THE RECKONERS

Author: Doranna Durgin ISBN: 9780765361646 2/2010 PARANORMAL Publisher: TOR

Ghost hunter Lisa McGarrity can’t understand what’s gotten into the undead recently. Ectoplasm-flinging spirits and ghouls with grudges seem to be coming out of the woodwork, and she’s been run ragged trying to calm the unusually outraged spirits. Tired of dealing with the disgruntled dead, Lisa is determined to take a break from all things metaphysical. So when the mysterious and sexy Trevarr appears on her doorstep requesting her assistance in an urgent matter, Lisa is less than thrilled. Who is this man, and why is he so interested in her “kooky” hobby? What does he have to gain by visiting paranormal hot spots with her? Whatever he wants, Lisa can’t help being drawn to Trevarr, and as they start working together they stumble upon a house filled to the brim with ghosts driven to the edge of madness. Now Lisa and Trevarr must figure out what’s behind this ghost population explosion, before their mutual attraction causes explosions of its own.

RRAH's THOUGHTS AND PONDERINGS:

Doranna Durgin’s THE RECKONERS is pure escapist fun. A paranormal romance filled with intriguing situations, some silliness, and lots of off-beat spirit energy, it reads as swiftly as some of the wacky characters move.

Garrie is a ghost-hunter who finds herself in cahoots with a part-human bounty hunter named Trevarr. Once these two meet up, things get complicated almost immediately, and the fast-paced action doesn’t let up until the last page. Garrie has talents ordinary women could not imagine possessing—including but not limited to saving lives by the judicious use of Baggies—and she does not hesitate to put her talents to good use. Some of the situations are almost too kooky but, as I said earlier, this is escapist reading and kooky can be fun.

This is the perfect read for a snowy afternoon. The writing is solid and the premise of good versus bad in the guise of excitable demons going head to head with spirit reckoners is interesting. While I wouldn’t classify this as one for the keeper shelf, it is entertaining and sure to please die-hard paranormal fans.

Nicely done!

Kay James