Book Review: The Night Beat by Gini Koch

Originally posted February 19, 2019

The majority of Prosaic City’s residents don’t know that their town exists on top of another place — Necropolis, City of the Undead. For the most part, the two planes of existence manage to remain separate. And when they don’t, Necropolis Enforcement has beings in place to ensure the general human population remains blithely clueless. Victoria Wolfe is more than just a policewoman. She’s an undercover werewolf assigned by Necropolis Enforcement to work Prosaic City Police’s Night Beat. Victoria’s comfortable working the shift where all the weird comes out to play, especially since her partner is also her perfect man. Or would be, if Victoria could ever work up the nerve to tell him she isn’t like other girls. It’s hard enough being a werewolf in disguise, but when a creature from the Depths of Hell shows up in an alley preferred by junkies, bums, and hookers, it’s going to take more than just Victoria’s special gun and werewolf skills to subdue the ancient Sumerian demon. Especially when the demon is merely the start of what appears to be a major takeover attempt by the Prince of Darkness. Soon all of Necropolis Enforcement’s Undead Brigade is involved in the fight to stop the Prince’s Major Minions from taking over Prosaic City and the rest of the human plane. But it’s Victoria who has to face the Adversary and figure out what intricate plan Lucifer has up his wings before everyone she cares about is destroyed. In other words, it’s just another day on the Night Beat.

Gini Koch is probably best known for the Katherine “Kitty” Katt Alien Series from DAW books. Possibly less well know are her self-published works including The Night Beat, the first book of the Necropolis Enforcement Files.

Initially not sure the Alien Series was right for me, I instead decided to read other books. The second of these was The Night Beat. I was immediately intrigued by a world where supernatural creatures exist and are all considered to be undead. I loved discovering legends that lived on fighting for good with the Necropolis Enforcement. Rather than use the typical monotheistic good vs evil, we are instead presented with many gods and monsters in opposition to a singular force of evil that has vanquished all its rivals. A rich urban fantasy full of wondrous creatures and people that proved to be a fun read.

The only downside is that fans have to continue to wait patiently for book 2 Night Music as the universe(or perhaps the Prince himself) has conspired to keep it from our eager hands.

Rating: 5/5 Talons

Until next time,

See you among the stacks.

Duncan.