Bookshelf

Seanan McGuire: Dicsount Armegeddon 

Cryptids (a currently undocumented species by science) are disappearing from New York City. Suspicion falls on the Covenant, a group of trained monster hunters. Fortunately, cryptozoologist and would-be professional tango dancer Verity Price and her paranormal family intend to save them. Between Verity’s dancing, her job as a cocktail waitress at Dave’s Fish and Strips gentleman’s club, navigating the constant “festivals” thrown by the talking mice who share her apartment, and a Covenant agent and arch-rival-turned-love-interest, this heroine has her hands full. Highly recommended.

MaryJanice Davidson: Undead and Unwed

Not the best start to the day for protagonist Betsy Taylor. First she’s laid off from her job, then she’s hit by a car and smashed into a tree. She’s DOA. Or rather, DOAA, the extra A standing for “almost.” Betsy wakes up in a funeral home coffin to discover she’s become one of the undead. A vampire. But that’s not the worst of it. She’s horrified that she’s been outfitted for burial in tacky shoes. Betsy is snarkily funny, which mostly makes up for her narcissism. Yes, it’s silly, campy, and irreverent. It’s a light read, relatively short, and sprinkled with a few scenes that would fit better in a romance novel. A 3-out-of-5 star read for me, but I don’t regret picking it up. A shoe-obsessed, snarky, non-traditional vampire newbie is an interesting idea.

C. E. Murphy: Urban Shaman

Part Native American/part Celtic, Joanne Walker has a gift. A couple of them actually, although she is reluctant to acknowledge them, let alone embrace them. But Jo ultimately comes to terms with them as she takes on Demons bent on capturing souls on one of their Great Hunts. She gets help from Gary, a cab driver, and a talking coyote. There are some head-scratching moments in the read, but if you just go with things, you’ll have a fun “Ride” (pun intended – you’ll get it if you read “Shaman”). I’m interested enough to read another installment.

Recommended for those who enjoy spirit–good and bad–narratives, some mystery and suspense, and strong female lead.

Tim Dorsey: Mermaid Confidential           

Tourists crashing through police barricades to get to happy hour at a Tiki bar, and a naked man with a sword running through the streets of Miami. Just another typical first page from the always brilliant and LOL funny Tim Dorsey.

Kevin J. Anderson: Slimy Underbelly

The Unnatural Quarter’s Zombie P.I. Dan Shamble takes on cases involving frog demons, a gang of thieving yard gnomes, an Ogre who lost his voice, gator thugs, and tentacles. So. Many. Tentacles.