Surprisingly fun! Niki Slambodian is a detective of sorts who has just received a second chance – her name off the blacklisted registry, a new employer who pays big, and a chance to tie up loose ends about a mystery with her criminal father. Of course it’s all life and death while figuring out how capture a homicidal Dark that’s escaped from Hell and is tied in with her imprisoned father.
Being able to see ghosts is fascinating, but the book does little with this ability. The ghosts can’t communicate with actual conversation, but more of a desperate groaning and reaching. If anything they seem to be an annoyance to Niki and she doesn’t come across particularly compassionate, although I guess you would get hardened over the situation eventually.
I don’t find Sam particularly fascinating yet, but he’s intriguing enough to exist as a mysterious boss and unknown paranormal. I loved the new partner she gets paired with, and Eli as the ex who is discovering new things about himself while finding out Niki’s secrets added another personal layer. Loved the ending with her father and their complicated relationship.
Pure Urban Fantasy because of the paranormal elements involved, it’s as much a detective story. Niki being a complex character with a strong history left to be discovered made her an interesting person to be in the head of, and the pacing of the short novel made it a quick read. The ending was a mega-battle that flowed well and wrapped up one creepy story, but left plenty more possibilities to come with future stories.