The Lost

Starred review from February 25, 2013
Intrepid rockabilly reporter Kit Craig and her lover, earthbound angel Griffin Shaw, take on their second supernatural-scented case (after The Taken) in this complicated mélange of crime, passion, and bittersweet love. In Las Vegas’s grungy “boomtown turned doomtown,” junkie Jeap Yang nears death from krokodil, a new flesh-eating, addictive drug. Grif is supposed to escort Jeap to the Hereafter, but Kit, an inveterate do-gooder, tries to save him, opening herself to pursuit by Scratch, a sinister fallen angel. Grif is torn between defending Kit and continuing to investigate his own murder—and that of his wife—50 years earlier. Grif and Kit are also caught between rival Vegas drug cartels: the Marielitos, descended from Cuban gangsters, and the Russians, led by a woman who makes a play for Grif. Pettersson impressively deepens and darkens the compelling romance between her complex and irresistibly tormented protagonists. Even minor figures are fascinating, as is the ruthlessly realistic setting. Agent: Miriam Kriss, Irene Goodman Agency (author now represented by Peter McGuigan, Foundry Literary + Media).

October 15, 2012

This mashup of urban fantasy, paranormal romance, and noir mystery continues best-selling author Pettersson's new series, which features P.I. Griffin Shaw, murdered 50 years ago and now a Centurion--that is, an angel who helps those who have died violently. Grif has been given permission to discover who killed him and his wife but in exchange must help souls that are otherwise doomed. In the series opener, The Taken, he saved the life of relentless reporter Kit Craig, now his lover; here they're battling drug cartels. Fun just to read about; with a 35,000-copy first printing.

Copyright 2012 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.