ARC Review: Spirit Dances by C. E. Murphy

Spirit Dances
Author: C. E. Murphy
Publication: Luna; Original edition (March 22, 2011)


Description: For Seattle detective Joanne Walker, spring is about new beginnings. She's mastered her shamanic abilities (mostly), survived a cannibalistic serial killer (barely) and now she's facing the biggest challenge of her career—attending a dance concert with her sexy boss, Captain Michael Morrison. But when the performance—billed as transformative—actually changes her into a coyote, she and Morrison have bigger things to deal with.


And there's more. Homeless people are disappearing, a mystical murder puts Joanne way out of her jurisdiction and with the full moon coming on, it's looking like the killer is a creature that can't possibly exist.


But Jo could probably handle all of that, if one ordinary homicide hadn't pushed her to the very edge….


My Thoughts: This was another action packed episode in Joanne Walker's life. She begins by dealing with having to shoot a suspect in a domestic violence case in order to protect her partner. This causes trauma because it pits her healer side against her warrior side. It also leads to a three day suspension which gives her lots of time to investigate crimes outside of her jurisdiction. A formerly homeless woman whose life Joanne saved comes to her with a gift - theater tickets to a Native American Dance Troup - and a problem - some of her homeless friends are disappearing. 


Joanne and Morrison go to the dance and find themselves front and center at a magically arranged murder. Joanne and Morrison's relationship is still very tentative with Joanne constantly embarrassing herself by letting her mouth work before her brain engages. The relationship is actually kind of touching. I like that Joanne is not completely confident and not at all suave. She knows she is still learning about her magic and herself. 


I liked Joanne's relationship with her mentor Coyote and her spirit animals Raven and Rattlesnake. Joanne makes some big personal changes in this story.  This is the sixth in the series. Somehow, I managed to miss four and five but this one was completely understandable and I am very eager to catch up on the series. 


I recommend this one to lovers of urban fantasy who enjoy self-deprecating heroines. 


Favorite Quote:

I was right about getting up high to have a look around not being sufficient as a tracking method. Well, I lived and I learned. Though more accurately I got stabbed, beaten up, rolled over, hung out to dry and learned, but at least I was learning.