Redemption Alley

The third invigorating addition to the Jill Kismet urban fantasy series is as vivid and violent as the previous thrillers (Night Shift and Hunter's Prayer). It's an action-packed, mile-a-minute thrill ride from page one.

As the story opens, we find Jill once again up to her mismatched eyeballs in danger as she takes down a vicious hellbreed in the middle of a warehouse fire while rescusing a kidnapped teenager. Whew! The action never really lets up from there as Jill finds herself embroiled in a scurf (think contagious, slimy people eaters) infestation. She also ends up roped into doing a favour for Monty (her police liason and friend), agreeing to look into the suspicious suicide of his former partner. Jill has misgivings because it doesn't sound like a nightside investigation, but she can't say no to a friend. The simple case becomes convoluted and deadly after several attempts on her life leave Jill not knowing who she can trust. To make things worse, with Saul back home to see his dying mother, she is on her own without backup and after a six month absence, Perry, the demon Jill made a deal with to gain extra powers, has decided he wants to chat.

This is a great addition to the series. Jill is smart, witty and kicka$$. There is plenty of action and violence but you also get to see more of Jill than just her killer side. Having started out as a loner in the first book, it is nice to see her relationship with Saul continuing to develop. Even though Saul isn't there, we still get a sense of the bond she has with him and of how she has come to depend on him. This vulnerability helps make Jill's character much more multi-dimensional.

While this book is a self-contained story, there are a few questions, like what exactly is Perry up to, that remain to be answered in the next book, Flesh Circus, due out later this year (2009). I can't wait.

The continuing adventures of Jill Kismet hunter.

Well in this book Jill is up to her ears in problems. Illegal aliens are disappearing and or reappearing without their vital organs. A supernatural species called the scurf are invading. Her old hellbreed ..... creditor is trying to get back in contact with her. Saul her husband/mate has gone back home because his mother is dying. Her police contact has asked her to look into an apparent suicide, even though it doesn't have any paranormal background. Oh and someone is trying to kill her.

The scurf. Small blue people who live in giant mushroom and burst into the occasional song. NOT! :) The scurf are a paranormal species that reproduces by infecting a viction with a virus which transforms them. They require large amounts of hemoglobin to keep their bodies from burning up and find humans an acceptable food supply. They are incredibly tough, dumb as insects, and are universally despised by both human and supernaturals. Natural enemies include the were.

Perry her hold hellbreed creditor(she owed him for his continuing donation of power. That is until he broke his side of the bargain) has news of a big bad trying to muscle in onto his turf. Jill can act where his hands are tied.

Monty her police contact asks Jill to look into the suicide, maybe murder, of his old partner. Turns out his old partner is a dirty cop and now his widow has been murdered as well. And another cop with connections to the victim also ends up dead. It's up to Jill to figure out whats happening.

While she's doing that she's got some paranormal ignorant human trying to kill her. Great scene where someone unloads an assault rifle, of non-silver bullets, into Jill as she comes out of sanctuary.

I liked the book. It wasn't too hard to put down though. Stil a good addition to the series though. Looks like there's another in the series in the pipeline. Can't wait.