Kitty's Greatest Hits

These side stories set in the world of Vaughn's paranormal novels are all well written and tightly plotted, though Kitty Norville fans may be disappointed that the werewolf radio personality appears only in about a third of them. Various historical tales are interesting, but could be set in any werewolf/vampire universe. The highlights of the collection are the stories from the perspective of Kitty's strong, silent cousin-in-law, Cormac. As he fills in backstory, such as the explanation of how he became haunted, he also becomes a more nuanced and sympathetic character, with guilt, love, and resignation to a half-full glass balancing his considerable willpower and dedication. The crowning novella, "Long Time Waiting," will leave readers hoping for Cormac to get a full novel of his own. (Aug.)