In this supernatural thriller, the dead are crowding the living. More and more, society is depending upon professionals to send the dead away. The professionals are the exorcists and Felix Castor is one of them. He exorcises the dead with music—using melody to cut the dead free of this world. He's also discovered that there is more than the dead plaguing the living—after all, one of his best friends is possessed by a demon, and he sometimes teams up with a Succubus when the case demands it. This case does—if Felix can ever figure out what the case is. A colleague has killed himself, leaving confusing notes and an angry poltergeist. Along with this, a woman comes to Felix for help in clearing her husband of a murder charge—she’s certain the real murderer is a long-dead serial killer. As these two situations seem more and more related, Felix discovers there's a new twist on the undead, something no one ever believed they could do. Now can he stop it?

I found Dead Men's Boots a dark but compelling book. The world of Felix Castor doesn't offer a lot of hope or comfort for the living or dead, and Felix is anything but totally altruistic. Still, there is a core of something good in Castor, something others sometimes see more clearly than he does himself. And it’s this core that keeps the character from being totally unlikable, even when he's being a bit cold-hearted. Plus, his point of view is a joy to read, with his sarcastic outlook and self-deprecating wit. Also, the unique world of the novel feels wonderfully crafted and easy to believe—even when it's being totally outlandish. He takes the stuff of fantasy—ghosts, demons, zombies, and werebeasts—and drags them well beyond the point you could possibly believe, and yet you do.

For anyone who likes urban fantasy with a noir twist, Dead Men's Boots offers something both compelling and disquieting, and you'll find that you enjoy both sides. And the very best news? This is the third book in the series so if (like me) you're coming to the series late, you'll have two more great books waiting to be read.