Book Review: One Grave at a Time by Jeaniene Frost

One Grave at a Time
Author: Jeaniene Frost
Publication: Avon (August 30, 2011)


Description: Having narrowly averted an (under)world war, Cat Crawfield wants nothing more than a little downtime with her vampire husband, Bones. Unfortunately, her gift from New Orleans' voodoo queen just keeps on giving-leading to a personal favor that sends them into battle once again, this time against a villainous spirit.


My Thoughts: This was another great adventure for Cat & Bones. I love the way their relationship is deepening now that they are married. The problem in this one is finding out a way to kill a ghost.


Heinrich Kramer was a witch hunter. He delighted in raping, torturing and burning young women at the stake after "convicting" them of being witches. Unfortunately, dying doesn't stop his personal reign of terror. Each Halloween he is able to become corporeal and continue his tradition. 


When one of Fabian's friends - another ghost named Elisabeth - tells Cat the story, Cat is determined to find a way to stop Kramer. Since her last adventure gave her a way to call ghosts and remnants to her, Cat thinks that she is suited for the job. But Kramer is much stronger and much more dangerous than she had anticipated. Even when he doesn't have a body, he is able to become a poltergeist and interact with physical objects. And Cat can't strike him back. She engages a medium named Tyler to see if she can find a way to banish him. Tyler provides some comic relief to the tension of the story because he is a homosexual who is constantly lusting after the very sexy vampires.


Cat and Bones along with their friends Spade, Denise, and Ian have to find a way to set a trap for Kramer and rescue this year's intended victims. Complicating matters is the fact that Cat's Uncle Don didn't cross over when he died and he is around as a ghost. He wants Cat to find a way to get him to the after-world - but not until he figures out what the new boss of his old organization is up to. This new commander has a hidden agenda and an over-fascination with Cat. He gets in the way of Cat's plans and provides a number of complications.


If you are looking for strong urban fantasy with a strong romance element, the Cat and Bones series is a good choice. Bones is a very romantic hero. Cat is a strong and competent heroine.


Favorite Quote:

"Personal space," Tyler chided, when I let him go. "And, you know, a towel would be the least you could put on."

I burst out laughing. For years, I'd been discomfited by the blase attitude most vampires had about nudity, and yet here I was, hugging someone I'd known less than two weeks while wearing nothing but some stray suds.

I bought this one. You can get your copy here.