That's What I'm Talking About

One Grave at a Time is another excellent installment in the Night Huntress series. Now that Cat and Bones have gotten past their constant relationship issues and work as a team, I feel that the stories have only strengthened in content and plot. This time around, Cat and Bones are working to capture an evil ghost who can materialize annually on Halloween. While alive, Heinrich Kramer was a misogynistic witch-hunter, who now selects three “witches” to torment and burn alive each year. Additionally, Cat’s work is hampered by the new government bureaucrat who has taken over Don’s role as leader of her former covert team.

Overall, the storyline involving Kramer’s ghost was exciting and interesting. I enjoyed how the author brings in a historical figure as the primary bad guy, and what a baddie he is! Dealing with a ghost who can manifest flesh and torment victims by destroying property and even physically harming them is something Cat and Bones have never faced. Cat can’t use her vampire strength to defeat a ghost, therefore, she’s got to think outside the box. I also enjoyed the introduction of a new character who functioned as a humorous sidekick.

The storyline following changes with Cat’s former team was also intriguing, but it’s not over. Clearly newcomer Jason Madigan is up to something, presumably no good, and Ms. Frost doesn’t let readers know all the details. She has done a great job of introducing the changes and letting Madigan worm his way under Cat’s skin. I look forward to finding out more.

Once again, I have much love for the level of maturity that has developed in Cat and Bones’ relationship. They work as a team, making for a wonderful love story. I have total respect for both characters as they consciously make the effort to do what is best for the pair, and not run at problems in the heat of the moment. Additional, I’ve grown to love Cat, who is an equal opportunity bada$$ – it doesn’t matter if she’s after an evil spirit or a crazed human female. If the character has done wrong, Cat wants to set it right.

My only complaint is that the author introduces a ghost-hunting team that helps Cat and Bones, only to have them drop out of the story. I feel that there should have been some closure with both the team and some of the other humans Cat and Bones help. It’s been drilled into this reader that you don’t let human’s know about vampires, and without the closure I expected, it felt like Cat and Bones got really sloppy.

Once again, I find Tavia Gilbert’s narration to be impeccable and spot on. There isn’t much more I can add that I haven’t already stated in previous reviews of the series.

Story Rating: A-
Narration: A-