HAZZARD AVENUE

This fourth installment of Walters’ fantasy series pits a Des Moines detective and his spectral partner against a diabolical, supernaturally powerful woman.

Detective Brett O’Shea’s impressive track record includes taking down serial killers and monsters. But he can’t accept all the credit; he gets a lot of help from his late great-grandfather Michael—a natty, fedora-sporting ghost. When Chief Terry Anders sends him to check on a noise complaint, Brett tells local fortuneteller Simone Moreau to tone down her late-night drum music. Simone, who claims to be a descendant of famed Louisiana Voodoo practitioner Marie Laveau, becomes obsessed with the detective. She believes that Brett, like her, possesses magic, as she senses the invisible partner who often accompanies him. She vows to uncover his secrets and get him into her bed—whether he’s willing or not. Meanwhile, Brett believes that Shawn Carter, the new chief of detectives, has it out for him. Carter seemingly takes his aggression out on him, demoting him to patrol duty. This makes it all the more taxing for Brett to look into the inexplicable things happening in the city, especially the strange phenomenon of people (including Anders) wandering around as if lost. Simone is powerful enough to threaten Brett’s fellow cops as well as his girlfriend, Lisa Winslow, without being anywhere near them. But her magic could destroy all of Des Moines, and if Brett can’t stop her, he, his loved ones, and thousands of others will be in serious trouble. 

There’s no investigation or murder mystery in Walters’ fourth outing with Brett O’Shea. It’s a supernatural thriller featuring villains who don’t bother hiding themselves. Carter makes his animosity for Brett obvious, and Simone blatantly tells him she’s coming for him. It certainly makes for a tense narrative—there’s perpetual menace ready to strike Brett, Lisa, Anders, and even Michael. They face evil that they can’t always see (such as a mysterious illness) as well as more tangible threats: Hordes of zombies rear their ugly heads, roaming the city, swarming buildings, and banging on doors. One mystery does unfold—the nature of Brett’s own supernatural ability, which may help in fighting Simone. The novel’s easygoing tone incorporates an understated religious theme, with Michael casually addressing God almost as if the two regularly converse: “You're the Big Guy, after all. You can do anything. Right?” This Judeo-Christian thread somewhat demonizes Voodooism, as Simone, an apparent priestess, is the antagonistic, evil “she-witch” who wields the dark arts. However, Walters smartly shrouds Simone and most of what she does in ambiguity without specifying the source of her malevolence. Overall, it’s a grim story occasionally alleviated by likable characters and humor. Brett and Lisa make an endearingly devoted couple, but the highlight is Brett’s relationship with his phantom relative. Michael tends to make his presence known without warning, suddenly speaking into Brett’s ear to ensure his great-grandson jumps in shock. Despite a solid resolution to this tale, the ending more than hints that another sequel will follow.

A memorable cast of mortals and ghosts complements this spooky thriller.