Grave Witch

Only a thin border separates the worlds of the living and the dead in Price's captivating series debut. Alex Craft is a penniless PI attached to two very high-profile cases: she's raising the first shade ever to take the witness stand and has discovered that the death of a local official involves magic. Nekros City police detective Falin Andrews wants her out of the latter investigation, which would suit Alex just fine if she hadn't been infected by a soul-sucking virus that only solving the case can cure. Add a little work freelancing for Death and a budding romance with Falin, and Alex is in way over her head. The world is nothing new, but a zippy pace and entrancing descriptions of "grave sight," which juxtaposes a decaying spirit world on top of ours, will keep readers happily turning pages. (Oct.)