Audible Book Review: Smoke Bitten: A Mercy Thompson Novel, Book 12 by Patricia Briggs

I was in the mood for werewolves and this installment in a favorite series hit the spot!

Smoke Bitten
A Mercy Thompson Novel, Book 12
By: Patricia Briggs
Narrated by: Lorelei King

Length: 10 hrs and 9 mins
Release date: 03-17-20
Publisher: Penguin Audio
Genre: Action, Adventure, Paranormal Romance, Urban Fantasy
My Rating: 4.75 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.5; Narration 5.0.

Publisher's Summary
Mercy Thompson, car mechanic and shapeshifter, faces a threat unlike any other in this thrilling entry in the number one New York Times best-selling series.
I am Mercedes Athena Thompson Hauptman.
My only “superpowers” are that I turn into a 35 pound coyote and fix Volkswagens. But I have friends in odd places and a pack of werewolves at my back. It looks like I'm going to need them.
Centuries ago, the fae dwelt in Underhill - until she locked her doors against them. They left behind their great castles and troves of magical artifacts. They abandoned their prisoners and their pets. Without the fae to mind them, those creatures who remained behind roamed freely through Underhill wreaking havoc. Only the deadliest survived.
Now one of those prisoners has escaped. It can look like anyone, any creature it chooses. But if it bites you, it controls you. It lives for chaos and destruction. It can make you do anything - even kill the person you love the most. Now it is here, in the Tri-Cities. In my territory.
It won't, can't, remain.
Not if I have anything to say about it.
©2020 Patricia Briggs (P)2020 Penguin Audio

Review:
Mercy, our coyote shifter heroine, has her hands full with community and spousal stress. In book 10, Silence Fallen, Mercy claimed the Tri-cities areas under the protection of the local Columbia Basin werewolf pack led by her Alpha husband, Adam. The pack has its share of danger balancing issues among the local vampires, witches, werewolves, and fae, while protecting the humans from those with supernatural powers. Of course, this sets up a chance for various outside groups who feel they can challenge the pack while it is spread thin. There is a rogue group of werewolves, led by a dangerous assassin, who think they can take out the edges of Adam’s pack and then challenge him.

Before they even know about the rogue werewolf threat, Mercy finds her elderly, sweet neighbors murdered. Mercy is bitten by what appears to be a wild rabbit until they learn it is an evil, mind controlling creature who has escaped from Underhill into Mercy’s own backyard. Fortunately, Mercy is saved with the help of a creepy ‘stalker’, but it makes her realize that something is wrong with her mate bond with Adam.

Adam has been acting tense and standoffish and Mercy begins to wonder and doubt the strength of their relationship. Will she be able to face the wolf, or worse, and still keep their unique bond? As noted, there are at least three threads of suspense moving in this book. Ms. Briggs presents her impressive creativity with fast paced action and tension. I like how she weaves in a touch of fairy tale classic into the fae situation. The author also has built a strong emotional relationship between Mercy and Adam and she makes it real to life stresses. I love this series and highly recommend it. I do suggest starting from the beginning not only to get to know the characters but also to enjoy the entertainment!

Audio Notes: Lorelei King is a superb narrator and does a wonderful job with this series. The characters come to life with all their energy and stresses.  I’m sure the story is good if read in print/ebook, but for me it is a great listening experience.

4/13/2020 Audible March Credit. This qualifies for 2021TBR, 2021Audiobook, and 2021Alphabet goals.

Audible Review: Deadlocked: A Sookie Stackhouse Novel, Book 12 by Charlaine Harris

Sookie faces conflict with friends and mystery with family.

Deadlocked: A Sookie Stackhouse Novel, Book 12

Written by: Charlaine Harris

Narrated by: Johanna Parker

Length: 9 hrs and 29 mins

Series: Sookie Stackhouse, Book 12

Unabridged Audiobook

Release Date:05-01-12

Publisher: Recorded Books

Genre: Paranormal, Fantasy

My Rating: 4.0 of 5.0

Publisher's Summary

It’s vampire politics as usual around the town of Bon Temps, but never before have they hit so close to Sookie’s heart….

Growing up with telepathic abilities, Sookie Stackhouse realized early on there were things she'd rather not know. And now that she's an adult, she also realizes that some things that she knows about, she'd rather not see—like Eric Northman feeding off another woman. A younger one.

There's a thing or two she'd like to say about that, but she has to keep quiet—Felipe de Castro, the Vampire King of Louisiana (and Arkansas and Nevada), is in town. It’s the worst possible time for a human body to show up in Eric's front yard—especially the body of the woman whose blood he just drank.

Now, it's up to Sookie and Bill, the official Area Five investigator, to solve the murder. Sookie thinks that, at least this time, the dead girl's fate has nothing to do with her. But she is wrong. She has an enemy, one far more devious than she would ever suspect, who's set out to make Sookie's world come crashing down.

©2012 Charlaine Harris, Inc. (P)2012 Recorded Books, LLC

Review:
Sookie and her vampire ‘husband’, Eric, have been having trouble getting together. Sookie has been busy with her work at Merlot’s and with Dermot and Claude, her two faery relatives, who are living with her. Eric has been busy trying to get his bar back on even footing while waiting for his superior to come question the death of another vampire.

Finally Felipe de Castro, the Vampire King of Louisiana, arrives and Sookie has to make a command appearance. Bill and another wolf/guard at Eric’s house warn Sookie to turn around and go home. But she insists on making her appearance to Eric’s king. She isn’t happy to see the ill-behaved vampire guests but then she walks into their bedroom to find Eric feeding off another woman who is sprawled across his lap. The young, taunting woman is sent out while Sookie retreats to the bathroom to get control of her emotions. Shortly thereafter the police arrive to investigate the death of the young woman on the front lawn. It is pretty clear that someone is setting Eric up and driving a wedge between Eric and Sookie. Bill and Sookie set off to investigate.

Sookie has suspicions that Sam’s new girlfriend really doesn’t like her. But Sookie is dealing with other issues at home. Her great-great-grandfather, Neil, has suddenly returned from the mostly sealed faery land and he disappears with Claude. This leaves mild, Great-Uncle Dermot to try to manage the restless crowd of fae and elves at Hooligans bar.

Many of the dangerous elves are being drawn to Sookie and her home. It appears that she has uncovered a unique and coveted fae artifact that her grandmother had hidden in a desk that was in the attic. Sookie is kidnapped and bit by bit the clues indicate that she has an enemy closer than she thinks.

This is book 12 and although it does not have as much violence and action as some of the prior books, I found it interesting. There was mystery and conflict that kept the story moving well.
I am looking forward to reading book 13 to see how this series concludes.

Audio Notes: Johanna Parker is the voice of Sookie for me. She does a wonderful job with the accents and the story to enhance the enjoyment.

This was from my Audible TBR shelf. It counts for my Audio Challenge.

Audio Book Review: Betrayal in Death: In Death, Book 12 Written by: J. D. Robb

Another great mystery in this entertaining series.

Betrayal in Death: In Death, Book 12

Written by: J. D. Robb

Narrated by: Susan Ericksen

Length: 12 hrs and 8 mins

Series: In Death, Book 12

Release Date:05-20-08

Publisher: Brilliance Audio

Genre: Crime Thriller

My Rating: 4.75 of 5.0

Publisher's Summary

At the luxurious Roarke Palace Hotel, a maid walks into suite 4602 for the nightly turndown - and steps into her worst nightmare. A killer leaves her dead, strangled by a thin silver wire. He's Sly Yost, a virtuoso of music and murder. A hit man for the elite. Lieutenant Eve Dallas knows him well. But in this twisted case, knowing the killer doesn't help solve the crime. Because there's someone else involved. Someone with a more personal motive. And Eve must face a terrifying possibility - that the real target may, in fact, be her husband Roarke.

Crack another case with Eve Dallas.

©2007 J. D. Robb; (P)2007 Brilliance Audio

Review:
Eve’s gorgeous husband, (hunky Irishman) Roarke, is hosting, at his premier hotel, a prestige auction for a mature movie star selling her memorabilia. The actress and her handsome son are working to make the event a big success to raise funds to fund a foundation to help young actors. .

Roarke and Eve are at a pre-auction preview when Eve is called to a murder of a maid in one of the suites. Although the maid is no one of great importance the killer’s signature is well known. The very brutal killing, ending in humiliation and stragulation by silver wire, is a recognizable MO of an assassin who has been slipping by authorities, including the FBI, for years. Now the killer has stepped into Eve’s territory and made it personal by killing someone associated with Roarke.

The FBI who try to muscle in on the case are not readily cooperative. The female agent has some sensibilities but the male shows outspoken dislike for Roarke and distain for Eve. His arrogance is clearly going to get in the way of the investigation.

An old childhood mate of Roarke’s, Mick, shows up for a surprise visit. He admits he is a rogue and a thief but he would never hurt Roarke and although he loves a good brawl, killing is not his thing.

Eve and her team dive in with their usual meticulous attention to detail and a little added internet help from Roarke. After a second murder Eve and Roarke know that it won’t be enough to find the hit man. They must determine who paid the fees to kills innocents associated with Roarke. Eve is able to track the assassin within a week but the FBI insist on making, and flubbing, the bust. Now Eve and Roarke must search his history to determine the next victim before the killer can strike again.

Eve and Roarke have to balance their singularly independent and protective-of-each other natures. Peabody and McNab have to cope with their increasing intimacy while trying to maintain their professional duties. There is tension, suspense and emotion that keep the reader/listener on edge.

I have to give a big “Thank You” and kudos to J.D. Robb (Nora Roberts). She does a great job keeping the relationships among these characters interesting while provided an entertaining mystery with each story. I have now finished book 12 and she is on number 40! I am glad there is lots of entertainment still to come. There is some bad language in this series, which, fortunately, flows by quickly. The murders tend to be fairly graphic as the forensics and details play an important part in each story. The total package is worthwhile entertainment for avid mystery fans.

Audio Notes: Susan Ericksen does an excellent job with the character voices and personalities. She has this series down to a fine art and I am very quickly engrossed when I begin each new audiobook. I can highly recommend this series in audio as the narration enhances the character relationships and the suspense of the mystery.

This audiobook is a choice from my own Audible Library. It qualifies for my 2015 Audiobook Challenge, TBR Dare, Winter COYER, “B” in Alphabet Soup, and Continuing a Series in Full House Challenge.

Audible Book Review: The Undead Pool: The Hollows, Book 12 by Kim Harrison

Rachel Morgan is a great character and I really enjoy listening to this series.

The Undead Pool: The Hollows, Book 12

Written by: Kim Harrison

Narrated by: Marguerite Gavin

• Length: 16 hrs and 13 mins
• • Series: The Hollows, Book 12
• Format: Unabridged
• Release Date:02-25-14
• Publisher: HarperAudio

Genre: Fantasy, Paranormal
My Rating: 4.75 of 5.0

Publisher's Summary
Number-one New York Times best-selling author Kim Harrison returns to the supernatural adventures of Rachel Morgan in the penultimate book of the Hollows series.
Witch and day-walking demon Rachel Morgan knows magic - earth, ley line, even the forbidden demon magic - and that knowledge has saved her life more than once. But now something - or someone - is attacking Cincinnati and the Hollows, causing spells to backfire or go horribly wrong while living vampires attack humans and Inderlanders alike.
The pressures build when the city is quarantined to contain the unreliable magic, and Rachel must stop the attacks before the undead vampire masters who keep the rest of the undead under control are lost and it becomes all-out supernatural war.
The only way to do so is through the ancient elven magic, but that carries its own perils - for magic always has a price, and gods do not come lightly when called.
©2014 Kim Harrison (P)2014 HarperCollinsPublishers

Review:
This is an intensely active series - always danger. There are strange waves of wicked magical energy reeking havoc in Cinncinnati and the Hollows. These are causing magical spells to backfire resulting in physical damage around the city. Strangely the waves seem to be following Rachel Morgan. Meanwhile the undead vampire masters, who control the younger living vampires, have all disappeared and the living vampires are beginning to attack humans and Inderlanders, including some of Rachel’s werewolf pack. Rachel isn’t a werewolf but she is a powerful witch and day-walking demon with a tie to the werewolves through her friend, David, the true Alpha leader.

Rachel has been working as security for Trent while Quinn is away with the girls, Lucy and Rae. Rachel and Trent have enjoyed working together as they dance around their mutual attraction. Trent wants one night with Rachel on a date instead of as security employee. Dangerous but tempting. They are clearly drawn to each other but Trent is expected to marry one of his own kind, a high elven society member, Elsbeth, the mother of Lucy.

As Rachel tries to help the authorities control the chaos in the community, elven leaders arrive with Elsbeth at Trent’s home. The elven leaders suspect that the wild magic may be coming from an elven goddess who is seeking to make contact through Rachel. The tension increases as one of the elven leaders betrays Trent by lying to Rachel, talking her into a ritual that turns out to allow the goddess a partial possession. Tiny bits of sentient energy move into Rachel threatening to drive her mad unless she can find a way to communicate and control them and stop the goddess from more destruction.

This is what I call a ‘high octane’ series! Rachel seems to be a trouble magnet but somehow, with the help of her friends - vampire Ivy, pixie Jenks, David and Trent - she manages to save the city and come out alive. I love the action intensity and the romantic tension that is finally developed in this book between Rachel and Trent. I wonder how Kim Harrison keeps coming up with great plots and I will look forward to the next adventure.

Audio Notes: Marguerite Gavin is a fixture for me with this series. She does such a good job and makes the series more enjoyable listening entertainment.

I purchased the latest installment of this good series with my Audible subscription.