Leanna

In this installment, Anita Blake is on the job. She and Edward are trying to solve a serial killer case. But don’t get excited. Hit List is not a whodunit. In fact, this book starts with the case already solved and focuses more on assassinating the culprit and feeding the ardeur. Anita Blake books consistently highlight sexism in her field. While this is an important issue, she still reacts to it like a novice with a lack of progression in any of her arguments or efforts to change her environment. Good god, girl! Learn the lessons of our foremothers. Organize a strong argument with numerous and coherent axioms. Then, implement a strategy for cultural metamorphosis or get over it. Obviously, there are a lot of small-minded people out there. Move on and enjoy who you are, what you are, and what you do. Unfortunately over the years, many of Hamilton’s characters have become static, and I just get the feeling that she is bored of writing Anita Blake stories. You may wonder why I even listen to these books? It is a really valid question. Here is my answer. I still listen to these books because the first books in this series are wonderful and showcase Hamilton’s talents in storytelling and hot love or hot like or hot hi there. I keep hoping that Hamilton will get back to writing tight and interesting plots along with the polyamorous interactions.

Atticus O’Sullivan, Oberon, and Granuaile are back and tricked into helping Coyote make the reservation a better place. Granuaile's much larger role in this book is wonderful because it leads to some epically awkward and hilarious conversations. Again, Hearne does a wonderful job mixing pop culture with mythical lore. He even references the viral double rainbow video. Hearne seems to be getting better with each book; so, pick up the first book and get started. Luke Daniels is good but he drops the ball a few times (e.g., when Atticus has a sore throat, Daniels forgets to narrate with a raspy voice for a few pages).

Just when you thought Joanne and Morrison were never going to get it together, it happens. It was totally understated and beautiful.

Frost never disappoints and this installment is no different as Cat and Bones set out on a ghost hunt. Frost always introduces fun and fascinating new characters and has a contagious sense of humor. Thanks for writing yet another wonderful book. Tavia Gilbert is perfect as always.

The Last Werewolf is a thrilling voyeur journey through the last days of a horrific monster. To tell this tale, Glen Duncan utilizes insight, dry British humor, and sex. In the process, the last werewolf becomes personalized into our last werewolf and we feel for the beast man. All in all, this is a brilliant and unique book brought to life by Robin Sachs.

Kitty Norville is back in Kitty’s Big Trouble. In this installment, Kitty, Ben, and Cormac try to keep a powerful artifact out of the hands of the dreaded Roman-not an easy task. This volume is a great addition to this series because we actually learn more about some of the vampires. Of course, many characters comment on the fact that Kitty is a werewolf with a feline name and all the preternaturals find it knee-slapping. I love it when Carrie Vaughn writes this joke into her books. It is a horrible joke and invokes that ‘har har’ feeling in the reader but the preternatural cast, excluding Mr. Kitty and Kitty herself, genuinely find it amusing and relatable. So, the use of this joke adds an ‘old quippy friend’ element to the tenor of this series that is endearing and brings a sympathetic and loyal smile to a reader’s face. Marguerite Gavin is still great!

Kate Daniels lives in an alternative world where the power of magic and the power of technology vie for control over society. In Magic Slays, the war between magic and technology peak in a knock-down-drag-out fight that is both exciting and heart wrenching. In this installment, we also learn more about Kate’s family, and Kate learns how to trust in a mature relationship with a lunatic alpha male while Curran learns that you can’t manipulate your partner and have a healthy, happy relationship. This book moves a little slower than other books in the series, but it is a fantastic addition and hints at some wonderful future plots. I can’t wait for the next book! I found it irritating that Tantor Media delayed the audiobook release even though the kindle release and the book release were on the same day. Renee Raudman is a pro. She really brings these characters to life.

This series follows the adventures of Jacqueline Kirby who is an eccentric, middle-aged librarian with a burgeoning penchant for romance and knack for criminal inquiry. Elizabeth Peters consistently produces publications containing dryly humorous and witty characters with one or two cornballs. Furthermore, her novels always contain a cornucopia of historical information making them enlightening as well as entertaining. The Jacqueline Kirby series adheres to this formula and is a fantastic way to kill a few hours at the gym or on a road trip.

This is a series about Vicky who is a trouble-prone art historian and John the art theft who keeps getting Vicky out of trouble. In this installment, Vicky and her boss, Anton Schmidt, are looking for the legendary gold of Troy. I think this is the best book in the series, because it really does portrait the cold war accurately. Trojan Gold took me back to a Reagan world. It was a fun visit, but I am so glad it is gone. Schmidt is also a central character in this book. And I am so glad he is, because he is the best part of this series. Barbara Rosenblat is always wonderful!

Amelia Peabody and Radcliffe Emerson are married and settled into a quiet, English life. Yes; they are happy and yes; they are bored. In this installment, Amelia and Emerson ditch their baby with Evelyn and Walter and travel to finish a cursed dig. Amelia still endlessly expounds on her eccentric opinions, and Emerson is as vociferous as ever. The Curse of The Pharaohs is entertaining and an excellent addition to this series. As always, Barbara Rosenblat is wonderful with a variety of accents. You may notice that there are two narrators for this series: Barbara Rosenblat and Susan O'Malley. This is due to the fact that Blackstone Audio, Inc. and Recorded Books have both produced some of the installments. You do not have to switch narrators to enjoy each volume in this series if you stick with Recorded Books and Barbara Rosenblat. Some of the audiobooks for this series also have abridged additions. So, be careful.