Review - Wickedly Dangerous

I am reviewing a new-to-me series that takes an old Russian myth for a modern twist on a paranormal investigator of sorts.   It is unique and fresh, see if this is of interest to you.

Author: Deborah Blake

Copyright: Sept 2014 (Berkley) 352 pgs

Series: 1st in Baby Yaga series

Sensuality: Sex scene - be warned

Mystery Sub-genre: Paranormal Amateur Sleuth

Main Characters: Barbara Yager, Poses as an herbalist and researcher

Setting: Modern day, clearwater County on East Coast somewhere

Obtained Through: Personal purchase

Known as the wicked witch of Russian fairy tales, this series portrays Baba Yaga like the Dread Pirate Roberts, a title that is bestowed on a witch raised to assume the mantle.  Babas keep the balance of nature and guard the borders of our world and the "otherworld". They are fierce witches who you don't want to cross.  Barbara Yager, raised to be a Baba since she was rescued from a Russian orphanage by the previous Baba, poses as an herbalist and researcher.  She travels where she is called upon, with her dragon-turned-dog in an enchanted Airstream.  She also has a motorcycle and wears black leather.

Barbara, or Baba is summoned to find a missing child.  Turns out three children have gone missing where only a few seconds give an opportunity for abduction without leaving a trace. Barbara believes it is something "otherworldly" that is abducting the children. To complicate matters, the community is in an uproar over a hydrolic fracturing (fracking) company barging in and pushing its agenda on the small town, so emotions are running high and an outsider isn't very welcome.  Barbara has never been interested in human males much, until she meets...the local sheriff Liam who is desperate to find the children before another goes missing and sparks fly. 

Barbara/Baba has two sides to her personality, a "kick-ass rather than reason" side and a sensitive side that empathizes with others. In this story her human side, that she had buried as the Baba, is challenged to connect with people.  Sheriff Liam McClellan is likeable and slightly damaged and can't stop thinking of Barbara.  There are three dragons who aid the Babas in human form: Mikhail Day is dressed all in white and blond hair, Gregori Sun is dressed in red leather and Asian, and Alexei Knight is a giant man dressed all in black. They each ride a matching motorcycle and are fearsome.  Chudo-Yudo is a small dragon disguised as a large pitbull dog who is Barbara's companion.

This has some good world-building as the "otherworld" is described and the cause-and-effect relationship between the this world and it add tension to the story.  The plot is well done, providing a serious motivation for the kidnappings and many interferances to ratchet up the tension.  This keeps the pages turning. 

The climax was unique and well thought-out.  All loose ends are tied up and Barbara must decide what she wants from her life after this.  The next book will involve another Baba in another part of the U.S. so this is a complete book in itself although it piques the interest for the next Baba tale.

An old Russian myth is breathed new life and given a modern spin. Barbara Yager makes a determined and fearsome investigator seeking out the kidnapper of three children.  This story takes paranormal and leaves out the typical for dragons and other mythical creatures to come out and play. 

Rating:  Excellent - Loved it, it had a good grip on me! Buy it now and put this author on your watch list


Father's Day Wine Deal: Use coupon code AFDADGIFT15 when ordering a gift and we’ll include three bonus gifts on us: Our 25th Anniversary Wine and Recipe Guide, a $25 Wine Credit he can use to reorder favorite wines, and a bonus bottle of $24 Cabernet. Good thru 6/30 (click here)

The California Wine Club - Handcrafted, Quality Wines from "Mom & Pop" Wineries. No Bulk Wine.

Sale Specials and Deals from EntirelyPets.com

Avery Daniels Website
Avery Daniels Goodreads
Avery Daniels Facebook
Avery Daniels Twitter

Review - Sketcher in the Rye

I have been following this series since the first book was released. Check out my previous reviews: Sketch a Falling Star - Book 3 (click here), To Sketch a Thief - book 2 (click here), Sketch Me If You Can - book 1 (click here), plus,  I was also honored to interview Sharon Pape (click here).  Next up, we are headed to the rural parts of New York for some dirty competition in the farm and nursery business.

Author: Sharon Pape

Copyright: December 2013 (Penguin/Intermix) 260 pgs

Series: 4th in A Portrait of Crime Mysteries

Sensuality: some kissing

Mystery Sub-genre: Paranormal Private Investigator, Paranormal Cozy

Main Characters: Aurora (Rory) McCain, former police sketch-artist turned PI

Setting: Modern day, Suffolk County New York

Obtained Through: Publisher for honest review (NetGalley)

Rory is hired by Harper Farms owner, Gil Harper, to investigate who is leaking business ideas and plans to the competition and sabotaging the farm in various ways that are impacting the profitability of the business.  Before Rory can even make it to her car after being hired, she stumbles onto the dead body of Harper's accountant.  Her job quickly gets expanded to solve the murder too, including to investigate  family members.  Sub-plots include Rory's parents selling the family home which is difficult for Rory, Rory's aunt Helen fixes her up with a wonderful doctor...and Zeke can't get over his 1800s strict dating rules, and ghost-whisperer Eloise is getting messages for Rory--but who on the other side is it and why?

Rory is progressing as a private investigator and controlling her anger flares at her resident ghost, Zeke.  Zeke is also a great side-kick with his law enforcement background, but his 1800s gender-role ideas get old fast when it comes to Rory even kissing a guy.  He still is overprotective of Rory as though a woman can't be a PI without a guy to keep her safe.  Aunt Helene, the over-the-top actress in the family, plays cupid in this book. Leah, Rory friend on the police force, has more of a presence in this story and I enjoy her more and more each time.  Eloise, the elderly mother of a neighbor and ghost-whisperer returns and remains a kooky delight.  Aaron, the pediatrician that Aunt Helen sets Rory up with was ideal-not a cop, fun, and kind.  It will be interesting to see how Rory in a relationship works out while living with the old-fashioned Marshal's ghost.

The story takes place mostly in a rural part of New York in the farming sections.  The plot is on par for a cozy mystery, plenty of suspects in the dysfunctional Harper family.  I have to admit, I did not suspect the killer at all, so that was a surprise. I appreciated that Rory makes it through the climax and danger without Zeke rescuing her (not that he will admit she doesn't need him by her side.)  The wrap-up nicely closes the subplots.  

Another solid cozy mystery with a dash of ghosts, varied and interesting characters, and a sprinkling  of humor.  The paranormal elements consist of ghosts thus far (Zeke's ghost and Eloise communicating with ghosts) but is not presented in a scary or creepy way, rather to flavor the stories.  Well done cozy with an entertaining paranormal element.

Rating: Excellent - Loved it! Buy it now and put this author on your watch list. 

Review - Sketch a Falling Star

I have been following this series since the first book was released. Check out my previous reviews:

To Sketch a Thief - book 2 (click here), and Sketch Me If You Can - book 1 (click here).  I was also honored to interview Sharon Pape (click here). 

Author: Sharon Pape

Copyright: March 2012 (Berkley) 304 pgs

Series: 3rd in A Portrait of Crime Mysteries

Sensuality: n/a

Mystery Sub-genre: Paranormal Private Investigator, Paranormal Cozy

Main Characters: Aurora (Rory) McCain, former police sketch-artist turned PI

Setting: Modern day, Suffolk County New York

Obtained Through: Publisher for honest review

The story opens with Rory on a trip to Arizona to investigate Federal Marshal Ezekiel Drummond's murder in 1878.  Rory plans on a few days of investigation, then joining her aunt Helene and the "Way off Broadway Players" for their group vacation.  Rory has barely started her research into the Marshall's death, part of a deal with Zeke's ghost, when death strikes the "Players" during their visit to Gray Wolf Canyon via a flash flood.  Preston Wright is the youngest in the acting troupe, yet he is the only fatality.  Zeke provides his suspicions that it could have been a murder of opportunity despite the local police ruling it an accident.  Preston's estranged mother also suspects foul play although she admits Preston was a slick criminal.  

So Preston's mother hires Rory to investigate his death.  Rory soon realizes nearly every member of the "Way off Broadway Players" had motive to kill him, but was it murder or just an accident?  When Rory has a break in and some scare tactics thrown her way, she is convinced it was murder alright and that she is getting closer to breaking the case.

Rory continues to be an interesting character.  She is brave, stuborn, determined like a lion on the hunt, and working on controlling her anger flares at her resident ghost, Zeke.  Zeke is also a great side-kick because he has grown fond of Rory, but his 1800s gender-role ideas haven't fully been modernized.  He was a good Marshal and feels Rory needs him, or maybe he just needs to be needed.  Zeke is learning to work with Rory rather than demand and rage.  Often their verbal sparing is comical.  I have to say that Zeke does have a break-though in acknowledging Rory's capabilities - not to be missed.  

Then there is Aunt Helene, the most colorful member of Rory's family. Helene is a delight without being too over-the-top. A new character is introduced in this story, Eloise, the elderly mother of a neighbor.  Eloise is a Ghost-whisperer ever since her stroke, and goes between grave-yard serious, to child-like in seconds.  I loved her and look forward to her continued appearances in future books.  I have to give kudos to Hobo, the mutt adopted in the prior story.  Hobo is just a bundle of comedy and love - nothing extraordinary, just a typical lovable dog that brings a warmth to the pages.

The setting has a few scenes in Arizona, but the bulk still takes place in New York.  This book continues the two prior book's trend of integrating chapters following the Marshall's story from 1878 as he tracks the serial killer that led to his murder. Those chapters are scattered and only occasionally so it doesn't really disrupt, but accentuates the dynamics of what makes Zeke tick as a ghost. This book provides the answer of who killed Zeke, providing him some closure, while giving an emotional twist to that drama.

The plot is on par for a cozy mystery, providing a victim just asking to be "eliminated" with plenty of capable suspects.  The killer was not necessarily obvious, but I did suspect who it was, although the red herrings did a good job of confusing the trail. The confrontation was handled quite well and the wrap up solidifies the partnership of Rory and Zeke Investigations.  The subplot of who killed Marshall Drummond is wrapped up with a plausible and surprising resolution. 

The cover artwork illustrates the Victorian home that Rory inherited from her PI uncle that introduced her to the Marshal's ghost.  It also shows Zeke beginning to break free of the boundaries of the house and travel along with Rory.  I mention the cover because the style seems to have changed from the prior books, but it still is meaningful to the story.

This series continues to provide solid cozy mystery plots, with interesting characters that delight and splashes of humor.  The paranormal elements consist of ghosts thus far (Zeke's ghost and Eloise communicating with ghosts) but is not presented in a scary or creepy way, rather to flavor the stories.  Well done cozy with an entertaining paranormal element.

Rating: Excellent - Loved it! Buy it now and put this author on your watch list. 

Review - Sketch Me If You Can

I am just getting to this book now that the next one in the series has been released.  I am trying to shrink my TBR pile but it keeps growing.  I suspect that some of you may have the same dilemma.  Today we go to New York and follow a police sketch artist do some investigating on her own.

Author:  Sharon Pape

Copyright:  August 2010 (Berkley) 293 pgs

Series:  1st in  Portrait of Crime Mysteries

Sensuality:  n/a

Mystery Sub-genre:  Private Detective (paranormal)

Main Character:  Rory McCain - a police sketch artist

Setting:  Modern day, Suffolk County New York

Obtained Through:  Publisher for an honest review

Rory's beloved uncle Mac dies of a massive coronary one night and she has to accept that she inherited everything of his - no matter how painful.  She starts to clear out his PI files of active cases and notify the clients to hire somebody else while refunding their money.  But one client begs and pleads for her to finish his case because nobody else will.  Jeremy had hired Mac to investigate his sister, Gail's death. It had been ruled an accident but Jeremy insists she was murdered.  Gail was an in-demand high-end interior designer who had made plenty of enemies. Rory decides to refund his money and just look into it since she can't moonlight according to police department policy.

Rory had put it off but finally takes the plunge and moves into Mac's Victorian house only to find that a 1878 Federal Marshal's ghost occupies the place.  Ezekiel Drummond, aka Zeke, is stuck in the house where he was killed.  Apparently uncle Mac had partnered with the old-fashioned lawman to solve his cases.  Rory finds his outmoded ideas about women infuriating, but she can't deny that he knows criminal investigation well.  But when Zeke shares that he knows Mac was murdered rather than a natural heart attack kill him, and he thinks Gail's case got him killed they meld together as a dysfunctional team to get justice for Mac.

Rory (short for Aurora which she hates) is a lively character.  It seems overused to say "independent and smart" since more and more female characters are classified that way, but she really is.  Her character faces grieving her uncle's death as well as dissatisfaction with her job.  I found her logical yet hot tempered, especially with the outmoded mores of Zeke about women. I look forward to getting to know this character better.

The character of Zeke is fascinating with a temper of his own.  A few chapters are dedicated to his last case where he was hunting down a serial killer.  That story is not finished and I found I just had to read what happened to get him from Arizona to NY and killed in that house.  So I will be reading the next book shortly to find out more on that.  The flashback technique worked seamlessly and added to the page-turning quality of the story. Yes he is old fashioned, but that is the world he came from but he tries to adjust to Rory and her demands.  The friction between these two is funny and lively. The way this character is portrayed it isn't so much a paranormal story but a great twist to the standard mystery, really.

The plot is solid and the reader only knows what Rory and Zeke know.  I had a good idea of who the killer was but not a clue as to the motive for killing Gail and then Mac.  Even with my suspicion of whodunit I found that made the story more interesting as I followed Rory gaining more pieces to the puzzle.

The confrontation with the killer was tense and exciting without being improbable.  I liked the wrap-up to the story which sets Rory up for future mysteries. It made me hungry for the next book which I will be reviewing in just a few weeks.  This book is a great debut book with a solid premise.  The author set up the mystery and investigation like a practiced pro avoiding common pitfalls.  I will be following this series closely.

I found this interesting short video about a police sketch artist and wanted to share it.  I have often been fascinated how people can draw a person from only a description.

Review - Storm Front

Okay, I am introducing a paranormal mystery that most wouldn't think of as a mystery.  This typically gets labeled Urban Fantasy, but it does have a "private investigator" - he just happens to be a wizard.

 Author: Jim Butcher

Copyright: Paperback April 2000; 320 pgs

Series: # 1 in Dresden Files

Sensuality: mild, innuendo

Mystery sub-genre: Paranormal PI

Main Character: Harry Blackstone Copperfield Dresden - Wizard and Paranormal Investigator

Setting: Modern day Chicago

Obtained book through: purchased
Harry often consults with the police for their Special Investigations department.  The debut novel gets started when Harry is called to the crime scene of two people, one a call girl and the other a mobster with their hearts blown apart - from the inside outward - with no apparent cause.  Upon exiting the downtown crime scene he is told in no uncertain terms from the local crime boss to drop investigating it.

Already under the Doom of Damocles (a form of probation placed on him by the White Council - who oversee the ethical use of magic), Harry's "probation officer" is a wizard named Morgan who suspects Harry as being the only wizard who could have murdered the couple.  Morgan is determined to prove Harry is the murderer to the White Council by Monday, which will mean Harry's execution.

Things go from bad to worse for Harry as he works the police case and also the only other case he has of a missing husband.  Could the two be related?  Then Harry becomes aware of a new drug that has hit the streets "Third Eye" that is highly addictive and makes people see the spiritual plane. 

My name is Harry Blackstone Copperfield Dresden.  Conjure by it at your own risk.  I'm a wizard.  I work out of an office in midtown Chicago.  As far as I know, I'm the only openly practicing professional wizard in the country.  You can find me in the yellow pages, under "Wizards."  Believe it or not, I'm the only one there.  My ad looks like this:

HARRY DRESDEN - WIZARD

LOST ITEMS FOUND, PARANORMAL

INVESTIGATIONS.

CONSULTING. ADVICE. REASONABLE RATES.

NO LOVE POTIONS, ENDLESS PURSES,

PARTIES,

OR OTHER ENTERTAINMENT.

You'd be surprised how many people call just to ask if I'm serious.  But then, if you'd seen the things I'd seen, if you knew half of what I knew, you'd wonder how anyone could not think I was serious.

Harry Dresden is a likable character, holding to his own ethical code, a little old fashioned, poor as a church mouse but a powerful wizard and a pretty good gum shoe.  He grows on you - think a of a paranormal Philip Marlow (maybe even a Rockford) with a snarky sense of humor.  He is down-to-earth, not full of himself and just a smidgen emotionally vulnerable.  I have to say there is one action fight scene that is nail-biting good where Harry is caught at the worst possible time...in the shower, and fights au naturale- it is intense and then afterward it is laugh-out-loud funny.

I don't like the character Bob in this book as much as the one in the television series.  Bob struck me as self-centered and hedonistic - not a good combination.  Lieutenant Karrin Murphy is a classic cop who wants to like - maybe even trust Harry - but doesn't understand that sometimes he can't reveal everything to her and has to protect her from the things-that-go-bump-in-the-night.  So there is a tension between them which has me itching to read the next to find out how their potential friendship will develop.

The plot was good and kept my interest with a layering of problems that seem to weave a trap for Harry.  The plot is strong enough to carry the reader through and wonder how the heck will Harry get out of the seemingly impossible problems while staying within the White Council's directives on behavior.

Jim Butcher does an effective job of weaving modern day Chicago with a paranormal world.  I enjoyed the writing style which kept from becoming overly gloomy and managed to be engaging instead.

The various story lines are all tied up neatly and the climax manages to be an edge-of-your-seat ordeal.  Well done and I have become a new fan.

So if you like PI novels and have been wondering what all the Urban Fantasy ruckus is about, this would be a good book to check out and see if you like it - you find just find you are hooked.  If you are already an Urban Fantasy fan, you have probably read these already!