Fear is a strange emotion, sometimes rational but most times not, nevertheless, fear is what brings about nightmares, where you wake up in the middle of the night, heart pounding, only to realise it wasn't real. Who hasn't had nightmares at some stage in their lives but when these nightmares manifest into REAL creatures, this would be a cause for major concern, a living nightmare running rampant through a community. Yeah, not fun...see, in the previous book, an ancient sect was trying to bring about change, eliminate any threats, namely Elijah and Merlin, and usher in a new world order, with Mordred at the helm. Thankfully, THAT was thwarted but a darkness leaked through the ether, this darkness is now preying on those who have fears. And the race is on to prevent an event from occuring, to weed out the traitors and eliminate the mares before real damage is done!
Elijah and Emilie decided to open up a Druid Detective Agency, to deal with just such unbelievable things that are oh so believable. Sloan, no longer a detective on the police force, well, SHE decides to force herself as part of the team, aiding Elijah and Emilie. And then there Ned who somehow ended up in the mix of helping.... he's a complete hoot! What comes out of his overenthusiastic mouth, well, you won't believe it til you've read it! His bumbling reasoning and actions had me in stitches! An unlikely ally, but an ally none the less. Enter an even more unlikely character and the stage is set for an action filled, at times hilarious but all times exciting read! Fighting nightmares with a cokoo guy, an ex detective on the force, an adolescent Merlin and a cat....see what I mean? Although, I do think Ned was the highlight, for me, in this book. I hope we get to see more of him.
The first book in this series didn't have the tongue in cheek humour I so associate with this author but did he ever bring it back in this book! When a cat appears and starts talking to Elijah, yes....a cat ... well, there it was, my snorting began! This is a special cat though, he's not TECHNICALLY a cat, just happens to be in cat form and he's fighting fit! As always, a fast immersive read, one that draws on all the elements I find engaging, with characters I can relate to. Starting with Merlin, a wizard of immense proportions, a Wizard who's lore I've loved since a child, brought back to life in a unique way. I love how true to age the author describes him, yet gives us inkings of the magnificent wizard he'll become. Elijah and Emilie are firm favourites and I'm nurturing a soft spot for Sloane now too. She's shaping up as a really cool badassed addition to this unusual detective agency. So, if you need your nightmares 'tended to' you don't need the Ghostbusters, you just have to call the Druid Detective Agency! Another awesome read by an awesome author.