C.T. Adams & Cathy Clamp Touch of Evil

Touch of Evil

C.T. Adams & Cathy Clamp

Tor, Mar 2006, $6.99

ISBN: 0765354004

Former pro volleyball "Terminator" turned bonded air courier Mary Kathleen "Katie" Reilly travels the globe delivering valuables. However, the glamour and boredom of this jet setter comes from her war with the Thrall, vampires to the illiterate. The Thrall who consider humans as prey want Katie eradicated like a nuisance bug; however classify her as Not Prey following her rescuing her former fianc Dylan Shea six years ago; ironically he dumped her for her best friend Amanda, took her cat Blank, and became part of the human herd owned by the Thrall.

Most vampires recognize Katie as a formidable enemy who is clearly Not Prey until now. However, the Vampire Queen Monica decides differently sending her Thralls, Hosts, and Herds after Katie, but apparently has other uses for the human because her orders are not to kill the 6'1" athletic Amazonian adversary. Refusing to hide, Katie fights, but instead of her brother Joe having her back, werewolf firefighter Tom tries to keep her safe. However, the odds seem overwhelming in favor of the vampire queen obtaining her desire.

The reason supernatural fans will appreciate TOUCH OF EVIL is the orderly world developed by the two authors that make vampires, werewolves, and psychic phenomena seem ordinary, even while the supernatural creatures are vastly different from the "normal" bloodsuckers and shape-shifters. The action packed storyline is driven by the heroine, who readers will root for as the Thrall and their human slaves and fodder attack her. Besides trying to keep Katie safe though she is quite capable, Tom is terrific and provides an interesting cross-species romantic element to a strong supernatural drama.