Undead and Done

Readers will celebrate the strong conclusion of Davidson's once-groundbreaking blend of humorous women's fiction and paranormal romance in its 12th volume (after Undead and Unforgiven). Betsy, queen of the vampires and shoe-loving ruler of Hell-as-the-Mall-of-America, is determined not to let her half-sister Laura (the self-righteous former Antichrist) set the terms for the vampires' come-out. She asks Fred the mermaid for assistance, which becomes all the more necessary when the Wyndham werewolves decamp nearby, worried about their anonymity. Betsy proves she's a good deal less vapid than given credit for by turning a theological bee in her bonnet into an innovative parole program for some of Hell's most well-behaved denizens, though her constant mental exposition is deservedly and funnily mocked by her hunky consort Sinclair. For those who once loved the series, which has faltered in recent installments, this provides a proper send-off. Agent: Evan Gregory, Ethan Ellenberg Literary. (Oct.)