Poison Fruit by Jacqueline Carey

Agent of Hel, Book 3

Synopsis: The Pemkowet Visitors Bureau has always promoted paranormal tourism—even if it has downplayed the risks (hobgoblins are unpredictable). It helps that the town is presided over by Daisy Johanssen, who as Hel’s liaison is authorized by the Norse goddess of the dead to keep Pemkowet under control. Normally, that’s easier to do in the winter, when bracing temperatures keep folks indoors.

But a new predator is on the prowl, and this one thrives on nightmares. Daisy is on her trail and working intimately with her partner and sometime lover from the Pemkowet PD, sexy yet unavailable werewolf Cody Fairfax. But even as the creature is racking up innocent victims, a greater danger looms on Pewkowet’s horizon.

As a result of a recent ghost uprising, an unknown adversary—represented by a hell-spawn lawyer with fiery powers of persuasion—has instigated a lawsuit against the town. If Pemkowet loses, Hel’s sovereignty will be jeopardized, and the fate of the eldritch community will be at stake. The only one who can prevent it is Daisy—but she’s going to have to confront her own worst nightmare to do it.

Review: It’s been a while since I read the first two novels but I had this third and last volume that was waiting for me very wisely in my TBR pile.

As always Daisy must handle a lot of problems in the city! Indeed, it seems that a new entity is wreaking havoc. Being able to invade the nightmares of the inhabitants, this creature has the power to feed on them and lead them to suicide or death by fear. But here, our heroine is determined to flush him/her out even if she must face her worst nightmare! However, it will not be easy and the consequences will haunt her. But that’s not all because it seems that a lawyer (son of a demon) with the power of persuasion is ready to do anything to acquire the lands surrounding the kingdom of Hel. Although Daisy does everything in her power to thwart that, she did not expect that to achieve his goals, the person he represents would launch a lawsuit against the city.

The plot written by Jacqueline Carey was really well put together and I confess that I waited impatiently to discover the identity of the person behind all this. In any case, one thing is sure, I did not expect that! But whatever happens, our heroine is determined to resist even if a war looms.

In addition to her work as a liaison, Daisy will have to manage her feelings between a Cody who explains that he can not be with her but who can not really get away from her and Stefan who has a great deal of shadows but who is very intrigued by the relationship they might both have. In any case I am happy with the choices of the author that I approve at 100%!

It was a good conclusion for a very nice trilogy to discover!