TO KILL A WARLOCK
By H. P. Mallory
Book 1 in the Dulcie O’Neil Series
Published by: Create Space
First Printing: August 25, 2010
ISBN-10: 1453791760
ISBN-13: 978-1453791769
Concept: “The murder of a dark arts warlock. A shape-shifting, ravenous creature on the loose. A devilishly handsome stranger sent to investigate. Sometimes working law enforcement for the Netherworld is a real bitch. Dulcie O'Neil is a fairy. And not the type to frolic in gardens. She's a Regulator-a law-enforcement agent who monitors the creatures of the Netherworld to keep them from wreaking havoc in the mortal world. When a warlock is murdered and Dulcie was the last person to see him alive, she must uncover the truth before she's either deported back to the Netherworld, or she becomes the next victim. Enter Knight Vander, a sinfully attractive investigator sent from the Netherworld to work the case with Dulcie. Between battling her attraction to her self-appointed partner, keeping a sadomasochistic demon in check, and fending off the advances of a sexy and powerful vampire, Dulcie's got her hands full. As the body count increases, Dulcie finds herself battling dark magic, reconnoitering in S&M clubs and suffering the greatest of all betrayals.”
Review: First of all, I actually used to know someone named Dulcie and I always thought it was a strange and unusual name. I never really cared for it. Now, seeing a different character behind it, I am in love. Dulcie means “sweet” in Spanish and this character is just that. She’s sweet, but she’s also strong and independent and a little bit self-concious and you know she could be anyone you know. With maybe the exception of the pointed fairy ears.
The story opens with our favorite fairy in somewhat of a mess. It seems that she has been turned into a giant booger. Okay, it IS so fifth grade and it IS gross, but I gotta tell you I was chuckling. I thought it was funny and what a great way to open up this novel and this series. I give that a big 10 on the ol’ scoreboard right now. The story progresses when the guy who turned Dulcie into a booger turns up dead. And not just dead but thrashed dead (shades of Anita Blake). Dulcie in her role as a regulator (think copper from another mother) not only is a suspect, but also starts working the crime. We are introduced to Dulcie’s world and what a great world it is with everything from super hot co-workers, to a great girlfriend character, a hunky vampire and other folks as well. There’s regular boyfriend problems and insecurities from an ex to deal with. All the while Dulcie is working this crime which takes her all around her Northern California hometown to S&M clubs to an alter-area which resembles Montana.
This book is definitely a page turner and a fun one. The story is quick and sharp and while the who-done-it was a bit cliché, I didn’t care because it was fun getting there. I want more and more of this story and I’ll be checking out the other books from this same author.
What I liked: I always love a sense of humor in a book (for instance, c’mon, being turned into a booger? THAT is funny!) and this one gave me a few laugh out loud moments and some new swear words. Goblin balls. Okay, THAT is funny too.
What I disliked: The bad guy in this book, as I said, was a tad cliché and I can’t help but feel, although I hope I’m surprised, that he is going to turn up again and again and will be the nemesis that Dulcie will constantly be fighting. I guess that can be exciting but right now, I’m feeling a little let down by that. I’ll always be looking for him and if he IS the cause, I won’t be surprised.
My rating: 4 feathers
1 comments:
Turned into a bogger, lol! That is certainly a first for me. Sounds fun, especially after I just read a short story about her
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