Box Office Poison
Linnet Ellery, a human lawyer in a world run by supernatural beings (collectively called the Powers), leaves New York for Hollywood in this sequel to This Case is Gonna Kill Me (2012). The Alfar (elves) have taken over the movie business, where their beauty and charisma hold such sway that human actors, unable to land starring roles, are suing for recompense. Linnet and senior attorney (and vampire) David Sullivan are acting as arbitrators between the humans and Alfar. As the hearings begin, a famous Alfar actor murders his human wife, and another opens fire on a movie set. When both claim to have no memories of the event, Linnet suspects that someone is controlling them, trying to sour public opinion of the Powers. Linnet switches on a dime from intelligently debating employment law and civil rights to performing acts of gutsy action-movie heroism, and David is further developed as a powerful ally. With minimal but intriguing progress on the source of Linnet’s preternatural luck and the outcome of her case to free her Alfar lover, the third book promises more answers. --Krista Hutley