By Patricia Briggs

Place: Publisher & Year: New York: Ace Books, 2006

Genre: Fantasy, paranormal mystery, contemporary fantasy

Series: Mercy Thompson; 1

ISBN: 9780441013814

Audience: Adult

Number of pages: 288

Setting: Tri-cities (Richland, Kennewick, & Pasco), WA & Aspen Creek, MT

Time period: Contemporary

Plot summary: Mercy Thompson was repairing a VW Jetta transmission when a werewolf walked into her garage.  Once her nose got away from oil and grease, she was able to smell him for what he was quickly.  Mercy is a walker, or shape shifter, able to transform into a coyote, which makes her sense of smell very acute.  She was also raised by werewolves so she was able to tell that this one needed a lot of help.

Appeal factors:

Pacing: Loping pace – steady and quick

Characterization: The story is told in first person through Mercy.  Important secondary characters include Adam Hauptman and Dr. Samuel Cornick.

Frame: Both moonlit magic and axle grease are frames for this genre-blended novel.

Story line: An action filled story which offers a unique perspective on werewolves.

Subject headings:

From Pima County Public Library:

Werewolves — Fiction.

Fantasy fiction.

Similar authors:

Jim Butcher – The Dresden Files series

Charlaine Harris – Sookie Stackhouse series

Kim Harrison – Rachel Morgan/ Hallows series

Karen Marie Moning – MacKayla Lane/ Fever series

Personal notes: I really enjoyed this book – which didn’t surprise me since I had read a positive review of it written by Charles de Lint a while back.  I especially like Mercy’s character.  I can’t say I’m a fan of the artwork on the cover, though.

Other (diversity, themes, websites): Diversity – walker (shape shifter), werewolves, gremlin, vampires, multiracial woman – part Native American, female auto mechanic

Patricia Briggs website