"This paranormal suspense series debut has it all!"
Wren Valere has "talent" or magic. She is also a former
thief who now uses her skills as a Retriever. A Retriever
finds things that people have lost or misplaced and about
which they do not want to tell the police or their
insurance companies. Her agent in these jobs is Sergei, a
Russian emigré who runs an art gallery on the side. Her job in Staying Dead is to find a spelled
cornerstone
that has been magically stolen from the Frants' Building.
What her client neglects to tell Wren and Sergei is that
the spell placed upon the cornerstone was done with a blood
ritual. Retrieval of this karmic-doomed item sets in motion
a whole litany of problems for Wren and Sergei which could
literally kill them. Staying Dead is the first book in the Retriever
series, and
it is an excellent start to what I hope is a very long run
for this author. The book is set in New York, a New York
where magic is a fact of life and the streets are populated
with mages, talents, nulls (non-magical types), fatae and
other assorted preternaturals. Yet, not all is peaceful and
good in this world. When reading the book, I sensed that
the superficial calm is about to be breeched. It will be
interesting to see how Ms. Gilman's world evolves, and how
Wren and Sergei adapt to the changes that have been set in
motion. Is there romance? Not yet - - but there will be! - -
which is why I hope Ms. Gilman has the second book in the
bag. I can't wait to read more. Sergei is a serious hunk. This book has it all - - suspense, ghosts, secret
societies, magic, humor, a mysterious hero, a comic
sidekick (P.B.), and a heroine like you or me (except for
the magic part, that is).
Reviewed by Moni Draper
Posted November 15, 2006
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Manhattan's nightlife just got weirder. . . It starts as a simple job — but simple jobs, when you're
dealing with this magical world, often end up anything but. As a Retriever, Wren Valere specializes in finding things
gone missing — and then bringing them back, no questions
asked. Normally her job is stimulating, challenging and
only a little bit dangerous. But every once in a while. . . Case in point — a cornerstone containing a spell is stolen
and there's a magical complication. (Isn't there always?)
Wren's unique abilities aren't enough to lay this
particular case to rest, and so she turns to some friends:
a demon )minor), a mage who has lost her mind, and a few
others — including Sergei, her business partner (and maybe
a bit more?) Sometimes what a woman has to do to get the job done is
enough to give even Wren nightmares. . .
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