cover image Demon Dog

Demon Dog

Ally Blue. Samhain, $15 trade paper (248p) ISBN 978-1-61921-102-5

Blue launches the Mojo Mysteries, spun off from her Bay City Paranormal Investigations series, with this lightweight relationship-focused urban fantasy. In Chapel Hill, N.C., Greg Woodhall tops custom hot dogs at DogOpolis and has minor roles in PlayMakers Repertory. Everything is going well until he encounters a spooky phantom that becomes more aggressive and threatening each day, interfering with his work and his relationship with his psychic boyfriend, Adrian Broussard. BCPI come in to assist, but they will have to stretch their powers to defeat a paranormal stalker before someone dies. Blue revels in small details, but the near-future setting is underutilized, and big plot elements around the otherworldly malevolence and a fellow actor%E2%80%99s crush on Greg are left hanging. The characters are obsessed with sex, and relationships feel immature. This bit of fluff will appeal to readers looking for a quick paranormal read with angsty romantic elements and mostly PG-13 sex, but won%E2%80%99t satisfy those seeking grittier stories and more realistic characters. (Nov.)