Strange New World

Given I am reading the fourth book in the Dr. Greta Helsing series by Vivian Shaw then I must be enjoying the series and as much as I revelled in the first three this book only extends the pleasure as it continues the previous world building which saw the good doctor narrowly avoiding the end of the world in book three Grave Importance, the leaders of Heaven and Hell are struggling to collaborate according to the terms of their new treaty—especially because angels and demons are, quite literally, allergic to each other. Seeking a solution, the powers that be decide to see if the allergy persists on Earth by sending an angel and demon on a research trip, first stop: New York City. And what better chaperone than Dr. Greta Helsing, who happens to owe Hell a few favours of her own?

But there’s unrest in New York’s monster underworld and Greta and her team are about to land in the middle of it. Something is off in Heaven and on Earth, and Greta will have to figure out just what that is if she hopes to protect those she loves most.

The usual cast of characters from previous books, including Lord Ruthven, Sir Francis Varney, and Abraham Van Helsing, numerous supernaturals such as mummies, bog monsters, werewolves etc the Angels, archangels, lords of hell such as Samuel, and support from Dr Faust it is identifying these literary refences which make these books so much fun for me. Reminiscent of The Extraordinary Adventures of the Athena Club series by Theodora Goss.

I hope Vivian Shaw returns to this world in future works.