Category: Shifters, Weres

Review:  How Not to Kill a Hellhound (Hellhounds of Paradise Falls #5) by Shannon Mae

Rating; 4🌈

How Not to Kill a Hellhound  is the fifth book in the Hellhounds of Paradise Falls series by Shannon Mae, a fated mates paranormal/urban fantasy series set in Paradise Falls, a location where several of her interconnected series take place.

Mae’s actually working towards an overall universe storyline that encompasses all her series and characters I’m guessing, and one of the ultimate main characters has an impactful role here.

I appreciate that it was left to Sebbie , mostly, to decide when he was emotionally ready for the next step in his quest to remember everything that happened and move forward. This is 90 percent Sebbie’s journey. Who he is, the past and how those characters around him support this journey. He’s a sweet, engaging person and I loved reading his story.

It’s a good tale with many creative elements, including mythological aspects, but leaves the Hellhounds mostly removed from this even as Corbin is a major player as Sebbie’s fated mate and Hellhound.  The Crow familiar is on the same level with Corbin here. Except for the many sex scenes with the emphasis on Sebbie’s appendage size being “cute”.  

I ended up wanting more exposition, less sex, more exploration of their developing relationship and each person’s history as opposed to their body parts. 

When things get interesting, things get misty.  I did like the interpretation of Charon and the boat ride. Amazing.

And loose ends were tied up finally from Aiden’s story while setting up Jude and the Sheriff for their fated mates romance. That should be interesting!

Cover design by Morningstar Ashley

Hellhounds of Paradise Falls: (Paranormal Romance) 

How to Flirt with a Hellhound #1

How to Hack a Hellhound #2

How to Tame a Hellhound #3

How to Trust a Hellhound #4

How NOT to Kill a Hellhound #5

How To Catch a Hellhound #6 – Oct 1,2026

The Revenge Playlist: A Collection of Afterlifer Revenge Stories (Hellhounds of Paradise Falls)

Linked series:

Demonic Disasters and Afterlife Adventures (8 book series) fated mates romance set in Paradise Falls 

Buy link

        How Not to Kill a Hellhound (Hellhounds of Paradise Falls Book 5)

    

Blurb 

Sebbie 

Life’s pretty good. I love my job, I feed the crows in my yard, and I have some awesome friends. Sure, I was kidnapped by a cult recently, but my friends rescued me, so no harm done. And, okay, people do tend to die around me, but I work in a hospital. That’s normal… right? Death isn’t scary anyway—it’s just another beginning. Unfortunately, most guys I date don’t see it that way. My love life has been pretty empty, but I just met someone new. He’s ridiculously cute and even likes crows. I just hope he’s not scared off when he learns about my job. 

Corbin 

I take great satisfaction in removing hellbound souls from the world—especially the ones who prey on the weak. With my pack and my familiar, Crow, at my side, life is steady and peaceful. At least, it was until Sebbie. The cute, bubbly man is far more than he realizes, and he’s about to turn everything upside down. There’s just one little problem: he doesn’t know the supernatural exists… or that he’s a supernatural being. I want to help him harness his powers, but there’s a catch—if I’m not careful, Sebbie might end up killing me in the process. 

Tags: Crows hold grudges; Death is actually cheerful; Corbin’s as obsessed with shiny things as his birds; The pack shows up to create chaos; Thea is determined to be Sebbie’s new bestie; Jude doesn’t get arrested (or maybe he does?); 

Review: Nerds, Words & Werecats (Witchwolf) by Sam Burns and W. M. Fawkes 

Rating: 3.5🌈

This is a side story in the terrific urban fantasy Witchwolf series written by co-authors Burns and Fawkes. That series is currently awaiting its next release of its second book but in the meantime, the authors have published a side story in the same universe that they wrote on the authors’ Patreon page.

I enjoyed reading it. The characters are engaging, especially the cat shifter Landon Smith, who’s a far more fully developed personality than the other main character Dean St. James.

Dean’s a big cat shifter but the story has the potential of becoming a much better version of itself. The entire tale has the feel of an almost completed outline of a novel than a finished story. One half of the couple, Landon,  is more multi dimensional, given a better storyline and execution of his character and situation, while Dean’s character sits needing more heft. In his history, shifter foundation, and, even tragic past romance. We really don’t feel even remotely close to him and those events.  But we do with the fantastic cat shifter, Landon. We love his new crew, his bravery in relocating away from everyone he knew and family, just everything about him. He’s a fully fledged amazing personality. He’s the one we relate to.

It also took me a while to remember how this was connected to Witchwolf. The company and the pack. I wish the authors had brought that element of the series stronger into play here. 

As a standalone, there’s absolutely no world building. Within an established universe but with a minimum connection, it’s a good story with some terrific characters with great potential. 

Read it for yourself and hope, like I did, that I will see Landon popping up again later on in this series. He’s a joy.

Cover art Š 2025 by Zoe Perdita at Rainbow Danger designs

Witchwolf series side story 

Witchwolf (2 book series)

Witchwolf #1

Moonmagic #2 – March 19,2026

Buy link

Amazon.comhttps://www.amazon.comSam Burns

Blurb 

Landon Smith’s life has imploded in a dramatic fashion. Following a devastating betrayal, his brother is marrying his fiancé, and his family wants him to get over it already. The only way he can move forward? Fleeing across the country and cutting contact with them, starting his life over with a new job and new friends. Well, no friends, really.

But a new coworker introduces him to a whole new circle of people, including the alluring Dean St. James. The lyrics Dean writes speak directly to Landon’s heart, but Landon’s not ready to jump into another relationship, and Dean brings his own baggage to the table.

A brutal illness stole Dean’s childhood sweetheart, and with the walls he put up to survive, he’s not sure he’ll ever love again. But a fresh project sparks Landon’s lost passion and opens a door to a future Dean turned his back on.

Their unexpected collab has the highest stakes of all: the last hope of healing two broken hearts.

This novella is set in the same world as Witchwolf, but features different characters and can be read as a standalone. It was originally published on the authors’ Patreon page.

date

February 26, 2026

Language

‎English

Print length

145 pages

Review:  Midnight Storm (The Witch’s Bestiary #2)  by Evangeline Hunter

Rating:  3⭐️

After enjoying Hidden Storm, the first book in The Witch’s Bestiary  by Evangeline Hunter, unfortunately, I found Midnight Storm suffering from second story syndrome.

It just doesn’t carry through on the potential from the original story.  Many of the interesting elements, the Bestiary itself are relegated to just barest scenes and the fact that Alicia Stormwell is a powerful rescuer and ally of exotic species is an inconsistent aspect of this story. 

The werewolf shifter she helped and is now her assistant, Kyle Matthews, is the most problematic character here. He’s still in search of his missing sister and wants Alicia to continue to help him find her. No issue here. 

However, his behavior is extremely immature. For a grown adult. When they run into dead ends and Alicia, reasonably wants to enlist all the assistance they can get, police aid included, he objects. Whining, throwing tantrums. 

As a reader, I both want to stop reading or put that character in a timeout.  He’s that childish. 

Only the author wants us to continue to connect with him and accept that this intelligent,highly powerful woman is attracted to this toddler? Just no.

And the storyline is further proof that the series has lost its original path when during the last section where the sister, just as irritating as her brother, has been located, it’s among the very abused exotics Alicia’s life is focused around. 

But that’s hardly mentioned except for a sentence at the end of the story.

It should be a huge deal but it’s not. And even the sister doesn’t mention her role in their damage. It’s all about her.

I’m surprised I finished this. And I’m debating going forward. The only reason why I would is that wolf boy isn’t in the next book . A plus.

No recommendation here.

The Witch’s Bestiary (5 book series):

Hidden Storm #1

Midnight Storm #2

Island Storm #3

Dragon Storm #4

Rising Storm #5

Buy link

        Midnight Storm: A Fast-paced Humorous Urban Fantasy Book (The Witch’s Bestiary Book 2)

    

Blurb 

A brutal tournament, a missing sister, and a witch with nothing left to lose.

I’m Alicia Stormwell, a witch who spends her days rescuing fantastic creatures and my nights battling the dark underworld of magical animal trafficking. But nothing prepares me for the mess I’m about to walk into.

When my hunky werewolf friend, Kyle Matthews, asks for my help in finding his missing sister, Sabrina, I’m all in. Our search leads us to the Velvet Claw, a shadowy organization running a supernatural fight ring where lives are currency and losing isn’t an option.

As the tournament reaches its sinister climax, I must race against time and use every ounce of my magical skill to rescue Sabrina before the Velvet Claw gets its claws deeper into her life, Kyle’s, and mine.

The Witch’s Bestiary includes:

¡ Witches, Werewolves, and Vampires

¡ Hidden magic and a magical underworld

A slow-burn / RH romance

¡ Fantastic creatures

¡ A badass female main character with snark and humor

Review: Bound By Fate (Blind Fury Book 1) by Annabel Chase 

Rating: 4.5⭐️

Bound By Fate (Blind Fury Book 1) is a new series by Annabel Chase and the first book is a terrific one.

I absolutely love the premise of a paranormal retirement community, along with the attendant issues of its otherworldly residents in their “later, much much later years “ of existence. Witches, vampires who have lived extremely long and rich lives and now live out their lives together. Some lively souls, enjoying their ancient lives while others exhibit significant signs of dementia. 

It’s a familiar setting and group made fantastical in a complex and intimate story. One that will flow together with a weekly meeting of cardsharp players and fanatical cliques of pickleball teams. All beautifully written and believable. 

Chase treats them with kindness, respect and compassion. These people are layered with degrees of history and poignancy of life at its for some.

The assistant head of their security team is an enigma, Maya August, an intriguing figure herself. She’s in hiding on this retirement island off of Savannah,Georgia. She’s been personally isolating herself from everyone.  And that gives Chase ample room for her to develop Maya’s personality and reveal bits about her background as events happen.

And, wonderfully, Chase does this by bringing Maya into the community. She finally fully acknowledges her role as protector and part of them. We are enveloped by their presence as well as Maya’s ability to make her own choices for herself.

But there’s also mystery, murders, and outside forces of power here. One of those includes a person called Zale, someone who will figure into the series. 

I love everything about this. The many characters, types of beings, the various mythology the author is introducing (she’s excellent at it), but above all, this realistic yet not retirement community of powerful paranormal beings. All who have issues we can identify with but on extraordinary levels. 

I really can’t wait for the next story to arrive. 

Btw, HOA’s are still awful no matter what the setting. FYI. 

A winner and so happy to share with you. 

Cover design by Trif

Blind Fury:

Bound By Fate #1

Bargain With Fate #2 – May 26,2026

Buy link 

 Book 1 of 2: Blind Fury 

Blurb 

 Most people move to a magical retirement island for peace and quiet—and pickleball.

Maya August moved there to disappear.

As the assistant director of security for Evermore Island—a secret community where elderly paranormals fade into obscurity—Maya has built the perfect hiding place. Her days consist of magical mishaps, avoiding the clothing-optional tennis courts, and definitely not getting attached to the island’s strays (feline or otherwise).

Then her boss vanishes. A resident turns up dead. And Maya’s carefully constructed refuge begins to crumble.

She could handle a murder investigation. She’s handled much, much worse. What she can’t handle is the HOA president forcing her back to the mainland after five years in self-imposed exile to meet Vale, the mysterious and powerful figure who’s claimed jurisdiction over her case.

But Maya isn’t interested in playing by his rules or anyone else’s.

Because if Maya can’t solve this case and keep her past buried, there are fates far worse than letting a killer walk free.

Perfect for fans of morally gray heroines, slow-burn tension, and retirement home chaos meets magical noir, Bound By Fate is the first book in the new Blind Fury-urban fantasy series.

Publisher

Red Palm Press LLC

Publication date

February 12, 2026

Language

‎English

Print length

276 pages

Book 1 of 2

Blind Fury

Review: Squib (The Coldstream Chronicles Book 1) by Helen Harper 

Rating: 4.5⭐️

Squib is a side story to The Cat Lady Chronicles that features Kit McCafferty, retired assassin/agent living in the paranormal city of Coldstream. 

Harper has chosen two of her more intriguing, often irritating secondary characters from The Cat Lady Chronicles to feature in the first of The Coldstream Chronicles, the crossover series. And it works beautifully on multiple levels. 

Mallory has popped up numerous times in Kit’s stories because she’s a powerful information broker. She trades in secrets and the ability to deliver items that no other person or company is capable of doing. What she deals in is absolute promises. Which as a “mere” human in a paranormal world makes her powerful.

Her companion in the story is another frequent character as well in Kit’s series. Another powerful player in Coldstream, the werewolf Alpha Enter Alexander MacTire.  He’s got an interesting mission for her. 

Harper has their interactions playing out with intelligence, great dialogue, and believable chemistry. 

Plus a terrific mystery that’s not totally resolved but will have ramifications for both series. 

I am very excited to see how Harper is going to weave in the storylines and sustain the many characters that crossover throughout this mystery.

Another great winner. And honestly, I loved how these characters became so much more well developed and relatable here than they were in the first series. 

The Coldstream Chronicles 

Squib #1

Crossover from:

The Cat Lady Chronicles 

Buy link

 Book 1 of 1: The Coldstream Chronicles 

Blurb 

She’s supposed to find him the perfect match. Falling for him herself was not part of the deal.

Mallory has zero magic. No spells, no shape-shifting and no flashy Preternatural strength. But in the magical city of Coldstream, Mallory has made knowledge her power and she turns secrets and favours into currency. 

Enter Alexander MacTire: alpha werewolf, wealthy businessman, and walking temptation. He wants Mallory to find him a mate. She wants absolutely nothing to do with him.

But MacTire isn’t used to hearing no—and Mallory’s not immune to his charm, no matter how hard she tries. What starts as a reluctant business arrangement soon turns into something dangerously personal. Because the more she gets to know him, the less she wants to help him find love … with anyone but her.

The first book in the Coldstream Chronicles is jam-packed full of magic, mayhem, and slow-burn heat. It can be read as a standalone or alongside The Cat Lady Chronicles.

January 13, 2026

Language

‎English

Print length

303 pages

Book 1 of 1

The Coldstream Chronicles

Review:  Rhyme or Treason (Behind the Rhymes Book 1) by Sarah Beran

Rating: 4⭐️

Rhyme or Treason (Behind the Rhymes Book 1) by Sarah Beran was a sweet urban fantasy mystery romance. It’s a no spice, bordering YA romance novel.

There’s some interesting elements in it and ones that I find too “Twilight cuteness “ for me to personally enjoy.

Beran used children’s nursery rhymes as both a reference and cute little reader Easter egg list for the book and series. Whether you feel that adds or distracts from the story will depend on your preference for the book.

Here the part of the rhyme goes: 

Hey, diddle diddle

The cat and the fiddle…

I’m sure you can fill in the rest.

With nicknames like Dish for the MNC bodyguard and Spoon for the FMC fae woman who’s in need of him, you can get a feel for the type of sweet dynamic that the author is building. 

The writer has some interesting ideas and elements here, especially as pertains to vampires and their natural history. It’s an unusual take. But, for me, that scientific approach is lessened by the addition of rainbow sparkles and so much twinkling. 

It’s the same throughout the book. A serious and thoughtful discussion of survivor guilt and a resourceful paranormal woman character with a debilitating illness is woven with scenes of rainbow fae sparkling power. And scenes that are extremely cute or propels Wyn, by her own admission, into certain dangerous situations. Definitely SMH moments. 

There’s not a lot of world building, so we don’t know why all these paranormals have settled on Earth. 

And while this couple has a HFN ending, there’s a much that’s left open ended as far as storylines go. Which isn’t entirely satisfactory.

That will feed over into the next novel for those interested in following up on the story. 

Honestly, this is not the book for me. It’s too young. Had the rhyme played out differently, with a clever twist and perhaps fed into the mystery, and the relationships , especially given the supposed age of the characters, felt more layered, then maybe. 

But as a YA or teen fantasy mystery romance, this book is a good read. 

Behind the Rhymes (2 book series):

Rhyme or Treason #1

(P)rhyme Numbers #2 – Dec 21,2026

Buy link

 Book 1 of 2: Behind the Rhymes 

Blurb 

Hey diddle, diddle, let me give you a riddle:

How do a chronically ill secretary and a straight-as-an-arrow bodyguard plan a heist?

Without rhyme or treason.

No one applies for secretarial jobs for the thrills and excitement. And while I love an organized, color-coded schedule as much as (okay, probably more than) the next person, I knew that serving as the mayor’s administrative assistant would mean long days of answering phone calls, scheduling meetings, and dealing with cantankerous constituents. Still, for a supernatural with my…condition…the desk job is ideal.

Until someone decides they want to get to the mayor—who also happens to be the Fae King—and they’re going to do it through me. But, hey, now instead of diddling away time behind a desk, I’m finding ways to entertain Dish, the very handsome, very stoic, very humanbodyguard that the mayor assigned me, and convincing him that the best way to get to the bottom of things is to let me play bait.

Why? Because these people have gotten their hands on information that could have disastrous consequences for the supernatural community, and I want it back—if for no other reason than I’m not exactly over the moon at the idea of the flood of concerned phone calls and emails I’ll have to answer. The plan is simple:

In the game of cat and mouse, I’ll be the cat…and I’m going to play them like a fiddle.

Rhyme or Treason is the first book in Behind the Rhymes, an urban fantasy trilogy with humor, snark, quirky side characters, and clean, no-spice romance, and inspired by classic nursery rhymes. Though each installment follows a different couple, the complete story arc is best enjoyed by reading the books in or

November 25, 2025

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Language

‎English

File size

3.5 MB

Screen Reader

Supported

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Print length

232 pages

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Book 1 of 2

Behind the Rhymes

Review:  Hidden Storm (The Witch’s Bestiary #1) by Evangeline Hunter

Rating:  4.5⭐️

Hidden Storm is a great start to this complete series about Alicia Stormwell , a powerful witch who runs The Bestiary, a paranormal animal rescue for all types of supernatural creatures. She also goes out at night undercover to save those who need her help from exotic fantasy animal trafficking or worse. 

A murder and a vampire detective set off the mystery of the story which brings Alicia into the investigation of the death of a local girl and the wolf lying beside her.

The paranormal animals that live with her and how her Bestiary is set up is imaginative and intriguing. I could have spent so much more narrative time in there just exploring the spaces and creatures she’s saved. 

The mystery is excellent although the resolution is a bit too quickly resolved. 

Neither male character is particularly well developed but I hope future stories will show them as more defined and fleshed out. They both have so much potential. 

The setting is atmospheric and believable. It’s in the small details, the barest of memorable elements that make this world real, sad and heartbreaking at times. 

I’m looking forward to seeing more of the characters and their stories. 

A winner for those who love paranormal mystery and fantasy fiction. 

The Witch’s Bestiary (5 book series):

Hidden Storm #1

Midnight Storm #2

Island Storm #3

Dragon Storm #4

Rising Storm #5

Buy link

 Book 1 of 5: The Witch’s Bestiary 

Blurb 

**COMPLETE SERIES**

Rescuing fantastic beasts is child’s play. Clearing the name of a ridiculously handsome werewolf? Hold my broomstick. 

My name is Alicia Stormwell. By day, I run The Bestiary, a nonprofit that saves and rehabilitates legendary critters. By night, I don my witch’s hat and battle the dark underworld of supernatural animal traffickers.

When a witch is found dead and a wolf is accused of murder, a vampire detective from the NYPD’s Magical Crimes Division hires me as a consultant. I take in the suspected hound only to discover he’s not just any fabled creature, but a werewolf. And he’s been framed.

Now, with a murderer on the loose and a hunky shifter in my care, I’ve got to use every bit of my powers and questionable instincts to uncover the truth before the killer turns his sights on me, and I end up the next witch in a body bag.

The Witch’s Bestiary includes:

¡ Witches, Werewolves, and Vampires

¡ Hidden magic and a magical underworld

¡ A slow-burn / RH romance

¡ Fantastic creatures

¡ A badass female main character with snark and humor

Bouquets and Blades Press

Publication date

August 26, 2025

Language

‎English

Print length

184 pages

Book 1 of 5

The Witch’s Bestiary

Review: Virtual Games (The Digital Detective Mystery Series Book 5) by P.L. Matthews 

Rating: 4.5⭐️

Although it’s not specifically mentioned, Virtual Games brings The Digital Detective Mystery Series to a happy ending where all the characters have moved forward in their lives, growing up in some ways and developing new relationships and friendships, finding new powers and potential partners. 

And it happens in a very surprising way. With Vampire Games and visits from characters from an another Matthews series, the Green Witch. Those who have read this series will love this crossover element. I haven’t and it will likely send me there to see what it is about. 

But the story here has more than enough to keep a reader engaged. Several plots, an interesting murder mystery included that brings back part of Skye’s past and an old college painful memory. 

Matthews balances the needs of Skye and Seb’s relationship to move forward along with those of the other characters, as well as the individual characters whose personalities and powers continue to be developed by the events and storyline.

It’s a dynamic narrative, one that’s so powerful and jammed with interesting elements and characters that it leaves room for additional drama and stories even though it’s a satisfying finale as well. We want more but are happy with this too. 

Perhaps Matthews will pick up this universe with the sister, Zephyra’s story. That would make sense and for great storytelling.

Very entertaining and engaging. I even liked Bob finally!

The Digital Detective Mystery Series (5 book series):

Murder By Code #1

Fatal Error #2

Kill Switch #3

Storm Signal #4

Virtual Games #5

Buy link

        Virtual Games: A Digital Detective Mystery (The Digital Detective Mystery Series Book 5)

    

Blurb 

Level up… or get eliminated. Permanently.

Skye Sanders, tech mage extraordinaire, is on the trail of a hit-and-run—only to discover it’s tangled up with the infamous Vampire Games.

Her boyfriend Seb’s invitation to “help from the sidelines” quickly becomes a front-row seat to sabotage. The Games test skill, strength, and cunning. Physical gauntlets, brain-bending riddles, and the occasional death-defying stunt are fair play.

With rival teams closing in and tensions simmering hotter than Sydney in January, Skye must unravel a sabotage trail before it claims its next victim. But in a contest where every competitor guards secrets like treasure and alliances shift faster than a server crash, even her sharpest code might not be enough to keep everyone alive—least of all Seb, who’s squarely in the crosshairs.

The stakes are literal. And losing? Not an option.

If you enjoy urban-fantasy mysteries with magic, humour, and a clever heroine—think books by Patricia Briggs, Hailey Edwards, Heather G. Harris, Annette Marie, or Kim Harrison—Virtual Games should be right up your alley.

Publication date

December 17, 2025

Language

‎English

Print length

358 pages

Book 5 of 5

The Digital Detective Mystery Series

Review: Storm Signal (The Digital Detective Mystery Series Book 4) by P.L. Matthews 

Rating: 4.5⭐️

Storm Signal is the book where it all starts to come together. Characters that I wasn’t crazy about get their redemption, main characters get deeper background information and more importantly, they are more detailed in their powers and emotional development.

A growth for the series and characters that will continue through the next novel. 

As with all the novels of this series, Storm Signal picks up on the cliffhanger of the last story with the entrance of Skye’s older sister, Zephyra, back into her life and city of Sydney. Of course, bringing with her chaos, mystery, murder, and old family painful memories for Skye.

Storm Signal weaves multiple storylines with great success. Matthews gives us insight into the Fae political system along with some very important revelations about main characters. By the end of the book, several characters have made progress in their respective relationships, like Seb and Skye whose journey together is a major part of the book.  New ones are also being established also alongside others already underway.

I throughly enjoyed this book. The plots were highly entertaining, the characters were great and the relationships between each other engaging and believable.

A real winner. 

The Digital Detective Mystery:

Murder By Code #1

Fatal Error #2

Kill Switch #3

Storm Signal #4

Virtual Games #5

Buy link

        Storm Signal: A Digital Detective Mystery (The Digital Detective Mystery Series Book 4)

    

Blurb 

Trouble runs in the family

Skye hasn’t seen her sister Zephyra since she left Fairyland to live on Earth with Grandma and Grandpa. But now Zephyra’s back—blowing into town like a cyclone on a mission. Literally.

The police are on her trail, there’s a murder, and sibling rivalry? Yeah, that’s about to reach new heights. 

Skye’s tech magic and Zephyra’s wild air magic don’t exactly blend.

Enter Skye’s vampire boyfriend, Seb—brooding, mysterious—and Fred, her charming, sarcastic best friend with a knack for trouble. The two don’t see eye to eye. Not that they’re jealous of each other over Skye… right?

With the storm building—both magical and emotional—the sisters will have to figure out how to work together to clear Zephyra’s name. But as tech and air collide in a whirlwind of trouble, the real question is: can they solve the case before they throttle each other first?

date

September 9, 2025

Language

‎English

Print length

368 pages

Book 4 of 5

The Digital Detective Mystery Series

Humorous fantasy, amateur sleuth mystery, urban fantasy mystery , women sleuths, no spi

Review: Kill Switch (The Digital Detective Mystery Series Book 3) by P.L. Matthews

 

Rating: 4.25⭐️

Kill Switch brings in new players and adds depth of knowledge to those who are already familiar to the reader. In this case, the focus is on Dina. 

From the formula Matthews has set up for her series, each novel ends with a cliffhanger that starts off the following storyline. We know from Fatal Error that Dina’s gone missing when her younger sister shows up at Skye’s townhouse asking for help. 

This event sets up multiple scenarios and plots, several interesting investigations, new characters are introduced and reveals of potential relationships as well.

Matthews packs a lot into the book. 

I wish she’d give us more details about the social structure and hierarchies of naiad culture because that’s pertinent information here. It feels glossed over. 

Other things that take away from a higher rating are discussion of the power of the mages. Whether it’s a tech mage or metal mage, what Skye or Jimmy are capable of or where they pull their power from isn’t entirely clear. That’s frustrating. 

The circle of found friends is an engaging group, however one like Fred keeps being a red flag with his jealousy, unexplained bigotry towards vampires and overall “smarmy” behavior. Perhaps the author has some sort of storyline in mind for this. Next to Bob, he remains the least connectable personality here. 

Kill Switch is a terrific urban fantasy mystery, one that is suspense filled and packed with action and great characters. 

Easy to binge read too. 

No spice romance.

I really like the changeup in cover. Terrific work. More suitable for the character in every aspect of her life.

The Digital Detective Mystery:

Murder By Code #1

Fatal Error #2

Kill Switch #3

Storm Signal #4

Virtual Games #5

Buy link

        Kill Switch: A Digital Detective Mystery (The Digital Detective Mystery Series Book 3)

    

Blurb 

72 Hours. Time is running out.

Skye Sanders, tech mage extraordinaire, can debug a corrupted hard drive in her sleep, but flipping pancakes? Total catastrophe. And as for people stuff? Let’s not even go there.

When her friend’s sister turns up announcing Dina’s missing, Skye drops everything to help.

Something’s not right at the hospital where Dina works, and the clues are as scarce as a working printer when you need one. Armed with two bickering teens, a sarcastic magpie and her parkour crew, Skye is determined to find Dina before it’s too late.

But when her vampire boyfriend (or beau, as Seb insists) shows up, tensions rise—especially with her best friend Fred.

Skye needs a mediator and a dose of luck. The clock is ticking.

Note: While part of a series, Kill Switch can be read as a standalone mystery — written in Australian English and set in the magic city of Sydney.

If you enjoy books by K M Shea, Heather G. Harris and Kim Harrison, then you’ll love this riveting urban fantasy story with a touch of humour and romance.

date

June 11, 2025

Language

‎English

Print length

356 pages

Book 3 of 5

The Digital Detective Mystery Series