Reviewed by Annika

TITLE: Graveyard Shift

SERIES: Not Dead Yet #3

AUTHOR: Jenn Burke

NARRATOR: Greg Boudreaux

PUBLISHER: Tantor Audio

RELEASE DATE: November 26, 2019

LENGTH: 8 hours, 4 minutes

BLURB:

Shifting Into High Fear

Ghost/god Wes Cooper and his not-life partner, vampire Hudson Rojas, have settled into cohabitation in an upscale part of Toronto. So what if their hoity-toity new neighbors haven’t exactly rolled out the welcome mat for the paranormal pair? Their PI business is booming, and when a suspect they’ve been tailing winds up in the morgue, it’s alongside a rash of other shifters in apparent drug-related fatalities.

Now Wes and Hudson must connect the dots between the shifter deaths and an uptick in brutal vampire attacks across the city. Throw in a surprise visit from Hudson’s niece—who may or may not be on the run from European paranormal police (who may or may not exist)—and guardianship of a teen shifter who might be the key to solving the whole mystery (if only she could recover her memory), and Wes and Hudson have never been busier . . . or happier.

But when a nightmare from Hudson’s past comes back to haunt him, their weird, little found family is pushed to the brink. Mucking this up would mean Hudson and Wes missing their second chance at happily-forever-afterlife . . .

REVIEW:

I’m ecstatic that I didn’t have to wait long for this book, although I have a feeling that the next one, please, please Ms. Burke let there be a next one, will be ways off. This book…. This book…, I’m having some trouble finding my words here. But let’s start with the easy part. I absolutely loved it. Beyond loved it. But I’m guessing you want more than that, so let’s see…

There are many things to love about this book and series. I love the way Burke writes, she includes the reader/listener, takes us on a journey. We never know more or less than the characters do as we are always there for the discoveries and get-to-know-you parts. She also manages to add some twists and turns that you probably won’t see coming until they are a fact and done deal. It’s something she’s done throughout and that I value as few things dos surprise me in books at this point.

I love the dynamic between the characters. Lovers, family and friends. Some bonds are old, generations old and some much newer, but you can still feel the depth of their connections, their bonds. Also, there are so many different creatures and species in this series, and more keeps getting added, but it doesn’t feel like too much or as if the plot is spiralling out of control. There is still this sense of place and purpose.

So I’ve sung Jenn Burkes amazing writing talent, so I guess it’s only fair to do the same with Greg Boudreaux – he too deserves all the credits for this book. I love his voice, I’d gladly listen to it for days on end. The way he can bring a cast of characters to life so vividly is truly astounding. In this book I’m particularly partial to the high vamps – they are hilarious to me. It’s not only the funny or sassy moments that Boudreaux does so well, but the tender and serious ones as well as the sad ones. He does it all without ever missing a beat.

Graveyard Shift brought many emotions, good and bad. We see the characters we’ve come to love take steps forward but also stumble, but through it all they never falter or give up. It’s a tale of family and friends, of ever-lasting love and of second chances. It’s also a tale I desperately hope won’t end here. I’m just not ready to say goodbye.

If you haven’t read this series yet then please, put all your other books on hold and start this one, I promise it’s definitely worth it.

RATING:

BUY LINKS: 

Audible

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