The Taken (Celestial Blues #1) by Vicki Pettersson

He’s a fallen angel. She’s a rockabilly reporter. Together they must solve a deadly string of murders plaguing the mortal and the immortal worlds.

Griffin Shaw used to be a PI, but that was over fifty years ago when gumshoes hoofed the streets . . . and he was still alive. Now he’s a Centurion, an angel who assists other murdered souls through their journey to the afterlife. But while Shaw might be an angel … he’s no saint. Haunted by the mysterious events surrounding his own death, he seizes a chance to wreak some vengeance when he witnesses a deadly attack on journalist Katherine “Kit” Craig.

Joining forces, the unlikely avengers take to the streets, hunting a killer whose trail of bodies stretches across Las Vegas and into an immortal netherworld. It is a dangerous trek that lead them into the darkest corners of Sin City and into the heart of an evil conspiracy extending beyond the lights of the Strip that could destory them both.

But destruction isn’t the only threat Griffin faces. The closer he gets to Kit, the more he finds himself bewitched by her mortal charms. Can he resist falling under her spell? And does he want to?

Okay, how perfect is this book cover for this blog? You know I had to read it. Okay, now that you know I love the cover, now what about the book?

I have to admit that the beginning of this book was a bit uneven. It had it's moments, but did meander quite a bit toward the middle. Also, although I did enjoy both the main characters, I have to admit that it did bug me that their was SO much about her being a "billie" (person who loves rockabilly). I understood why some characters couldn't get over it, but it was a bit much when it came to people who knew her well ... and even from the main heroine, Kit. I felt that is why the pacing of even getting to know the characters was uneven as well.

The other aspect of this book may put off some people who are expecting either a PNR or a UF book and get something else. It does have elements of both, but it really reminded me of something with a bit of camp to it as well as what you might see in a film noir for today. I think the camp was there to help pull this off. Those that aren't used to that might not see the book for it's potential. Sometimes things we do not expect throws us off. I admit it did this to me at first, but I quickly got used to it.

The ending however, is where everything comes together and really rocks. The main mystery is solved, the bad (and I do mean BAD) guys are put away and yet there is a thread that is left for future installments of this series. I personally would love to read the next in this series. Besides I bet the future covers will look so purty here at Books and Things. ;)

I give this book 3 1/2 stars. I recommend it for lovers of detective stories with a film noir feel. The book is out today!
I received this book from the publisher and no compensation for my review was given.