I wasn't expecting
Wet Grave to be one of my favorite Benjamin January books, seeing as the focus was largely on Rose and Ben's relationship, and I am not hugely invested in that particular relationship - but it ended up surprising me! There are a few simple reasons for this.
1. CHLOE ST. CHINIAN. Making ladies who are set up as Evil Rivals turn out to be unexpectedly awesome is a sure way to my heart. Chloe St. Chinian: 100% awesome. It also helps that Rose's moments of bonding and unexpected BFF-ness with Chloe were my favorite bits of Rose so far.
2. DOMINIQUE. Another sure way to my heart: ladies who are sweet and fluttery and fashionable and totally hardcore when push comes to shove. Dominique reveals her spine of steel in this book and it is amazing. (What, like paddling your way solo through the swamps while eight months pregnant is hard?)
3. ABISHAG SHAW. . . . look, Shaw is wonderful. Full stop.
In other news, while, as I said, I am not super invested in Rose/Ben, I do like the way that Hambly is careful to point out that no matter how much you love somebody, if you are both independent people who like your own space and limited sources of income, it is maybe not the best idea to rush into matrimony and squeeze yourselves into a one-room apartment. Also, as far as dramatic plot twists go, pirates are always a good choice, and
surprise LEPROSY attics are way better than surprise torture attics.
Days of the Dead, on the other hand, did not feature most of my favorite cast members, and while the sheer gothic high drama of the ridiculously complicated family murder mystery was kind of entertaining, I was not thrilled with the use of ZOMG THOSE CRAZY AZTEC GODS as wacky plot devices. (Also, I was most excited to get to see Consuela the opera soprano FIGHT CRIME, and she did not get to do any crime-fighting at all! This was unreasonably disappinting to me. I totally ship Hannibal/Consuela and I am kind of sad Hambly does not really.) Perfectly serviceable as a mystery - although, was it just me, or was the murderer easier to call than usual? - but not one of the best in the series.