Patti O’Shea, In the Midnight Hour

In the Midnight Hour

Patti O'Shea

Tor, Aug 2007, $6.99

ISBN: 9780765355799

For over six years, magical troubleshooter Ryne has hunted her former teacher Anise, but has failed each time to capture her adversary. Meanwhile human private investigator Deke Summers has spent years trapped by Anise inside a cartoon character with no hope of ever returning to his human form as the illegal practitioner worried about something he knows. That is he was locked away in animated incarceration until now. Ryne uses unsanctioned magic to free Deke because she knows he possesses the way to capture Anise.

However, Deke does not remember what that is as he and Ryne ponder why Anise apparently feared the former cop turned private investigator turned cartoon figure. Neither can figure out the cause of Anise's need to eliminate the threat. As they get closer to their answer and Anise, Ryne finds the power her mentor wields intoxicating. Only her attraction to the mortal reminds her that if they fail to learn the reason Anise locked away Deke and act on it soon, he will revert back to living in animation as Ryne's illegal spell is a short term fix with no second chances.

IN THE MIDNIGHT HOUR is an exciting action-packed romantic suspense fantasy that grips the audience from the opening sequence in a cemetery and never eases off the throttle until the final paranormal confrontation. Ryne is a fascinating protagonist as she is tempted by the power of her former teacher vs. on the other hand her love for the mortal. Although Deke adjusts too easily to the real world no one will care as Patti O'Shea, as she did with RAYVYN'S FLIGHT, provides sub-genre fans with an entertaining unique thriller.

Harriet Klausner