaces. Someone is snuffing out human females with not the slightest trace of violence. The locals are in a feeding frenzy of fear.
Her personal life is even more out of control since her werewolf soulmate Kye Murphy has returned. She wants no part of the amoral mercenary, but the sexual pull is devastating. Even her millennium old suave lover Quinn the vampire may not be enough to keep Kye from her. However, investigating the case might prove the answer to eluding her desire for her soulmate.
Bi-species hybrid Riley continues to be pulled in two conflicting directions externally between the vampires and the werewolves, and internally her soul. She makes the BOUND TO SHADOWS superb; as she investigates the serial killing beheadings while being pulled between two lovers, her bad ass werewolf soulmate and her urbane vampire heart’s mate. This is a great entry in a terrific police procedural romantic urban fantasy series (see Darkest Kiss).
Harriet Klausner
By The Mountain Bound-Elizabeth Bear
By The Mountain Bound
Elizabeth Bear
Tor, Nov 2009, $25.99
ISBN 9780765318831
For over five centuries the Children of Light lived in northern Valdyrgard. Immortal, they work for the Bearer of Burdens and know their mission is to protect humans. Using crystal swords, they are a fierce fighting force.
Einherjar war chieftain Strifbjorn saves a drowning female who is neither human nor Immortal. She insists she is the Lady of Legend that they have waited to arrive. To prove her deity she fights and defeats Strifbjorn's lover Mingan the Gray Wolf, giving her command of the fighting force. As she tries to prepare her defiant warriors against the attack of the Giants, the post Ragnarok end has begun.
This prequel to ALL THE WINDWRACKED STARS leads to how Muire the historian cowardly survived the end of the world. The story line is complex with readers deeply involved in the emotional big crunch. Ironically fans of the writer know how the tale ends yet cannot resist the trip to find out how Elizabeth Bear takes her readers there. This is a great addition to Nordic mythology by one of the best authors at writing exhilarating mythological fantasies.
Harriet Klausner
Elizabeth Bear
Tor, Nov 2009, $25.99
ISBN 9780765318831
For over five centuries the Children of Light lived in northern Valdyrgard. Immortal, they work for the Bearer of Burdens and know their mission is to protect humans. Using crystal swords, they are a fierce fighting force.
Einherjar war chieftain Strifbjorn saves a drowning female who is neither human nor Immortal. She insists she is the Lady of Legend that they have waited to arrive. To prove her deity she fights and defeats Strifbjorn's lover Mingan the Gray Wolf, giving her command of the fighting force. As she tries to prepare her defiant warriors against the attack of the Giants, the post Ragnarok end has begun.
This prequel to ALL THE WINDWRACKED STARS leads to how Muire the historian cowardly survived the end of the world. The story line is complex with readers deeply involved in the emotional big crunch. Ironically fans of the writer know how the tale ends yet cannot resist the trip to find out how Elizabeth Bear takes her readers there. This is a great addition to Nordic mythology by one of the best authors at writing exhilarating mythological fantasies.
Harriet Klausner
Crimson-Jordan Summers
Crimson
Jordan Summers
Tor, Nov 3 2009, $6.99
ISBN: 9780765359162
Former International Police Tactical agent Gina “Red” Santiago and ex sheriff alpha Morgan Hunter are on the run from the law for crimes they did not commit. They need hard core evidence to prove they are innocent but law enforcement is not willing to give them the time.
Thus Red and Morgan venture inside the No Man’s wasteland where the Others and even more dangerous nomads roam freely to kill. A place where the lethal barbaric residents kill first and the two newcomers are perfect targets. To keep her beloved Morgan safe, Red must release her animalistic werewolf side, but somehow she also must control the beast from taking over her human essence. A schizoid Red fears either option will harm her mate, but Rourke is coming for them and he leaves her with no choice.
The third strong post apocalyptic science fiction thriller (see RED and SCARLET) CRIMSON continues the deadly trek in the world of Jordon Summers; this time the journey is into the dead zone of a depleted planet earth. The lead couple is terrific as survival depends in the short run of kill or be killed while in the long run they need to find proof of their innocence before the evil villainous Rourke finds them. Although it helps to read the previous two novels to better understand how devastated the planet is by 2160 due to the pandemic environmental disaster of the early previous century and what has happened to America now divided into independent republics, it is not necessary as CRIMSON stands alone although it also adds to the overall theme of a super saga.
Harriet Klausner
Jordan Summers
Tor, Nov 3 2009, $6.99
ISBN: 9780765359162
Former International Police Tactical agent Gina “Red” Santiago and ex sheriff alpha Morgan Hunter are on the run from the law for crimes they did not commit. They need hard core evidence to prove they are innocent but law enforcement is not willing to give them the time.
Thus Red and Morgan venture inside the No Man’s wasteland where the Others and even more dangerous nomads roam freely to kill. A place where the lethal barbaric residents kill first and the two newcomers are perfect targets. To keep her beloved Morgan safe, Red must release her animalistic werewolf side, but somehow she also must control the beast from taking over her human essence. A schizoid Red fears either option will harm her mate, but Rourke is coming for them and he leaves her with no choice.
The third strong post apocalyptic science fiction thriller (see RED and SCARLET) CRIMSON continues the deadly trek in the world of Jordon Summers; this time the journey is into the dead zone of a depleted planet earth. The lead couple is terrific as survival depends in the short run of kill or be killed while in the long run they need to find proof of their innocence before the evil villainous Rourke finds them. Although it helps to read the previous two novels to better understand how devastated the planet is by 2160 due to the pandemic environmental disaster of the early previous century and what has happened to America now divided into independent republics, it is not necessary as CRIMSON stands alone although it also adds to the overall theme of a super saga.
Harriet Klausner
Magic In The Shadows-Devon Monk
Magic In The Shadows
Devon Monk
Roc, Nov 2009, $7.99
ISBN: 9780451462879
Magic has been a bane for Allison Beckstrom, a Hound who tracks down abusers of the innocent, thanks mostly because of her father Daniel. She has buried her sorcerer dad twice and prays this is the end of him as every time he comes back her troubles exponentially multiply. However that prayer fails when somehow her late dad entered her mind trying to take control. Her sudden increase in power worries the Authority who tries to help her cope with her skills.
Additionally her soul mate Zayvion Jones seems to have vanished from much of her mind because holes in her memory have been punched through due to magical usage. They begin their relationship anew while a necromorph stalks Allie to get at her father’s imbedded power.
The second Beckstrom urban fantasy (see Magic to the Bone) is a fascinating thriller filled with action including the demands of dear dead dad but anchored in reality by little thinks like traffic, door locks, and WD-40. Allie is terrific as she struggles with her father over who controls her bodily senses, which in turn impact who controls the mind and body. On top of that an adversary knows and wants control. Just another few days in the life of a beleaguered Hound assaulted from without and within; her only ally is Zay and she barely recognizes him but feels the affinity and attraction in spite of her late father’s efforts to kill their feelings. Devon Monk has a great series that sub-genre fans will want to read.
Harriet Klausner
Devon Monk
Roc, Nov 2009, $7.99
ISBN: 9780451462879
Magic has been a bane for Allison Beckstrom, a Hound who tracks down abusers of the innocent, thanks mostly because of her father Daniel. She has buried her sorcerer dad twice and prays this is the end of him as every time he comes back her troubles exponentially multiply. However that prayer fails when somehow her late dad entered her mind trying to take control. Her sudden increase in power worries the Authority who tries to help her cope with her skills.
Additionally her soul mate Zayvion Jones seems to have vanished from much of her mind because holes in her memory have been punched through due to magical usage. They begin their relationship anew while a necromorph stalks Allie to get at her father’s imbedded power.
The second Beckstrom urban fantasy (see Magic to the Bone) is a fascinating thriller filled with action including the demands of dear dead dad but anchored in reality by little thinks like traffic, door locks, and WD-40. Allie is terrific as she struggles with her father over who controls her bodily senses, which in turn impact who controls the mind and body. On top of that an adversary knows and wants control. Just another few days in the life of a beleaguered Hound assaulted from without and within; her only ally is Zay and she barely recognizes him but feels the affinity and attraction in spite of her late father’s efforts to kill their feelings. Devon Monk has a great series that sub-genre fans will want to read.
Harriet Klausner
Thursday, October 1, 2009
Bad Karma-Dave Zeltserman
Bad Karma
Dave Zeltserman
Five Star, Oct 16 2009, $25.95
ISBN: 9781594147944
In Boulder, two University of Colorado students, twenty-three year old Taylor Carver and nineteenth years old Linda Gibson, are battered to death in the bedroom of the condo they share. Carver’s mom sues the condo owner Chris Jackson for the lack of proper security measures.
The owner’s lawyer Paul Devens hires former Cambridge, Massachusetts cop turned Boulder private investigator Bill Shannon to investigate the homicides in order to uncover who and why; specifically emphasizing not to find dirt on the victims. At about the same time, a distraught mom Pauline Cousins of Portland Oregon also hires Shannon to learn if her daughter Melissa is okay since she joined the True Light cult Shannon prefers the cult case as he had an out of body experience when he killed Bill Winters back in New England after the psychopath skinned alive his partner and broke off with a nutcracker two of Bill’s fingers in front of his wife.
The second Bill Shannon investigative mystery (see Bad Thoughts) is an interesting mystery as the sleuth works his two cases and struggles with his nightmares re the Winter serial killer fiasco seeing a shrink Eli to help him. Shannon’s back history is macabre but fascinating as is his relationship with his ex wife Susan, as both still suffer from the Cambridge trauma; however the session with Eli and Susan also detract from the inquiries. With an interesting final DNA like twist fans will enjoy his Boulder caseload.
Harriet Klausner
Dave Zeltserman
Five Star, Oct 16 2009, $25.95
ISBN: 9781594147944
In Boulder, two University of Colorado students, twenty-three year old Taylor Carver and nineteenth years old Linda Gibson, are battered to death in the bedroom of the condo they share. Carver’s mom sues the condo owner Chris Jackson for the lack of proper security measures.
The owner’s lawyer Paul Devens hires former Cambridge, Massachusetts cop turned Boulder private investigator Bill Shannon to investigate the homicides in order to uncover who and why; specifically emphasizing not to find dirt on the victims. At about the same time, a distraught mom Pauline Cousins of Portland Oregon also hires Shannon to learn if her daughter Melissa is okay since she joined the True Light cult Shannon prefers the cult case as he had an out of body experience when he killed Bill Winters back in New England after the psychopath skinned alive his partner and broke off with a nutcracker two of Bill’s fingers in front of his wife.
The second Bill Shannon investigative mystery (see Bad Thoughts) is an interesting mystery as the sleuth works his two cases and struggles with his nightmares re the Winter serial killer fiasco seeing a shrink Eli to help him. Shannon’s back history is macabre but fascinating as is his relationship with his ex wife Susan, as both still suffer from the Cambridge trauma; however the session with Eli and Susan also detract from the inquiries. With an interesting final DNA like twist fans will enjoy his Boulder caseload.
Harriet Klausner
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