Unjust Cause

Alex Connor #2

by Tate Hallaway

Alex Connor thought that being the South Dakota Hughes County Coroner was going to be a boring, cushy job. She didn't count on the fact that her first case would leave her with a magical, living tattoo and awaken her latent magical powers. Now she's a full-fledged member of Precinct 13, a paranormal police unit, and is trying to make a life with her dragon familiar, Valentine. Just when things seem to be settling down, bodies start falling out of the sky… literally.

Unjust Cause is the sequel to Precinct 13

Genres: Paranormal, Fantasy, Magic, Urban Fantasy, Dragons, Urban, Vampires

Unknown Binding

First published April 8, 2020

About the author

A Scorpio with a Leo Rising, Tate Hallaway is an amateur astrologer and practicing Witch. Tate has been a fan of vampire fiction since she first read Poppy Z. Brite in high school. Her first short fiction acceptance was to a vampire ‘zine called Nocturnal Ecstasy Vampire Coven. Tate lives in Saint Paul, Minnesota with three black cats.

This author also writes science fiction under the name Lyda Morehouse.

Reviews

[Kristin Boldon · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fun follow up to Precinct 13, it was good to spend time with these characters again and see how they've morphed. I was delighted with the humor, the polyamorous trio, and the multiple mysteries, including that of Alex's origin. But the continuity was a bit off kilter in places. I think this could have used another edit: the birds and their bands, Alex seeing the hitcher but not mentioning it, the snake spell/tattoo just disappeared as a plot point, not trying to hide magic from Genevieve the assistant, and in neither book is Alex going off meds mentioned. I would be delighted for the series to continue, and to see even more polyamory and diversity in the cast, from its mostly cis-het couples in the first book.

[Diane ~Firefly~ · Rating 3 out of 5]

Bodies are falling from the sky and Spenser is under investigation.

What I enjoyed:
* Interesting case, very much enjoyed the resolution
* Jack is cool with his techno-gadgets and Sarah Jane and her pack of magpies
* We met the werewolf gang
* Alex learned more about herself she has dragon blood in her

What could have been better:
* It really annoys me that Alex doesn't ask questions when she is unsure. Everyone knows she is new to this. She almost got Valentine taken from her by not asking basic questions
* I feel bad for Jack. This polyamory relationship clearly has him as a distant third
* I thought Spenser was going to send people to investigate Alex's stepmother?

[Moondance · Rating 3 out of 5]

I poked Valentine in the chest.

Alex Connor has slipped into the coroner position in Pierre, North Dakota. She is in a polyamorous relationship with Valentine and Jack. She is involved with Precinct 13, a paranormal division of law enforcement and now bodies are falling from the sky.

I rarely start reading a series at the second book. Although, I should have read the first book, I was able to grasp the flow of the story. (I do need to go back and start with book one). Alex is still floundering a bit in her role as coroner. As it happens in a lot of small towns, this is an elected position rather than one covered by a physician. The town was happy that she had completed a few semesters towards medical school. The magic she received in the previous book aids her in solving these new murders.

I'm not sure where the Alex, Valentine, Jack triangle is headed. I feel terrible for Jack because he seems to be an afterthought. Particularly after the revelation of a new bit of information about Alex. Landlord, Robert, could also be included in potential love interests.

The arrival of Men in Black agents Tengu and Furfur adds to the mystery of the deaths. May I say that Furfur is not a fan favorite.

The story involves weres, vamps, demons, dragons, witches, and a golum to name a few paranormals. The plot was twisty enough to keep my attention and make me want to read more.

I'm sure I will revisit North Dakota to catch up with Alex and crew. I will go back to the first book for introductions and then move on to see what happens next.

[Tearese · Rating 3 out of 5]

As with the previous book , I loved the setting in Pierre, SD, and seeing so many places with which I was familiar. Loved the author's reference to lots of sci-fi and fantasy pop culture, including an offhand reference to "The BBC Sherlock, the one with the Hobbit in it." lol.
There were new dimensions added to the main character's background which made her even more interesting. However, the new information felt rather sudden and it seemed somewhat weird that everyone except her seemed to know about it, even though it was never alluded to in the first book.
The first few chapters felt like the author wasn't sure what kind of book she was writing, as it was leaning almost toward Romance Novel territory, but then all the romance stuff was abruptly dropped and it actually worked better without it.
As other reviewers mentioned, it seemed odd that they weren't trying to hide some of the magical elements from the regular people in the story, but whatever. Also, there were an unusual amount of typos which were a little distracting, so maybe it needed one more review from the editor before publication.
Overall liked the plot and the characters though, and will definitely read if there is another book in the series.

[Karyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very enjoyable!

These books are just plain fun. They do have deeper threads (mental health, finding ones path, etc), but they are presented in a format that is fun to read.
Alex is an interesting character. In book 1, we learn that her family had drugged her, convincing her that she was crazy because she saw magical beings. She learned that not only wasn’t she crazy, but that she was a witch with magical powers.
Now, in book 2, she learns that Valentine is her familiar (trying to avoid spoilers here!), and that she might just be more than a witch, and she has a very hard time wrapping her brain around that idea. And she’s brought Jack into the picture, dating him as well as Valentine…
All in all, quite fun. I’ll look forward to book 3.

[K · Rating 3 out of 5]

Still decent, but not as good as the first.

There were some continuity errors, like with the bands on the magpies, and some of the characters and interactions seemed off.

There was a lot more interpersonal drama, arbitrary secret keeping, etc... and the plot wasn't nearly as tight as Precinct 13's.

While the first book gave the impression the supernatural world was (by-and-large) reasonable if occasionally bigoted against unnatural magic, this one gave the impression that it's run by absolute psychopaths, with it being entirely legal to enslave a sapient familiar, or send parts of a town to hell.

Also the bad guys got off way too lightly.

[Elspeth Cooper · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thoroughly enjoyed this. The characters are charming, and the setting - small-town South Dakota - is an unusual one for an urban fantasy. Though the author leans on a lot of familiar UF tropes they are presented with such warmth and joie de vivre that they don't feel over-familiar, just welcoming. By the end of the book you kind of want to invite everyone over for a night of games and pizza.

Everyone except Furfur, that is. That dude's an asshole.

[Rebecca · Rating 5 out of 5]

So happy to have a Tate Hallaway book again at long last!

I enjoy Hallaway's writing style & have read all the Garnet Lacey & Vampire Princess books & Precinct 13. I somehow missed she wrote under another name too so I guess I have a bunch of other books to read

[Angela · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved Precinct 13 and always hoped for a sequel. I missed this when it first came out but am really happy I found it now. Alex manages to solve the mystery and figure out herself and her place in the world a little more. This is a fun sequel and I hope there is another someday.

[Nancy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Worth the wait

A good continuation of story, give bit more background for characters and bit more understanding of the world
Now waiting for the next .

[Jordan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I would love more

It ended beautifully, even if I would love for the series to continue. I loved the character growth, mystery... all of it

[Tina · Rating 4 out of 5]

The first couple chapters really need editing. But it gets better. Looking forward to a third book.