Review--The Lost by Vicki Pettersson

Griffin Shaw and his wife were both murdered fifty years ago. Now a minor angel, Grif's been granted permission to solve the mystery of his own death... if he helps the Pure angels guide those souls who might otherwise be Lost.

Souls like Jeap Yang, a drug addict in his final moments of life. Grif knows that death is coming, but he cannot intervene. However, Grif's mortal lover, reporter Katherine "Kit" Craig, isn't constrained by angelic protocol. If she can stop a death, she will.

But as Kit is about to find out, there are things more traumatic and evil than murder. A strange new drug is literally eating tweakers' flesh from their bones, and Kit's crusade to get it off the streets is set to propel her and Grif into a battle with a vicious drug cartel. They'll have to scramble to stay alive, stay together, and choose their own fate... before it's chosen for them.

Vicki Pettersson's The Lost pretty much picks up where we left off, granted it is a few months later. Grif and Kit are living pretty happily together. But there's still some strain between them. Mostly because Grif has nightmares and calls out his ex-wife, Evie's name out at night. 

I guess I wasn't really made aware of what being somewhat human meant for Grif. He still has his angel powers and what not and still must help souls cross over when he's told to by his boss. But it also means he will never age. And Sarge, his boss, tries to tell Grif this and why a relationship with a completely human Kit might not be a good idea.

There was that factor and the other factoid that Kit doesn't seem to realize that Grif helps dead souls cross over. When someone is set to die, he's told and told when to help them out. But Kit believes that he should be preventing all their deaths. Help to save them and give them a second chance at life. Like he did for her. I mean I get her point and all, but sometimes, I think she is acting a little naive. I mean, people are going to die. And it's better to have a Centurion like Grif help them to their next destination, rather than left to wander earth forever.

Needless to say, this becomes an endless issue between the two. There's still romance and fire between them, which despite my misgivings on how this relationship could ever make it, was really, truly wonderful. You can tell that at the end of the day, Grif and Kit do love one another. But it still had me worried. I guess I missed the bit where Grif wasn't going to age in the first one. It's mentioned this time around at least, and it had me wondering, how will Grif and Kit make it? Even more pressing, it seems Kit has another pursuer after her heart and I wonder if maybe she'll go to him? Grif does get wrapped up in wanting to solve his and Evie's murder. Evie practically consumes him even past the grave. There are just sooo many obstacles between Grif and Kit that I am left wondering if they're meant to be together!! But then, like I said, there are those wonderfully special moments they have together and all seems right with the world! Vicki really knows how to play with my heart!

The mystery this time around gets to be pretty messy. A drug is going around that kills people in the most horrible kind of way. It's a brutal, addicting drug that pretty much kills you the moment you start it. There's no way to cut yourself off from it and you're pretty much doomed. And then there's the drug dealers who can get pretty scary. We even get the point of view from our villain. We don't know who she is--because it does get revealed quickly that it's a woman--but we know that she's dangerous and means business and has no qualms about getting rid of Kit if she proves to be a problem. I totally did not see this villainess coming!

Kit and Grif also continue to look into Grif and Evie's murder. I can totally see the series ending with the big mystery being solved. As to where that will leave our characters is anyone's guess. But a pretty shocking reveal came along regarding the case and I totally wasn't expecting it! It will definitely lead to more interesting developments next time around!

The pacing to this one was a bit better than the first one I think. It moved along rather well. Perhaps because we know more about our characters and their pasts. We already have a better concept of the worldbuilding, so the pace can just move seamlessly along. Overall it was a good read and I am definitely liking this series, if not outright loving it. Although, I did totally love when a character walked in wearing a burning bunny pin! A total Kim Harrison moment as I know the two authors are friends! You just gotta love those kind of moments!


Overall Rating 4/5 stars