Secrets of the Demon Review

Secrets of the Demon

-          Diana Rowland

Publisher: Bantam

Homicide detective Kara Gillian has a special talent: she can sense the "arcane" in our world, and there's quite a bit of it, even in Beaulac, Louisiana. She's also a summoner of demons, and works on a task force that deals with supernatural crimes. Her partners are attractive and smart FBI agents, but they're not summoners, and they're not telling Kara why they are on this special force with her. To make things worse, Kara has pledged herself to one of the most powerful of demons-a Demon Lord-who helped save her partner's life, but now expects things in return. Meanwhile, she's trying to solve a string of murders that are somehow tied together by money, sex, rock music and...mud. But how can she concentrate on the case when she's not even sure who-or what-her partners are?

Kara can summon demons or rather beings from another plane of existence with a different moral priority that we call demons and can ask them for help and knowledge. She uses this rare ability to help her solve serious crimes which have a supernatural element to them. This time around it looks like a golem is interested in an up and coming pop star and Kara and her FBI partners have to hunt the summoner behind the man-made construct.

This is the third adventure and if like me you’ve following the adventures from the start, it’s a joy to return to the world. The characters are familiar and a lot more is revealed about some prominent characters. Compared to the lonely, introverted, work obsessed girl we met in the first book, Kara has started to open and let people into her life. I particular liked the friendship she has crime scene officer, Jill which reminds me of a number of my own female friends – lots of banter and support available! The two FBI task force agents Ryan and Zack are given a new twist which adds to the growing arc of the series and folds nicely into the stand alone investigation.

What makes this series different is Kara doesn’t have any powers that can help her in the everyday world – yes, she can summon demons but it can only be done under certain conditions and is no use if you’re suddenly confronted by a threat in the street. As such she has to rely on brains, street smarts and her gun to get out of tricky situations and her arcane abilities to provide insight into the case. There is a definitely relation to a police procedural here with the case less personal this time around, but the overriding arc is developed further with some questions answered and more posed. The police work is shown as actually work with plenty of research and paperwork needed to help solve the case - but there is plenty of action and hints of romance to keep most UF fans happy.  

This is one of the most underrated UF series out there – well written with great characters and an exciting plot. If you like CSI crossed with the supernatural please give this series a go!

Recommended for fans of Ann Aguirre and Laura Bickles. 8 out of 10

Killing Rocks Review

Killing Rocks (Bloodhound Files 3)  

-          D.D. Barant

Publisher: US – St Martins Press

FBI profiler Jace Valchek’s ticket home from the twisted parallel universe where she s been called to duty hinges on the capture of series killer Aristotle Stoker and an alliance with a sorcerer known as Asher. The problem: Asher has joined forces with some of the most dangerous creatures Jace has ever encountered. The solution: There is none, without Asher’s help. Jace’s goal seems simple enough to get her man, like always. But just hours after she arrives in Vegas, she’s abducted... and she isn’t even sure who the real enemy is. Now Jace has to wonder if she’s the predator or the prey in a very dangerous game that could change not only her fate, but the world’s... Meanwhile, a serial killer is still on the loose. And time has already run out...

I really enjoyed the first two books in the Bloodhound series – Dying Bites and Death Blows which follow Jace a profiler who was dragged out of our world and into an alternatative Earth where humans only make up 1% of the population with the rest a combination of Vampires, Werewolves and Golems.  Mental illness is unknown in this world so Jace was pulled across in order to profile and help capture a rogue human criminal. Three books on and Jace is still chasing Stoker, but this time the sorcerer who dragged her to this world has something sinister planned for Las Vegas...

There is so much action and adventure here as the world Jace has been dragged into, undergoes a massive change. Jace finds herself continually on the run and struggling to take charge without knowing what was going. While the action is non-stop and fantastic, I missed some of the take chargeness that Jace has shown in other books – she’s never been someone who lets rules or anyone stop her, but so much happens so fast that that initiative doesn’t come through as much. That said (or written!), there is still much to love here – the snarky humour of Jace, her relationship with her partner Charlie and her boss. Some pleasing cameos from previous characters and a great new character is introduced in the form of the Astonisher, Azura – a woman equal to Jace in many ways.

This is a great addition to the Urban Fantasy genre which barely pauses for breath and races across Las Vegas and between worlds with plenty of fun asides and some really emotional development. Jace is a great character to spend time with and I’d love to have a drink with her – I think we could really paint the town red! I hope I don’t have to wait too long for the next book in this series. J

Recommended for fans of Jennifer Estep and Jaye Wells. 8 out of 10