Book picks similar to
Studies of Beasties by Polly Letson
fantasy
mystery
ebook
urban-fantasy
Pale Queen Rising
A.R. Kahler - 2015
When the queen commands her to kill, Claire does the job and doesn’t ask questions. Her deadly skills and loyalty are soon tested when Claire is sent to the Immortal Circus, one of the many places where “Dream” is harvested from the imaginings of mortals. There she must find the culprit who is causing Dream to mysteriously disappear before the Winter Kingdom’s supply is depleted enough to threaten its very survival. But when she meets Roxie, a beautiful mortal singer with a strange link to the Dream thieves, Claire quickly recognizes an odd and unexplained connection that may cloud her judgment. As each new clue unveils another secret, Claire finds herself confronting the riddle of her own buried past—and a dangerous illusion that, as part of the Immortal Circus, is just another act in the show.
The Odd Thomas Series 7-Book Bundle: Odd Thomas, Forever Odd, Brother Odd, Odd Hours, Odd Interlude, Odd Apocalypse, Deeply Odd
Dean Koontz - 2014
He’s the “most likable creation” (The New York Times) of “one of the master storytellers of this or any age” (The Tampa Tribune). And he’s got one hell of a hidden talent. If you don’t know his name by now, you’re the odd one out. Now catch up with the first seven novels of Dean Koontz’s beloved series in one convenient eBook bundle: ODD THOMASFOREVER ODDBROTHER ODDODD HOURSODD APOCALYPSEODD INTERLUDEDEEPLY ODDAlso includes an excerpt from Dean Koontz’s riveting, soul-stirring novel, The City. “The dead don’t talk. I don’t know why.” But they do try to communicate, with a short-order cook in a small desert town serving as their reluctant confidant. Meet Odd Thomas, a gallant young sentinel at the crossroads of life and death who has won hearts on both sides of the divide. Sometimes the silent souls who seek out Odd want justice. Occasionally their otherworldly tips help him prevent a crime. You’re invited on an unforgettable journey through a world of terror and transcendence to wonders beyond imagining. And you can have no better guide than Odd Thomas. Acclaim for Dean Koontz and his Odd Thomas novels “This is Koontz working at his pinnacle, providing terrific entertainment that deals seriously with some of the deepest themes of human existence: the nature of evil, the grip of fate and the power of love.”—Publishers Weekly (starred review) “Supernatural thrills with a side of laughs.”
—The Denver Post
“One would be hard-pressed to find a more satisfying read. . . . Not since Watchers has Dean Koontz created such an endearing and enduring character as Odd Thomas. . . . A superb story from one of our contemporary masters.”—San Antonio Express-News “An inventive . . . mix of suspense, whimsy and uplift.”—The Washington Post “Heartfelt and provocative . . . a wonderfully rich and entertaining story.”
—Chicago Sun-Times
Oath of Blood
Jayne Faith - 2019
. . A magical storm that rocked the supernatural world left Tara Knightley’s mother dying of a mysterious wasting ailment. No one understands the disease or how to cure it. When her mother slips into a coma, Tara decides to take matters into her own hands. In the middle of the night, she sneaks away swearing she won’t return home until she’s found a cure. Tara’s quest takes her into the dangerous world of the Fae, a world forbidden to her despite the trace Fae blood running through her veins. With the help of another part-Fae, she finds a way into Faerie and seeks out a man with Fae mob ties and a collection of rare magical things. He claims he can save her mother. But the cure comes at a steep price. And in Faerie, words are weapons and promises are forever. What will Tara have to sacrifice to save her mother’s life? The events in Oath of Blood (Tara Knightley Prequel) take place 10 years before Edge of Magic (Tara Knightley Series Book 1). Oath of Blood is a novella approximately 150 pages long.
The Library of the Dead
T.L. Huchu - 2021
She'll need to call on Zimbabwean magic as well as her Scottish pragmatism to hunt down clues. But as shadows lengthen, will the hunter become the hunted?When ghosts talk, she will listen...Ropa dropped out of school to become a ghostalker. Now she speaks to Edinburgh's dead, carrying messages to the living. A girl's gotta earn a living, and it seems harmless enough. Until, that is, the dead whisper that someone's bewitching children--leaving them husks, empty of joy and life. It's on Ropa's patch, so she feels honor-bound to investigate. But what she learns will change her world.She'll dice with death (not part of her life plan...), discovering an occult library and a taste for hidden magic. She'll also experience dark times. For Edinburgh hides a wealth of secrets, and Ropa's gonna hunt them all down.
Run, Kat, Run and Encantado Dreams
Ramy Vance - 2019
After killing three dead gods—again—you’d think I’d get a break. Some time off to lick my wounds in a very cat-like fashion. But my stalker has other plans. And after discovering who my stalker is—or rather, was—I miss the good old days when my enemies were dead gods and world armies. My name is Katrina Darling, and my stalker just had to be one of the most powerful creatures in all of creation, didn’t he? Encantado Dreams, Book 8: Katrina Darling hasn’t been back for the start of the semester, leaving a void in her seat and in her boyfriend’s heart. Luckily for both, I’m a shapeshifter who specializes in pretending to be a long-lost lover. And Justin is just too yummy to not indulge in. But when you’re a 500-year-old shapeshifter who’s broken her fair share of happy homes, you tend to make enemies. And one of my mine just showed up, making things a bit more complicated than I’d like. My name is Isabella Ramirez, and what was supposed to be a harmless little fling has turned into something far more deadly. If you like the Dresden Files, Mercy Thompson or Buffy the Vampire Slayer, then you’ll be helplessly addicted to the Mortality Bites series. "Mythology, satire, and brutal honesty. Vance delivers a knockout punch of fun and fearlessness in every last one of his books. Not only does he make you laugh, he makes you think. That's a rare combination that few authors ever achieve, and Vance does it splendidly." — John P. Logsdon, author of the Paranormal Police Department series. What Amazon readers are saying: ★★★★★ ‘Urban Fantasy at its best.’ ★★★★★ ‘Irritatingly unputdownable.’ ★★★★★ ‘Refreshing in its uniqueness.’ ★★★★★ ‘Boy was this long overdue! I was just whining to my husband about how everyone seems to be working from the same book outline when this little gem popped up.’ ★★★★★ ‘Great world building.’ ★★★★★ ‘Really enjoyable story. I went directly to Book 2.’ ★★★★★ ‘Genuine giggles on every page.’ ★★★★★ ‘Oh I needed that ... Something different.’ ★★★★★ ‘Ex-vampires, avatars, fae, and humans just trying to get along… Make time to sit down and read through in one sitting.’ The Mortality Bites Series takes place in the GoneGod World... an inspiring and unique setting of myths, magic and mischief. But what is the GoneGod World? Four years ago, the gods left. All of them. Their last message to humanity was "Thank you for believing in us, but it is not enough. We're leaving. Good luck." At first no one took them seriously. Until, that is, all the denizens of all the heavens and hells started showing up on people's doorsteps.
Obsidian Son
Shayne Silvers - 2012
Cure a reptile dysfunction.My name is Nate Temple, and I’m secretly a wizard. I ride a foul-mouthed unicorn, I drink with Achilles, and I’m pals with the Four Horsemen. I’ve even cow-tipped the Minotaur. I understand the theory of following the rules…I’m just not very good at the application.Because rules were meant to be broken.Especially when I find out a monster just murdered my parents. Now all I can hear is the sweet, soothing song of vengeance in my ears, playing on repeat.But when shifter dragons come to town, I’m forced to step away from hunting down the scumbag murderer. Because I know the cure for a reptile dysfunction, and the dragons aren’t going to like it.This fight soon opens up Pandora’s Box, and suddenly every flavor of supernatural thug is after me. The only way out of it—to save my city—is to murder my best friend.I didn’t want, ask for, or start any of this. But I will finish it. It’s time I show St. Louis that magic is very, very real. And that an angry wizard is truly something to see—at least once in your life.You know, right before he puts you and everyone you've ever met in the grave...
Faerie Cake Dead
J.M. Griffin - 2010
Devin instantly wreaks romantic havoc in Luna's life after she finds a corpse sitting in her tea shop as though awaiting tea. The tea shop is surrounded by faerie folk who have befriended Luna. They know who left the dead man, but aren't sharing. The sheriff is convinced Luna is daft and that she's the culprit. Devin wonders just how odd Luna is...even though he's drawn to her. And Luna's ex-husband tries to incriminate her for reasons and purposes of his own.
A Higher Calling
Willow Cross - 2012
For twenty years life couldn’t have been better, until the day her daughter showed up on her doorstep bloodied and bruised. They say, “Hell hath no fury like a woman scorned.” But the wrath of a mother, whose only desire was to protect her child, is unfathomable. Those pure of heart can rest easy. However, if you carry the slightest tinge of darkness, beware the Higher Calling.
Amazing Grace
John G. Hartness - 2017
Hartness. Lila Grace Carter is your favorite new detective, you just don’t know it yet. She’s determined, smart, caring, and sassy as the day is long. She also talks to dead people. Of course, as she puts it, “I’m Southern. We all talk to dead people down here. The difference is, they talk back to me.” Lila Grace has lived in Lockhart, S.C. her entire life, and has always been shunned for being different. Discovering her ability to see and talk to ghosts at an early age, she used her ability to help people settle disputes, communicate with lost loved one, and generally make life better in small ways. Until poor dead Jenny Miller showed up on her doorstep. Now Lila Grace has a teenaged ghost following her around, a handsome new sheriff in town, and a murderer in her sleepy southern town. This ain’t Mayberry, kids. Award-winning author and poet John G. Hartness has mined his southern roots for inspiration and color in this supernatural love letter to small-town Southern life. "A modern Southern Gothic with charming characters—living and dead. Hartness expertly blends a sinister, small-town murder with the warmth, humor, and innocence of a cozy mystery. Lila Grace is an entertaining amateur sleuth. Highly recommend." —E.J. Stevens, award-winning author of the Ivy Granger Psychic Detective series "More twists than a tangled ball of twine! Great fun and more Southern than grits." -Charlotte Henley Babb, author of Maven Fairy Godmother
Magic Unbound
Jill Nojack - 2013
When Eamon slips an ancient amulet around her neck, the memories of Lizbet’s many past lives come slamming back to her to change her summer plans in a way she could never have expected.Forced to go on the run when murderous monks show up at the back door, Lizbet hops a plane to Scotland accompanied by Eamon, the whispering voices of her past lives, and geekily cute James, the college boy from next door. Not only does she have to dodge the monks, but she’s racing against time and greedy land developers to prevent the entire race of the Fae from being destroyed.The only thing Lizbet knows for sure is that if she fails and can't produce a few live fairies at the end of her journey, she is going to be grounded for life...and probably for her next life, too.
Nightsong: A Neanderthal mystery
M.J. Rhodes - 2016
When Bronwyn learns later that she was the only witness to the abduction of a young boy, she takes it upon herself to find the boy. Her obsessive search for the boy triggers deep memories of her own—Neanderthal—ancestor. Can these memories from 40,000 years ago help her to find the boy, and also help her to understand who she really is?
The Kat Dubois Chronicles Vol 1: Books 1-3
Lindsey Sparks (Fairleigh) - 2021
We've been alone ever since. Kat Dubois is immortal, and she’s retired. She’s long since hung up her sword and left assassinating immortals to someone else...anyone else. She’s now a hard drinking, sass-flinging Seattle tattoo artist with the innate ability to read people’s fortunes using her charmed deck of tarot cards. Her days of bloodshed are over, and she has nothing but time--an eternity, in fact--to hide from her past. Until someone from her past shows up on her doorstep with news that her beloved older brother and mentor, Dominic, has gone missing. Kat may be the only person with the right skills--and access to the right magic--to track him down. She must confront her past if she’s to have any chance of finding and saving her brother. She must fight her demons. She must embrace the power within her. She must become the Ink Witch. This collection includes nearly 200,000 words of kick-ass action, mystery, and sass: 1: Ink Witch 2: Outcast 3: Underground Other books set in Kat's world: The Echo Trilogy: The Complete Series Echo in Time Resonance Time Anomaly Dissonance Ricochet Through Time
Precious Things: Some things are worth killing for.
Marie Reyes - 2021