Review: Greywalker by Kat Richardson

Greywalker

(The Greywalker Novels, Book 1)
By Kat Richardson
Mass Market Paperback: 368 pages
Publisher: Roc; Reprint edition (June 2, 2009)
Available at Indie Bound, Powells, Barnes & Noble

Summary: Recovering from a near-fatal accident, Seattle Private Investigator Harper Blaine develops the ability to move through the Grey: the realm of ghosts, vampires, witches, and magic that exists between our world and the next. Harper wants her life to return to normal, but when her clients turn out to be paranormal, the reluctant Greywalker is drawn into the affairs of ambitious vampires and angry ghosts. As her cases converge, Harper uncovers a plot that threatens Seattle’s Grey world and must choose between honor and survival.

I picked up Greywalker for the NAC Mini-Challenge: League of Reluctant Adults from Literary Escapism this month. Kat Richardson is a new author for me, but I've been following her on Twitter for awhile now.

Some books are subtle. Greywalker, for instance, starts out as a good solid, PI story with a main character who's tough but likable, and a missing person case. As I got farther into the book I realize the tension was building and I wasn't sure who the main character, Harper, should trust. Sure, she has the unwanted paranormal ability to see ghosts, but I figure she's a private investigator and that could come in handy. Before I know it, I'm on the edge of my seat, I can't put the book down, and things are not as they appear. Creepiness abounds. What the heck is happening? Oh, man, don't let that nice couple she's friends with be evil. I really wouldn't like that. Or, is it the charming, but kind of crazy guy that helps her out with security? No...it can't be the sexy antique auction guy. Say it isn't so. Who IS IT? Yes, those were exactly the thoughts racing through my head as I read Greywalker.

Kat Richardson has an ability to build the tension a little at a time until the reader simply can't put the book down. It's amazing because she lures the reader into this nice steady reading pace at first, letting them get to know the characters and the world, giving them a smile or two along the way, and then BAM, the crud hits the fan. Who knew that was coming? Not me.

I know this review is shorter than my usual ramblings, but I really can't say too much without giving spoilers, and I don't want to do that. The Greywalker novels are mystery/detective oriented, so a spoiler is a bad thing. I can say that the characters are quirky, even the bad guys and I loved the book.

If you are a fan of Jim Butcher, Patricia Briggs, Anton Strout or Dean Koontz I think you will really like the Greywalker novels. Though I wish I would have found Ms. Richarson's books sooner, I am excited that I can get the next three right away, since they have already been released, plus the fifth book in the series will be coming out this year.

2. Poltergeist(2007)
3. Underground(2008)
4. Vanished(2009)
5. Labyrinth(August 2010)

You can get to know the author at the following places:
On Twitter: http://twitter.com/katrchrdsn
My Own Personal Grey (author's blog) http://katrich.wordpress.com/
League of Reluctant Adults http://reluctantadults.blogspot.com/

~Moonsanity