Nightshade Cases First Collection

Promising Premise but Pacing and Character Inconsistencies

This urban fantasy novel brings together three college friends—Gerri, a police detective; Ray, a city medical examiner; and Kinsey, an archaeologist—in Silver City, California. Their reunion coincides with a series of bizarre murders, each followed by unusual events: disappearing bodies and files, connections to a specific city council committee, and links to a religious cult. Adding to the supernatural intrigue, Ray's mother is a significant figure in a paranormal oversight organization, while her archnemesis is determined to recruit Ray to the "dark side."
The core mystery, along with the paranormal abilities of the three friends, unfolds at an incredibly slow pace. While Ray and Kinsey clearly possess supernatural gifts, the slow reveal of Gerri's "inner beast" is frustratingly drawn out. Even more problematic is the lack of clarity surrounding the conflict between Kinsey’s mother and the antagonist, Simone; their history is barely hinted at, despite being clearly an ongoing, significant feud.
A major detractor from the narrative is the excessive focus on Ray and Kinsey's emotional turmoil. This emphasis feels overdone and repetitive, significantly slowing down the story's momentum. Furthermore, Gerri's characterization presents a significant hurdle. Despite being a data-driven homicide detective, she stubbornly refuses to acknowledge the paranormal evidence presented to her, even fleeing from it. This obstinacy clashes sharply with her supposed persona, making it difficult to empathize with her.
Adding to the convoluted plot, both Ray and Kinsey appear to be withholding crucial information about their involvement with individuals connected to the escalating murders. Even Gerri’s psychologist seems to possess knowledge about Gerri's latent abilities, but is strangely hesitant to explore or share it.
Ultimately, the sheer number of unresolved plot threads leaves the reader feeling adrift. The narrative's pacing issues and the inconsistencies in character development make the book a difficult read, forcing me to consume it in small, single-chapter increments. While the premise holds promise, its execution ultimately drags, preventing it from being a truly enjoyable experience.