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Harmony Black #5
Right to the Kill
When two operatives go dark in Tampa, chasing the trail of an oligarch with ties to the demonic underworld, Vigilant Lock — the nation’s first and last line of defense against occult attack — sends their best to the rescue: Harmony Black, a troubled investigator and an elemental witch with a keen but tangled mind; and her partner Jessie Temple, the daughter of a supernatural slasher and the inheritor of her father’s powers.
The trail of clues leads them to the doorstep of Judah Cranston, a wealthy scientist with dark secrets and a darker agenda. Toss in an alluring marine biologist with eyes for Harmony, and a pair of demon-blooded troubleshooters on a hunt of their own, and Tampa Bay is heating up fast. As the mission takes Harmony and Jessie from the sun-drenched Florida coast to a gloomy New England fishing town steeped in forgotten history, they find themselves up against a threat far greater — and more otherworldly — than they ever expected.
The trail of clues leads them to the doorstep of Judah Cranston, a wealthy scientist with dark secrets and a darker agenda. Toss in an alluring marine biologist with eyes for Harmony, and a pair of demon-blooded troubleshooters on a hunt of their own, and Tampa Bay is heating up fast. As the mission takes Harmony and Jessie from the sun-drenched Florida coast to a gloomy New England fishing town steeped in forgotten history, they find themselves up against a threat far greater — and more otherworldly — than they ever expected.
382 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 3, 2019
196 people are currently reading
271 people want to read
About the author
Craig Schaefer
43 books1,332 followersCraig Schaefer's books have taken readers to the seamy edge of a criminal underworld drenched in shadow (the Daniel Faust series), to a world torn by war, poison and witchcraft (the Revanche Cycle), and across a modern America mired in occult mysteries and a conspiracy of lies (the Harmony Black series).
Despite this, people say he's strangely normal. Suspiciously normal, in fact. His home on the Web is www.craigschaeferbooks.com.
Despite this, people say he's strangely normal. Suspiciously normal, in fact. His home on the Web is www.craigschaeferbooks.com.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 69 reviews
December 12, 2024
Actual rating: 3.3256548896 stars.
Forgive me Craig Schaefer the Almighty for I have sinned. I have given your book a pathetically miserable rating, and obviously deserve to be most severely punished and stuff.
➽ Full review to come and stuff.
· Book 1: Harmony Black ★★★★
· Book 2: Red Knight Falling ★★★
· Book 3: Glass Predator ★★★★
· Book 4: Cold Spectrum ★★★★★
· Book 6: Black Tie Required ★★★★
· Book 7: Never Send Roses ★★★★★
· Book 8: Snake Oil Bullet ★★★★
Forgive me Craig Schaefer the Almighty for I have sinned. I have given your book a pathetically miserable rating, and obviously deserve to be most severely punished and stuff.
➽ Full review to come and stuff.
· Book 1: Harmony Black ★★★★
· Book 2: Red Knight Falling ★★★
· Book 3: Glass Predator ★★★★
· Book 4: Cold Spectrum ★★★★★
· Book 6: Black Tie Required ★★★★
· Book 7: Never Send Roses ★★★★★
· Book 8: Snake Oil Bullet ★★★★
December 17, 2023
It's impossible to be objective when you love a series and/or writer as much as I love Craig Schaefer and his Harmony Black series, but you can totally trust me when I say this book freaking rocks guys!
Not since 2017 have we had a new Harmony Black book, and despite the team's involvement in the Wisdom's Grave trilogy, I missed them. There's actually a couple of details brought up in this one that I was fuzzy on, so it's clearly time for a reread (hello there four day Easter weekend, what nice timing you have...). But as with every instalment, despite linking back to previous books in places, Right to the Kill still reads very well as a standalone. Plus, one of my favourite tropes (definitely a spoiler) comes to play - I've never been so glad to have this series back in my life.
Not since 2017 have we had a new Harmony Black book, and despite the team's involvement in the Wisdom's Grave trilogy, I missed them. There's actually a couple of details brought up in this one that I was fuzzy on, so it's clearly time for a reread (hello there four day Easter weekend, what nice timing you have...). But as with every instalment, despite linking back to previous books in places, Right to the Kill still reads very well as a standalone. Plus, one of my favourite tropes (definitely a spoiler) comes to play - I've never been so glad to have this series back in my life.
April 19, 2020
I'm not sure how I feel about the change to third person perspective. I kinda like my UF characters up close and personal - being in their head privy to their thoughts and sarcastic comments. If I'd get to choose: first person view would be my preferred option.
That said - story is great. It's the usual combination of mystery, suspense, horror and humour and tons of action, with tentacles and explosions no less.
That said - story is great. It's the usual combination of mystery, suspense, horror and humour and tons of action, with tentacles and explosions no less.
October 31, 2019
I was not impressed with ‘Right to the Kill’.
It lacked that certain oomph that earlier books in the series had. It felt more like a run of the mill install meant in a long running series rather than a unique story in a unique universe.
This book is strictly for avid followers of the Harmony Black series or those interested in knowing where Craig Schaefer is taking the multiple story lines to. Else avoid.
It lacked that certain oomph that earlier books in the series had. It felt more like a run of the mill install meant in a long running series rather than a unique story in a unique universe.
This book is strictly for avid followers of the Harmony Black series or those interested in knowing where Craig Schaefer is taking the multiple story lines to. Else avoid.
September 28, 2020
Right to the Kill
(Harmony Black #5)
by Craig Schaefer
These books, and the Faust books, just get better and better! This one has spells, demons, gene manipulation, the most hideous mermaid ever, shifter, and more! Never dull with all of these things interacting! I liked this slightly gross, but good, plot! (Blame the grossness on the mermaids!) 😉
Action packed with lead female characters!
Great narration too!
(Harmony Black #5)
by Craig Schaefer
These books, and the Faust books, just get better and better! This one has spells, demons, gene manipulation, the most hideous mermaid ever, shifter, and more! Never dull with all of these things interacting! I liked this slightly gross, but good, plot! (Blame the grossness on the mermaids!) 😉
Action packed with lead female characters!
Great narration too!
August 22, 2021
3.5 When the Monsters Get You, We Will Kill Them Stars
Harmony and Jesse are one of my favorite duos. It had been awhile since I read a book in this series so I was a little fuzzy on some of the details but there is a nice...the story so far at the beginning to catch me up to speed. It also seems these characters were also in another series by Schaefer and so I would recommend reading
and
after
and before starting this one if you like going in order.
Harmony and Jesse are off to Tampa looking for a few operatives that have disappeared. They find what is left of one and make the only promise they can. When the monsters finally get you, Harmony and Jesse will hunt them down and kill them.
This has a few different things going on. Harmony is dealing with addiction her time with a succubus caused her and the fallout of that to her power. They have taken over Vigilant Lock and trying to keep their non demon controlled agency on the up and up. They have also stumbled into some pretty strange happening where people are attacked by sharks on dry land. They have a few mysteries to solve and an entire crazy town to investigate.
The chemical weapon seen in Cold Spectrum really has nothing on what Bobby Deal has planned now. Harmony and Jesse have to find it before they can infect the world with that poison.
There is a lot going on and I think I would have liked it more if I'd read the side series first so I knew more about the network and other worlds. Still this was action packed, full of double crosses and just a lot of fun overall.
Harmony and Jesse are one of my favorite duos. It had been awhile since I read a book in this series so I was a little fuzzy on some of the details but there is a nice...the story so far at the beginning to catch me up to speed. It also seems these characters were also in another series by Schaefer and so I would recommend reading
and
after
and before starting this one if you like going in order.Harmony and Jesse are off to Tampa looking for a few operatives that have disappeared. They find what is left of one and make the only promise they can. When the monsters finally get you, Harmony and Jesse will hunt them down and kill them.
This has a few different things going on. Harmony is dealing with addiction her time with a succubus caused her and the fallout of that to her power. They have taken over Vigilant Lock and trying to keep their non demon controlled agency on the up and up. They have also stumbled into some pretty strange happening where people are attacked by sharks on dry land. They have a few mysteries to solve and an entire crazy town to investigate.
The chemical weapon seen in Cold Spectrum really has nothing on what Bobby Deal has planned now. Harmony and Jesse have to find it before they can infect the world with that poison.
There is a lot going on and I think I would have liked it more if I'd read the side series first so I knew more about the network and other worlds. Still this was action packed, full of double crosses and just a lot of fun overall.
October 10, 2019
Before you read this review, you must know I’m biased. Craig Schaefer is one of my favorite pulp writers. Plus, I love his characters and I’m happy to see them again. Don’t expect a fair and critical assessment.
Right to the Kill, is a soft reboot of Harmony Black series and a place for new readers to jump in. In Cold Spectrum Harmony and Jessie had driven out a threat from within and taken control of the Vigilant Lock organization. Now they’re in the driver’s seat, with new responsibilities and challenges to face, and the resources of an illegally funded covert-operations group backing them up.
When two agents go missing on a mission in Tampa, Harmony and Jessie find themselves on the trail of an occult bioweapon, tracking a madman from the Florida coast to a mist-shrouded New England fishing village. What else? Have you read and enjoyed A Little Mermaid? If yes, she’s back! Except she’s carnivorous and lethal.
Schaefer went from a first-person perspective to the third person giving everyone on the team a chance to shine. The gang can finally do much cooler spy-stuff and we get to see all the moving parts through various perspectives. Also, Jessie. She’s hilarious. And brutal when the lupine passenger in her head takes the lead. Her scenes and banter with Harmony were a highlight of the novel.
I admit I didn’t like Harmony when I started the series, but after recent events, she’s developed a darker side that makes her layered and intriguing. I can officially say she’s grown up and became a nuanced and intriguing character I can root for.
The feel of the book? Think a horror-thriller and yes, there are tentacles :)
TL;DR - a brilliant reboot of the series.
Right to the Kill, is a soft reboot of Harmony Black series and a place for new readers to jump in. In Cold Spectrum Harmony and Jessie had driven out a threat from within and taken control of the Vigilant Lock organization. Now they’re in the driver’s seat, with new responsibilities and challenges to face, and the resources of an illegally funded covert-operations group backing them up.
When two agents go missing on a mission in Tampa, Harmony and Jessie find themselves on the trail of an occult bioweapon, tracking a madman from the Florida coast to a mist-shrouded New England fishing village. What else? Have you read and enjoyed A Little Mermaid? If yes, she’s back! Except she’s carnivorous and lethal.
Schaefer went from a first-person perspective to the third person giving everyone on the team a chance to shine. The gang can finally do much cooler spy-stuff and we get to see all the moving parts through various perspectives. Also, Jessie. She’s hilarious. And brutal when the lupine passenger in her head takes the lead. Her scenes and banter with Harmony were a highlight of the novel.
I admit I didn’t like Harmony when I started the series, but after recent events, she’s developed a darker side that makes her layered and intriguing. I can officially say she’s grown up and became a nuanced and intriguing character I can root for.
The feel of the book? Think a horror-thriller and yes, there are tentacles :)
TL;DR - a brilliant reboot of the series.
February 13, 2023
It is no secret that Craig Scaefer's Faust/Harmony books are my favourite UF series(s) of the lot by a considerable distance. In fact they are the only UF books that I've read that come close to matching any of my epic fantasy favourites in terms of quality and addictiveness. The books have a great mix of action, humor, mystery and great characters. The inclusion of humor should not lead you to believe these are light reads. The story can get pretty dark at times and the characters, while likeable, are definitely morally grey and the occasional bursts of humor and the moments of real caring and friendship shown by the characters keep things from becoming too bleak and grim. The balance is really perfect. Another big plus is that Schaefer has a really engaging writing style and has created a super cool world!
I took a long break (nearly 5 years!) between reading Cold Spectrum and Right To the Kill. I always meant to take a break as the audio series changed narrator from Christina Traister to Susanna Jones. I actually like both narrators but tend to find a change of narrators mid-series quite a jarring and detrimental experience in audio so figured I’d put a bit of a gap between instalments to make the transition a little easier. That break was doubly necessary as I’d read there was going to be a switch of narrative styles of the series from the first person POV to third person.
The good news is the break meant I did not have any issues with the change of narrative style or the change of audio narrator. It was a slick transition for me. Not that I ever intended to wait 5 years between instalments!
The good news is this 5th Harmony book was well worth the wait and lived up to the hype. The third person narrative did not hurt Harmony at all and probably helped flesh out Jessie’s character a bit. It was a smooth change that did not hurt the series in the slightest.
The story in this 5th book was pretty good. Vigilant Lock loses an undercover agent who was installed in Bobby Deal’s employ. Trying to find both the missing agent and Bobby Deal leads Harmony and Jessie on a path that ends up with them unearthing a new enemy and threat!
It was a fun and engaging tale. Schaefer never fails to satisfy. I’m pressing straight on with this interconnected UF world and intend to hit the next Faust instalment next before getting to the next Harmony book.
Rating: 4.5 stars.
Audio Note: We got an audio change as Susanna Jones replaced Christina Traister. I’m never a fan of change mid-series. It can be pretty jarring. Luckily the new narrator for this series was every bit as competent as the old one. I took a long break between instalment to make the transition easier and I definitely feel like that was very beneficial to my enjoyment of this one. The only jarring change seemed to be in the voicing of Jessie but I got used to the new interpretation of her fairly quickly.
I took a long break (nearly 5 years!) between reading Cold Spectrum and Right To the Kill. I always meant to take a break as the audio series changed narrator from Christina Traister to Susanna Jones. I actually like both narrators but tend to find a change of narrators mid-series quite a jarring and detrimental experience in audio so figured I’d put a bit of a gap between instalments to make the transition a little easier. That break was doubly necessary as I’d read there was going to be a switch of narrative styles of the series from the first person POV to third person.
The good news is the break meant I did not have any issues with the change of narrative style or the change of audio narrator. It was a slick transition for me. Not that I ever intended to wait 5 years between instalments!
The good news is this 5th Harmony book was well worth the wait and lived up to the hype. The third person narrative did not hurt Harmony at all and probably helped flesh out Jessie’s character a bit. It was a smooth change that did not hurt the series in the slightest.
The story in this 5th book was pretty good. Vigilant Lock loses an undercover agent who was installed in Bobby Deal’s employ. Trying to find both the missing agent and Bobby Deal leads Harmony and Jessie on a path that ends up with them unearthing a new enemy and threat!
It was a fun and engaging tale. Schaefer never fails to satisfy. I’m pressing straight on with this interconnected UF world and intend to hit the next Faust instalment next before getting to the next Harmony book.
Rating: 4.5 stars.
Audio Note: We got an audio change as Susanna Jones replaced Christina Traister. I’m never a fan of change mid-series. It can be pretty jarring. Luckily the new narrator for this series was every bit as competent as the old one. I took a long break between instalment to make the transition easier and I definitely feel like that was very beneficial to my enjoyment of this one. The only jarring change seemed to be in the voicing of Jessie but I got used to the new interpretation of her fairly quickly.
October 18, 2019
Overall rating = 4.5 stars
Read full review over at Fantasy Book Critic
OVERVIEW/ANALYSIS (Mihir): The Harmony Black series has an interesting beginning as do most spinoffs. Harmony first made her appearance in Redemption Song (book 2 of the Daniel Faust series) and her arc continued until A Plain Dealing Villain (book 4). She then made her debut in her own series which was published by Amazon. It was then let go by 47 North last year and the rights reverted back to Craig Schaefer. Craig since then has had made up plans to give Harmony and crew a proper trilogy send-0ff (with the possibility of more books, if certain things align up). We at Fantasy Book Critic were super excited to do the cover reveal for Right To The Kill which is book 5 of the Harmony Black series as well as a soft reboot.
Right To The Kill has some structural changes from the previous titles, namely a shift from first person to third person. There’s also a few other things but those I would rather the reader discover for themselves. The book begins nearly a year after the events of the Wisdom’s Grave trilogy (labelled the Wisdom’s Grave incident). The Vigilant Lock team is now free of all their previous constraints (known and unknown). The story begins with Harmony, Jessie, & the team trying to infiltrate Nadine’s cash network and finding ways to disrupt it. Things take a wild turn as such is the wont in thriller stories but it’s from there the story takes a wild turn as a live lead on Bobby Diehl makes them turn to Florida. Events however aren’t smooth as two of their agents have gone missing and Harmony and team now have to go to Florida to find out what happened to the two agents.
This story is a wild thriller and is back to its spies with magic roots that Craig had specified in his interview with us. The narrative change also helps as now the reader is able to get a wider perspective of things and still keep us in the thick of things. The main story while beginning in Florida then dovetails into the remote Maine coast wherein we get a solid horror dose. I loved this aspect as from the first book wherein horror was such a major component. It was good to see the author explore Lovecraftian aquatic mythos.
Let’s talk about the characterization, namely with the narrative focus change, we don’t get an internal view into Harmony’s head however due to the author’s strong skills. We still don’t lose the emotional connect that we have had with Harmony and Jessie. Harmony has been suffering from a while due to court of blooming flowers’ ministrations but she has been adapting herself with some interesting techniques. This book we get a strong indication of where the author plans to take this thread next. Going on to Jessie, we get one of the best scenes in the series so far and I couldn’t stop laughing. I bet many other readers will have a similar reaction and I can’t wait to see where Craig takes her track next. There's also further mingling of the Vigilant Lock team within the Infernal courts and this time, we get a further look in to one of the east coast ones (I expect this court and the infernal character introduced to be of significance later).
The action sequences and plot pace are enhanced strongly and there’s a thread which gives a strong Children Of The Corn vibe. Craig Schaefer ties a wonderful thread to a certain gargantuan thing from Detonation Boulevard and that only portends some more creepiness in the future. This book breaks the trend of staid amazon covers and the new style cover is just freaking amazing. Again James T. Egan proves why Craig trusts him so much. Lastly this book ends on a climatic note and you will want the next book now (which to be fair, is exactly what the author is aiming for).
CONCLUSION: Right To The Kill is a triumphant return to form in the Harmony Black series by Craig Schaefer. It underscores the main reason why Harmony Black needed a spinoff series of her own. Right To The Kill is the Casino Royale reboot that Schaefer fans have been eagerly waiting for. Savor it and rejoice that this series has gotten the boost on the inside and out.
January 12, 2020
I am a big fan of Schaefer's urban fantasy series and this installment of Harmony Black was another great fast-paced roller-coster with an exceptional female lead (or rather two female leads). Jessie is still my favourite and I am glad that she became kind of the second protagonist in this book. I also love how Harmony and Jessie friendship develops and how they care for each other.
This book is a non-stop action for every fan of urban fantasy thriller and especially for every othe Craig Schaefer's fan.
This book is a non-stop action for every fan of urban fantasy thriller and especially for every othe Craig Schaefer's fan.
October 15, 2019
Fantastic as always
The characters and plot have evolved; most series don't improve with time but this one has. Harmony is less brittle, Jessie is warmer and more supportive, and the deals they make add depth. They're building the agency up from the ashes and it really works as a plotline and metaphor for his good this series has become. (I am a huge Daniel Faust can and didn't expect this to be as funny, fast-paced, and rich as that series but it really is).
The characters and plot have evolved; most series don't improve with time but this one has. Harmony is less brittle, Jessie is warmer and more supportive, and the deals they make add depth. They're building the agency up from the ashes and it really works as a plotline and metaphor for his good this series has become. (I am a huge Daniel Faust can and didn't expect this to be as funny, fast-paced, and rich as that series but it really is).
October 26, 2021
A bit uneven for me, but still a fun read. Honestly I didn't even notice that series had gone from first to third person. Schaefer explains the changes at the end of the book, new publisher, new start, basically, and I'm fine with it. I don't hate first person narrative, but it can be so stiflingly if you do it correctly. For a detective series it can work, but Harmony Black was never really detecting anything, she's been fighting off monsters from day one, so I found the third person perspective worked wonderfully.
Uneven because there felt like a lot of stop and go in the action. I could've gotten bored and put it down at several points but honestly the last Daniel Faust book left me hanging so bad that I really wanted to know if that whole big arc finishes out in the Harmony Black series or not.
Unfortunately, "The Enemy" arc is barely touched on, but I'm currently on the next book and it's promising, so...anyway, this book was cool because Schaefer brings in (what I felt) some fairly obvious Lovecraft lore into play. This I thought made it a little more fun than the regular old demons and interdimensional gangs running amok, which are fun, don't get me wrong...but something about Cthulhu maybe being around, or maybe not, gave this particular book a little more for me to enjoy.
I wrote this review on my phone, so pardon the form/grammar/whatever... I never seem to fire up my computer anymore unless I'm working, and I never think about writing reviews which I'm seriously falling behind on.
Also, is it just me, or does my review vanish from time to time?
Uneven because there felt like a lot of stop and go in the action. I could've gotten bored and put it down at several points but honestly the last Daniel Faust book left me hanging so bad that I really wanted to know if that whole big arc finishes out in the Harmony Black series or not.
Unfortunately, "The Enemy" arc is barely touched on, but I'm currently on the next book and it's promising, so...anyway, this book was cool because Schaefer brings in (what I felt) some fairly obvious Lovecraft lore into play. This I thought made it a little more fun than the regular old demons and interdimensional gangs running amok, which are fun, don't get me wrong...but something about Cthulhu maybe being around, or maybe not, gave this particular book a little more for me to enjoy.
I wrote this review on my phone, so pardon the form/grammar/whatever... I never seem to fire up my computer anymore unless I'm working, and I never think about writing reviews which I'm seriously falling behind on.
Also, is it just me, or does my review vanish from time to time?
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 29, 2023
Yes good more please
Seriously though, this one had killer mermaids and if you think I'm not dying to see the Ocean Behind the Oceans, think again. I love how Schaefer continues to expand the world-building in this universe. And I love how the villain had plausible origins of doing good and then just took it all batshit extreme.
Seriously though, this one had killer mermaids and if you think I'm not dying to see the Ocean Behind the Oceans, think again. I love how Schaefer continues to expand the world-building in this universe. And I love how the villain had plausible origins of doing good and then just took it all batshit extreme.
September 22, 2020
This is the first Harmony Black book I have affirmatively liked. The plot was straightforward, I could keep track of the characters, and I really liked Harmony for the first time. Just start here. Seriously.
October 30, 2019
WORTH. THE. WAIT!!!
I’m at a loss for words to accurately describe/capture the sheer goodness of how fucking awesome this story was. I have a tiny gripe that doesn’t even really have much to do with the overall story as a whole, and that’s the scene harping on Harmony’s sexuality, or lack there of. It served a purpose as a callback to the first book and we were reminded of her brief affair with Cody. The scene definitely didn’t feel out of place and served a great purpose overall for what happened later at the hotel. But I personally felt like at this point Harmony is practically asexual and didn’t need the whole Neptune flirty vibe.
Pushing that aside, this story was so good I feel like rereading all the books AGAIN. Definitely worth it.
Before anyone expresses hate or shade about how Harmony is still hooked on the demon juice, it plays and is very much in line with her character. To struggle with the addiction/withdrawal is to put her out of action and she’s always served the higher purpose of protecting humanity as a whole. Her operating at less than 1000 threatens that duty she’s sworn to uphold.
I’m at a loss for words to accurately describe/capture the sheer goodness of how fucking awesome this story was. I have a tiny gripe that doesn’t even really have much to do with the overall story as a whole, and that’s the scene harping on Harmony’s sexuality, or lack there of. It served a purpose as a callback to the first book and we were reminded of her brief affair with Cody. The scene definitely didn’t feel out of place and served a great purpose overall for what happened later at the hotel. But I personally felt like at this point Harmony is practically asexual and didn’t need the whole Neptune flirty vibe.
Pushing that aside, this story was so good I feel like rereading all the books AGAIN. Definitely worth it.
Before anyone expresses hate or shade about how Harmony is still hooked on the demon juice, it plays and is very much in line with her character. To struggle with the addiction/withdrawal is to put her out of action and she’s always served the higher purpose of protecting humanity as a whole. Her operating at less than 1000 threatens that duty she’s sworn to uphold.
January 5, 2020
4 Stars
I love Harmony Black, Craig Schaefer, and the whole series...
I love Harmony Black, Craig Schaefer, and the whole series...
July 28, 2023
This was a pretty thrilling story. The book alludes a lot to the Wisdoms Grave incident, and there are some changes in the system as well. There are human eating mermaids, a fanatic death cult, and demonic politics to boot. There's a lot of murder in this book, and Schaefer although doesn't go into graphic details, this felt like a whodunnit ramped with violence.
The protagonists now has a lot in their plate, as their organization has gone a drastic reshuffle. Unlikely alliances are made, and also they've their own enemies to deal with. The story takes us to a quiet New England town, which doesn't seem to be what it is. The villain's motive was kind of contrived in my opinion and not so credible. I had hoped that the Bobby Diehl angle would be at least solved in this installment, but that was kind of left hanging. Harmony and Jessie along with the team investigates the disappearence of an Agent, and unveils a horrifying threat which they try to tackle.
The characters of Harmony and Jessie too have improved a lot. Jessie deals with her inner beast and tries to balance her life, and the beast itself adds a kind of split personality to Jessie's character. Harmony meanwhile deals with her magic hunger problem through unlikely means, but is in the process of losing herself. And, it kind of adds an intrigue to her character. I was hoping to get some queer romance regarding a minor character named Neptune. I hope Neptune appears at some point in other books too. She's such a pure hearted character. I would love to see Neptune again.
This was an action packed book. Schaefer took me on a adventurous ride to the remote corner of America, and he has also touched upon the issues of environmental degradation, oceanic pollution in a sensitive way without being too preachy. I quite liked that. Rest said, I already finished the 6th book, and it is also quite good.
The protagonists now has a lot in their plate, as their organization has gone a drastic reshuffle. Unlikely alliances are made, and also they've their own enemies to deal with. The story takes us to a quiet New England town, which doesn't seem to be what it is. The villain's motive was kind of contrived in my opinion and not so credible. I had hoped that the Bobby Diehl angle would be at least solved in this installment, but that was kind of left hanging. Harmony and Jessie along with the team investigates the disappearence of an Agent, and unveils a horrifying threat which they try to tackle.
The characters of Harmony and Jessie too have improved a lot. Jessie deals with her inner beast and tries to balance her life, and the beast itself adds a kind of split personality to Jessie's character. Harmony meanwhile deals with her magic hunger problem through unlikely means, but is in the process of losing herself. And, it kind of adds an intrigue to her character. I was hoping to get some queer romance regarding a minor character named Neptune. I hope Neptune appears at some point in other books too. She's such a pure hearted character. I would love to see Neptune again.
This was an action packed book. Schaefer took me on a adventurous ride to the remote corner of America, and he has also touched upon the issues of environmental degradation, oceanic pollution in a sensitive way without being too preachy. I quite liked that. Rest said, I already finished the 6th book, and it is also quite good.
March 17, 2021
A standard run of the mill potboiler taking inspiration from H. P. Lovecraft. There are shades of lesbian romance in everything Schaefer writes and this book is no exception. First time Jessie 'speaks' with her inner wolf. Harmony has turned more into a Sherlock Holmes type detective as the series goes what with her Robert Downey Jr. Sherlock Holmes impression, her "addiction", her feelings of being alive only when working on a case etc. The rest of the two team members do not play any significant roleand are more of walking talking plot devices than ever. I also am tired of the Nadine/Harmony "feud" and the ineffective demon bounty hunter who is her daughter and almost always gets her ass kicked by mundane means but is treated as a scary threat. It would be well if Schaefer wraps up that arc.
July 12, 2020
It didn’t immediately draw me in like the other Harmony Black books. I found there to be a few plot lines that never went anywhere...some I can assume are set ups for the next book (Nadine, the New York Courts) and others not (like why did everyone in Chamberlain’s town look exactly like him? A point that kept being harped on and yet never explored!). I assume the bull merman will be back, but who knows. And what about Neptune Joy?
I enjoyed the mystery & the unraveling of it. But I felt that Harmony & Jessie were flat in this book.
I’m going to read the 6th book because, how can I not, but I really do hope it’s better than this one.
I enjoyed the mystery & the unraveling of it. But I felt that Harmony & Jessie were flat in this book.
I’m going to read the 6th book because, how can I not, but I really do hope it’s better than this one.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 2, 2020
Dark waters lie ahead...
I want to get this out of the way:
Yes. This book leans on a certain Lovecraft short story. If this bothers you I have a question, have you not read ANY of the other books in this shared universe of stories?
Lovecraftian writing should count as it's own genre and here is a novel that would be a prime candidate for it.
Craig Schaeffer delivers an intense thrill ride that even if you suspect where the road will take you there's a log in the road to surprise you.
Also it's not really a log...
I want to get this out of the way:
Yes. This book leans on a certain Lovecraft short story. If this bothers you I have a question, have you not read ANY of the other books in this shared universe of stories?
Lovecraftian writing should count as it's own genre and here is a novel that would be a prime candidate for it.
Craig Schaeffer delivers an intense thrill ride that even if you suspect where the road will take you there's a log in the road to surprise you.
Also it's not really a log...
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 16, 2020
Another solid outing
I just love the adventures of Harmony Black and Vigilant Lock. So glad to have them back. After liberating her agency from us grip of those she was supposed to be hunting, agent Black is back in the field trying to prevent the end of humanity. Lots of great action and humor.
I just love the adventures of Harmony Black and Vigilant Lock. So glad to have them back. After liberating her agency from us grip of those she was supposed to be hunting, agent Black is back in the field trying to prevent the end of humanity. Lots of great action and humor.
September 27, 2020
Quite the story!
I enjoyed the intense situations and the new “monster” characters were unique and as evil as were the rest that came before them. I like how the author has Harmony and Jesse, both with their own issues fight to overcome their demons in order to annihilate the others that’s for in the world.
I enjoyed the intense situations and the new “monster” characters were unique and as evil as were the rest that came before them. I like how the author has Harmony and Jesse, both with their own issues fight to overcome their demons in order to annihilate the others that’s for in the world.
April 8, 2020
Really enjoyed the description of Tampa, knowing all those locations by heart made me love the book more. I really thought this one would tie us loose ends but I'll just continue to look forward to #6
June 5, 2020
If you're a fan of Stephen King, Dean Koontz, and other horror writers, you should enjoy Craig Schaefer's Harmony Black (and Daniel Faust) series. There are plenty of occult and other-worldly monsters on the loose, and Harmony's team is ready to take them down.
December 4, 2020
Mermaids
Absolutely loved the alien take on them, I’m glad they weren’t romanticized. I love the bond between the ladies in the group and how they don’t bicker. That portrayal of women is over used and boring.
Absolutely loved the alien take on them, I’m glad they weren’t romanticized. I love the bond between the ladies in the group and how they don’t bicker. That portrayal of women is over used and boring.
May 27, 2021
Good series about an FBI agent and witch who becomes part of a black ops team meant to protect the country from supernatural threats. Also must be read or the later books of the Daniel Faust series won't make sense.
December 7, 2022
My least favorite of the Harmony Black books thus far. In the afterword Shaefer says this book was a transition for Harmony and also the series to a new publisher. Maybe I just need to adjust. Still enjoyed the story and the characters but it did feel a bit like an old anime filler to me.
June 9, 2024
Harmony, l barely recognize you any more. This is not the same uptight, buttoned down straight laced feeb who was hounding Faust early on in his series.
The new improved Vigilant Lock, with Jessie now in charge are back at their mission. It takes them to Miami and then to Innsmouth (IYKYK)
The new improved Vigilant Lock, with Jessie now in charge are back at their mission. It takes them to Miami and then to Innsmouth (IYKYK)
April 1, 2020
Plot was intriguing, and I liked seeing how the main characters have evolved throughout the series
April 15, 2020
4.5⭐️
This is my favorite Harmony Black book so far and I’m really liking the new look covers and the new direction Craig Schaefer is taking this series.
This is my favorite Harmony Black book so far and I’m really liking the new look covers and the new direction Craig Schaefer is taking this series.
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