Dark Time: Mortal Path, Book One

Fans of the supernatural and dark fantasy will be intrigued by Maliha Crayne's quest to save her soul, though it has more flash than substance. Susannah Layhem, burnt at the stake in 1692, was posthumously recruited by a demon. She served as his pet assassin for more than 300 years before her refusal to kill a baby revealed a loophole in her contract. Now, as Maliha, she writes mysteries and tries to balance her assassinations by saving human lives, the only route to paradise. While there is an actual story centered on the murders of two hackers, this is mostly an introduction to Maliha, her eclectic group of friends and her uncanny ability to attract violence and death that somehow never counts against her efforts toward salvation. Perhaps the next book will have more plot to go with all the action. (Aug.)