Book Review: The Grendel Affair by Lisa Shearin

The Grendel Affair
Author: Lisa Shearin
Series: SPI Files (Book 1)
Publication: Ace; Reprint edition (December 31, 2013)

Description: We’re Supernatural Protection & Investigations, known as SPI. Things that go bump in the night, the monsters you thought didn’t exist? We battle them and keep you safe. But some supernatural baddies are just too big to contain, even for us…

When I moved to New York to become a world famous journalist, I never imagined that snagging a job at a seedy tabloid would change my career path from trashy reporter to undercover agent. I’m Makenna Fraser, a Seer for SPI. I can see through any disguise, shield, or spell that a paranormal pest can come up with. I track down creatures and my partner, Ian Byrne, takes them out.

Our cases are generally pretty routine, but a sickle-wielding serial killer has been prowling the city’s subway tunnels. And the murderer’s not human. The fiend in question, a descendant of Grendel—yes, that Grendel—shares his ancestor’s hatred of parties, revelry, and drunkards. And with New Year’s Eve in Times Square only two days away, we need to bag him quickly. Because if we don’t find him—and the organization behind him—by midnight, our secret’s out and everyone’s time is up.

My Thoughts: This was an engaging and entertaining urban fantasy story. The narrator is a seer who has moved to New York City looking for a job as an investigative reporter. However, she is offered a job with SPI - Supernatural Protection & Investigations. Her job is to help keep humans safe from paranormals who might want to prey on them. Her talent is that she can see through any magical disguises that paranormals might wear.

In this case, an unknown enemy has imported grendels from Scandinavia to out all paranormals by creating a bloodbath in Times Square on New Year's Eve. Grendels are really tough. They seem impervious to most weapons that SPI has. Our narrator - Makenna Fraser - isn't trusted with a weapon yet. Her partner Ian is there to protect her and, eventually, train her to use weapons. At least, he'll train her if they ever have a time when they are not in crisis mode. However, Makenna is pretty dangerous with her paint guns.

The story is action-packed and filled with an interesting variety of paranormal creatures. I really like Makenna's attitude and the asides she throws into her narration of the events of the story. I will definitely be reading more of this series.

Favorite Quote:

"Being in a mausoleum's not bad enough," I said, "now we get to find out what's in a dark pit underneath one."

"A chamber under a mausoleum is called a crypt," Ian told me.

"Lovely."

"I'll go first."

"I'll let you."

I bought this one for my Kindle. You can get your copy here.