Nightshifted

Medical drama and vampire cold wars intersect in this solid urban fantasy debut. Edie Spence takes a job as a nurse on County Hospital’s Y4 floor, which caters to paranormal patients. Introduced to a world of vampires, werecreatures, shape-shifters, and zombies, Edie takes it all in stride until she accidentally causes the death of one of her charges. She’s determined to carry out his final wishes—rescuing a girl named Anna—to make amends, which embroils her in a conflict between two vampire Thrones. When the vampires declare her a murderer, it may take more than a vampire lawyer, a zombie boyfriend, and a ghost-possessed CD player to save her. Alexander’s zombies are particularly well designed, and the hospital environment adds an intriguing additional dimension. Edie’s life is full of hard knocks, and though it’s hard to like a heroine who constantly pushes people away, her gradual development into a person who can allow others to care for her is satisfying. Agent: Michelle Brower, Folio Literary Management. (June)