The Nightshade Cases (Episode One: Freak Show) by Patti Larsen

*I received a copy of this novel from Badass Marketing in exchange for an honest review

Something unnatural is lurking within the shadows of Silver City, and when transsexual starlet Aisling is murdered, it is up to Detective Geraldine (Gerri) Meyers to find the culprit responsible for the perceived hate crime. But with the help of medical examiner Dr. Rachel (Ray) Hunter, Gerri realises that this is no ordinary murder and calls in over-eager anthropologist Dr. Kinsey DanAllart who, with her expertise in symbology, admits that there may be something 'weird' making an appearance within the city. As the three friends race to find the answers to the dancer's death, one thing is made absolutely apparent-something isn't right within their new hometown, and someone is doing everything they can to make sure the truth doesn't come out. 

As soon as this book began I was absolutely and positively hooked. The rather genius idea of writing and publishing a story like a television show with cliffhangers and even some subtle screen directions and a couple of crazy advertisements is an idea that I really enjoyed, it made it a lot easier to actually fully picture everything that was going on within the book in my mind. I could see the character's facial expressions, the sets in vivid detail and even feel the subtle malice emanating from certain areas of the story. The characters fully came alive for me and I felt as though I was right along with them every step of the investigation. No character is similar in any possible way, they all have their own quirky attributes and behaviours, but my favourite thing about them was that they always have each other's backs (even if they are hiding their own freaky secrets). All of this mixed with the perfect combination of suspense, crime, horror and supernatural, makes this the perfect book for just about anyone who enjoys a good scare. I cannot wait for the next 'episode', because with all of these cliffhangers and discoveries, I am well and truly dedicated to the world of the Nightshade Cases. 

Rating: 4/5

"Follow the fear; only it will lead you to truth."