ARC Review: Pack of Lies by Laura Ann Gilman

Pack of Lies
Author: Laura Anne Gilman
Publication: Luna; Original edition (January 18, 2011)


Description: Funny how life can turn you upside down…

My name is Bonita Torres, and eight months ago I was an unemployed college graduate without a plan. Now I’m an investigator with the Private Unaffiliated Paranormal Investigations team of New York. Pretty awesome, right?

The Cosa Nostradamus, the magical community, isn’t quick to give up its secrets, though. Not even to fellow members. Not even when it’s in their best interests. So we’ve been busting our tails, perfecting our forensic skills, working to gain acceptance. The team’s tight… but we have our quirks, too. And our Big Dog, Benjamin Venec…well, he’s a special case, all right.

But we can’t give up. We’re needed, especially when a case comes along that threatens to pit human against fatae. But one wrong move could cost us everything we’ve worked for…

My Thoughts: This was an enjoyable paranormal mystery story. The crew is trying to become more established as an unaffiliated investigative agency that helps police the paranormal community. But they are facing all kinds of opposition from the Council members and from the lonejacks. Their current case looks like it should be open-and-shut. Two talents attempt to rape another Talent who happens to be the virginal companion to a kirin - an almost mythical member of the fatae community. The kirin kills one of the attempted rapists. However, the male survivor says that they were set up. Our team of investigators has to try to sort out the truth in order to protect the reputation of their new firm and to bring justice to the victims.


Meanwhile, Bonnie Torres who is one of the puppies is having some kind of magical relationship with one of the Big Dogs - the two founders of PUPI. Somehow their talents are meshing allowing them something like telepathy and the ability to read each others mind and emotions. While Bonnie thinks Ben is hot, she doesn't want to have an office romance. Ben is as confused as she is about the new relationship.


And the other partner's sister is still trying to undermine the new business and is willing to do anything and work with anyone even though she has been censured by the Council for her previous actions. Tensions are already high between the Talents and the fatae and her actions are ratcheting them even higher. 


This was an action packed story with lots of interesting paranormal powers and a wide variety of paranormal creatures. It is interesting seeing the events that we have seen in the Retrievers series from another viewpoint. I recommend the series to lover of urban fantasy. The main character - Bonnie - is a unique and sympathetic character.


Favorite Quote:

Yeah, Venec was undeniably hot, if you liked the brilliant, dark-eyed, moody, remote sort, and I knew damn well that he felt some of those sparks, too. I'd been around that block a time or two before, and I could tell when someone was reacting. He was also the boss, ant that was more important than any fireworks show. I might be dead and stupid, but I wasn't dumb. A bed partner was easy enough to find. A good job? Lots tougher. Especially for someone with our...call them specialized skills. I wasn't going to risk that, not for anything.

Previous book in the series: Hard Magic