Rating: 4.5 ⭐️
Night Maze was excellent. And it builds around the plot from connected series /story, Squib (The Coldstream Chronicles Book 1). It’s not necessary to read that book but it’s fun and adds layers to this story.
Kit McCafferty is sent out on a mission to discover what happened to the Vampires missing giant worms who travel the Understream, the worms being a vital part of their undead community.
One aspect of Night Maze that makes this so special and well written is that the vampires up until now have been a lesser known or even a one-dimensional entity. And the Understream, an entire city and mysterious community that exists behind secretive entrances has been an enigma. Only briefly in previous stories has Kit and others journeyed into it and then swiftly out noting the dangers and hidden tunnels.
Harper shines a narrative light, if you’ll excuse me, on the emotional depths and hidden history of the vampires and their communities in the Understream, including the fabulous giant worms. Really, I wanted so badly to have more of them once I got to see intriguing glimpses of their personalities.
And the vampires too, especially one. She’s magnificent.
The investigation is terrific, dark and fascinating. And gives us a new feline character to mull over and know that he’s going to pop up in the oncoming novels.
But we get to see Kit flex her skills in multiple ways and in different challenges. She’s a powerful paranormal being and she plays a role, “cat lady persona” , most of the time. Only occasionally does she really her “true self” out in these situations. It’s fantastic here to see her being able to be that type of shifter that none suspects she is.
The relationship between Kat and Thane Barrow, the lone werewolf, is admirable. They understand each other, their need for individual lives and space while also supporting each other, insuring separate territories within Coldstream. It’s a great element here.
I love Night Maze and Kit. The next novel threatens to shatter the stability that Kit has built so hard for herself. I can’t wait. What an incredible character and series.
Highly recommended! A winner and one for those who love urban fantasy series.
Book Cover created by Covers By Juan
The Cat Lady Chronicles (5 book series):
Waifs And Strays #1
The Dark Hiss of Magic #2
A Skirl of Sorcery #3
Night Maze #4
A Killer Heart #5 – Sept 18, 2026
Related series:
Squib (The Coldstream Chronicles Book 1)
Buy link
Book 4 of 5: The Cat Lady Chronicles
Blurb
It’s one thing to be dealing death. It’s quite another to deal with the undead.
Kit McCafferty has never been fond of vampires but she can’t refuse the opportunity to learn more about their kind. When she is invited into the clandestine underground world of the Understream to investigate the mysterious disappearance of some giant worms, she soon discovers there is far more to the fanged creatures than she’d ever realised.
Danger, secrets and mysteries abound in every dark, twisting tunnel. Is there anyone in the depths who Kit can trust? Or will she have to rely on her wits – and her cats – alone?
This is the fourth book in the thrilling urban fantasy series The Cat Lady Chronicles.
May 29, 2026
Language
English
Print length
286 pages
Book 4 of 5
Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words 