Spells for the Dead

Fantastic urban fantasy police procedural! Faith Hunter is my favorite author. Her characters grow and change over time. I also like how she puts us inside of the main character Nell's head, while she is identifying, contemplating, and trying to solve both internal and external problems. In this fourth installment of the Soulwood series, Nell Ingram is no longer a probationary officer of PsyLED; she has moved up to rookie status. She's more sure of herself in her investigative abilities. She's not really comfortable with her new regional boss - Ayatas Firewind, Jane Yellowrock's brother. She's having trouble figuring him out. Rick is working a different case, so Ayatas is very much involved in the current case Unit Eighteen is working. Meanwhile, Nell is also trying to help two of her sisters who are showing signs of being plant-people like herself. She is also still trying to figure out what to do about the sentient vampire tree, trying not to become a tree again, and trying to control the bloodlust she sometimes feels when she uses her powers. The case is gruesome, but intriguing. The team is running on coffee and adrenaline, but Nell still sneaks in a few moments here and there with her cat-man, Occam. (Squee!) This is the best book in the series, so far.

Awesome book, the fifth in the series and a spin off of her Jane Yellowrock series. If you want a book to get lost in, this is it. Great characters you love and get invested in, great action, and suspense that leaves you hanging until the last page is turned. Highly recommended!!

Very interesting series!