The Taken by Vicki Pettersson

The Taken by Vicki Pettersson

Posted by Anonymous

Reviewed by: Andrew Zollman

What I Read: The Taken by Vicki Pettersson

Find It @YCLD: Here! 

What It's About: Griffin Shaw used to be a PI, but that was back in the 1960’s . . . and he was still alive. Fifty years later, he's an angel, but that doesn't make him a saint. While out on a take, one small mistake has altered fate, and now he's been dumped back onto the mortal mudflat to collect another soul—Katherine "Kit" Craig, a journalist whose latest investigation is about to get her clipped. Rebuking heavenly orders from Sarge (the Pure in charge of centurions), Grif refuses to let the red headed siren come to harm while he’s around. Besides, protecting Kit helps his chances to solve the mystery of his own unsolved murder. Griffin Shaw is overdue payback for the death of his beloved wife, Evie.

Joining forces, Kit and Grif’s search for answers leads beyond the bright lights of the Strip into the darker recesses of the cities night life. But a ruthless killer determined to destroy them isn't Grif's biggest threat. His growing attraction to Kit could cost them both their lives, along with the answer to the haunting question of his long afterlife . . .

What I Thought: For most people, 1960s nostalgia comes from the culture it embodied and not the negatives many people lived through at the time. The mob ruled the streets, the Vietnam War was a reality, and the country seemed like it was falling apart at the seams. This was the reality that Grif was reminded of, along with the death of his wife long ago.

Vicki Peterson does a great job mixing historical realities in the 1960s to the personalities of both Grif and Kit in the story. I really enjoyed Kit’s portrayal of a modern rockabilly and the way she interacts within that lifestyle is done really well. However, don’t let my comments fool you, this is a dark story with many twists and turns. It will take you on a ride through the highs and lows of Las Vegas and even into some of its darker corners and the people who rule over them. Enjoy reading about Grif and Kit as much as I have.

Readalikes: Something More than Night by Ian Tregillis

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