Dead Heat (Alpha and Omega, #4)

by Patricia Briggs

[kimbacaffeinate]

Time has passed since Fair Game and we meet a stronger Anna. Charles has decided he wants to purchase a horse for her birthday and together they take a trip to Arizona to visit a dying friend whose family breeds horses. What began, as a vacation quickly gets complicated when a dangerous Fae, whose been replacing humans with simulacrums (kind of like golems who mimic the child that was replaced) threatens one of the packs wives.

Briggs fleshed out Charles and Anna’s relationship and I adored seeing them interact. Anna is strong, and beginning to understand her role as Omega. She is no longer meek, and I loved seeing her stand her ground. She really sees Charles and is so in tune with him. She understands him even if he does not. Charles himself sees growth and there is a new calmness to him. Briggs shows us the darker side of being immortal and an enforcer. These glimpses into Charles delighted me. Secondary characters developed the tale from jealousy to trust. adding interest from a jealous woman to pack trust and beliefs.

Briggs did not spare us the details from show horses to the darker aspects of the Fae. Leslie Fisher, the FBI agent they worked with in Fair Game is called in and we see the relationship between the three strengthen. The Fae fascinate and freak the heck of out me. I would rather spend time with a vampire or Were. The Fae are nasty, deceitful and have no human attributes. Briggs brought all those fears to the surface and her imagery and dark imagination rocked. The thread involving Charles’ friend Joseph tugged at my heartstrings. Briggs’ weaved in magic, pack knowledge, Charles’ past and the spirits to keep me flipping the pages.

Dead Heat held me captive as once again, Briggs provides an intriguing, heart-tugging  case and brings us closer to her characters.

Copy provided by publisher. This review was originally posted at Caffeinated Book Reviewer