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Kate Kane, Paranormal Investigator #3
Fire & Water
I like my whiskey like I like my women: embroiled in a magical war
Ten years ago I fought for the Witch Queen of London in a mystical showdown against a King Arthur wannabe with a shaved head and a shotgun. Back then, the law did for him before he could do for us.
I don’t think we’ll get that lucky again.
As if the mother of all wizard battles wasn’t bad enough, fate or destiny or a god with a really messed-up sense of humor has dropped a weapon that could rewrite the universe right into the middle of London, and anybody with half a sniff of arcane power has rocked up to stake their claim on it. Last time this happened, the city went to pieces. This time, it might just go to Hell.
Also, still dating a vampire. Still got an alpha werewolf trying to get in my pants. Still sharing a flat with a woman made of animated marble—only now apparently there are two of her. But you know what they say: the more things change, the more they stay the same crap that’s been trying to kill you your entire life.
This book is approximately 96,000 words
Ten years ago I fought for the Witch Queen of London in a mystical showdown against a King Arthur wannabe with a shaved head and a shotgun. Back then, the law did for him before he could do for us.
I don’t think we’ll get that lucky again.
As if the mother of all wizard battles wasn’t bad enough, fate or destiny or a god with a really messed-up sense of humor has dropped a weapon that could rewrite the universe right into the middle of London, and anybody with half a sniff of arcane power has rocked up to stake their claim on it. Last time this happened, the city went to pieces. This time, it might just go to Hell.
Also, still dating a vampire. Still got an alpha werewolf trying to get in my pants. Still sharing a flat with a woman made of animated marble—only now apparently there are two of her. But you know what they say: the more things change, the more they stay the same crap that’s been trying to kill you your entire life.
This book is approximately 96,000 words
278 pages, Kindle Edition
First published February 24, 2020
54 people are currently reading
715 people want to read
About the author
Alexis Hall
59 books15k followersOne of those intricate British queers.
Please note: I don’t read / reply to DMs. If you would like to get in touch, the best way is via email which you can find in the contact section on my website <3
Please note: I don’t read / reply to DMs. If you would like to get in touch, the best way is via email which you can find in the contact section on my website <3
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 91 reviews
March 1, 2020
I love this series! As a huge urban fantasy/paranormal fan and mystery/crime fan, the combo of both is just wonderful. Kate Kane is everything I love in a PI. She’s sarcastic and witty but also plenty flawed. She drinks too much, doesn’t always communicate well, and can be a total badass, but she has a heart of gold and tries to do what’s right. Kate’s inner thoughts and dialogue is so well done that I actually wrote down multiple quotes that made me laugh or smile. To put that in perspective I can count on one hand how many books I wanted to remember quotes from in the past year. As much as I love this series, love Kate, and loved the writing, this was my least favorite book of the series.
I have read the first two books multiple times. When I heard that Hall decided to continue the series, this was instantly on my list of most anticipated reads of 2020. Did my super high expectations become part of the issue? Maybe, but there was no way I could give this book 5 stars with its ending. I don’t know what is going on but this is the second book in a row that I would have given 5 stars to but the ending messed it up. And while I hate to bring this up but Carina Press Romance promises their books will have a HEA or HFN. That was not the case here. There were multiple bad things that happened and only a tiny bit of hope for one of them. I have not heard of any plans for a book four but I sure hope Carina will stand by that promise and we will get a HEA for the series. If not, Hall is going to have one angry lesbian on their case.
If you are new to this series, do not start here. These books need to be read in order. Hall did a great job of tying in all three books and knowing all the history made the book even more fun to read. Not only that but while Kate is the star, the whole cast of characters around her is wonderful and it’s worth getting more attached to them in each book.
Even with my strong dislike for the ending, I still really enjoyed this read. It was almost one of my rare 5 stars ratings. This series holds a special place in my heart and I would easily recommend it to urban fantasy/paranormal fans. I just beg of Hall that after that ending that they won’t keep us waiting long for book 4.
A copy was given to me for a honest review.
I have read the first two books multiple times. When I heard that Hall decided to continue the series, this was instantly on my list of most anticipated reads of 2020. Did my super high expectations become part of the issue? Maybe, but there was no way I could give this book 5 stars with its ending. I don’t know what is going on but this is the second book in a row that I would have given 5 stars to but the ending messed it up. And while I hate to bring this up but Carina Press Romance promises their books will have a HEA or HFN. That was not the case here. There were multiple bad things that happened and only a tiny bit of hope for one of them. I have not heard of any plans for a book four but I sure hope Carina will stand by that promise and we will get a HEA for the series. If not, Hall is going to have one angry lesbian on their case.
If you are new to this series, do not start here. These books need to be read in order. Hall did a great job of tying in all three books and knowing all the history made the book even more fun to read. Not only that but while Kate is the star, the whole cast of characters around her is wonderful and it’s worth getting more attached to them in each book.
Even with my strong dislike for the ending, I still really enjoyed this read. It was almost one of my rare 5 stars ratings. This series holds a special place in my heart and I would easily recommend it to urban fantasy/paranormal fans. I just beg of Hall that after that ending that they won’t keep us waiting long for book 4.
A copy was given to me for a honest review.
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February 26, 2020Absolutely love this series. Cracking London-based urban fantasy that has a lot of fun with the cliches of the genre while taking the adventures and emotions very seriously. In this installment the tangled web of the first two books is woven into a brand new threat (it is a testament to the author that I had no trouble picking up the story where I left off despite that being a few years ago) and the emotional developments go in some unexpected directions. Highly readable, very funny, proper urban fantasy adventure. I wolfed it down.
February 13, 2020
4.5*
For reasons entirely unrelated to the book itself, it took me a week to read Fire & Water, the third episode of Kate “not Batwoman” Kane’s adventures by Alexis Hall. A novel that length, I usually read in one sitting, two days at the most. It’s a testament to the author’s sense of pacing and overall talent that I never had any trouble going back straight and deep into the story whenever I managed to sit down and read.
Fire & Water picks up six months after Shadows & Dreams. Kate is once again looking for the Tears of Hypnos. If you remember, these were what brought all the mayhem in the previous episode. Every wizard and his brother is looking for them because they’re the stuff dreams are made of. Literally. Whoever owns them can have power over the whole world. Or the whole world that matters to them. I got a bit discombobulated about the details when Julian (the sexy Vampire Prince Kate has been shagging since Iron & Velvet) mentioned she didn’t feel concerned. But hey, everyone else in Kate’s environment is, so Kate’s on a mission to find the Tears and hand them over to the least dangerous supernatural being.
One of the things I enjoyed about the previous books was their lightness even though they were about death and war. The humour made me smile and snort and snicker. This third one is darker. The characters are still great and I uber-love Kate Kane, but it doesn’t read as easily. It’s more intense. I’m not saying it’s a bad thing. And it’s as sarcastic and as snicker-worthy as ever. I mean, even in the direst circumstances, Kate is so deliciously snarky.
It didn’t strike me before but Kate Kane (still not Batwoman) reminds me a lot of Jessica Jones if Jessica Jones was into paranormal. You know, more than superpowers and terrifying villains. Also, as I’ve said above, I love Kate, but for the first time, I also found Elise, the magically animated statue, incredibly interesting. Watching her become, in a way, is captivating. Like the first time your child reads a whole sentence by themselves.
One word of warning, however: despite Carina Press’s promise of HEA/HFN, Fire & Water definitely doesn’t end well. Nor is it a romance, really. But please don’t let that stop you from reading it. It is so very good, like a more mature sequel to the previous instalments.
I received a copy from the publisher and I am voluntarily leaving a review.
For reasons entirely unrelated to the book itself, it took me a week to read Fire & Water, the third episode of Kate “not Batwoman” Kane’s adventures by Alexis Hall. A novel that length, I usually read in one sitting, two days at the most. It’s a testament to the author’s sense of pacing and overall talent that I never had any trouble going back straight and deep into the story whenever I managed to sit down and read.
Fire & Water picks up six months after Shadows & Dreams. Kate is once again looking for the Tears of Hypnos. If you remember, these were what brought all the mayhem in the previous episode. Every wizard and his brother is looking for them because they’re the stuff dreams are made of. Literally. Whoever owns them can have power over the whole world. Or the whole world that matters to them. I got a bit discombobulated about the details when Julian (the sexy Vampire Prince Kate has been shagging since Iron & Velvet) mentioned she didn’t feel concerned. But hey, everyone else in Kate’s environment is, so Kate’s on a mission to find the Tears and hand them over to the least dangerous supernatural being.
One of the things I enjoyed about the previous books was their lightness even though they were about death and war. The humour made me smile and snort and snicker. This third one is darker. The characters are still great and I uber-love Kate Kane, but it doesn’t read as easily. It’s more intense. I’m not saying it’s a bad thing. And it’s as sarcastic and as snicker-worthy as ever. I mean, even in the direst circumstances, Kate is so deliciously snarky.
It didn’t strike me before but Kate Kane (still not Batwoman) reminds me a lot of Jessica Jones if Jessica Jones was into paranormal. You know, more than superpowers and terrifying villains. Also, as I’ve said above, I love Kate, but for the first time, I also found Elise, the magically animated statue, incredibly interesting. Watching her become, in a way, is captivating. Like the first time your child reads a whole sentence by themselves.
One word of warning, however: despite Carina Press’s promise of HEA/HFN, Fire & Water definitely doesn’t end well. Nor is it a romance, really. But please don’t let that stop you from reading it. It is so very good, like a more mature sequel to the previous instalments.
I received a copy from the publisher and I am voluntarily leaving a review.
March 10, 2020
This book was fucking fantastic.
Lately, I haven't enjoyed reading so much, but it seems to me now that it was the books and not me since I enjoyed reading this newest installment of Kate Kane's story so so very much.
Basically everything about this was great. And I am liking where this is all going.
I wonder whether Kate will eventually dip into her darker fairy part or at least be able to be more in control about it. I love Elise and her interactions with her sisters and the inate objects. I hope to see more oft his in the future!!! And I definitely dig what happened in Kate's personal life in the end since it seemed very plausible to me. I am looking forward to the new developments here as well.
Now I need to find out when the next book is coming out. Please let it be soon.
Lately, I haven't enjoyed reading so much, but it seems to me now that it was the books and not me since I enjoyed reading this newest installment of Kate Kane's story so so very much.
Basically everything about this was great. And I am liking where this is all going.
I wonder whether Kate will eventually dip into her darker fairy part or at least be able to be more in control about it. I love Elise and her interactions with her sisters and the inate objects. I hope to see more oft his in the future!!! And I definitely dig what happened in Kate's personal life in the end since it seemed very plausible to me. I am looking forward to the new developments here as well.
Now I need to find out when the next book is coming out. Please let it be soon.
April 23, 2020
More Trouble. More Baddies. Same Snarky Kate.
The plot. Kate just can't seem to catch a break when she's approached by the Merchant of Dreams to retrieve a stolen item. That shouldn't be too hard but when you consider this item is an immensely powerful weapon that has everyone and their literal grandma chasing after it, things become a little more complicated. Kate can certainly use all the help she can get but who can she truly rely on?
The characters. Where would Kate even be without her entourage of weirdos? Just like in books one and two there are a plethora of characters scattered throughout this story. The intensity in this third book however gets really cranked up as some of these characters will have their biggest role as of yet to play. One thing is for certain, whether you love them or hate them, they're all very well written.
The writing. I feel like I'm just repeating myself by saying this but I love Alexis Hall's writing style. Or maybe it's just the way Kate's written. It doesn't really matter though because I always manage to get hooked within a few pages. If it's not the humorous writing it will be the action scenes that get you and boy were there once again a lot of those.
The special. Kate. Fucking. Kane. ← That's the third time I've had to type that in as many reviews now and you can bet it will be appearing in any future reviews I write about this hilariously wonderful character. She tries so hard to be a genuinely good person in such a rotten world that when she gets hurt, you'll certainly feel it too. You just can't help but love her.
The negative. I can imagine fans of this series losing their minds a little when the book ended and no news about a possible book four was available. Good news however since not only has book four been announced, there's also a book five in the planning it would seem. Fingers crossed we get a new release by the end of the year!
The verdict. Fantastically well written with amazing characters and a killer ending, this book gets a 4,5* rating.
Welcome to Screwedville. Population: us.
“I’ve been a biological entity for thirty-something years and I haven’t stopped entity-ing yet.”
“That you have yet to actually die is what I believe they refer to as a low bar.”
“I like my bars like I like my women. Low.”
I didn’t think there was a single woman in my life who hadn’t shown me, at least once, precisely how easily she could kill me if she wanted to.
The plot. Kate just can't seem to catch a break when she's approached by the Merchant of Dreams to retrieve a stolen item. That shouldn't be too hard but when you consider this item is an immensely powerful weapon that has everyone and their literal grandma chasing after it, things become a little more complicated. Kate can certainly use all the help she can get but who can she truly rely on?
The characters. Where would Kate even be without her entourage of weirdos? Just like in books one and two there are a plethora of characters scattered throughout this story. The intensity in this third book however gets really cranked up as some of these characters will have their biggest role as of yet to play. One thing is for certain, whether you love them or hate them, they're all very well written.
The writing. I feel like I'm just repeating myself by saying this but I love Alexis Hall's writing style. Or maybe it's just the way Kate's written. It doesn't really matter though because I always manage to get hooked within a few pages. If it's not the humorous writing it will be the action scenes that get you and boy were there once again a lot of those.
The special. Kate. Fucking. Kane. ← That's the third time I've had to type that in as many reviews now and you can bet it will be appearing in any future reviews I write about this hilariously wonderful character. She tries so hard to be a genuinely good person in such a rotten world that when she gets hurt, you'll certainly feel it too. You just can't help but love her.
The negative. I can imagine fans of this series losing their minds a little when the book ended and no news about a possible book four was available. Good news however since not only has book four been announced, there's also a book five in the planning it would seem. Fingers crossed we get a new release by the end of the year!
The verdict. Fantastically well written with amazing characters and a killer ending, this book gets a 4,5* rating.
Welcome to Screwedville. Population: us.
“I’ve been a biological entity for thirty-something years and I haven’t stopped entity-ing yet.”
“That you have yet to actually die is what I believe they refer to as a low bar.”
“I like my bars like I like my women. Low.”
I didn’t think there was a single woman in my life who hadn’t shown me, at least once, precisely how easily she could kill me if she wanted to.
October 3, 2021
Here likes Kate Kane. Something creepy with mirrors. Beloved daughter. Sorely missed.
3.5 stars. I have feelings! A lot of them are mixed, but I'm still very much in love with this series. Kate is still one of my favourite protagonists. I still love the mix of noir and camp. The plot is interesting, combining a lot of classic paranormal tropes and characters, but with really unique twists and turns. I'm never bored while reading these books. It's not one of those stories where I feel compelled to theorise or try to figure out the plot or what's coming next; I'm just along for the ride and enjoying myself. The humour and the banter just hits perfectly right, and I'm still endlessly entertained by Kate's little parade of love interests and exes and the various parts that they play.
I didn't really want to talk about spoilery stuff, but after that ending I have to. So, spoilers below.
Listened to the audiobook as read by Cat Gould. I'm still really loving her voices, and her delivery of jokes and quips. While I didn't love this as much as the others, I'm still very excited for whatever's coming next.
Content warnings: .
April 8, 2023
I like my whiskey like I like my women: embroiled in a magical war.
4 stars. This was good but my feelings for it are kind of all over the place. The plot and action were really good and I’m really loving the growth and development of Kate’s character with each book but the ending was a bit of a let down and I also was so put off by Julian. I’ve never been a fan of her character and this book let me know why. She’s terrible to Kate. I pray that they aren’t endgame because no. Kate deserves better. Other than that I liked just about everything else about this book. It’s well paced, funny, well written and action packed. The romance just needs some work.
4 stars. This was good but my feelings for it are kind of all over the place. The plot and action were really good and I’m really loving the growth and development of Kate’s character with each book but the ending was a bit of a let down and I also was so put off by Julian. I’ve never been a fan of her character and this book let me know why. She’s terrible to Kate. I pray that they aren’t endgame because no. Kate deserves better. Other than that I liked just about everything else about this book. It’s well paced, funny, well written and action packed. The romance just needs some work.
January 7, 2023
Update: I learned Carina is not part of the HarperCollins Union strike and therefore reviewing their titles is not crossing the picket line so I can finally post this review. But the fact remains HC employees deserve a fair contract, living wages, and an inclusive workplace.
Review:
Another dizzying, bananas installment in this urban fantasy series! Kate is such a wry and clever narrator as she battles immortals and monsters and tries to stop imminent doom. I adore her friendship with statue Elise and, ending aside, I was delighted by the possible romance developing between Elise and Ashriel. Also: I would read a whole series about Elise and her sisters. The ending has me on pins and needles over what is going to happen next for our intrepid characters.
As much as I enjoy Kate’s escapades, I wish there was some growth at this point. Kate never seems to learn anything, although perhaps the events here will change that. The addition of a strong emotional arc would catapult this on to my favorites list.
Characters: Kate is a 33 year old lesbian white half-faery private investigator with purple eyes. This is set in London.
Content notes: death of friend , attempted human sacrifice, kidnapped child, abduction (past and present), knife wounds, gunshot wound, secondary character with bleeding wound, secondary characters burned and killed by magical fire, battle, murder, attempted murder, violence, physical assault, alcoholism (MC), homophobic slurs, ableist slur (said by villain), broken bones, diet culture, casual ableism around mental illness (not countered), secondary characters on life support, past death of business partner, vomit, off page/fade to black sex, alcohol, inebriation, cigarettes, gendered insults, gender essentialist language, ableist language, hyperbolic language around suicide
*Buddy read with Vicky!
Review:
Another dizzying, bananas installment in this urban fantasy series! Kate is such a wry and clever narrator as she battles immortals and monsters and tries to stop imminent doom. I adore her friendship with statue Elise and, ending aside, I was delighted by the possible romance developing between Elise and Ashriel. Also: I would read a whole series about Elise and her sisters. The ending has me on pins and needles over what is going to happen next for our intrepid characters.
As much as I enjoy Kate’s escapades, I wish there was some growth at this point. Kate never seems to learn anything, although perhaps the events here will change that. The addition of a strong emotional arc would catapult this on to my favorites list.
Characters: Kate is a 33 year old lesbian white half-faery private investigator with purple eyes. This is set in London.
Content notes: death of friend , attempted human sacrifice, kidnapped child, abduction (past and present), knife wounds, gunshot wound, secondary character with bleeding wound, secondary characters burned and killed by magical fire, battle, murder, attempted murder, violence, physical assault, alcoholism (MC), homophobic slurs, ableist slur (said by villain), broken bones, diet culture, casual ableism around mental illness (not countered), secondary characters on life support, past death of business partner, vomit, off page/fade to black sex, alcohol, inebriation, cigarettes, gendered insults, gender essentialist language, ableist language, hyperbolic language around suicide
*Buddy read with Vicky!
February 7, 2020
3.5 stars
Thanks to NetGalley and to the Editor. I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review
I have started this series ages ago, and I was madly in love with it. But we had just two books to go around and I had waited soooo long for a sequel! So, when I learned that they were publishing it I was excited. Really, really excited. And, to be better prepared for this book, I have re-read the first one (re-edited, and you can find my review here).
What I discovered is that I have fallen out of love with this series, sadly. But, there is a big but. It is true that I am not in love with it anymore, but I enjoyed the re-reading anyway, as I have enjoyed this third book.
Kate Kane is a PI that seems straight from the noir movies. And I adore her! She is witty, cynic, and she has a penchant for reciting her own obituaries every time she is doing something stupid and very dangerous (alas, very often!). So, you see, you have to love her!
And she has a cast of great characters with her! I think that my favorite is Elise, and in this book, we see more of her. In more than one sense! But you have to read it to know what I mean, because I won’t do spoilers here! And we have even some chapters from her POV. That was fantastic!
But the other characters are quite good, too. They all have personality and are not just simply wallpaper to the action.
And then we have the plot. We have a lot of action, mysteries, battles, relationships and more, all wrapped up nicely in a small package. The story is well developed and it keeps your attention, but we have some things that are unsolved, like the ending (and the relationship between Julian and Kate, but I can’t really say more, here, because… yeah, spoiler again!) and so, even if things here have a sense of… finality, I really hope to see a sequel.
I think that the ending was pretty good, if we have another book coming out, sooner or later, but if this is the ending of the series well… if it is so, I am not satisfied with it. Because it could be a good ending for a book, but for the ending of a series it feels hurried and not so well done. So here I am, hoping for more to come!
All things considered, it was an enjoyable read, that made me smile here and there, and that kept my attention from the start to the end.
Thanks to NetGalley and to the Editor. I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review
I have started this series ages ago, and I was madly in love with it. But we had just two books to go around and I had waited soooo long for a sequel! So, when I learned that they were publishing it I was excited. Really, really excited. And, to be better prepared for this book, I have re-read the first one (re-edited, and you can find my review here).
What I discovered is that I have fallen out of love with this series, sadly. But, there is a big but. It is true that I am not in love with it anymore, but I enjoyed the re-reading anyway, as I have enjoyed this third book.
Kate Kane is a PI that seems straight from the noir movies. And I adore her! She is witty, cynic, and she has a penchant for reciting her own obituaries every time she is doing something stupid and very dangerous (alas, very often!). So, you see, you have to love her!
And she has a cast of great characters with her! I think that my favorite is Elise, and in this book, we see more of her. In more than one sense! But you have to read it to know what I mean, because I won’t do spoilers here! And we have even some chapters from her POV. That was fantastic!
But the other characters are quite good, too. They all have personality and are not just simply wallpaper to the action.
And then we have the plot. We have a lot of action, mysteries, battles, relationships and more, all wrapped up nicely in a small package. The story is well developed and it keeps your attention, but we have some things that are unsolved, like the ending (and the relationship between Julian and Kate, but I can’t really say more, here, because… yeah, spoiler again!) and so, even if things here have a sense of… finality, I really hope to see a sequel.
I think that the ending was pretty good, if we have another book coming out, sooner or later, but if this is the ending of the series well… if it is so, I am not satisfied with it. Because it could be a good ending for a book, but for the ending of a series it feels hurried and not so well done. So here I am, hoping for more to come!
All things considered, it was an enjoyable read, that made me smile here and there, and that kept my attention from the start to the end.
January 5, 2020
I love this series! When I received the ARC for this book, I went and re-read books 1 and 2 just to re-acquaint with the world. I highly recommend reading them before starting this one. That way, one gets to know Kate Kane and the cast of characters surrounding her. Kate in one of my favourite characters in all the books I've read. She's cynical and jaded, but also loyal and truly bad-ass. This time, Kate finds herself in the middle of a mage war. She's supernaturally obligated to help Nimue. At the same time, the Merchant of Dreams have asked her to look for the thieves who stole the Tears of Hypnos from his shop. Of course, things are never straightforward when they involve supernatural forces. Kate Kane, paranormal investigator, has to navigate these choppy waters while trying not to get killed. I am sincerely hoping that there will be more books in this series.
**Huge Thank You to Harlequin Carina Press for providing me with an ARC of this book!**
**Huge Thank You to Harlequin Carina Press for providing me with an ARC of this book!**
April 20, 2025
PAINNNNNN.
Man that hurt in the best possible way. I need time to process before jumping into book 4 because I just..it’s not like I’ve been predicting the plot correctly at all but when I say I didn’t see this shit coming, I DIDN’T SEE THIS SHIT COMING. And I’m in a mild panic about book 5 having no release date. Which of course is fine. This is fine. I’m fine. Everything’s fucking fine.
Man that hurt in the best possible way. I need time to process before jumping into book 4 because I just..it’s not like I’ve been predicting the plot correctly at all but when I say I didn’t see this shit coming, I DIDN’T SEE THIS SHIT COMING. And I’m in a mild panic about book 5 having no release date. Which of course is fine. This is fine. I’m fine. Everything’s fucking fine.
November 18, 2023
im upset
5 stars for Elise
5 stars for Elise
December 14, 2020
I received an advanced reader copy in exchange for an honest review.
Fire & Water is book 3 in the Kate Kane paranormal series. I have read each book as it has been published. I reread them back to back to fully understand what was going on. The series improves with rereading.
Book 3 resolves the story, but plenty is left for more stories, which is delightful.
We get to hang out with Kate and her world. The characters are great and multifaceted. Kate seems to be overly fond of roaring up to people and yelling at them which isn’t always helpful. In fact, reading the books back to back I was left very aware of Kate’s general limitations.
This book is somewhat darker than the previous two. This is a paranormal series, with a relationship arc.
Honestly my main takeaway is that Hall should drop all his other stuff and just write in this universe.
TL:DR
1. It’s great. This is desert island keeper stuff.
2. Start with book 1.
3. It’s a bit darker than 1 and 2.
Fire & Water is book 3 in the Kate Kane paranormal series. I have read each book as it has been published. I reread them back to back to fully understand what was going on. The series improves with rereading.
Book 3 resolves the story, but plenty is left for more stories, which is delightful.
We get to hang out with Kate and her world. The characters are great and multifaceted. Kate seems to be overly fond of roaring up to people and yelling at them which isn’t always helpful. In fact, reading the books back to back I was left very aware of Kate’s general limitations.
This book is somewhat darker than the previous two. This is a paranormal series, with a relationship arc.
Honestly my main takeaway is that Hall should drop all his other stuff and just write in this universe.
TL:DR
1. It’s great. This is desert island keeper stuff.
2. Start with book 1.
3. It’s a bit darker than 1 and 2.
January 29, 2020
ARC received via Netgalley for an honest review
I jumped for joy - I had finally been approved for an Alexis Hall ARC.
Now, I am new to the Kate Kane series, jumped into book 3 without reading the first two, so it did take me a little while to get into the rhythm of the book.
Once I was there, I really had a fun old time reading and I just adored Kate and her friends. I love the banter, the fight scenes were wonderfully executed.
Now, because I haven't read the previous books, I was a bit confuzzled with whom was who and what was what, but that didn't at all take away from my involvement in the story.
I loved the way all the different "beings" saw relationships, and how they all intermingled and got on.
Now I find myself needing more, and having to go back and read the first 2 books.
I jumped for joy - I had finally been approved for an Alexis Hall ARC.
Now, I am new to the Kate Kane series, jumped into book 3 without reading the first two, so it did take me a little while to get into the rhythm of the book.
Once I was there, I really had a fun old time reading and I just adored Kate and her friends. I love the banter, the fight scenes were wonderfully executed.
Now, because I haven't read the previous books, I was a bit confuzzled with whom was who and what was what, but that didn't at all take away from my involvement in the story.
I loved the way all the different "beings" saw relationships, and how they all intermingled and got on.
Now I find myself needing more, and having to go back and read the first 2 books.
April 12, 2021
Wow, this series just keeps getting better, and darker than ever! It has all the elements of the best urban fantasy, and still packs a huge amount of emotional punch, especially at the end. Kate Kane is dragged, once again, into a magical fight with people that are much stronger than she is, and with far less care for morals and ethics. In the past two books, she is able to come away, somewhat worse for wear, but the world is saved. This time, there is a bit of a change to the proceedings, with some heartbreaking effects.
I do have to say that Elise's predominance in the story is a really nice touch. Not to get super deep here, but Elise's presence is such a refreshing one, especially for Kate. Almost all of Kate's relationships are built either on transactional encounters, or are conditional. Even Kate's friendship with Witch Queen Nimue isn't completely healthy, and Nimue is the best person in Kate's circle. Elise, on the other hand, being an animated statue, has no real capacity to feel, is such a good person. I loved we got to see how important she is to Kate. Especially with Julian being her usual mercurial self.
There's not a lot of romance to be had here, with the exception of Julian and Kate having sex, but it is interesting how it is developing even if it doesn't have the traditional romance story beats to it. It works, though, because the story around Kate and Julian is more compelling - especially when we see where their places are in this supernatural version of London. Enjoy this one, it has a ton of excellent elements that round out into a humdinger of a finale. It seems like there might be more to come, and I cannot wait for the next book.
I received this ARC in exchange for my honest review.
I do have to say that Elise's predominance in the story is a really nice touch. Not to get super deep here, but Elise's presence is such a refreshing one, especially for Kate. Almost all of Kate's relationships are built either on transactional encounters, or are conditional. Even Kate's friendship with Witch Queen Nimue isn't completely healthy, and Nimue is the best person in Kate's circle. Elise, on the other hand, being an animated statue, has no real capacity to feel, is such a good person. I loved we got to see how important she is to Kate. Especially with Julian being her usual mercurial self.
There's not a lot of romance to be had here, with the exception of Julian and Kate having sex, but it is interesting how it is developing even if it doesn't have the traditional romance story beats to it. It works, though, because the story around Kate and Julian is more compelling - especially when we see where their places are in this supernatural version of London. Enjoy this one, it has a ton of excellent elements that round out into a humdinger of a finale. It seems like there might be more to come, and I cannot wait for the next book.
I received this ARC in exchange for my honest review.
October 18, 2025
So, initially I was having some trouble with this book. As with the first two in the series, there is A LOT happening, and I just couldn’t keep things straight.
But then once we got in to the last part, things came together for me and I really enjoyed it!
I think what really did it for me were the chapters from Elise’s POV. Oh my god, so many things had me laughing out loud. I really liked Elise in the first two books, as well, but hearing things from her POV just really made me love her. I think my favourite bit from her was (she is trying to convince the alpha werewolf to help rescue Kate Kane):
“I also understand that you have a strong desire to engage in sexual congress with Miss Kane and this will be a very different experience if she is dead”. 😂😂😂
I really can’t wait to get to the fourth book now.
But then once we got in to the last part, things came together for me and I really enjoyed it!
I think what really did it for me were the chapters from Elise’s POV. Oh my god, so many things had me laughing out loud. I really liked Elise in the first two books, as well, but hearing things from her POV just really made me love her. I think my favourite bit from her was (she is trying to convince the alpha werewolf to help rescue Kate Kane):
“I also understand that you have a strong desire to engage in sexual congress with Miss Kane and this will be a very different experience if she is dead”. 😂😂😂
I really can’t wait to get to the fourth book now.
April 8, 2020
NO. HOW DARE ALEXIS HALL AND THE BOOK THIS WAY I AM SO SAD AND UPSET HOLY SHIT WHAT THE HELL
At the same time boy am I glad there's more books coming because jeeezus fuck if that's how the entire series ended I would have rioted.
What a rollercoaster
At the same time boy am I glad there's more books coming because jeeezus fuck if that's how the entire series ended I would have rioted.
What a rollercoaster
Read
February 1, 2020Categories
Urban Fantasy, Vampires, Noir, Paranormal, Fantasy & Paranormal, Female/Female
Miniseries
Kate Kane, Paranormal Investigator (Book #3)
Urban Fantasy, Vampires, Noir, Paranormal, Fantasy & Paranormal, Female/Female
Miniseries
Kate Kane, Paranormal Investigator (Book #3)
December 14, 2020
I didn't expect the ending to be so bitter. Thank gods, the next instalment is already here.
January 25, 2023
This book is amazing, Most series start to fall off about the 3rd book, however the story line anc characters remain very strong in this third installment. The lengthy cast of characters have so amnby differences and are easily identifiable and you see all of them in this book. Looking forward to books 4 and 5 5/5
June 17, 2023
Oh happy accident to have finished this one on a Friday night…that I might start the next one immediately in the morning. The ending gutted me. And before that: high-stakes adventures with compelling reveals where you realize that Alexis has been playing fair all along, damn him.
November 25, 2024
4.5 stars. Goodness gracious this series is so much fun. The cliffhanger ending! Ahh!
December 6, 2021
The third instalment of the Kate Kane series.
A recap, Kate is a London-based paranormal investigator, she's dating a sex-obsessed vampire Prince called Julian (who is a woman), she also has the lingerie model werewolf Alpha itching to get in her pants. She is the daughter of the Queen of the Wild Hunt and is currently employing a walking, talking statue called Elena as an office assistant as a favour to a rat-gestalt. One of her ex-girlfriends is a tech-gazillionaire with Bruce Wayne delusions, another is a high-end art thief, a third is the Witch Queen of London, oh and her one-and-only ex-boyfriend is a former undercover vampire agent with an Edward Cullen creepy vibe over teenage girlfriends (both of whom so far have turned out to have special powers).
Kate is hired by the Merchant of Dreams, who owns a magic pawn shop (amongst other things) to retrieve a stolen artefact which concealed the Tears of Hypnos. Along the way she meets a God, Elena's creator and several of her sisters, gets reacquainted with an old enemy and gets beaten up numerous times (no change there then!).
I am definitely enjoying this series but I am getting a vague whiff of rinse-and-repeat. Kate's self-penned epitaphs as she makes silly mistakes, the way in which each of the characters has a stock phrase that they trot out etc, etc. Also we seem to be in a push-me, pull-me holding pattern with the romance with Julian which is almost canon for this sort of series.
On to the next one, once I have cleared some of my TBR backlog.
A recap, Kate is a London-based paranormal investigator, she's dating a sex-obsessed vampire Prince called Julian (who is a woman), she also has the lingerie model werewolf Alpha itching to get in her pants. She is the daughter of the Queen of the Wild Hunt and is currently employing a walking, talking statue called Elena as an office assistant as a favour to a rat-gestalt. One of her ex-girlfriends is a tech-gazillionaire with Bruce Wayne delusions, another is a high-end art thief, a third is the Witch Queen of London, oh and her one-and-only ex-boyfriend is a former undercover vampire agent with an Edward Cullen creepy vibe over teenage girlfriends (both of whom so far have turned out to have special powers).
Kate is hired by the Merchant of Dreams, who owns a magic pawn shop (amongst other things) to retrieve a stolen artefact which concealed the Tears of Hypnos. Along the way she meets a God, Elena's creator and several of her sisters, gets reacquainted with an old enemy and gets beaten up numerous times (no change there then!).
I am definitely enjoying this series but I am getting a vague whiff of rinse-and-repeat. Kate's self-penned epitaphs as she makes silly mistakes, the way in which each of the characters has a stock phrase that they trot out etc, etc. Also we seem to be in a push-me, pull-me holding pattern with the romance with Julian which is almost canon for this sort of series.
On to the next one, once I have cleared some of my TBR backlog.
March 13, 2020
4.75 *
I loved this book. It has been a long while since I read the first two and I thought I might need to reread them first. I didn't. The story is complete and doesn't require too much recall of previous events. So long as you remember who the characters are.
Fast paced, the story hurtles through one magical disaster to another. Loved it.
Hall has a very particular style, and although sometimes it can drag a little, sometimes that sense of hurtling through the story is exactly right.
I loved this book. It has been a long while since I read the first two and I thought I might need to reread them first. I didn't. The story is complete and doesn't require too much recall of previous events. So long as you remember who the characters are.
Fast paced, the story hurtles through one magical disaster to another. Loved it.
Hall has a very particular style, and although sometimes it can drag a little, sometimes that sense of hurtling through the story is exactly right.
August 1, 2021
I just live this series … and this author. Pure picaresque joy, with added vampires. This is the first of the series that I got as an audiobook, which is what slowed down my consumption (gotta give it fair attention). This was more than a 4star read for me but I’m trying to be sparing with the 5stars. There’s whipsmart dialogue, wry observations, a grrrreat cast of characters and a completely bonkers plot that I couldn’t follow but didn’t care. The ride is worth the price of the ticket. Recommended. Heartily.
December 27, 2019
I was given a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
WOW. I did not see the plot twists for this book coming.
Kate Spade is back. She is trying to find an artifact that will tip the scales of the world as she knows it.
Eliseo continues to grow as a "person" and discovers she has sisters created, animated and discarded by the same evil sculptor.
The vampires continue to conspire and betray - will anyone survive?
WOW. I did not see the plot twists for this book coming.
Kate Spade is back. She is trying to find an artifact that will tip the scales of the world as she knows it.
Eliseo continues to grow as a "person" and discovers she has sisters created, animated and discarded by the same evil sculptor.
The vampires continue to conspire and betray - will anyone survive?
Want to read
April 5, 2020The third in the Kate Kane series. You should NOT read these as standalone. Read them in order.
These books all have a very investigator, noire feel to them. And the Kate Kane snark - when faced with just unbelievably difficult scenarios - is truly brilliant to read.
I liked this one the least of the three, though it was still very entertaining. The books have been ending less and less happily, and this one was pretty rough.
These books all have a very investigator, noire feel to them. And the Kate Kane snark - when faced with just unbelievably difficult scenarios - is truly brilliant to read.
I liked this one the least of the three, though it was still very entertaining. The books have been ending less and less happily, and this one was pretty rough.
August 13, 2023
*Special Content only on my blog, Strange and Random Happenstance during London Calling (July-September 2023)
Artie King is nothing more than a thug backed up with a granny from hell. OK technically he's a wizard, but he's also a skinhead and a gangster so thug covers all bases. Ten years ago when Kate and Nimue were together they fought him for the soul of the city. Nim won on a technicality, Artie King went to the clink. She's been the Witch Queen of London ever since. Only now Artie King is back and he wants London. Kate owes fealty to Nim but oddly enough that oath isn't what brings her back into the orbit of Artie King. That happens because of a job. The Merchant of Dreams had their shop broken into and a bust of Napoleon was stolen. Sadly Kate has a bad history with that bust. It's the reason her partner is dead and she's running her business with a living statue named Elise. Corin Black is the worst of femme fatales, you actually fall for her routine. Each and every time. You know being around her means certain death and yet you can't help yourself. No one can. Corin was looking for the statue when she and Kate had their first run in. She finally found the bust she was looking for, there were mulitple busts, it's like a story written by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, but to protect the bust she pawned it to the Merchant of Dreams. Now someone has the bust and the Merchant has hired Kate to find it because it turns out Corin's obsession with the bust was because of what was inside; The Tears of Hypnos, capable of reshaping reality in the right hands. And Kate finds out that Artie King has gotten his hands on them. Or that was the plan until Corin showed up. Now the werewolves have them and it's just a big mess. Because even though Kate has been able to track the movements of the Tears she doesn't physically have them, and that wasn't the deal she made with the Merchant. And the Merchant is someone who understands deals. Intimately. Therefore it's up to Kate to broker a deal with the werewolves to give the tears to Nim so that she can win the battle for the soul of London and defeat Artie King once and for all. Only no matter how simple that may sound, life is never simple for Kate. Because there are kidnappings and side trips to hell and bargains made and vampires. And while she's not looking, the vampires might be Kate's biggest threat and weakness. After all, she is dating the Prince of Cups.
I naively thought that the length of time between the second and third volume might have indicated that the writing would have improved. Because writers do grow and become more polished. Sadly, this was not the case. Thankfully the amount of Twilight references have gone down, but oddly this made things worse. Because I wasn't focusing my rage on Alexis Hall using another author's work as lazy exposition the one-dimensionality of all the characters was even more apparent. If it wasn't for Elise I don't think I could have even gotten through this book. All Kate does is traipse about London in varying levels of injury, not really accomplishing much, but causing havoc in her wake with minimal plot. Or as Kate herself said utilizing "a loose collection of randoms, most of whom I've slept with" for information and help. This results in a sameness to the three volumes I've read making me dread reading the forth. The books weren't well written the first or second time around and the third time isn't the charm. But there is Elise. The Pygmalion of it all. Which, because of the age of the myth, has been used time and time again. I mean, they even did a Buffy the Vampire Slayer episode that dealt exactly with the abandonment issues that Elise is processing. And Alexis Hall is no Jane Espenson. And yet Elise has a certain turn of phrase that makes her memorable. Her fascination for objects and their feelings, like how she wouldn't let Kate get rid of their destroyed car, gives her a depth. The love she has of temperature variations and textures is delightful. As is just the cadence of how she speaks. She has her own patois that it just adorable. And due to the storyline we finally get to learn more about her creation and world and how she wasn't the first or the last creation of Russel, he of "they're not comics they're graphic novels." Elise has "sisters." And they are all at different stages of her development. Beth, the eldest, is more developed and jaded, Alissa is the second youngest and still in the subservient phase, while Lisbeth is newborn. Part of me really wanted to just have them be the stars. And then Alexis Hall granted my wish and I realized I really need to be careful what I wish for because while Elise is interesting, she is more interesting seen through Kate's eyes. When she has control of the narrative somehow she loses her magic. Even her language loses it's luster. I think that was the last straw and the scales fell from my eyes. This series just isn't for me. But I'm willing to be proven wrong.
Artie King is nothing more than a thug backed up with a granny from hell. OK technically he's a wizard, but he's also a skinhead and a gangster so thug covers all bases. Ten years ago when Kate and Nimue were together they fought him for the soul of the city. Nim won on a technicality, Artie King went to the clink. She's been the Witch Queen of London ever since. Only now Artie King is back and he wants London. Kate owes fealty to Nim but oddly enough that oath isn't what brings her back into the orbit of Artie King. That happens because of a job. The Merchant of Dreams had their shop broken into and a bust of Napoleon was stolen. Sadly Kate has a bad history with that bust. It's the reason her partner is dead and she's running her business with a living statue named Elise. Corin Black is the worst of femme fatales, you actually fall for her routine. Each and every time. You know being around her means certain death and yet you can't help yourself. No one can. Corin was looking for the statue when she and Kate had their first run in. She finally found the bust she was looking for, there were mulitple busts, it's like a story written by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, but to protect the bust she pawned it to the Merchant of Dreams. Now someone has the bust and the Merchant has hired Kate to find it because it turns out Corin's obsession with the bust was because of what was inside; The Tears of Hypnos, capable of reshaping reality in the right hands. And Kate finds out that Artie King has gotten his hands on them. Or that was the plan until Corin showed up. Now the werewolves have them and it's just a big mess. Because even though Kate has been able to track the movements of the Tears she doesn't physically have them, and that wasn't the deal she made with the Merchant. And the Merchant is someone who understands deals. Intimately. Therefore it's up to Kate to broker a deal with the werewolves to give the tears to Nim so that she can win the battle for the soul of London and defeat Artie King once and for all. Only no matter how simple that may sound, life is never simple for Kate. Because there are kidnappings and side trips to hell and bargains made and vampires. And while she's not looking, the vampires might be Kate's biggest threat and weakness. After all, she is dating the Prince of Cups.
I naively thought that the length of time between the second and third volume might have indicated that the writing would have improved. Because writers do grow and become more polished. Sadly, this was not the case. Thankfully the amount of Twilight references have gone down, but oddly this made things worse. Because I wasn't focusing my rage on Alexis Hall using another author's work as lazy exposition the one-dimensionality of all the characters was even more apparent. If it wasn't for Elise I don't think I could have even gotten through this book. All Kate does is traipse about London in varying levels of injury, not really accomplishing much, but causing havoc in her wake with minimal plot. Or as Kate herself said utilizing "a loose collection of randoms, most of whom I've slept with" for information and help. This results in a sameness to the three volumes I've read making me dread reading the forth. The books weren't well written the first or second time around and the third time isn't the charm. But there is Elise. The Pygmalion of it all. Which, because of the age of the myth, has been used time and time again. I mean, they even did a Buffy the Vampire Slayer episode that dealt exactly with the abandonment issues that Elise is processing. And Alexis Hall is no Jane Espenson. And yet Elise has a certain turn of phrase that makes her memorable. Her fascination for objects and their feelings, like how she wouldn't let Kate get rid of their destroyed car, gives her a depth. The love she has of temperature variations and textures is delightful. As is just the cadence of how she speaks. She has her own patois that it just adorable. And due to the storyline we finally get to learn more about her creation and world and how she wasn't the first or the last creation of Russel, he of "they're not comics they're graphic novels." Elise has "sisters." And they are all at different stages of her development. Beth, the eldest, is more developed and jaded, Alissa is the second youngest and still in the subservient phase, while Lisbeth is newborn. Part of me really wanted to just have them be the stars. And then Alexis Hall granted my wish and I realized I really need to be careful what I wish for because while Elise is interesting, she is more interesting seen through Kate's eyes. When she has control of the narrative somehow she loses her magic. Even her language loses it's luster. I think that was the last straw and the scales fell from my eyes. This series just isn't for me. But I'm willing to be proven wrong.
June 21, 2024
“I have seen some very interesting car parks perhaps I could introduce you to them.”
April 6, 2025
I started the ten-hour Fire & Water audiobook immediately after the second installment in the series, as it was a rainy weekend with plenty of time to listen to the audiobook as I did household chores. The plot for this novel was as bonkers as the other two, starting with a seemingly innocent case to recover a stolen magical artifact and ending with Alice organizing a band of misfits to rescue Kate from a bizarre wizard ritual.
The same voice actor narrated this third installment in the series, and she is nothing short of phenomenal. She brought to life the verbal ticks and quirks of Kate Kane, the first person narrator, in such a way these quirks felt natural to the character. Her other vocal talents ranged from a panty melting purr for Julian the Vampire Prince to an icy monotone for Alice the Golem and an angst filled whine for Patrick the Vampire ex-boyfriend. Unfortunately, she’s not on the cast list for the fourth installment.
Even though the second installment did not end on a cliffhanger or a teaser and the third installment begins with a few minutes of prologue that summarizes the events of previous installment, I wouldn’t recommend venturing into the third book without having finished the first two. There are too many characters and relationships with roots in the first two books that a reader may miss the richness and complexity of the plot (and subplots) if they start with the third book. Besides, why would a reader deliberately deprive themselves of an opportunity to enjoy Cat Gould’s narration?
I would definitely recommend this novel to readers interested in contemporary urban fantasy. While I only have the slightest familiarity with that genre, I can say that this third novel does nod a bit more to the classic fantasy stories, including Arthurian legend, than the first two novels. However, the reader should understand that this being done to draw on the reader’s cultural literacy to fill in context and honor such classics (as opposed to plagiarize them). To me, the work didn’t feel derivative or disrespectful at all.
The same voice actor narrated this third installment in the series, and she is nothing short of phenomenal. She brought to life the verbal ticks and quirks of Kate Kane, the first person narrator, in such a way these quirks felt natural to the character. Her other vocal talents ranged from a panty melting purr for Julian the Vampire Prince to an icy monotone for Alice the Golem and an angst filled whine for Patrick the Vampire ex-boyfriend. Unfortunately, she’s not on the cast list for the fourth installment.
Even though the second installment did not end on a cliffhanger or a teaser and the third installment begins with a few minutes of prologue that summarizes the events of previous installment, I wouldn’t recommend venturing into the third book without having finished the first two. There are too many characters and relationships with roots in the first two books that a reader may miss the richness and complexity of the plot (and subplots) if they start with the third book. Besides, why would a reader deliberately deprive themselves of an opportunity to enjoy Cat Gould’s narration?
I would definitely recommend this novel to readers interested in contemporary urban fantasy. While I only have the slightest familiarity with that genre, I can say that this third novel does nod a bit more to the classic fantasy stories, including Arthurian legend, than the first two novels. However, the reader should understand that this being done to draw on the reader’s cultural literacy to fill in context and honor such classics (as opposed to plagiarize them). To me, the work didn’t feel derivative or disrespectful at all.
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