What do you think?
Rate this book
OSI #3
Inhuman Resources
When a powerful necromancer is killed, Occult Special Investigator Tess Corday must handle the heavy politics in the occult community as carefully as she handles the scant evidence. But with her sometime lover Lucian Agrado representing the necromancers in the grisly matter, things are about to get out of control...fast.
305 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published January 1, 2010
5 people are currently reading
315 people want to read
About the author
Jes Battis
18 books175 followersJes Battis (they/them) is the author of THE WINTER KNIGHT (April 2023), the OCCULT SPECIAL INVESTIGATOR series, and the PARALLEL PARKS series. Jes writes in the areas of urban fantasy, horror, and mystery/thriller. They also teach literature and creative writing in the Canadian prairies.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews
August 3, 2013
This book was a bit more procedural-based than action-based compared to the previous two books in the series: I do love the C.S.I. (OSI) evidence and explanations, but I ultimately prefer my urban fantasy to resolve itself through choice and action. The first 2/3 of the book was great, but when Tess goes into a different realm (Lucien's home base) for help and information, there is suddenly several chapters of high fantasy world building. And the world is beautiful. The problem is that nothing really happens. Tess and Lucien get some information and then leave. I really needed them to get into some trouble and fight their way in or out. Instead, it felt like chapters of descriptive scenery. The ending also felt too convenient. Finally, instead of letting Mia and Patrick contribute to the fight as they did in the last book, they ended up just helpless victims. It was much more fun when all the characters were engaged. Still a good book and it doesn't dissuade me from continuing with the series.
May 18, 2011
Oh. wow. And not in a good way. I am so lost I can't even go any further. Honestly, I'm about fifty pages in and I have no idea what's going on.
First, I have no idea what status the supernatural holds in this author's world. Are they commonly known by the general population? Is this a secret world? Considering how the book begins this information is a really important omission. What are the character relationships? It's really hard to tell.
I don't think this is just a serious failing on the part of the editor as the writing didn't compel me to read further either. I don't even think it would help to read the previous book--which I didn't know was necessary from reading the cover copy.
The premise sounded so great; disappointed it didn't live up to my hopes.
First, I have no idea what status the supernatural holds in this author's world. Are they commonly known by the general population? Is this a secret world? Considering how the book begins this information is a really important omission. What are the character relationships? It's really hard to tell.
I don't think this is just a serious failing on the part of the editor as the writing didn't compel me to read further either. I don't even think it would help to read the previous book--which I didn't know was necessary from reading the cover copy.
The premise sounded so great; disappointed it didn't live up to my hopes.
March 11, 2019
Tess's most recent case involves a murdered necromancer, and the necromancers are edgy about it--expecting the case to be solved, but unwilling to share information. To add to things, Tess is concerned about Patrick and Mia, and Lucian is distancing himself. When she goes to speak to a bird demon informant and is attacked by a necromancer right after, it's clear there are problems among the necromancers as well.
June 13, 2010
"Jesus, look at that."
"What?"
"The couch."
"It's clean."
"I know. It's just so ugly."
"Is it from IKEA?"
"Urban Barn. I recognized it from the catalogue."
"We have an Urban Barn catalogue?"
"Yea, we got it in the mail."
"When?"
"Thursday."
"Oh my god.....how gay are you? Did you actually hide the Urban Barn catalogue from me so you could read it first?"
Occult Special Investigator Tess Corday has survived certain death only to gain a few additional "responsibilities". So between kids, dogs, an additional roommate, and her on and off again lover, she still has to find time to fight crime. When an important necromancer is killed, Tess has to brush up on her people skills to handle the occult politics involved. Tracking down the murderer will pit Tess against old enemies, take her to forbidden realms, and force her to confront a nightmare truth that will change her world forever.
In the third OSI novel Jes Battis takes us further into the life of Tess Corday, an investigator with the OSI. She is also half demon. Her life has gone from no responsibilities to over flowing. She has made peace with her mother and has admitted to working for OSI. She has received temporary guardianship of Mia and Patrick. Her roommate Derrick and fellow OSI agent Miles are now a couple and Miles lives with them. Tess is also dealing with Lucien Agrado-her on and off again necromancer lover. Nobody can know about them and Tess feels like they are going nowhere fast.
Come read the rest of my review at Smexybooks
"What?"
"The couch."
"It's clean."
"I know. It's just so ugly."
"Is it from IKEA?"
"Urban Barn. I recognized it from the catalogue."
"We have an Urban Barn catalogue?"
"Yea, we got it in the mail."
"When?"
"Thursday."
"Oh my god.....how gay are you? Did you actually hide the Urban Barn catalogue from me so you could read it first?"
Occult Special Investigator Tess Corday has survived certain death only to gain a few additional "responsibilities". So between kids, dogs, an additional roommate, and her on and off again lover, she still has to find time to fight crime. When an important necromancer is killed, Tess has to brush up on her people skills to handle the occult politics involved. Tracking down the murderer will pit Tess against old enemies, take her to forbidden realms, and force her to confront a nightmare truth that will change her world forever.
In the third OSI novel Jes Battis takes us further into the life of Tess Corday, an investigator with the OSI. She is also half demon. Her life has gone from no responsibilities to over flowing. She has made peace with her mother and has admitted to working for OSI. She has received temporary guardianship of Mia and Patrick. Her roommate Derrick and fellow OSI agent Miles are now a couple and Miles lives with them. Tess is also dealing with Lucien Agrado-her on and off again necromancer lover. Nobody can know about them and Tess feels like they are going nowhere fast.
Come read the rest of my review at Smexybooks
April 15, 2017
There are no real surprises with the storylines in this series but they are still an enjoyable read.
It felt like the last paragraphs were an abrupt end to the book...almost as though he could not go past a certain number of pages.
One thing I did not like in this book is that Tess is supposedly a prodigy and yet her skills are downplayed a lot in this book and the other characters appear to save the day which is kind of unusual when you have a series based around a main character. I would hope that in the next book that her 'skills' are identified more and her confidence in using them. Otherwise there is no real growth for her as a character unlike her friend Derrick. Lucian was felt more in this book which was good but I get confused with their relationship. It is good to know that there will be one less repeating character returning in the next book so it will be interesting to see where the author goes with his story next.
It felt like the last paragraphs were an abrupt end to the book...almost as though he could not go past a certain number of pages.
One thing I did not like in this book is that Tess is supposedly a prodigy and yet her skills are downplayed a lot in this book and the other characters appear to save the day which is kind of unusual when you have a series based around a main character. I would hope that in the next book that her 'skills' are identified more and her confidence in using them. Otherwise there is no real growth for her as a character unlike her friend Derrick. Lucian was felt more in this book which was good but I get confused with their relationship. It is good to know that there will be one less repeating character returning in the next book so it will be interesting to see where the author goes with his story next.
February 23, 2014
Last week I got a desire for some OSI. I read book #2, then #4 and #5. Of course, I had to read #1 and #3 again. If nothing else, I can write a review for the books to which I only gave ratings.
You know that a book is good when you cannot put it down, even though you have read it at least twice. Inhuman Resources is that kind of book. Tess's family has normal problems blended with the magical ones, and sometimes the blend is comical, sometimes sad, and sometimes tragic. This book deals with Tess's continued growth as an OSI agent, as well as her struggle with her origin and what is starting to look like a bad case of PTSD. The romance feels real; there are no predestined mates here, simply two very different people who care about each other.
The OSI series is an awesome urban fantasy. Do yourself a favor and give it a try.
You know that a book is good when you cannot put it down, even though you have read it at least twice. Inhuman Resources is that kind of book. Tess's family has normal problems blended with the magical ones, and sometimes the blend is comical, sometimes sad, and sometimes tragic. This book deals with Tess's continued growth as an OSI agent, as well as her struggle with her origin and what is starting to look like a bad case of PTSD. The romance feels real; there are no predestined mates here, simply two very different people who care about each other.
The OSI series is an awesome urban fantasy. Do yourself a favor and give it a try.
May 19, 2010
What a great book! I'm not sure what it is about the characters or the world building, but I love it. The story is original and the characters are fantastic.
Tess is faced with yet another mystery to solve. Good thing she has such great friends to draw on for support - best friend Derrick, Derrick's boyfriend Miles, Mia - semi adopted daughter, Patrick - vampire magnate/semi adopted son, and boyfriend Lucian.
Old villains show again, new alliances are forged and the stage is set for yet another adventure.
I am curious to see what happens with Modred. Clearly, he and Tess are going to form some sort of relationship. Will it be romantic, friendship or antagonistic??
Tess is faced with yet another mystery to solve. Good thing she has such great friends to draw on for support - best friend Derrick, Derrick's boyfriend Miles, Mia - semi adopted daughter, Patrick - vampire magnate/semi adopted son, and boyfriend Lucian.
Old villains show again, new alliances are forged and the stage is set for yet another adventure.
I am curious to see what happens with Modred. Clearly, he and Tess are going to form some sort of relationship. Will it be romantic, friendship or antagonistic??
June 25, 2012
3 1/2 stars (update)
I read this book while I was in Vancouver, BC. Even if it's the third in a series, I was able to follow the storyline. Clearly there were references to the other 2 books I didn't get, but I still think it was easy enough to get into this world.
Updated on 06/25/2012
I re-read this book after the first 2 and clearly it's much better this way. The series has a full story arch that you'll miss otherwise. Many details add depth to the story and characters.
The strength of this series:
-Great procedural/thriller UF
-Absolutely believable characters. Even if this is pure fantasy, from the point of view of human behaviour, they are really stunning.
I read this book while I was in Vancouver, BC. Even if it's the third in a series, I was able to follow the storyline. Clearly there were references to the other 2 books I didn't get, but I still think it was easy enough to get into this world.
Updated on 06/25/2012
I re-read this book after the first 2 and clearly it's much better this way. The series has a full story arch that you'll miss otherwise. Many details add depth to the story and characters.
The strength of this series:
-Great procedural/thriller UF
-Absolutely believable characters. Even if this is pure fantasy, from the point of view of human behaviour, they are really stunning.
December 29, 2010
Okay. Jes Battis is now one of the finds of 2010 for me (along with Devon Monk). Tess is sympathetic but believably flawed. Her narrative voice is sufficiently distinctive and quirky, but without being annoying. Supporting characters continue to provide able support. I will definitely continue to purchase books in this series.
July 13, 2014
Murder! Tess Corday and the OSI team have a murder/mystery to solve in the case of necromancer killed under a famous picture wearing priceless armor. Like most police procedurals, the devil is in the details and can be very hard to pick out, especially when sources keep clamming up and officers are under attack. But in the end, Tess comes up with a wacky idea that opens up the case. As is customary in this series, there is a big fight right at the end. In this case, tying up loose ends from Night Child. It will be interesting reading what comes up in the next book.
June 2, 2012
The third book in the series really starts to explain more about the necromancers in this world and the ideas are pretty cool. The main mystery is trying to figure out who killed a high ranking necromancer and having to do the investigation when no one wants any non necromancer in their society. I didn't care for the ending that much but I'll give the next book in the series a go since I like the setting and the overall story arc is interesting.
August 29, 2010
Completed Inhuman Resources (Occult Special Investigations, Book 3) by Jes Battis. Best book yet in Battis’ OSI series. Included a visit to Trinovantum, the hidden extradimensional city of the Necromancers. Extraordinarily imaginative. My only regret with this series is that we have to wait a year between volumes.
April 1, 2012
As the main character is learning Spanish, there's more of that language than I would've expected in a book set in Canada. *grumble* I've kept a tab open on my comp to an online translation site while reading this...though sometimes, that wasn't necessarily all that helpful either...heh.
May 3, 2015
Finally finished!! I'm gonna give it 3-3.5*'s I like Tess, Miles, Derrick, Selena, Becka, Lucian, Mia and Patrick and the way that they snipe and bounce off each other! I like the action! Tess and Lucian relationship is annoying now and so were the dreams! I won't rush to read the next one!
October 7, 2016
One star deduction for abrupt ending that is the worst of cliffhangers. It's okay to leave questions and a sense of "what now?" but not to literally leave the book with no denouement at all.
Still, I enjoy the series.
Still, I enjoy the series.
June 2, 2010
Read from 5/24 - 5/26.
Inconsistent story or crappy editing? Hard to tell.
Inconsistent story or crappy editing? Hard to tell.
June 12, 2011
Totally love this series, i cannot wait for his next book when it does come out. The books just get better and better.
November 10, 2010
Enjoyed this so much more than I thought I would. Intend to search out the first two and catch up on the characters.
October 28, 2011
couldn't even finish the book...awful beginning, middle and didn't care about the end.
January 15, 2012
This was an improvement over the first two. The relationship stuff was a little rocky but the worldbuilding was lovely and the pacing seemed a little better.
August 27, 2012
I have read the full series and I enjoyed the ending. His stories full of action mystery and keep you guessing.
March 5, 2015
Am really enjoying this series. Find out more about necromancers and it is amazing. Plan on reading "Infernal Affairs" soon.
November 28, 2010
I do like this series
Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews