A Celestial Blues Mystery, by Vicki Pettersson, Harper/Voyager, June 2012.
* Note: I received this book from the publisher for an honest and independent review.
The story's premise is pretty unique. Grif Shaw is an Centurian angel who assists souls of the recently and violently deceased cross to the other side known as Everlast. He was a 33-year-old PI in Las Vegas in 1960,when he and his wife were violently killed. The story opens as he's preparing to "take" Nicole Rockwell, a photojournalist murdered while investigating a possible underage prostitution ring involving prominent businessmen, judges, lawyers and police. Nicole had on a cheap hooker-style outfit when she died and refuses to be in the outfit for eternity, so Grif gives in and gives Nic a few more moments to change clothes. During this extra time, she does something that will cause the death of her friend, journalist Kit Craig. For punishment, higher heavenly creatures decide to take Grif's wings and make him alive again. Grif becomes infatuated with Kit and wants to prevent her death, so they join together to find Nic's murderer, keep Kit alive and uncover who's behind the prostitution ring.
The first part of this urban fantasy, paranormal mystery seemed slow, and I took frequent breaks from reading. Thankfully the pace picked up about a third of the way through, and once I reached the last third of the story, I couldn't put the book down. The lead characters are interesting and multidimensional. Kit Craig and her friends are rockabillies, people who live like they're in the 1950's. They drive cars, wear clothes and own furniture that were popular during that decade. Grif is actually from that decade, so he fits right in. The fact that he's an angel that's been demoted adds a depth to his character that a normal noir PI wouldn't have.
I thought the story could be told effectively without the details of the prostitution activities and without the use of underage prostitutes being culled for the sexual delights of much older men. Other readers may disagree.
If you're looking for a different type of paranormal mystery for an interesting summer read, this would be a good choice. However, I suggest that you keep it on the high shelf to discourage younger, less mature readers from selecting this book for a light bedtime story.
* The next book in the series, The Lost, comes out in March 2013.
PROTAGONISTS: Griffin "Grif" Shaw, 33-year-old PI angel, killed in 1960; Katherine "Kit" Craig, 29-year-old journalist
ACTION: Killings, attempted rape & murder, driving around Las Vegas
LOVE INTERESTS: Between Grif & Kit
ROMANCE: Kissing, sex scenes
QUIRKINESS: Kit's rockabilly lifestyle; Grif's boss, Sarge, inserting himself on the faces of a bum, an old man and a child to talk to Grif
INTERESTING TIDBITS: Vignettes of old Las Vegas, people living like in a different era, discussion of free will
FUN FACTOR: Lighthearted moments when discussing rockabilly lifestyle
IF YOU LIKE THIS, YOU MAY LIKE: Sign of the Zodiac Series by Vicki Pettersson, Sookie Stackhouse Mysteries by Charlaine Harris, The Hollows Series by Vicki Pettersson, Alex Craft Series by Kalayna Price
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