Fantasy and Mystery

I really enjoyed "Darkship Thieves" by Sarah A. Hoyt. This author's range is amazing.I like her books about the paranormal shapeshifters set in Goldport, Colorado and the titles by her as Elise Hyatt also set in Goldport. This one is about a wealthy young woman who comes to in her father's space cruiser as one of his guards is apparently about to tranc her. She manages to escape in her nightgown into the powertrees only to end up the captive of one of the darkship thieves. She will soon find her entire universe is turned upside down as she comes to know those who have been declared the enemy of the human race is revealed to be more humane than those who she has grown up with. Action and fun dialog makes this a great read.
Earlene Fowler's newest title, "State Fair" made me realize that California fairs are different from Montana county fairs in numerous ways and the very same in many others. This mystery involves racial tension with the new manager of the fair - an African American man and those who don't want "his kind" in charge. Plus the Ebony Sisters Quilt Guild's showing of traditional African American quilts that is cosponsored by the folk art museum where Benni Harper is the curator. The added tension and humor comes from her great aunt Garnet who has come for a visit and is really into cop shows. She decides that she and Benni will be the ones to solve the murder that they discover at the fair.
Laura Anne Gilman has started a new series on Paranormal Scene Investigations - P.U.P.I - Private, Unaffiliated, Paranormal Investigations. These have been alluded to in her Retriever series and this series starts with the beginning of the group. Five twentysomethings, all magic users, who are hired to a career in forensic magic. The action is great and the smart-alack dialogue pretty typical of that age group. I'll be anxiously awaiting the next in the series.