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Blood Trails #12
Shroud
Someone has kidnapped the vampire’s son.
And they’d better pray Shade finds Dimitri before daddy finds out he's missing…
After barely surviving Halloween—physically and emotionally—Shade is ready for a distraction. She gets her wish when Dimitri Winters, son of vampiric crime lord, Anton Winters, hires her to look into a disappearance—
His own.
And she's got to do it without his father finding out.
According to a cryptic audio file sent to her by Dimitri himself, and information delivered to Shade by her technology-savvy ally, Silence, while investigating a top secret security breach, Dimitri followed a potential suspect to a motel room—and was taken prisoner.
Now Dimitri is gone.
And his suspect is dead.
Evidence suggests Dimitri was held captive by the victim before he escaped, but there’s no clue to what happened to him after the murder, and Shade is forced to call on unusual allies to help her in her search—allies as chaotic as they are helpful. Piece by piece, they start to put together a picture of what happened.
Unfortunately, the first murder isn’t the last, and keeping secrets from Cleveland’s most notorious vampire is as dangerous as it is difficult. To make matters worse, Shade begins to realize that someone is working against her behind the scenes…
The line between friend and enemy blurs, and Shade suddenly understands that a choice between two evils is no choice at all…
And they’d better pray Shade finds Dimitri before daddy finds out he's missing…
After barely surviving Halloween—physically and emotionally—Shade is ready for a distraction. She gets her wish when Dimitri Winters, son of vampiric crime lord, Anton Winters, hires her to look into a disappearance—
His own.
And she's got to do it without his father finding out.
According to a cryptic audio file sent to her by Dimitri himself, and information delivered to Shade by her technology-savvy ally, Silence, while investigating a top secret security breach, Dimitri followed a potential suspect to a motel room—and was taken prisoner.
Now Dimitri is gone.
And his suspect is dead.
Evidence suggests Dimitri was held captive by the victim before he escaped, but there’s no clue to what happened to him after the murder, and Shade is forced to call on unusual allies to help her in her search—allies as chaotic as they are helpful. Piece by piece, they start to put together a picture of what happened.
Unfortunately, the first murder isn’t the last, and keeping secrets from Cleveland’s most notorious vampire is as dangerous as it is difficult. To make matters worse, Shade begins to realize that someone is working against her behind the scenes…
The line between friend and enemy blurs, and Shade suddenly understands that a choice between two evils is no choice at all…
289 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 18, 2022
23 people are currently reading
47 people want to read
About the author
Jennifer Blackstream
55 books517 followersJennifer Blackstream is a USA Today bestselling author of urban fantasy and paranormal romance. She is amazed and grateful to have made a writing career out of a Master’s degree in Psychology, hours of couch-detecting watching Miss Fisher’s Murder Mysteries, and endless research into mythology and fairy tales. She firmly believes that whether it’s a village witch deciding she wants to be a private investigator, or a single mother having a go at being a full time writer, it’s never too late for a new adventure.
A fervent devotee of cooperative board games, Jennifer sets aside at least two nights a week for team-based adventures such as Mice & Mystics, Sentinels of the Multiverse, or Harry Potter: Battle at Hogwarts. She uses games with dice-based mechanics to lure in her ridiculously lucky-rolling son and daughter in the hope that they too will develop a passion for cooperative escapism.
Jennifer currently has three series going:
BLOOD PRINCE SERIES (PARANORMAL ROMANCE, COMPLETE):
Book 1 – Before Midnight
Book 2 – One Bite
Book 3 – Golden Stair
Book 4 – Divine Scales
Book 5 – Beautiful Salvation
Bonus Adventures in the Blood Prince World:
Book 2.5 – What Big Teeth You Have (free when you sign up for mailing list mentioned below)
Book 4.5 – The Pirate’s Witch
Book 5.5 – Dead to Begin With (available only between Thanksgiving and whenever Jennifer takes her Christmas tree down)
BLOOD REALM SERIES (PARANORMAL ROMANCE, IN PROGRESS SPIN-OFF OF BLOOD PRINCE SERIES):
Book 1 – All for a Rose
Book 2 – Blue Voodoo
Book 3 – The Archer
Book 4 – Bear With Me
Book 5 – Stolen Wish
BLOOD TRAILS SERIES (URBAN FANTASY, ONGOING)
Book 1 – Deadline
Book 2 – Monster
Book 3 – Taken
Book 4 – Corruption
Book 5 – Mercenary
Book 6 – Caged
Book 7 – Betrayal
A fervent devotee of cooperative board games, Jennifer sets aside at least two nights a week for team-based adventures such as Mice & Mystics, Sentinels of the Multiverse, or Harry Potter: Battle at Hogwarts. She uses games with dice-based mechanics to lure in her ridiculously lucky-rolling son and daughter in the hope that they too will develop a passion for cooperative escapism.
Jennifer currently has three series going:
BLOOD PRINCE SERIES (PARANORMAL ROMANCE, COMPLETE):
Book 1 – Before Midnight
Book 2 – One Bite
Book 3 – Golden Stair
Book 4 – Divine Scales
Book 5 – Beautiful Salvation
Bonus Adventures in the Blood Prince World:
Book 2.5 – What Big Teeth You Have (free when you sign up for mailing list mentioned below)
Book 4.5 – The Pirate’s Witch
Book 5.5 – Dead to Begin With (available only between Thanksgiving and whenever Jennifer takes her Christmas tree down)
BLOOD REALM SERIES (PARANORMAL ROMANCE, IN PROGRESS SPIN-OFF OF BLOOD PRINCE SERIES):
Book 1 – All for a Rose
Book 2 – Blue Voodoo
Book 3 – The Archer
Book 4 – Bear With Me
Book 5 – Stolen Wish
BLOOD TRAILS SERIES (URBAN FANTASY, ONGOING)
Book 1 – Deadline
Book 2 – Monster
Book 3 – Taken
Book 4 – Corruption
Book 5 – Mercenary
Book 6 – Caged
Book 7 – Betrayal
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews
November 21, 2022
4.5 Stars:)
January 22, 2022
A solid read. The Scath mystery continues. Was missing Liam in this one.
August 11, 2023
I love love love every book in this series and I’m starting the stages of grief that I only have two books left! This book was great, I love the technomancers, I’ve never read anything like it before. I know more about predatory fae waterhorses than I imagined possible. I really enjoyed her having Asher for a sidekick instead of a sexy man, for a change, and can enjoy his masochism now that their dynamic isn’t pervy. We got some fairy action. And picturing tiny Majesty was so damn adorable.
February 8, 2022
good mystery
Another interesting problem for Shade to solve as a PI. But this is book 12 and we still don’t have progress on her cryptic past and Liam was missing the whole book. Progress is needed in her relationships for this to remain interesting.
Another interesting problem for Shade to solve as a PI. But this is book 12 and we still don’t have progress on her cryptic past and Liam was missing the whole book. Progress is needed in her relationships for this to remain interesting.
February 6, 2022
In Blackstream's 12th urban fantasy mystery, shrewd witch sleuth Shade and cheeky pixie familiar Peasblossom are tracking one missing hacker and hiding from another, and this case's sidekick Asher won't stop at punching keys...
That's right, this is the book where Shade has to keep her promise to the pain-loving goblin brawler Asher that he can accompany her on an investigation. Will she regret it? Probably.
This installment stands out as the series' first technothriller by exploring the mindblowing potential uses of a branch of magic called technomancy in Blackstream's supernatural version of Cleveland, Ohio--the technomancy we've seen glimpses of through side character and occasional consultant Silence ever since book four. It's even more imaginative and fun than I hoped for and I hope you love it like I did.
As usual and something I love about the series, there are very personal stakes. Silence is not only assisting Shade on the case because of his expertise, but because his boyfriend is the one missing and the clock is ticking. And Shade's detective work soon turns up the trail of a blackmailer whose victims include someone she cares about deeply.
Also ramping up the suspense is the worsening plight of Kylie Rose, the ghoul-fever afflicted coroner's assistant introduced in book two who's been instrumental in solving so many previous cases, who made Shade promise she would kill her before she lost her humanity completely. This comes to a head in a way I hadn't anticipated and I was on the edge of my seat hoping Kylie could be saved--but no spoilers here.
As other reviewers have noted, the mysteries surrounding tight-lipped Scath the panther-like cat shapeshifting sidhe woman that acts as Shade's bodyguard also get more development in this volume and that is most welcome too. She's been evasive ever since the surprise revelation in book six that she could take a human form at all.
Blackstream also excels here as in other books at creating unnerving, fascinating creatures for Shade to match wits and blows with. (Okay, she mostly leaves the blows to Asher, and tries diplomacy first and foremost, but she can manifest the elements for a powerful wallop when she has to!)
Something that hadn't really been driven home to me until this book is that the Blood Trails series really continues to be about stakes that are close to home for Shade and Ohio in particular and center around an established cast, and the individual cases she takes on. Although Shade grows in magical ability and her powers diversify and strengthen, she still avoids deadly force when she can, and Blackstream's series doesn't show the trajectory toward huge scale conflicts or wars that many urban fantasy series have--AND I LOVE SHADE AND HER STORIES JUST AS THEY ARE.
Me personally, I have occasionally lost interest in an urban fantasy series that started out with local investigations and more personal stakes and later became about warfare or convoluted conspiracies and broad clashes that spanned greater distances--of course your mileage may vary and I'm only talking about personal preference, not saying one is better than the other.
Back to what's fun about this book, we finally get to see more of the Queen of Air and Darkness after that brief meeting in book eight and it's the kind of dramatic scene I call a reach-for-the-popcorn moment. Like when you're watching a really riveting movie scene and a crunchy snack just underscores the pleasure of it, literally or metaphorically, take your pick.
Oh, and we get more scenes with enigmatic waterhorse Charlotte's Web, and he's been helpful to Shade in the past since he took over for wicked Siobhan in book nine, but how far can he be trusted, really?
There are other series cameos that thrilled me in this one, but that'd be spoilers, so I'll just end for now unless I think of things to add, discreetly.
WHEN AN URBAN FANTASY SERIES CONSISTENTLY DELIVERS LAUGHS AND GREAT CHARACTER DEVELOPMENT AND INTRIGUE, SPEAK UP--BOOST THE SIGNAL!
That's right, this is the book where Shade has to keep her promise to the pain-loving goblin brawler Asher that he can accompany her on an investigation. Will she regret it? Probably.
This installment stands out as the series' first technothriller by exploring the mindblowing potential uses of a branch of magic called technomancy in Blackstream's supernatural version of Cleveland, Ohio--the technomancy we've seen glimpses of through side character and occasional consultant Silence ever since book four. It's even more imaginative and fun than I hoped for and I hope you love it like I did.
As usual and something I love about the series, there are very personal stakes. Silence is not only assisting Shade on the case because of his expertise, but because his boyfriend is the one missing and the clock is ticking. And Shade's detective work soon turns up the trail of a blackmailer whose victims include someone she cares about deeply.
Also ramping up the suspense is the worsening plight of Kylie Rose, the ghoul-fever afflicted coroner's assistant introduced in book two who's been instrumental in solving so many previous cases, who made Shade promise she would kill her before she lost her humanity completely. This comes to a head in a way I hadn't anticipated and I was on the edge of my seat hoping Kylie could be saved--but no spoilers here.
As other reviewers have noted, the mysteries surrounding tight-lipped Scath the panther-like cat shapeshifting sidhe woman that acts as Shade's bodyguard also get more development in this volume and that is most welcome too. She's been evasive ever since the surprise revelation in book six that she could take a human form at all.
Blackstream also excels here as in other books at creating unnerving, fascinating creatures for Shade to match wits and blows with. (Okay, she mostly leaves the blows to Asher, and tries diplomacy first and foremost, but she can manifest the elements for a powerful wallop when she has to!)
Something that hadn't really been driven home to me until this book is that the Blood Trails series really continues to be about stakes that are close to home for Shade and Ohio in particular and center around an established cast, and the individual cases she takes on. Although Shade grows in magical ability and her powers diversify and strengthen, she still avoids deadly force when she can, and Blackstream's series doesn't show the trajectory toward huge scale conflicts or wars that many urban fantasy series have--AND I LOVE SHADE AND HER STORIES JUST AS THEY ARE.
Me personally, I have occasionally lost interest in an urban fantasy series that started out with local investigations and more personal stakes and later became about warfare or convoluted conspiracies and broad clashes that spanned greater distances--of course your mileage may vary and I'm only talking about personal preference, not saying one is better than the other.
Back to what's fun about this book, we finally get to see more of the Queen of Air and Darkness after that brief meeting in book eight and it's the kind of dramatic scene I call a reach-for-the-popcorn moment. Like when you're watching a really riveting movie scene and a crunchy snack just underscores the pleasure of it, literally or metaphorically, take your pick.
Oh, and we get more scenes with enigmatic waterhorse Charlotte's Web, and he's been helpful to Shade in the past since he took over for wicked Siobhan in book nine, but how far can he be trusted, really?
There are other series cameos that thrilled me in this one, but that'd be spoilers, so I'll just end for now unless I think of things to add, discreetly.
WHEN AN URBAN FANTASY SERIES CONSISTENTLY DELIVERS LAUGHS AND GREAT CHARACTER DEVELOPMENT AND INTRIGUE, SPEAK UP--BOOST THE SIGNAL!
January 29, 2022
Shroud was really pretty good. Shade has a case all on her own, and things are a little crazy. I feel like everyone she thought she could trust, she actually can't. I'm a little worried it seems like everyone is turning against her and keeping things from her. It's not a nice feeling, and I'm hoping the next book finally reveals all of the secrecy. It sucked that Andy and Liam aren't in this one😐, and it was frustrating that she's still in debt with the Fae. I'm ready for a resolution to this. Other than that, I'm excited for more and I really liked this one a lot.
April 13, 2022
Shroud
If book 13 is anything you've writing to date, and Bradford somehow finds comfort in the corruption that has gripped his soul, then I'd feel sorry for any Kelpie that gets in his way.
As for Shade, Peasblossom & Scath, the geas that has bound the pair, has to have an end to it somewhere.
I know Scath has ties to the Unseelie Queen and Peasblossom unable reveal what Morgan &Tease spoke of, it makes sense that book 13 and beyond are going to be doozies.
Take care.
Mark j leaving a review of all that I have read this far
If book 13 is anything you've writing to date, and Bradford somehow finds comfort in the corruption that has gripped his soul, then I'd feel sorry for any Kelpie that gets in his way.
As for Shade, Peasblossom & Scath, the geas that has bound the pair, has to have an end to it somewhere.
I know Scath has ties to the Unseelie Queen and Peasblossom unable reveal what Morgan &Tease spoke of, it makes sense that book 13 and beyond are going to be doozies.
Take care.
Mark j leaving a review of all that I have read this far
February 27, 2023
3.5 STARS
Errrr this one wasn't so interesting as I expected and it pains me to say it because I love this series, but this is the twelfth book in it and i still know close to nothing about Shade's past and it's getting annoying. The other thing that i don't like is how everyone is bossing her around and she accepts everything like it's no big deal. Girl u have balls, use them wtf?!? I'm continuing with the next book, hoping that things will change and that finally we will see Shade start asking questions she should've asked like five books ago.
Errrr this one wasn't so interesting as I expected and it pains me to say it because I love this series, but this is the twelfth book in it and i still know close to nothing about Shade's past and it's getting annoying. The other thing that i don't like is how everyone is bossing her around and she accepts everything like it's no big deal. Girl u have balls, use them wtf?!? I'm continuing with the next book, hoping that things will change and that finally we will see Shade start asking questions she should've asked like five books ago.
February 10, 2025
I do love when a series like this decides to spend a volume on a couple of side characters in the universe. And I am entirely on board with Silence and Dimitri, two characters I've always thought it would be nice to see more of, revealed as a couple. But as usual I have questions, like, what happened to Flint? This whole horrible subplot of him "owning" Shade for a year, insisting on subjecting her to constant intense training, has dribbled off to maybe occasionally menti0ning his existence. It's weird.
January 19, 2022
I am a fan of Anton Winters. Always was, always will be. He is my favorite character in this world, together with his wife Vera and their wonderful son Dimitri. And oh, how fast they grow up! This book took my heart hostage and held it in a painful grip, I raced through the pages to find out more - and I will definitely need to re-read it to really savour it. But it was just too good to put down and now I can't wait to read the next book in this glorious series!
March 25, 2022
Another great read
Wow, this was another excellent book in this series that grabbed me from the start and didn't let me go until the end. Full of action packed scenes and suspense with a kidnapping, blackmail, and plots within plots to unravel and a twist at the end that I enjoyed. Not to mention more clues are scattered throughout about Shade's background that just makes me want more. I can't wait until the next book. Highly recommend.
Wow, this was another excellent book in this series that grabbed me from the start and didn't let me go until the end. Full of action packed scenes and suspense with a kidnapping, blackmail, and plots within plots to unravel and a twist at the end that I enjoyed. Not to mention more clues are scattered throughout about Shade's background that just makes me want more. I can't wait until the next book. Highly recommend.
January 30, 2022
Shade is at it again. She must have a death wish. The downside to Shroud is no Andy and no Liam. The main male this time around is a pain-loving goblin. Shade will take the assist wherever she can get it.
Shade must find Anton's son before Anton finds out he is missing. What could go wrong? Poor Kylie she is finally dead and there are waterhorses who have been told to play nice with Shade.
Also, it seems Majesty knows more than he is letting on.
And OMG!!!! Shaving cream, Ha, Ha. Shaving cream?!?
Guess you'll just have to read it to find out.
Shade must find Anton's son before Anton finds out he is missing. What could go wrong? Poor Kylie she is finally dead and there are waterhorses who have been told to play nice with Shade.
Also, it seems Majesty knows more than he is letting on.
And OMG!!!! Shaving cream, Ha, Ha. Shaving cream?!?
Guess you'll just have to read it to find out.
February 14, 2022
continued uselessness
Shade continues to be useless and absolutely outgunned by her enemies. Very little magic on her part and not a lot of brains. She continues to be everyone’s pawn and panders to everyone’s demands of her. A weak main character isn’t interesting to read. This series is done and hasn’t been good since book 4 maybe 5. I believe this was my last.
Shade continues to be useless and absolutely outgunned by her enemies. Very little magic on her part and not a lot of brains. She continues to be everyone’s pawn and panders to everyone’s demands of her. A weak main character isn’t interesting to read. This series is done and hasn’t been good since book 4 maybe 5. I believe this was my last.
May 24, 2022
I wanted to like this story because I am invested in the characters being 12 books deep. However, the tale of Mother Renard (who she is really and why she is special) is never ending and there is no reason for this episode/book to exist besides being a filler to the "main plot" which seems to just be dragging on with no resolution. Her main ally, Andy has now been shelved; Liam does not even factor into this story; and the previous main antagonist for a number of the books, Flinn, is a side note. I am bored with this dragging out and feel like I am schlepping thought "Lost" and will be very let down by the finale which will be unable to resolve all these diverse aspects into a satisfying conclusion.
I gave it 3 stars to be polite.
I gave it 3 stars to be polite.
April 4, 2024
Enjoyed this one
The crew is racing the clock to find their missing friend. This investigation has several power players and lots of twists. We get to follow Shade as she uncovers clues trying to locate her friend without giving away his connections. There is plenty of action. Looking forward to the next one.
The crew is racing the clock to find their missing friend. This investigation has several power players and lots of twists. We get to follow Shade as she uncovers clues trying to locate her friend without giving away his connections. There is plenty of action. Looking forward to the next one.
January 28, 2022
Dresden
One of the best story lines of all the ones I have read. I first picked this up to read asit started in Dresden, OH. I grew up there on a farm. Graduated from Tri-Valley High. Of all the villages in the country, and Dresden was chosen.
One of the best story lines of all the ones I have read. I first picked this up to read asit started in Dresden, OH. I grew up there on a farm. Graduated from Tri-Valley High. Of all the villages in the country, and Dresden was chosen.
February 4, 2022
Always a pleasure...
This series is one of the few that I will actually preorder and wait in anticipation. Shroud did not disappoint. A rich and engaging world with characters that engage you. Highly recommended!
This series is one of the few that I will actually preorder and wait in anticipation. Shroud did not disappoint. A rich and engaging world with characters that engage you. Highly recommended!
February 17, 2022
another great book!,
One of my favorite storylines with great characters and suspense with fun! I love getting to know some of the lesser known characters and still more about the ones we love. I am so blessed to have found Shade! My only criticism is i read it way toooo fast!
One of my favorite storylines with great characters and suspense with fun! I love getting to know some of the lesser known characters and still more about the ones we love. I am so blessed to have found Shade! My only criticism is i read it way toooo fast!
August 2, 2022
Always a pleasure
Love reading this series. Its like being surrounded by friends and the events feature fleshed out characters that you want to know more about. more ties that bind and more twists and turns in the maze of Shades life. Can't wait for more!
Love reading this series. Its like being surrounded by friends and the events feature fleshed out characters that you want to know more about. more ties that bind and more twists and turns in the maze of Shades life. Can't wait for more!
December 28, 2023
Another great read
This book gave us a closer look at Asher and his new relationship with Shade. The potential affiliation between the unseelie queen, Scath and the vampire is also showing the progression of the storyline that will hopefully answer previously unanswered questions.
This book gave us a closer look at Asher and his new relationship with Shade. The potential affiliation between the unseelie queen, Scath and the vampire is also showing the progression of the storyline that will hopefully answer previously unanswered questions.
February 1, 2022
So good!!
Awesome as always from Jennifer Blackstream. Characters are well developed and likeable. Easy to read, hard to put down. Can't wait for the next one.
Awesome as always from Jennifer Blackstream. Characters are well developed and likeable. Easy to read, hard to put down. Can't wait for the next one.
August 18, 2023
Fantastic
Take some adventures along with a pixie, a witch and a werewolf among others. Can you figure out who did it before mother Reynard?
Take some adventures along with a pixie, a witch and a werewolf among others. Can you figure out who did it before mother Reynard?
December 29, 2023
addicted
This series is addictive. I am not able to stop reading. The characters are amazing and the story keeps you wanting more.
This series is addictive. I am not able to stop reading. The characters are amazing and the story keeps you wanting more.
January 30, 2022
I noticed a lot more editing errors on this one. Whole words missing, or incorrect. Kinda detracts from the story when you're trying to figure out what they mean.
Overall a good story, but Shade needs to put some effort into figuring out WTH everyone is expecting of her - cause it sounds like she's gonna be used in a big/bad way - and she is always too busy to deal with it.
Also, a bit more focus on interaction with Dimitri would have been nice to see.
Overall a good story, but Shade needs to put some effort into figuring out WTH everyone is expecting of her - cause it sounds like she's gonna be used in a big/bad way - and she is always too busy to deal with it.
Also, a bit more focus on interaction with Dimitri would have been nice to see.
October 31, 2022
Way to go Jennifer Blackstream on the next book in the Blood Trails series!!! It is incredible how the stories continue in the plot and characters! Shade proves her ability as a private investigator is getting better. With every book, the reader learns more about each person and some surprises!!! I definitely couldn't put this one down and I can't wait for the next one as this book left a lot of questions about things to come!!! The plot twists are good and unexpected, well done on another great book!!!
Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews