One Grave at a Time: A Night Huntress Novel: A Night Huntress Novel a Night Huntress Novel (Night Huntress Novels) [Mass Market Paperback]

Book 6 in Jeaniene Frost's Night Huntress series picks up immediately where Book 5 (This Side of the Grave: A Night Huntress Novel) left off - with the reappearance, as a ghost, of Cat Crawford's recently deceased uncle Don.

Yet despite Cat and her sexy husband Bones' best efforts, five weeks after he passed, Don is still busily haunting them. Before long, though, it seems that trouble is afoot - Cat's former employee, Sergeant Tate Bradley (now Don's acting successor at the Homeland Security Department) calls to request Cat's presence. The team's new operations consultant, a government desk jockey with an aversion to vampires, wants to meet her. So Cat, Bones, and Don set off to participate in what NOBODY believes will be a routine evaluation.

If that wasn't enough, Cat's ghostly assistant, Fabian brings a friend's ongoing problem to her attention. Fabian's friend, a ghost named Elizabeth, is a virtual outcast in ghostly society... thanks to her ongoing quest to end the existence of another ghost. Elizabeth was tortured and burned as a witch by a German witchfinder, Kramer. In retaliation for his acts, Elizabeth had succeeded in ending Kramer's mortal life, but unfortunately that had only proven to be the beginning of the story as Kramer too became a ghost. Since his demise, Kramer's ghost has become increasingly powerful... so much so that he is able to manifest physically for an entire night every Halloween: only to kidnap, torture and extract confessions of witchcraft from 3 women before burning them alive. Naturally, Cat and Bones set out to bring an end to the ghost's serial murdering, but with Homeland Security no longer as friendly to their activities as in the past matters have become distinctly trickier.

It's always nice to see how well Frost writes the relationship between Cat and Bones - having worked through a great many problems and insecurities what they share is now a well-rounded partnership. Bones' obvious pride when Cat refers to herself as Cat Crawford Russell for the first time is enough to make Cat want to use her married name on a permanent basis, and his explanation of the fact that it not only doesn't bother him that she's powerful (possibly more powerful than him) but comes as a source of comfort since he knows it helps to keep her safe proves that, despite his long lifespan, Bones is a truly enlightened and supportive male. There's humour too, and the frustration of Cat and Bones' personal time - largely caused by ghostly interruptions - leads to a novel joining of the Mile High Club. Suffice it to say, that ghosts CAN'T fly and vampires CAN!

There are some welcome reappearances from characters from earlier novels - Ian, Justina, Spade and Denise - but also some omissions (no Mencheres or Vlad! The latter, IMO, a particular shame). Although the story stands up reasonably well alone there are a lot of loose ends left here for future development: particularly surrounding Don, Tate and the future of Cat's former government team and I'd certainly recommend anyone who hasn't read the previous Night Huntress novels to start with Halfway to the Grave (Night Huntress 1).

One Grave at a Time is the next book in the Night Huntress series following vampire couple Cat and Bones. In this latest installment the couple has a new supernatural problem that doesn't involve vampires or ghouls. Cat and Bones could ignore it, since the threat isn't directed at them, but they feel an obligation to help. Innocent women will be tortured and killed on Halloween by a very old ghost named Heinrich Kramer if they don't. That is something they can't ignore. The problem is this particular ghost is unlike any they have dealt with before. Kramer is far more powerful than others of his kind and they have no means to kill him. That will not stop them from finding a way, though, as they have faced impossible odds before and managed to overcome them.

Another major issue comes to the forefront as well. With Cat's uncle Don now a ghost and no longer running her old military supernatural unit, he can't provide them with the support he once did. A new man, Madigan, has taken Don's place and he clearly has a problem with Cat. He seeks to spy on her and undermine her current activities. Madigan also seems to have a hidden agenda that no one can discern. Cat must deal with his interference into her affairs while also trying to capture a difficult ghost. The obstacles her and Bones face this time may be just as deadly as any they faced before.

I had mixed feelings on this latest novel. This is by far my favorite series, but this installment didn't quite live up to my expectations. It had suspense and certainly kept me guessing throughout, but perhaps lacked some of the intensity others had. Cat and Bones get along almost too well which means their relationship is no longer an issue. Seeing them strong without being at odds is great, but it means the story must focus far more on outside issues, rather than their personal struggles. For some readers this is fine, others will miss the old sparks that once flew from the couple. There is one really good romantic scene that is different from anything seen before, but it didn't rate quite as high as previous ones. In addition to that, there are some issues left unresolved that could have been dealt with better.

A few previous characters are seen in this installment and have important roles. Ian finally reveals a small hint about his human past, which has been rather murky up to this point, and he has several good lines that are rather humorous. Spade and Denise show up to help. Her new abilities once again prove useful. Most of Cat's former buddies from her old unit have little or no visibility, which was a bit disappointing. The most frustrating of all, though, was not seeing Vlad. He may be getting his own series next year, but I had hoped to see him one last time before his bachelorhood comes to an end. Mencheres and Kira aren't around either and they could have been helpful.

This isn't a bad book and was quite entertaining. The old humor still found its way in the storyline, which did make a difference since that is one of my favorite elements to the books. It is just that I have come to expect a lot from Jeaniene Frost in her Night Huntress series and this didn't seem to be at quite the same level as before. It will not make me give up reading the series. I just hope future books will bring back the passion and intensity seen in earlier novels. If looked at as a romance series, it rates three to three and a half stars. If viewed simply as an Urban Fantasy, it is four stars. I wish I could give it a five, but the story just wasn't up to par this time.

One thing I will say about this book, by the end you will be grateful if you have a pet and may want to get one if you don't!

It is always so nice to revisit these characters and the Night Huntress world. Cat, Bones, Spade, Denise, Fabian....the whole gang. There was only one significant absence, however. No Vlad! And I absolutely adore him (even if Bones doesn't), so it was such a shame he didn't feature. Obviously he's off having amazing and wild adventures which we can all read about when his new spin-off series: Night Prince, starts in March 2012. We did, on the plus side, meet a fabulous new character by the name of Tyler, who I am desperately hoping and praying is going to become a permanent fixture in the series. He was so great and provided many great one-liners and lots of sass and attitude. I couldn't help seeing Lafayette from True Blood whenever he was in a scene. My favourite quote from him:

"That face, that body . . . and you know he's packing, look at the angle of that dangle!."

The story revolves around a nasty, evil spirit who has a history of violence against women. Death hasn't improved his personality much. Of Course it's down to Cat, with her powers left over from the previous book, and Bones, because where she goes, he goes, to fix the ghostly problem. It was nice to see them working together like this. They are now an unbreakable pair, no longer running off on their own to try and save the other without thinking through any of the consequences. Who says you can't teach an old vamp new tricks, eh?

I did very much enjoy this book, yet I have to say there was a slightly more sedate feel to it than past efforts. When you compare it to the drama and turmoil of books 1-4, the last one and this one have both been a lot calmer and slightly slower paced. Perhaps this is a natural evolvement because the character's relationships are more settled now, and as a positive it's also easier to read in terms of my blood pressure now that they are, BUT, I almost want to throw a spanner in the works just to make the next book a bit livelier. Wicked, aren't I? Mwah ha ha!

Anyway, I'm sure the next one will kick it up a notch and I can't wait to read the synopsis for it.

I'm liking the new cover model. I liked the last one too, and she will probably always be my mental picture for Cat, but this one is very pretty too. And Cat's cat (snort) Helsing plays quite a big roll in the book so it's good that it features on there too!