Review: Chasing the Shadows - Keri Arthur

Private Investigator Nikki James is in San Francisco at the request of her business partner and best friend, Jake.  His friend's wife is missing, and he is determined to find her.  The authorities believe the kidnapping is the work of a sick mind: Nikki knows it is something much worse.  Vampires.  Six of them.  And they know who she is and why she's there.

Michael Kelly has just returned from a vampire hunting exhibition in his homeland.  When he discovers Nikki's gone to San Francisco, he has no choice but to follow - not only to keep her safe from the vampire gang, but because he fears the psychic talents she's beginning to develop: abilities she should not have and cannot control.  But as the body count begins to rise, so too does the danger.  Soon Nikki becomes a target, but she has no intention of obeying Michael's demands that she leave.  She's tired of playing it safe and wants him to realise it's all or nothing: she's either a full-time partner in his life, or she's out.  Nothing, however, prepares Nikki for the price she has to pay for her stubbornness - the life of someone she loves.

The Nikki and Michael Series:
Dancing with the Devil
Hearts in Darkness
Chasing the Shadows
Kiss the Night Goodbye

For more information visit Keri Arthur's website

Review:
This is book 3 in the Nikki and Michael series & I'd strongly recommend that you read the series in order.  Although I won't give spoilers for Chasing the Shadows in this review it will be impossible not to include things that may spoil the previous books so if you're new to the series I'd recommend you read my review for Dancing with the Devil.  This is a series I'm thoroughly enjoying so I'd definitely recommend you check it out!

Nikki & Michael have now been a couple for several months but although they are very happy together Michael's work with the Circle has meant he is spending a lot of time away from their home.  Nikki isn't happy that he leaves her behind & wants to be able to work with him.  She knows her talents have been useful in the past and believes she can help him.  Michael on the other hand is determined not to let her put herself in danger - he wants to protect her and the best way to do that is to keep her away from Circle business.  This is causing a lot of conflict between them so Michael isn't happy when he comes home from a case to find that Nikki is in San Francisco working on a case with Jake. 

Women are being kidnapped and although the ransoms are being paid their mutilated bodies have started turning up.  The latest kidnapping victim is Jake's best friend's wife and they need to work fast if they are going to find her before she is murdered.  But it isn't just a normal killer they are dealing with and Michael has also been asked to investigate by the Circle.

This was a fantastic installment to a great series & I can't wait to read the next book.  I love Nikki & Michael and am really enjoying watching their relationship develop.  The romance is really well done but it is only part of the story and there was plenty of action that kept me on the edge of my seat.  Nikki's psychic abilities are changing since Michael made her into a Thrall and I'm really curious about what is going to happen to them in the future.  Keri Arthur has definitely earned a place on my favorite authors list & I'm looking forward to reading more of her books.  I'd recommend this series to any urban fantasy fans - especially if you like a little romance thrown in for good measure.

Source: Library

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