Iron & Velvet (Kate Kane, Paranormal Investigator Book 1)

Awww! This re-read made me so happy! 😊 I love this book & I seriously love everything about Kate Kane.❤So, having failed to review this the first time, I thought I'd try that now.I'm so glad this book is available again for everyone who hasn't already read it to discover & enjoy! I read it the first time back in early 2014, and I loved it then, but I think I actually love it even more this time around! Re-reading this now has been like falling in love all over again! ❤If you haven't read it yet, Iron & Velvet is the first book of a series; originally published in 2013, it's just been re-released by a new publisher, after some light "refreshing" by the author (the author's note says there are no changes to characters or events, just rephrasing of a few lines). This is urban fantasy with a dash of detective noir and strong shots of lesbian romance. It’s worth pointing out that queerness is kind of wonderfully default in this book, with the majority of important characters being queer and/or women.One of the things I’ve always loved most about these books is how funny they are. I spent quite a lot of time laughing, in both readings of this story. And Kate herself is a delight; this kind of wise-cracking, self-deprecating hot mess with a tough(ish) attitude, a black fedora, & a secret marshmallow heart. I also really love how she's all-in, in a fight, even one where she's woefully out-matched and has no idea what she’s doing; Alexis Hall writes such vividly choreographed action scenes, so it’s very satisfying "watching" Kate in battle mode. But I love her compassionate heart even more, and there’s a wonderful little scene involving, of all things, the souls of zombie nuns, where that comes into play; I found it genuinely moving & it kinda made me want to hug her.Also, re-reads are always interesting: How things strike you differently than on your first read, or you notice things you missed, or remember things you didn't know you forgot! And yes, I did read the revised version, but I checked and it's not about that. It's just the difference in perspective that time makes.Like, I had this impression the "detective noir" element was more pronounced in my first read, but this time I barely noticed it. Kate is no hard-boiled lesbian Sam Spade. There are just fondly humorous hints of homage to that genre (and others) scattered about, and that’s what it’s always been. I honestly wonder if my original impression was a kind of confirmation bias, from the influence of the original cover art, which I adored, and was very noiresque. The new cover art is also beautiful, I should add!Also, I thought Kate was awesome & hilarious the first time, but I was so struck this time by how endearing she is too. How did I not notice that before?! 👀 Or did I just forget? And also, how adorable she & Julian are together at times. Not just flirty & funny & sexy & kinda dashingly romantic. Like, there's this scene in Chapter 14, where at one point the words "snuggly little ferret" are employed? The cuteness man, seriously off the charts! 😍And, last time around I totally failed to pick up on an amusing little Easter egg tucked into a scene early in Chapter 3. Just, right there, plain as day. This time, having re-watched a certain Hugh Grant movie again recently, I ... still almost missed it again(!), at first thinking it's familiarity was from my previous read. Until a certain scene popped into my head, and I was all: "Hey! Wait a minute..." It gave me a good cackle!Another thing I forgot about were the occasional swathes of beautiful writing. I mean, it's Alexis Hall, so no surprise, right? But looking back on this book I've tended to think of it more in terms of funny & adventurous, so the beauty kind of slipped my mind. But there are some really lovely passages, including one from Chapter 4 where Kate is meeting with a former flame, momentarily caught up in thoughts of their past. And it just struck me as so ... not only visually gorgeous but, so poignant, looking back a time at the beginning of a relationship after it’s ended, the beginning of knowing someone, loving them, understanding how beautiful they are, how beautiful the world is in that moment, but seeing it through the filter of memory, knowing its fragility. It honestly made me tear up. It's probably too long to quote, but I'm going to anyway, it's too beautiful not to:‘It must have something to do with her magic, and I’ve never worked out whether it’s deliberate or not, but Nimue slips out of my memory like mist. It’s only when I see her again that it all comes flooding back, a rush of tangled images. Burying my hands in her hair, kisses that taste of cold mornings and deep midnights. Meeting all over London. The glittering terraces of Kensington, the muddled suburbs of Uxbridge, the concrete temple of a multi-storey car park in Peckham, the motley patchwork of stalls at Portobello Market. The city through Nimue’s eyes.The night she took me to the Eye, the barriers standing open for her, the lights coming on one by one, blue and gold and silver. Slowly, silently, the wheel beginning to turn, carrying us into a sky so dark and full of stars, like a reflection of the city shining below. That was the first time I kissed her. The first time I really understood who she was and the power in her. The city beneath her skin, a living landscape, as beautiful and terrible as the wilds of Faerie. Dawn breaking over a steamed-up capsule high over an oblivious London. The rising sun falling over us like a blanket, painting Nim’s body in shades of burnished copper, and gilding her black hair with fire."Kate?” Nim waved a hand in front of my face. “Earth to Kate?” ’😭 Right?Before I go, just giving a shout out to the tremendous supporting cast of characters in this book (including the bad guys!) I was particularly fond of Ashriel, Elise, & Aeglica Thrice-Risen.Anyway, if you haven't read these books and you're up for some f/f urban fantasy with a twist of noir, you might want to check this out. I think the 2nd book is set to re-release in early December, and then the long wished-for 3rd installment in the series around February 2020! Really looking forward to that one!

Kate Kane has just the right amount of snarky humor. My favorite part of this book is the villain, and Hall's clear contempt for the kind of man who believes he has a a right to revenge himself upon a woman who rejected him. That spoke to me in a visceral way I didn't expect.

I must say, I loved the cover and the title of this book. I don't normally say this in a review, but the cover intrigued me enough to get the book. When I opened it up to begin reading, I found I was very surprised. Firstly, there are a lot of typos and a number of very slang words that I had never heard before. In fact, I had to look them up. I found the definitions of these slang words on UrbanDictionary.com. Words like, "woofle," "wibbly," "wotsit," and "faffed," to name a few, baffled the hell out of me. The whole story reads in what I would consider British slang. Personally, I would have preferred a little more polish overall in this story. However, with that stated, I did really like the story.Kate Kane is a faery princess by birth, but is a P.I. (Paranormal Investigator) by career choice. As I first started reading this, I became concerned that the author may have mimicked another series I’ve read, that I love very much. However, as the story progressed, I found the only commonality between this story and the other, which I’m not naming on purpose, is that the main character is a P.I. and a faery princess. After that, it builds on its own.Kate is called in to investigate a murder that has paranormal written all over it. Though Kate is a professional P.I., she kind of handles the case like the proverbial bull in the China shop. She jumps in, makes her insinuations, causes a war to break out then realizes she was wrong and starts all over again. During this investigation, she falls in love with the Prince of Cups, which happens to be an eight hundred year old female vampire. I’d never heard of a woman holding the position of “Prince” so this threw me a bit. You have to understand, I’m an American and this book is written in British slang or perhaps, commoner English. So, it’s quite possible that I’m the only one who didn’t understand. The author does help you to understand what the Prince of Cups is though.This wasn’t a thought provoking story. But the author did such a great job detailing the surrounding areas that one could literally lose their lunch. However, I believe that was the intent as you get into the story. She had to trek through some extremely nasty areas. (No, I’m not saying… read the story yourself!) I would have loved to have had as much detail to describe the intimate moments between Kate and Julian (Prince of Cups). It seemed too shallow for me. However, it leaves me to think that this series will grow into something more and I hope to read the next in this series as well.

Think British, lesbian, Sam Spade with some paranormal thrown in and that pretty much sums up what you get here. Lots of fun as slightly gifted but mostly mortal Kate Kane has to team up with lots of unlikely (and pretty demonic) allies to fight the truly bad guys. There's lots of disgusting imagery involving pus and maggots and sewers so only read this if you've got a strong stomach...and certainly not while you're eating your dinner! But Kate is a funny, witty narrator and the Britishness is exquisite - even the profanities are ones that we Brits actually use! Here's a quote that sums it up perfectly: "Normally after a full day if getting nowhere, me and Arthur would go round the corner to the Coach and Horses and have an overpriced beer. It was bit touristy in there, but it was the closest thing we had to a local. Seeing as he was dead, I just went home and illegally watched a rerun of Lark Rise to Candleford" How much more British could you get?! Great fun!

.5 stars. I was not sure what to expect from this book as there were mixed reviews. It was like marmite (British spread, which I adore), you either love it or hate it. I loved it. At first it was like being on a rollercoaster ride, a bit slow, building anticipation, not sure whether this is the ride that goes upside down and at all angles, or a safe bet. Very quickly the story picks up speed and similar to a rollercoaster was non stop action. At the end I was pleased to come away in one piece and better for reading it.The story starts with the murder of a werewolf outside a vampire club. Kate Kane, paranormal investigator, has to find who dunnit to prevent tensions rising which in worst case could lead to a supernatural war.I liked the character of Kate Kane, flawed person, has a commitment phobia. She is part fae and has insight into this world. Personally, I would have preferred some more backstory as lot of info supplied ie her parentage, ex relationships, run ins with vampires but I did feel there was a pre sequel I'm missing. Perhaps all will be revealed in book 2, which I eagerly await. These were minor and did not detract from enjoying or understanding the story.I love the British humour, the fast pace (once it got going), told in first person and done very well. I also liked the character Elise, a live statue and her and Kate's interactions.A sign of good book, I couldn't put it down and wanted to know what scrape Kate got herself into next. There is a romantic element, or love interest and I much prefer books with more great plot and romance as part of it.I would recommend, perhaps check out sampler chapters first to check its your cup of tea. I look forward to reading more of this series.

This book was quite entertaining overall but possibly not enough for me to read the next in the series. It lacked depth on a lot of levels. I might come back to it when I want something extremely lightweight.

One of the best books in this genre that I've read. From the get go I was laughing out loud (and getting weird looks from my fellow train passengers). The story line was fast paced and I loved the range of well shaped characters. Book 2 is shaping up to be just as hilarious. I'd highly recommend this series and I hope the author is already working on book 3. If you only buy one vampire investigator book this year but this one.

A story with great pace and action. Written in the first person by Kate Kane...a PI who is part Faerie...and the rest is a glorious melange of supernatural and gross!!! I couldn't put it down..the plot was strong...the characters diverse and varying in character and supernatural skills. Give it a go...detach your logical terrestrial mind...and go with the flow.