Patricia Briggs knows how to build suspense, and she does it to great effect in this book. One of my problems with some authors is that unpleasant characters get so much time onstage. And I like the fact that the characters who get the most on-stage time are the likable ones. I like the fact that not only Mercy, but many of the minor characters have grown and changed over the course of the series. She has the Coyote's gifts, and she uses them.

I like the fact that she doesn't default to a big gun in a fight. I like the fact that even when she doesn't think she can win, she still does what she thinks is right. Again, she calmly recognizes the situation, but takes the action she feels necessary. I like that she feels free to take actions that she knows her husband would not approve, and I like that she is secure enough in herself and in him that she doesn't have to spend a lot of time and energy moaning about that. And action is what this genre of book is about. When bad things happen, instead of moaning about her problems, she takes action. I like even better that she doesn't dwell on it. I like the fact that Mercy still has lingering trauma from when she was raped. The series started very good and has gotten better as it goes along.

The overall quality of the series makes it a close call. With all the entries in this double series fresh in my mind, I have to say that this book and 'River Marked' are my two favorites. Because I knew this book was coming out, I re-listened to all the Mercy books, the Alpha and Omega books, and all the short stories in either series in their proper order.

Frost Burned by Patricia Briggs