Dancing with Werewolves: Delilah Street, Paranormal Investigator

Waste of time and money

To stupid to bebelieved

There are inconsistencies, as if CND had forgotten things she said two chapters ago -- didn't she re-read it at all? Despite that, CND has a playful and interesting way with words, a unique take on magic, and accomplishes some completely wonderful descriptions of the indescribable. Some of the inconsistencies may actually feed the "sense of wonder" we're looking for in a story like this. We don't really WANT everything to be completely logical, right?

So many werewolf and vampire Urban Fantasies utilize the same trope. Rarely do they show that much depth. Carole Nelson Douglas doesn't go for the easy outs in this book, but takes us a layer or two deeper into her heroine's mind and a Las Vegas that feel surprisingly real despite the vamps, werewolves and zombies. Her heroine has more baggage than a major airport, but Delilah makes strong strides forward when presented with the love of a good man (the hunky Ric) and with challenges from the vamps and the 'wolves. We are aware that Delilah's personal history is ugly, at least that which she can remember, but the author doesn't have her angsting over this the entire book. Delilah makes decisions, takes risks, both professional and personal, and then lives with those decisions. It's my hope that the author doesn't go the usual route and kill off the wonderful lover (Ric Montoya). That would be a waste of a delightfully different series which has just the right balance to tantalize any reader.

There came the day when the world learned that such creatures as werewolves, vampires, witches, and other supernaturals were not the stuff of legend and folklore -- they were real! Thirteen years after that realization took place, television reporter Delilah Street (who used to cover the small-town bogeyman back in Kansas) is now working in fabulous Las Vegas -- a gaming mecca that is run be a werewolf mob. Delilah finds herself with a very hot guy, a big bad wolfhound, and holding back the very gates of Hell in "Dancing With Werewolves". This is a smartly written, plot driven, original novel that deftly combines the elements of fantasy, mystery, and romance to the well sated delight of the reader. "Dancing With Werewolves" is enthusiastically recommended and a welcome addition to personal reading lists and community library collections.

Dancing with Werewolves is set in the early 20th century, a few years beyond 2007, in a world in which Y2K made far more impressive changes than it did in the real timeline -- not in creating the existence of supernatural/paranormal creatures, but rather by revealing their long-established existence to the general public. Delilah Street first appears as a TV investigative reporter in Kansas, dealing with crop circles. When a rival (the station's "weather witch") sends a tornado that destroys her house and everything in it except her collection of vintage clothing and memorabilia, plus the still-running CSI program features a corpse that is her double, Delilah (a foundling who knows nothing of her background) takes off for Las Vegas, where the program is produced, in hopes of learning more. There's romance. I do love a hero who is not on the run from commitment and doesn't have any objection to saying those three little words, no matter how busy he may be with his ordinary line of work. There's gore (quite a lot of it, but happily mostly having occurred in the past or now occurring offstage, as in Shakespearean drama). There are pets with unusual abilities(but not cats, this time around). There are some classic Carole Nelson Douglas tropes that will be familiar to fans of the Midnight Louie series (vintage clothing, cars, lovemaking that involves both; casinos, a stage magician, a couple of aerialists), but they are standalones here and don't require the reader to be familiar with the other series to enjoy them. There is detection work (the real kind that involves a lot of time in libraries with microfilms of old newspapers to track down background for a cold case, etc.). The work is partially successful, but there are enough hooks left at the end to lead seamlessly into the promised sequel. Dancing with Werewolves is splendid entertainment.

Delilah Street has spotty recollection of her past, but knows she was named after the street where she was found. Unfortunately, there are no streets by that name in Wichita, KS. Described as a loner in the orphanage, her adult life is much the same--save for a Lhasa Apso anklebiter named Achilles. She's an investigative reporter working the paranormal beat at WTCH TV in Wichita, KS. So, she spends a lot of time watching TV. She's stunned when "CSI Vegas V" comes on showing a cadaver being dissected that could be her twin--right down to the topaz nose ring she wears. When a date with the vampire anchorman, Ted, goes completely sour, Del loses her dog, job, and her home. It's time to go to Las Vegas and see if she can figure out who the mystery cadaver is. When she gets there, she's got quite a shock. Running with the wolves is quite literal. The town's run by werewolves. Also, she's got magical gifts with an affinity for silver. This might be enough to keep her alive long enough to find out who her 'twin' is. "Dancing With Werewolves" had everything going for it that makes a book good. Delilah Street is a likable and interesting character. Her nightmares and spotty memories indicate some past issues and her behavior is consistent as well. She's the kind of girl who will adopt a big dog even when her own future is in doubt. The setting is an alternate history. In Delilah's world, instead of Y2K bringing massive technological failures, all the 'unhumans' came out. All the major players are there, along with weather witches, cinema simulcrums, and some other interesting talents. Vegas is the usual neon-rainbow covering a cesspool with some even darker elements--and the occasional 'noir' aspect of a film character showing up to lend a helping hand--or not. Ms. Douglas has an amazing ability to bring readers to a place. The plot keeps you reading as well. There are quite a few satisfying and macabre twists. While "Dancing" definitely falls in the fantasy classification, paranormal romance readers should find enough action to keep them interested. "Dancing" is not just a woman's book, either. My husband, who likes Simon R. Green's "Nightside" series may well very much enjoy this book, as well.