The Brimstone Deception (SPI Files, #3)

by Lisa Shearin

[Melanie]

My review and an extended sample of the audiobook are posted at Hotlistens.com.

This is a series that I’ve enjoyed from when I first read the prequel novella in Night Shift two years ago. I find it to be a fun paranormal investigation story. Mac is a seer. So while she is human, she can see through glamour of other species, which makes her invaluable to an investigation team. She has a partner who is also human and a former NYPD detective, Ian Byrne.

Mac is out on a lunch date with goblin billionaire Rake Danescu. Ian just so happens to be out to lunch at the same overpriced restaurant and Mac and Rake on his own date with Kylie O’Hara. Kylie is a dryad and also works at SPI as director of media and public relations. The fact that they were all at the restaurant when a human just happens to take a new designer drug that allows him to see through glamor, is a convenience and a curse. They are able to help tamp down the situation with the media and the local police.

This was a fun story where we get to watch Mac and Ian investigate the new drug and track down dealers, murderers and manufacturers of the drug. It is probably the closest thing to a “normal” police case that we’ve seen Mac and Ian work. Except where the drug is made from a substance from Hell and the people involved are not human. Oh, and everything seems to point towards Rake, who Ian is really not a fan of anyway.

I liked that we got to see how SPI has to run interference with the local NYPD to try to keep the supernatural creatures out of the public eye. Anything from completely covering up the crime for the local police, only so that they can investigate and charge the supernatural criminals themselves. Also, getting supernaturals entrenched into the local police, morgue and other aspects to help cover up the supernatural aspects, if the locals find the crime first.

When I first read the prequel novella, I was all for Ian and Mac romance. As I read more of this book and learn more about Rake, I’m starting to root more for him. I know that many people will disagree with me, but I saw a different side to Rake in this book. I’m not all in, but I’m willing to give him a shot.

I should also add that I love the humor in these books. There are several pop culture references including Mr. Burns of The Simpsons and Yoda’s “Do or do not, there is no try”. There are also several Southern references, which I love, being from Georgia. Things like the hot light at Krispy Kreme and tea so sweet you can stand a spoon up in it.

Narration
Johanna Parker is a narrator that I’ve enjoyed for some time. I like the way she narrates books with a lot of humor. I think she is able to bring out that extra bit of humor I’m expecting from a book like this one. I also like her Southern accent. I think it is perfect for Mac’s North Carolina heritage.