Tricks of the Trade

By Laura Anne Gilman

When magic goes wrong, who are you going to call?

The name's Torres, Bonnie Torres, and I'm a paranormal scene investigatorrooting out the truth about crimes of magic. It's dangerous and boring and scary and fascinating. Though not everyone in the Cosa Nostradamus is happy we're around, which can make things tricky.

Working two caseslooking into a murder for the NYPD, and a rich man's break-inshould be well within our abilities. But when things start getting weird in the Electric Apple, Private Unaffiliated Paranormal Investigations is stretched to the limits, trying to keep one step ahead and out of trouble. Add in rumors of a powerful creature gunning for us and it's not just our rep on the line this timeif we don't solve this case, everyone will suffer.

Fortunately, around here, when the going gets weird, the weird hire us.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Harlequin Luna
• Release date: Dec 1, 2011
• ISBN: 9781459281646

Laura Anne Gilman

Laura Anne Gilman is the author of the Locus bestsellers Silver on the Road and The Cold Eye, the popular Cosa Nostradamus books (the Retrievers and Paranormal Scene Investigations urban fantasy series), and the Nebula Award–nominated The Vineart War trilogy. Her first story collection is Dragon Virus, and she continues to write and sell short fiction in a variety of genres. Follow her at @LAGilman or LauraAnneGilman.net.

Reviews for Tricks of the Trade

[shaiha_1 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

This is a series that I stumbled onto and one that I am definitely going to follow in the future as well as picking up her back list. I was really impressed at how well TRICKS OF THE TRADE stands on its own even though it is the third book in the series. I think that what really set this book apart in my mind is the way Ms. Gilman explains the group dynamic of the PUPS as a pack. There are the Big Dogs which as the bosses and then the working team with the alpha dogs and all. The working team is really trained to work together as a pack and it is a dream to see. Ms. Gilman has also done a wonderful job with her characters. Even though it is set as a first person thru Bonnie’s eyes, we really learn all of the characters. And even though Bonnie is definitely the primary in the story, there really aren’t any secondary characters as all of the pack play such an important part in the story.This book had me enthralled from the very first page and I do recommend it to anyone that enjoys urban fantasy. I rate this book a 4.5.***I received this book at no charge from NetGalley in exchange for a fair and honest review.

[shelleyraec · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

The third installment of the Paranormal Scene Investigations series, Tricks of The Trade, picks up a few months after Pack of Lies ends. The PUPI's have two new cases to work - a dead fatae found floating in the river and a break-in on millionaire row. Neither case is quite what it seems and the PUPI's, under the guidance of the Big Dogs Ben and Ian, have a hard time getting to the truth of both crimes. To further complicate matters The Roblin, a mischief demon, takes an interest in the group, and Bonnie and Ben's connection in particular.While the cases are presented almost immediately it seemed to take a long time for anything much to happen though once the PUPI's have a few clues to go on the pace picked up. The case involving the theft was especially intriguing with a great twist that gives this book a darker edge.One of the things I particularly like about this series is the way the author naturally introduces and builds more detail regarding the world and the magic/current it uses. Part of this is accomplished by using an alternating narrative that is in the first person from Bonnie as well as the third person which allows us to observe and gain insight into the other characters and situations.The appearance of The Roblin was an interesting way to force Bonnie and Ben to confront the issues the Merge have raised. Their relationship changes in this book which I has happy to see and I am looking forward to seeing how things progress in the next installment. I would have liked however for The Roblin to have made a little more mischief for the team than he did.In the background Ian is still fighting for the team's acceptance with the Cosa Nostradamus, Aden makes an brief appearance and Wren, a character from Gilman's Retriever's series makes a cameo appearance.I enjoy the combination of action and mystery with a touch of snarky humour thrown in with this series. Once I was past the slow start I enjoyed Tricks of the Trade as much as the first and second titles. While I suppose this book could be read as a stand alone I think the back story from the previous two books are important to the enjoyment of the novel. I still hope to be able to read Gilman's Retrievers series which is set in the same world, though from a different perspective, soon.

[kmartin802_1 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

This is another fascinating episode in the PUPI series. The Pups have two cases to work on this time and the one that they were least expecting to blow up in their faces is the one that does. Meanwhile, Bonnie and Venec are trying to deal with the Merge each in their own ways. Bonnie favors denial; Venec is more about control. To paraphrase Bonnie, she isn't going to let herself be pushed around by some kind of magic that has decided she and Venec will make beautiful babies. But, at the same time, ignoring the Merge isn't making it go away.The Roblin, a mischief imp, has also come to town and has decided to focus on PUPI. This isn't really a good time for chaos to be let loose in the city. He seems especially interested in Bonnie because her magic is somewhat unusual. He manages to get her evicted from her apartment. However, that's OK with Bonnie because she has a line on an apartment where Wren (from the Retrievers series) lives. This meeting with Wren helps me anchor the story in time. I was wondering but now know that these novels are taking place a little earlier than the Retrievers novels. Bonnie is a particularly interesting character to me. I like her attitude about living her life. I like her accurate self assessment of her abilities. And I very much like her relationship that might be easing into a romance with Venec.This is a very satisfying entry into the series and will please those who have enjoyed the first two books - Pack of Lies and Hard Magic.

[rhonda1111 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

This is the third book in the Paranormal Scene Investigations. The first one I have read but not the last one. They mention other cases in this story which I assume is in the other two books. Their is another series of books called Retrievers and they mention Wren and we meet her in this book. I want to read at least one of that series too.Bonnie Torres is a talent in fact all the investigators are talent. Bonnie and one of her bosses are fighting what they call merge. Their talent is drawn together and wants them to get together and have offspring. It is rare and they are finding more all the time. They have walls around them in their minds so they don't keep getting what the other is doing or feeling most of the time.Bonnie likes guys and girls and wants uncomplicated relations. In fact her and Piers sleep together on casual basis. Getting involved with the boss is not what she wants or him either.They call the two Bosses Top Dogs and they all are pups. They are like P.I. firm that works to find facts about talent so they can be held accountable.One case is from a null a human nontalent and that he thinks a talent broke in his house to damage two rooms and take a watch and crystal knife.The other case is a floater that NYC cops called them in to figure out. The dead body is not human and in fact they are not sure what he is at first.They have refined their talents with practice on how they can help find out more from the evidence using their skills together or alone.The interactions of the Pups and Top Dogs I really like the characters and how involved they are and what we learn about them and their worlds. The cases are solved and their are a few other problems that come up. But it is their working so well and it comes across to each other.I liked the story. I was given this ebook in exchange for honest review.went and bought the others plus 5 more books of hers