Review copy was received from NetGalley. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
Crowbones by Anne Bishop Series: The Others #8
Published by Ace on March 8, 2022
Genres: Urban Fantasy
Pages: 384
Format: eARC
Source: NetGalley
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Deep in the territory controlled by the Others—shape-shifters, vampires, and even deadlier paranormal beings—Vicki DeVine has made a new life for herself running The Jumble, a rustic resort. When she decides to host a gathering of friends and guests for Trickster Night, at first everything is going well between the humans and the Others.
But then someone arrives dressed as Crowbones, the Crowgard bogeyman. When the impostor is killed along with a shape-shifting Crow, and the deaths are clearly connected, everyone fears that the real Crowbones may have come to The Jumble—and that could mean serious trouble.
To “encourage” humans to help them find some answers, the Elders and Elementals close all the roads, locking in suspects and victims alike. Now Vicki, human police chief Grimshaw, vampire lawyer Ilya Sanguinati, and the rest of their friends have to figure out who is manipulating events designed to pit humans against Others—and who may have put Vicki DeVine in the crosshairs of a powerful hunter.
I completely love The Others series and the continuation in the World of the Others books, telling us about various outlying communities has the same setup. Vicki is an odd woman and doesn’t handle things the way most people would but it seems to make her uniquely suited to dealing with humans and the Others. This is the second book about this community following Lake Silence. In Crowbones, she has professors from local colleges staying at The Jumble and cabins. One of them is interested in a legend Crowbones along with other legends in the Others’ world.
Trickster Night becomes the kickoff to both Others and humans dying. Vicki, along with the police, and some Intuits, and Ilya Sanguinati work hard to figure out who is causing the trouble and deaths. Between learning about the legend and more about the Others and Intuits, plus the investigation and trying to keep people safe, there is much happening.
Evil comes in many forms in this series. I enjoyed the complex case and learning more about the world. I do recommend reading this series in order. There was also a nice moment with Meg. I still want to learn much, much more about the blood prophets and hope it is a focus in a future story.
About Anne Bishop
Anne Bishop lives in upstate New York where she enjoys gardening, music, and writing dark, romantic stories. She is the author of fourteen novels, including the award-winning Black Jewels Trilogy. Her most recent novel, Twilight’s Dawn, made the New York Times bestseller list. She is currently working on a new series, which is an urban dark fantasy with a bit of a twist.
I read all types of books but my favorites are urban fantasy and romantic suspense.I like some romance and some action / adventure / mystery in everything.I like sex in my books but please, only between TWO people.Intimate conversation is equally important to the sex in a book.It lets me see the characters.The other thing I enjoy is humor.
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Reading this book contributed to these challenges:
- 22-COYER
Listening to this one reminded me how much I love the complexity and originality of this series. I’m so glad she went back to Lake Silence. Maybe she’ll return to Bennett as well? I just want more. This one was fabulous and I loved how it tied everything together – Lakeside, Bennett and Spriong.
You are spot on about the originality and complexity of this world which will always make a great read for me.
I’m reading this now and it feels so cozy to slip back into Anne’s writing and characters. Awesome review!
Thank you Tammy. I try hard to point things out without spoiling.
One of these days I’ll start this series. Glad you’re still loving it, Anne💜
Oh I wouldn’t hesitate this series is so unique and fantastic. I highly recommend it. In fact, I bugged my daughter to read Written in Red for over a year. She loved it so much, she has read it 28 times now.
I love this series. The world building and storylines pull me in again and again. I listened first but my copy is coming today.
Somehow I’ve always read this series. I am always engrossed in the stories and the books don’t seem long, they fly by. So unique.
Sounds like a terrific book and series. I’m so glad you’re enjoying it.
Thank you Wendy. I’ve loved them.
I had a fab time re-listening to the entire series leading up to this one and I think I loved it more the second time through and this new story with the creepy holiday and murder mystery was a great addition. Looking forward to the little story in the anthology next. 🙂
yes, everything in this series is awesome.
I really enjoyed this one. I like this group of characters and this mystery kept me guessing. I love meeting all of the different beings living together near The Jumble.
I enjoy every one in the series. So unique.
I did read this one but I’m not attracted as much to this series as the other so I don’t know if I’ll continue I confess. But in a whole this one was still nice.
Certainly the main series was easier to read with mostly the same characters in each book. This one links back to Lake Silence and only slightly connected to the main series.
The main series is still my favorite but I enjoy this world so much that it is great to read any story in it.
yes I agree.
I just started this one so I’ll have to come back to your review, Anne. Nice to see your 4 stars.
Thank you Rachel.
I think your idea about a blood prophet centered story would be good. Plus, we’d get more Meg and Simon and I’m all up for that!
yes the blood prophet theme would tie the different communities together more. Plus I would just love to learn more about them. I don’t know if I will get my wish though. That’s what I hoped would happen at the end of the initial series plot lines.