Dead Witch Walking – Kim Harrison
Harper Collins, 2007
432 pages
RRP: AU$20.99
ISBN: 9780007236091

Reviewed by Liz Grzyb

Dead Witch Walking is the first in Kim Harrison’s prolific The Hollows series about Rachel Morgan, a witch (and bounty hunter) who lives in an alternate Cincinnati where vampires, ghosts and other interesting paranormal types roam. Rachel’s job is to apprehend paranormal criminals for Inderland Security; we first meet her as she is stalking a tax-evading leprechaun.

Rachel doesn’t want to work for them anymore, she wants to start her own company. However, she quickly works out that no-one leaves Inderland Security when she finds out that there is a price on her head.

So, kicked out of her place, a price on her head, she does what she needs to – moves into an old church with Ivy, a vampire who quit IS at the same time, her pixy partner Jenks,  and the rest of her motely crew.  They begin investigating the dangerous Counciilman Trent Kalamack in order to get IS off her back.

Dead Witch Walking is an interesting look at an alternate world, mixing reality with the paranormal. The story is mostly a good read due to well-crafted suspense and a few moments of comic relief amongst all the angst, but does lose pace in some sections.

Fans of urban fantasy will enjoy Dead Witch Walking for its blend of humour, suspense and action, and there’s currently seven more instalments of the series to read after they’re done!