Guardian of Monsters: Sleuths of Shadow Salon, urban fantasy PI, Book 1

by Catherine Stine

Supernaturally on the case! Celestine LeBlanc and Luna Finley are the Sleuths of Shadow Salon.Celestine, witch and wolf shifter has a talent for prophetic drawings. She’s shocked when she draws her landlord Ray with his eyes gouged out and a strange winged-mermaid leaning over him. Later she finds an eyeless Ray dead on the sidewalk. All she wanted to do was open a gallery, but first she must apprehend his killer. In a posthumous note, Ray wrote he wasn’t just a leather-smith but a supernatural pirate mage. Years back, his Jekyll crew trapped the evil Demon Three Eyes clan. Ray feared they’d escaped, were stalking him, and would soon wreak havoc on Savannah.Oryn, a fellow student in Celestine’s continuing ed art class, is a fae and a thorn in her side, when he asks nosy questions about the case. Yet, she’s drawn to him when he’s her masseur at the spa she frequents, and he’s clever at brainstorming leads regarding Ray’s case. He insists his air magic could come in handy.When pirates in Ray’s old crew are murdered, their body parts stolen, Celestine puts more horrifying clues together. She’ll need everyone on board, including Luna, a mermaid asking to show her sea-glass sculptures at Celestine’s new gallery—and the very same mermaid in Celestine’s tragic drawing of Ray. Otherwise, the lethal monstrosity Demon Three Eyes is unleashing on Savannah will destroy the city and everyone in it. Fans of Kim Harrison and Charlaine Harris may like this new supernatural detective series.

Genres: Fantasy, Paranormal

252 pages, Kindle Edition

Published September 18, 2023

About the author

Catherine Stine is a USA Today bestselling author of urban, paranormal and historical fantasy. Her novels have earned Indie Notable awards and New York Public Library Best Books. Catherine's newest historical fantasy, Witch of the Wild Beasts, was a second prize winner in the Romance Writers' Sheila Contest.

She loves spending time with her beagle, writing about supernatural creatures, gardening on her deck, and meeting readers at book events. Catherine suspects her love of dark fantasy came from her father reading Edgar Allen Poe to her when she was a child.

Reviews

[(old.enough.for.fairytales) · Rating 4 out of 5]

This supernatural mystery was just so much fun to read. It was fairly short which made it a fun and quick read, and I love books that can be read in one sitting! I loved the two female main characters, Celestine (who draws prophetic art) and Luna, a water mage. They made such a fun team and I’m super excited to read more of their sleuthing takes in future books. The setting of this book was SO fun because I’ve been to Savannah multiple times and it def makes a great spooky setting!

Def recommend if you want a quick, spooky season read with low steam.

Thanks to the author for gifting me a copy. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

[Geri Seavey · Rating 4 out of 5]

Celestine Leblanc earth witch and werewolf shifter is an artist. Normally creating art with digital media she takes an art class to expand her skills with other mediums. During class her hand takes over and leaves on her canvas a brutal scene of Ray, her good friend and landlord, lying dead with his eyes removed and a winged mermaid hovering over him. She rushes home and shares with Ray, asking him to be careful, but within hours he’s found outside his leather shop dead with his eyes violently removed. Befriending Oren, an air mage and two mundanes Aline and Riley, Celestine begins investigating. The police won’t figure this out - they know little about the supernatural world. They discover an evil water clan banished by Ray has escaped and they have plans to unleash a monster on Savannah in hope of taking over the city. A woman drops into Ray’s leather shop with wings peeking out of her jacket; Luna is a water mage and artist. She’s also the one Celestine drew in her prophetic art. Together the group works to reveal the evil clan’s intentions as time is running out all while Celestine attempts to resist the sparks she feels whenever she’s around Oryn. They manage to save Savannah but there are losses and triumphs. You should read this to find out how it all goes down!

I was provided a free copy of this book in exchange for my review.

[Tati Alvarez]

I love a good PNR book and this one was different from many I read! This one focuses on a mystery, which I loved following, even if we knew who it was from the very beginning. My favorite character is Oryn. I loved the banter between him and Celestine. Overall, I thought this was such a fun start to a series and can't wait to see where it goes.

[Penny · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love books about detectives in a paranormal universe, or urban fantasy, so I was excited to try this book. The characters don’t start out as detectives, but by the end of the book, they are. I was sad at the death at the beginning, but that’s OK as he is the catalyst for the events in the book. There are a couple of uneven parts in this series starter, but it was an interesting read. I loved how this book ended, and I’ll definitely be reading the next one. Recommend. I was provided a complimentary copy which I voluntarily reviewed.

[Ve (ve_xo) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Actual 3.5 stars
This was a fun read. Perfect for lovers of Paranormal Romance, mystery and banter. I loved the artistic aspect in this story. The author gives us Celestine, she sees prophecies through her art which I thought was so unique in itself. Celestine is pulled into a mystery when one of the dearest people in her life was found dead. She is on a mission to find out what is going on and who is responsible for this tragedy.

The unraveling of the story was very fun to follow, it gave me nancy drew vibes with some supernatural humor. Along the way Celestine makes friends that end up being her partner in crime when it comes to solving mysteries. The dynamic between the characters was enjoyable, I wish I wouldve learned a bit more about the foundation of the prophecies and the earth magic, but this didnt stop me from enjoying the book! looking forward to reading more.

Huge thanks to the author for gifting me a copy! All opinions are my own.

[Maria Elena | pagesofmaria · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rating: 3.5 stars
Spice: 1 pepper

What’s better than a mystery? A supernatural mystery, with a supernatural detective on the case.

Guardian of Monsters has a very interesting premise, with part shifter, part witch Celestine as its protagonist. Aside from the ability to shapeshift and her earth magic, Celestine also has the power of premonition through automatic drawings—meaning her hand moves on the page without her control. One day, during art class, she draws her friend and landowner Ray with his eyes gauged out, and later she finds him murdered and eyeless. Celestine is determined to catch the culprit, and to do so she also uses supernatural help—among which is the help of her ghost/tarot reader mentor, which was probably one of my favorite things about the book. I loved the scenes where Celestine communed with the dead and spoke to Nola Jaye’s ghost!

Aside from the communing with the ghosts and the cool artsy premonition power, I also very much enjoyed the Savannah, Georgia setting. It was positively spooky and quite immersive and made this the perfect read for almost-October. However, I would have liked to see a little more development in the romance and the mystery. Especially in the mystery, I prefer it when there’s multiple suspects because it makes the case more fun to untangle, whereas here Celestine knew almost immediately what path to pursue for the resolution of the case because of things Ray left written down. I do love how at the end of this whole ordeal Celestine and Luna start their own private investigating gig and use the art gallery as a cover. The future of the series looks promising!

Thank you to the author for gifting me a copy. Opinions are my own.

[Stormy McDonald · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked the premise of this book -- a magic weilding werewolf with precognitive art abilities and a variety of supernaturals living among humans who (mostly) deny the magical. However, I couldn't buy into the concept of a Water Mage villain who willfuly destroyed the very element from which he derived his power.

The writing itself was a descent beginner effort. I had some difficulty tracking the passage of time because there was nothing to indicate if hours, days, or weeks had passed from one scene to the next unless it came out in dialogue. There were very few typos, but I found myself distracted by references to the "Savannah coastline" when she clearly meant "Georgia coastline." I would have like more character development of Celestine's friends...something other than physical descriptions.

Trigger alerts:
- Swearing: not as much as modern movies, but not "G" rated
- Sex: a fair bit of lusting and obsessing over the male "love" interest, and one graphic sex scene
- Violence: murders, kidnapping, physical abuse, city destruction (ala Godzilla)

[Michelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a fantastical blend of fantasy, paranormal and mystery all rolled into one intriguing story. Celestine is a mix of wolf, magic user and human and she’s on a quest to save a friend who was killed. His past came back to haunt him and now she along with some new friends are racing to uncover his past and his secrets to find the answers that will save the people and the city of Savannah.
This story is intense, fast paced and full of magical mysteries. I did enjoy the book and would very much like to see what other adventures are in store for these characters.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Alex ✨ · Rating 4 out of 5]

I recommend this book for anyone who likes fantasy/paranormal detective books. This book has a little bit of everything. I was upset about the death at the beginning because I immediately loved the character. But I understood the importance and enjoyed the rest of the story.

[Christine Rains · Rating 5 out of 5]

Celestine LeBlanc has come to Savannah with hopes of settling down in the beautiful city and opening her own art gallery, but the violence from an old war entangles her when her landlord and friend Ray is brutally murdered. She is a witch and wolf shifter who has a talent for prophetic drawings, but they don't give her all the answers she needs as she searches for his killer. With help from a winged mermaid and a gorgeous fae, they uncover a dark plot by the evil Demon Three Eyes clan and a history of magical pirates. Celestine and her friends must unravel the mystery and save the city from Vex Blade's foul magic.

This is the first book in the urban fantasy series, Sleuths of Shadow Salon, and it was so much fun. The setting is beautifully described and drew me into the city of Savannah. Celestine has a lot of heart and won't give up as she tries to find out what happened to Ray. I liked the moments when she was talking to the dead and how the magic overtakes her when she is drawing a prophetic piece. Plus, she's a wily wolf as well as being a witch! Her friends are quirky, and it just makes them all the more endearing. I love the originality of pirate mages and having supernatural crews, and how there is a huge history there lurking behind the story that I would really like to read about. Of course there is some sizzling romance between Celestine and Oryn, the hot fae, and a big twist around it. Lots of action and mystery. I can't wait for more in this series.

[The Book Nerd's Corner · Rating 4 out of 5]

An adult paranormal mystery featuring a sassy wolf girl and her supernatural sleuthing partners.

"Guardian of Monsters" follows Celestine who is a wolf shifter and a witch. On a day like any other she goes to her art class, gets a massage, and communicates with the dead. But when she returns to her home, her landlord/long time friend, Ray, has been murdered. And the murder was quite abnormal: Ray's eyes have been removed from his skull. Upon receiving her inheritance from Ray, Celestine discovers messages left specifically for her. She decides to take up the case on her own and endeavors to find out who the killer is. But she soon realizes that there is more at stake than she ever could have imagined. . .

This book was a unique read that kept me interested the whole way through. I don't read many mystery books, but the paranormal elements in this one kept me greatly entertained and invested in the plot. The fact that all of the supes have different powers and abilities also kept the magic fresh and always had me guessing what the next supernatural character could do.

I appreciated the characters in this one. I find Celestine's attitude to be spunky and in your face, which is super enjoyable to read. She has many abilities including shape-shifting, earth magic, communing with the dead, prophetic powers, and much more. Initially, I was a bit concerned that she would be too overpowering with all these talents, but she wasn't all that much stronger than the rest of the supe cast. The love interest, Oryn, is a sweet guy. He's super loyal, brave, and is always willing to help out. I think that them meeting in an art class and then their chance encounter at the masseuse was such a fun way to build chemistry between them. It might not have been the most conventional way to initiate their banter-filled relationship, but it is unique. We didn't get much of Luna (the other half of the Sleuths of Shadow Salon) in this book, but her water abilities and flight seem to be cool and useful. The fact that she's a mermaid also gets her bonus points in my book.

The reveals in this book were honestly pretty great. Despite knowing who committed the crimes early on, I still felt inclined to discover how the showdown would go down. Also, after the bomb that Oryn dropped towards the end, I am really curious to see where him and Celestine's relationship goes, as well as learn more lore about his life as a fae. I'm also excited to learn more about Luna's life. It seems traumatic as is, but I'm sure she has other interesting things to share.

Overall, I found "Guardian of Monsters" to be a fun paranormal mystery that kept me engaged until the last page. I am really interested to see where the rest of the series goes; this book had a bunch of lore dropping and worldbuilding, so I feel they can only get better from here. The ending also roles nicely into book two, and the fact that it takes place in a art school surrounding theatre has me excited. I will most definitely be checking out the next one when I get the chance! I would recommend this one for fans of paranormal romance, mysteries, or book lovers who like their MCs strong and independent.

[Janalyn, the blind reviewer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Celestine Leblanc moved in with her dad‘s good friend Ray in Georgia to go to a writing class she was accepted in on her first night in writing class when she was supposed to draw a woman she instead drew a mermaid with her uncle Ray lying dead at the mermaids tail with no eyeballs because she had a bit of magic and a few tricks she knew this drawing meant something important she loved Who she called uncle Ray . After all had he not allowed her to stay in the apartment above his leather shop she couldn’t have attended the class she also used her artistic ability at the shop in one day while working she tells him to be very careful he laughs her off but while she is out summoning her dead friend the Madame psychic to help her and give her advice about the picture she comes back to find her uncle is dead and it’s exactly like the picture minus the mermaid. she is shocked to find out Ray left her everything the shop his million dollars in the bank and although she is happy about it her main concern is solving his murder. Where do you go when you want to find a murdering mermaid that’s the dilemma Celestine is in not only that the more she investigates the dangerous and gets less she have the magical ability and the wherewithal to solve her uncle Ray’s murder? This was such a clever clever book! I always hear people say the book had wonderful characters and this will be my first time stating that because I loved Celestine I love the old characters in the book I thought they were all wonderful this is my type of book I am new to magical realism fiction and I loved it I know I keep saying that but I just want that to definitely come across if you’re looking for a great mystery with a little magic you definitely need to read this book. Please forgive any mistakes as I am blind and dictate my review.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[LV · Rating 3 out of 5]

The first book in the series has a lot of potential and the main concept of her predicting murders via paintings really intrigued and excited me, but overall I found it less engaging then I hoped. I think the core issue for me, was that the book starts off with the main character not involved in being a sleuth or P.I at all, but rather tells the story of how they come to be one. The death of a close friend and a very engaging character was actually a very powerful part of the book, however the central mystery that caused the murder was quite straight forward and simple. I wish it had been more complex, it felt more like an adventure or quest.

There were some great moments and aspects the setting of Savannah and the different scenery like the marshes, graveyards etc were great. I really enjoyed the use of tarot/oracle cards to communicate with Nola Jaye and hope that it is developed more in later books. The use and awareness of the history of the area also enriched the writing and plot. I would like to see a bit more understanding of how the supernatural and natural world interact, as I felt that it wasn't quite clear how much humans knew or was kept secret from them. The rules of the world could have been made clearer.

I'm still intrigued by the series and where Luna and Celestine go from here. I think a complex mystery with improved pacing would really make this series standout.
Disclaimer: I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Atia Rahman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Celestine LeBlanc arrives in Savannah, aspiring to open an art gallery, but her plans take a dark turn when her landlord and friend Ray is gruesomely murdered due to an ancient conflict. As a witch and wolf shifter with a talent for prophetic drawings, Celestine, alongside a winged mermaid and a captivating fae, unravels a sinister plot by the Demon Three Eyes clan and delves into the history of magical pirates. Together, they must decipher the mystery and thwart Vex Blade's malevolent magic, saving the city.

The first installment in the Sleuths of Shadow Salon urban fantasy series, this book is a delightful adventure. Savannah is vividly depicted, creating an immersive backdrop for Celestine's quest. I loved Celestine's character so much! Also, the supporting casts, including the quirky friends, enhances the charm of the story. The inclusion of pirate mages and supernatural crews introduces an original and intriguing layer to the narrative, leaving readers eager to explore the hidden history. The sizzling romance between Celestine and Oryn adds a spicy twist to the tale which I enjoyed so much!

With a perfect blend of action and mystery, this series opener promises an exciting continuation. I'm eagerly anticipating more from the Sleuths of Shadow Salon universe. So excited!

[Danielle · Rating 2 out of 5]

While I enjoyed Guardian of Monsters, I did struggle to get in to the book, so I'm rating it 2.5.

I feel like the book would have benefited from more information. You kind of jump in, and that's ok, but I was still really confused about the way the supernatural worked in that world at the end of the book. It seems like an open secret, but not really, but maybe? I liked that some of the supernaturals were a little different from what I had seen before (PIRATE MAGES!!!), but again, I could have used a lot more information.

I found Celestine a little annoying and inconsistent. She alternated between not being able to trust anyone and doing everything herself to spill secrets like crazy. All within a few pages...it was very confusing. I also wasn't a fan of the romance...it just felt forced.

Like I said, I struggled to enjoy this one, but I did enjoy the IDEAS behind the book. If the synopsis sounds good to you, don't let my review discourage you.

Thank you BookSirens for the the ARC, my opinion is shared voluntarily.

[Kathryn · Rating 4 out of 5]

“Sea glass helps bring good luck. That’s why mermaids like to fill their homes with them.”

Celestine LeBlanc is staying with her family friend Ray, leathermaker & pirate mage, when her artistic skills foretell a horrible death. When she returns home from communing with the dead tarot reader, Nola Jaye, she finds that Ray is dead and his eyes have been gouged out just like her prophetic drawing. Not only does Celestine want to find out what happened, but she ends up with a group of friends, some mundane, some not, to help her discover what exactly is going on in Savannah, Georgia.

I read this book as part of an Annotation Swap. It’s so fun being able to see what others pick up on in a book and what you yourself chose as most important. A fast-paced urban fantasy with paranormal creatures, you'll enjoy this story if you're interested in magical elements, a touch of spice, and a mystery surrounding the characters.

CW/TW: Blood, Death, Injury/Injury Detail, Murder, Violence, Torture, War, Terminal Illness

[The Book and Bubble · Rating 4 out of 5]

Guardian of Monsters (Book 1) - Sleuths of Shadow Salon by Catherine Stine:

✨ “Magic, Mystery, and a Dash of Romance” ✨
Dive into the enchanting world of Guardian of Monsters, where Celestine—a wolf shifter, seer, witch, and mortal—paints her way into the future while solving a chilling mystery. After her guardian Ray is found dead, missing his eyes, Celestine and her group of friends team up to uncover secrets tied to pirates, magic, and betrayal.

This book is brimming with phase wolf shifters, seers, water mages, and air magic, wrapped in a tale of found family, captivating mystery, and just a touch of romance. If you’re looking for a story with vivid magic systems, intriguing characters, and a heart-pounding investigation, this one’s for you. 🌙

Will Celestine and her friends uncover the truth behind Ray’s death? Or will the shadows lurking in Savannah take them down first?

🖌️ A thrilling start to the Sleuths of Shadow Salon series! 📖✨

🌟🌟🌟🌟💫4.5/5

[Josette Thomas · Rating 5 out of 5]

When Celestine takes an art class, she is horrified that she draws depictions of others deaths. This absolutely horrifies her and at first she denies what is happening. Then she starts coming across supernatural persons. When one of her drawings comes true she begins a quest to stop an evil supe from attacking her beloved town. She tries to combine her knowledge of the supernatural and the human world to keep everyone safe. She encounters some resistance from the human world because of how long supernaturals have kept themselves in hiding. The battles that ensue are bloody and people, both human and supernatural are lost. When the monster to rival all monsters; arrives it is up to Celestine and her group of supernaturals to defeat the monster and protect the town from destruction. Celestine decides to start an art gallery slash private investigator business to help the supernatural world. At the opening of her gallery she meets her first client….a professor at a haunted school.

[Mom2three · Rating 4 out of 5]

One of the things I love the most about this story is that the MCs are both female. I read a lot of UF, and it seems that every strong female is offset by an even stronger male. This one focuses on two females. I also love that the characters are different types of supes. Celestine is a witch/wolf hybrid and Luna is a mermaid. I really love the adddition of a mermaid. It's not a supe I see in many of the UF books I read, and I can't think of the last time one was a MC. The story itself has all the danger, action, and adventure needed to keep a reader interested and I expect things to only get better from here.

[Lori · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was very surprised by this book - pleasantly surprised. I figured it would be another paranormal story. I really like that it's paranormal but also mystery. The characters are very unique and I can't wait to see what happens next. I love Savannah so I was really happy with the book being set there. I like that the main character isn't just one thing, ex/ witch or demon or wolf, etc. It's the mix of witch and wolf that makes it that much more interesting. Then throw in a mermaid, fae and pirates, you have a wild crew!

[Witch-at-Heart · Rating 4 out of 5]

Guardian of Monsters is a fantastic new paranormal crime procedural with two female MC’s.

Celestine is a witch with who has visions she can draw to learn clues on the cases she works and has several detailed drawing's to help solve this case.

Luna, who is a mermaid joins the team after an art exhibit to show off her water-magic, sea glass sculptures, Celestine adds her to the team because she has drawn her in her prophetic visions and is the mermaid that Celestine has drawn. Highly recommended this little gem it was great and I will definitely read more in the series!

[Debbie Eyre · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a fantastic paranormal mystery with an exciting and thrilling storyline and fantastic characters. Celestine Is a witch and wolf shifter who can prophesie with her art and does not always like what she sees especially when one of them is a friend. It’s down to her to solve the murder mystery and along the way make some friends who help out. Captivating, suspenseful with wonderful world building, this draws you in from start to finish. It’s a great read that I thoroughly enjoyed.

[MelissaReneeReads · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank go Catherine for sending me this book! It was a good palette cleanse and a new genre I hadn’t yet gotten into. Celestine stumbles into a mystery that she has to solve when her good friend Ray is taken from her after a premonition drawing she has. She makes unlikely allies with friends in her art class and quickly works to put the pieces together and solve the mystery of what happened to Ray and his fellow mates that are slowly starting to have untimely endings.

[Jessica · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it

I received this book from a #goodreadsgiveaway.

New to me author that I love. Paranormal and mundane working together. Pirates, monsters, shifters, fae and more. Mystery with a touch of danger, love and friendship. I enjoyed getting to know the gang and look forward to more books.

[Karen · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a good start to a new series with action, adventure, magic, violence, defined MCs, and very good secondary characters. There is drama and chemistry in this entertaining and engaging read.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Christi · Rating 2 out of 5]

This one wasn't for me. I really struggled finishing the last half of the book, but I was determined and forced myself through. The premise seemed intriguing but the execution felt lacking. Some of the word shortening annoyed me (ex/ everyone says supes for supernaturals, and there was a time where Celestine thought "Natch" which I can only assume means naturally). I can ignore this, but in combination with my complete lack of interest that developed as I continued the story has turned me off the series.

Conversations felt clunky, especially in "big reveal" moment or struggles like with Detective Wade or when Luna is introduced. The confession and reveal for Oryn (p 220-221) honestly had me laughing even though it was probably supposed to be a big, romantic moment.

Speaking of Oryn and Celestine - their romance felt forced and random to me. But that could just be me. The sex scene also had me laughing and rolling my eyes, personally I would have just preferred a fade to black moment.

Celestine said she wanted the PI portion to be a secret for only those who knew what to ask and wanted the Shadow Salon to be a front. However, after they finished the case, it seems like everyone knows about it.

I'm also left very confused on how the supernatural world works in this series. There was a lot of seemingly random bits all thrown together. It's a secret but it's not? Some people with magic are killed by humans, but as a whole humans seemed oblivious. There are shifters, witches, hybrids, mermaids, fae...everything you can imagine, which is great. Then we also have bits about fae and certain supernaturals being from other dimensions or worlds. Ray was a mage pirate captain of all things. It felt like the author was trying to say glamours solved all the issue of supernaturals hiding, but glamours literally just hide things. They can't protect the world from being impacted by some supposed war that happened years ago. A war that there was no record of on the human side (which isn't surprising) but also that no supernatural had any record of. This was wasn't hundreds or thousands of years ago.

[Stace · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very much enjoyed the development of characters and the story. Easy to get into the book and was hooked quickly. I enjoyed that it had romance but didn't make the book revolve around sex.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[DMA · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thus was a fast paced magical mystery with some very unique characters and twisted plot lines. Highly entertaining

[DebbieDoesBooks · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars

[Amanda Curry · Rating 5 out of 5]

Starting up Supernatural PI in Savannah?! This was a whirlwind of fun, cozy, and heart wrenching mystery.