Werewolf Smackdown

January 18, 2010
Two mystery series feature unusual paranormal protagonists.
Werewolf Smackdown
Mario Acevedo
. Eos
, $14.99 paper (406p) ISBN 978-0-06-156718-6

The fifth adventure of vampire PI Felix Gomez (following 2009's Jailbait Zombie
) finds him caught between alpha werewolves battling for supremacy in sunny Charleston, S.C. When high-powered werewolf attorney Eric Bourbon tries to hire Gomez to kill his rival, Randolph Calhoun, Gomez refuses. The last thing he wants is to be the guy responsible for breaking the “uneasy truce” that exists among supernatural entities. But as soon as Gomez dodges that metaphorical bullet, someone tries to put a real one through him. Finding the answers will bring Gomez up against an estranged old lover and an old enemy, and just might get him killed. Characters include the usual roster of hoodlums and femmes fatales, who engage in a plethora of double-crosses and violent action scenes. Plenty of cliffhangers keep the story moving in this horror fan's perfect vacation read.

March 15, 2010
When vampire private eye Felix Gomez answers a request from Charleston attorney (and werewolf) Eric Bourbon to rid himself of a troublesome adversary, Gomez refusesuntil a pair of vampires attempt to kill him by dropping a massive fiberglass sculpture of a crab on top of him. Sensing the work of past enemies, Gomez soon finds himself trying to prevent an all-out war involving the entire supernatural community and any humans who get in the way. The author's fifth book in his Felix Gomez series (after "Jailbait Zombie") sports not only the series' catchy title but also its quirky humor and memorable vampire protagonist. VERDICT This smart urban fantasy should attract fans of Tanya Huff's Blood series and Jim Butcher's "The Dresden Files." [For more werewolf fiction, see "Full Moon City" and Gregory Lamberson's "The Frenzy Way", reviewed on p. 97.Ed.]

Copyright 2010 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

March 15, 2010
Latino vampire and PI Felix Gomez is in Charleston, South Carolina, called in by the local werewolf alpha. What he thought was to be an investigation into a murder turns out to be an attempt to hire him as a hit man. Felix refuses, but he is attacked only moments later. Thus begins another fast-paced supernatural adventure, as Felix attempts to do his job, keep the Great Secret, and stay alive. Suddenly, Felix finds himself with only four days to avert a destructive civil war that would expose werewolves as well as the other supernaturals. Readers new to the series are given just enough background to enjoy the story, but as several enemies from Felixs previous adventures return, Werewolf Smackdown will be best enjoyed by readers familiar with the series. Suggest to fans of urban-fantasy mysteries like Jim Butchers Dresden Files or Charlie Hustons Joe Pitt series, about another modern-day vampire investigator.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2010, American Library Association.)