cover image Coyote Dreams

Coyote Dreams

C. E. Murphy, . . Luna, $14.95 (408pp) ISBN 978-0-373-80272-2

Officer Joanne Walker of the Seattle PD, a 26-year-old shaman-in-progress, combats a mysterious sleeping sickness in Murphy's intriguing third romantic fantasy (after 2006's Thunderbird Fall ). The "blue flu" has infected most of the Seattle police force, including Jo's boss (and future sweetie?), Capt. Michael Morrison. Jo pops in and out of fantastic flashbacks and lucid dreams as she learns more about her powers and her past with the help of her colorful spirit guide, Coyote, who suddenly goes missing. To vanquish the evil causing the plague, she must deal with troublesome newcomers Barbara and Mark Bragg, part Navajo twins, who've been working on a quantum physics project involving wormholes. Jo resorts to some major Cherokee-Celtic mojo to wake everyone up to the dangers of the Braggs' experiments, which allow dark butterfly demons and a Navajo god to enter present-day Seattle. Jo's romantic issues with Mark and Michael add fuel to the paranormal proceedings. (May)