The Taken

Starred review from April 2, 2012
In a world where angels can be monsters, Griffin Shaw, a murdered PI turned tough-guy soul-collector, and Las Vegas reporter Katherine “Kit” Craig lock horns and hearts in this supernatural noir mystery from veteran paranormal romance author Pettersson (the Signs of the Zodiac series). Kit is a rockabilly devotee of the 1950s who passionately pursues the human element behind the news. Grif’s from the actual 1950s; dead 50 years, he’s now an angel who collects just-murdered souls like Kit’s photographer friend Nicole, killed while investigating a child prostitution ring that serves the rich and famous. After Grif loses his wings for breaking the rules to help Nicole, he decides the time is right to solve his wife’s long-ago murder—and his own. Meanwhile, Kit is determined to break the prostitution story and justify Nicole’s death. Pettersson hits every note in the familiar duet of a “reticent, complicated, darkly sexy man” and a luscious, plucky “girl reporter” out to save the world, and laces it with dollops of unconventional angelology. The resulting irresistibly good yarn proves that there’s still plenty of room for brilliant innovation in urban fantasy. Agent: Miriam Kriss, Irene Goodman Literary Agency; author now represented by Peter McGuigan, Foundry Literary + Media.

Starred review from April 15, 2012

Griffin Shaw, PI--turned--deliverer of souls, has just caused a tremor in the heavens; he's put into his earthly flesh until the problem is solved, but oh what a problem she is. Kit Craig, a Vegas rockabilly journalist, wants to find her best friend's killer, but she'll need to team up with an unlikely partner who claims he's an angel. But this angel is no angel. Grif's help comes on the condition that Kit help him find out who murdered him and his wife 50 years ago right here in Vegas. The duo will need to fight not only deadly enemies but the sinful heat between them. VERDICT Pettersson ("Sign of the Zodiac" series) hits the jackpot with this series debut that combines paranormal romance and urban fantasy in a noir mystery. Her characters are exceptionally well drawn, from the stars to the supporting players. Showing her Vegas expertise, Pettersson makes her characters and places seem real, yet she retains the ethereal feel of urban fantasy. Hard-core paranormal mystery and urban fantasy fans will enjoy this outstanding read.--Debbie Haupt, St. Charles City/Cty. P.L., MO

Copyright 2012 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

May 15, 2012
Pettersson's first in a new urban-fantasy series has an intriguing rockabilly element. Kit Craig is a journalist whose best friend and workmate has just been brutally killed, and Grif Shaw is the angel (and former PI) who was sent to take her soul. But Grif always had a soft spot for pretty girls, and he finds himself wanting to protect Kit, who seems to be next on the murderer's list. Returned to human form, Grif lands in his old stomping ground of Las Vegas, although things have changed a great deal since he was murdered in the late 1950s. For one thing, he can't understand Kit's fetish for vintage clothes or her wholehearted embrace of the rockabilly lifestyle. Meanwhile, Kit has trouble getting used to Grif's '50s-style, tough-guy attitude. But together they make a team that's willing to tackle the toughest characters on the Strip, rich and powerful men who won't hesitate to kill. A sure bet for urban-fantasy readers of all types, but especially fans of Carrie Vaughn, Jim Butcher, and P. N. Elrod.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2012, American Library Association.)