Unclean Spirits by MLN Hanover

Title: Unclean Spirits
Author: MLN Hanover (a pen name for Daniel Abraham, kudos to bloodofthemuse for this tip)
Series: The Black Sun's Daughter, #1
Genre: Sexy pentacle tattoo
Reason for Reading: I found this at a local used bookstore and I thought it looked fun.
Pages: 373 plus a "sneak peek" at the next book in the series
Copyright Date: 2008
Cover: Sepia-toned. A woman wearing leather pants and a bra. There is a large tribal tattoo at the small of her back. She is holding a knife, and magical energy swirls around her.
First line: "It was raining in Denver the night Eric Heller died."
Best part: Nice worldbuilding.
Worst part: I felt the parts of the plot that were not related to the worldbuilding were a bit cliched.
Imaginary Theme Song: "I Don't Wanna Stop" by Ozzy Osbourne
Grade: B-
Recommended for: I think it's worth a read for anyone who likes the genre; and it's a must for anyone who thinks the genre might have just a bit too much sex in it.
Related Reads: Scent of Shadows by Vicki Petterson, Solstice Wood by Patricia McKillip, The Enchantment Emporium by Tanya Huff.

Jayne (pronounced Zha-nay) is torn between emotions. On the one hand, the one person who she believes ever really cared about her, her uncle, has just passed away. On the other hand, he has left her a new home, a new set of friends, and a new purpose - to find his killer. She may have just found her place in life. But with the good comes the bad, and Jayne's new life has its own problems, more deadly than anything she has ever faced. Will Uncle Eric's gifts be enough to save the day?

Considering I snagged this book on a whim because I wasn't happy with my library books, and considering the standards of the genre (Children of the Moon anyone?) it was surprisingly good. This book was fast-paced and engrossing. The heroine has a brain which she uses most of the time. The other characters each have their own secrets and motivations. Every gift has strings attached. The plot turns were plausible. It was hard, though not impossible, to put down. B-, mostly because even though I really liked it and look forward to the sequel, I don't think I'd read it over and over again.

Have His Carcase by Dorothy L. Sayers

Title: Have His Carcase
Author: Dorothy L. Sayers
Series: Lord Peter Wimsey, #7
Genre: Classic mystery
Reason for Reading: I enjoyed Strong Poison though not its immediate sequel. I wanted to give Sayers another chance.
Pages: 440
Copyright Date: 1960
Cover: A small woodcut on a white background. A woman capering on a beach stops to stare at a body on a rock. You might think the man was sleeping but for the blood seeping below.
First line: "The best remedy for a bruised heart is not, as so many people seem to think, repose on a manly bosom."
Best part: The banter between LPW and Harriet Vane, who is my favorite character in the series.
Worst part: There were about fifteen pages on the two of them trying to break a cipher. Please, I don't need all the details! Just tell me what it said once you broke the code! (I would have found it much more interesting if there was an appendix explaining how to create or break a cipher of that kind.)
Imaginary Theme Song: "Sisters Are Doing It For Themselves" by Annie Lennox - a good song for Ms. Vane, I believe.
Grade: C+
Recommended for: People who want to explore the roots of manners mystery.
Related Reads: Strong Poison by the same author, Cut to the Quick by Kate Ross.