Paranormal Crimes Unit

by Joe Gillis

In a world where vampires are real, the deadliest monsters wear lab coats.

Detective Sam Kane has spent six years successfully avoiding supernatural cases in a world where vampires work the night shift and werewolves join the K-9 unit. He investigates embezzlement, not monsters. Numbers don't bite, and spreadsheets don't require silver-lined evidence bags.

But when his star witness is found dead with two tiny marks on his neck—and a trail leading to a discount vampire transformation ring preying on the terminally ill—Kane's forced into the one division he's the Paranormal Crimes Unit.

Now partnered with a vampire detective and a werewolf with a forensics degree, Kane discovers a conspiracy that's been killing desperate people since supernatural integration began. Someone's been selling death at bargain prices, and the body count is rising.

As Kane navigates a bureaucratic nightmare of supernatural evidence protocols, species-specific Miranda rights, and a forty-hour sensitivity training he's desperately trying to avoid, he uncovers a truth more terrifying than any Sometimes the real monsters are the ones selling hope to the hopeless.

The investigation will cost him everything. His witness is already dead. And murder has never been more profitable.

Perfect for fans of Ben Aaronovitch's Rivers of London series, Jim Butcher's Dresden Files, and anyone who's ever wondered what happens when you add vampires to government paperwork.

Series Paranormal Crimes Unit is a darkly funny supernatural police procedural that What if the biggest challenge in solving supernatural crimes isn't the monsters—it's the bureaucracy?

Genres: Paranormal, Fiction

142 pages, Paperback

Published October 27, 2025

About the author

Joe Gillis brings his extensive experience in the film and television industry to his diverse range of fiction, seamlessly blending his passion for technology, comic books, and science across multiple genres. From the satirical dystopian thriller "Ragefluencers"—a dark comedy about social media influence gone deadly—to the exhilarating post-apocalyptic adventure "Post-Apocalyptic Joe in a Cinematic Wasteland" and the hilarious middle-grade sci-fi romp "My Cat Came from Outer Space," Gillis crafts stories that explore how technology shapes our world in unexpected ways.

Reviews

[Donna]

No matter how weird the world gets it’s the paperwork that will bury you. For six years (since the paranormal creatures came out) Detective Sam Kane has avoided dealing with the Paranormal Crimes Unit. Now his star witness has been killed by what appears to be a botched vampire transition. So much for sitting safely in the Financial Crimes Unit. This case will take us into the Paranormal Crimes Unit with its quirky characters, stupid rules and endless paperwork that seems to change on the daily. Through grit and determination Sam and his new partners take a huge bite out of a frightening paranormal crime ring but there is still more out there and I look forward to seeing how Sam integrates into the Paranormal Crimes Unit.

[Vickie Chaisson]

This book has an innovative and twisted storyline. The characters are mostly supernatural. The story itself needed more organization and detailed character development. At the speed in which the book moved it was very hard to keep track of the characters and who was a good guy or a bad guy. I appreciate the authors attempt to write a story that was intense and convoluted but he fell short and it was just confusing. There are the bones of a good story with more preparation and definition.

[Annie]

I like the premise of this story and the writing voice was engaging, however, I feel like it could have been much longer. It's probably technically a short story, maybe a novella, but could easily have been expanded into a longer story to allow for more character development and overall "stuff" to happen. Nothing felt like it got the attention it deserved. There is a sequel, so I'll probably read that but...I just wanted more.

[Heather Wright]

This was a pretty good read. Maybe a bit laborious at times, but overall it left me wanting to read the next book. It’s an interesting world that Gillis has created here, interspersed with a good bit of humor. Can’t wait to see what comes next!

[Kristi Martinez]

I was continuously confused in characters bc I feel like they could have been more well rounded about each one.

[Sharon]

Disclaimer: I won this book as a Goodreads giveaway.

I enjoyed the premise of the book.

[Melanie Lakis]

This book was not for me. It was very repetitive and the amount of times paper work, warrants needed, and not wanting to have a supernatural case were talked about was crazy. #GoodreadsGiveaway

[Cheryl (Super Slump)]

I really enjoyed this urban fantasy detective series, so much so that I have pre-ordered the next book.