For Seattle detective Joanne Walker, spring is about new beginnings. She's mastered her shamanic abilities (mostly), survived a cannibalistic seria...
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Apr 04, 2011
Barbara
rated it: 
When I reviewed Demon Hunts (Walker Papers, Book 5) by C E Murphy, I said that it was the best in the Walker Papers series to date. Well, as befits a series, Spirit Dances (Luna Books) trumps its predecessor as the best book in the Walker Papers. And, the ending leads one to believe that there are better books to come.
The book opens with promise. Joanne actually ends up, albeit accidentally, on a date with Morrison. They are attending a performance of a Native American spirit More...
The book opens with promise. Joanne actually ends up, albeit accidentally, on a date with Morrison. They are attending a performance of a Native American spirit More...
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Aug 19, 2011
WillowBe
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Very good story, fantastic descriptions, exposition, again, a primer on doing magic work and/or spirit work in the real world. Joanne is one of the more real UPF female charactars I've encountered in all my reading. She is truly fullly fleshed.
But the nerve! i guess it's Luna and the author's personal preference, and mine, but I like a lot more sex in my books, and this was all teasing. Actual physical activity occurs every other book. Sigh. So, at least there will be some in the ne More...
But the nerve! i guess it's Luna and the author's personal preference, and mine, but I like a lot more sex in my books, and this was all teasing. Actual physical activity occurs every other book. Sigh. So, at least there will be some in the ne More...
Jul 08, 2011
Nicole
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I was hugely excited to read this book. This is the sixth entry in The Walker Papers books, one of my favorite current series in any genre. There’s always the worry that the newest entry in a series won’t live up to the books that preceded it. I’m happy to report that, far from losing momentum, Spirit Dances may very well be the best Walker Papers book yet. I appreciate how the character of Joanne has progressed throughout the series, and how what she has learned in previous books is often tied
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May 20, 2011
Oflo
rated it: 
Finally some resolution... AND THEN NONE! I've loved this series because of the complex characterization that Murphy includes with Joanne Walker and Morrison. They have been like oil and water from day one but now they seem to be oil and vinaigrette on a tasty salad. The growth both exhibit has made the relationship believable and based on mutual respect, attraction, caring, and perhaps love. Like any good author Murphy gives us a mere HINT of the possibilities before flinging Jo back into t
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May 10, 2011
Bookmom
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It's been fifteen months since Joanne Walker saved her life by agreeing to be a shaman, and boy has she come a long way. With more confidence, more willingness to ask for help and listen to advice, she's got better control over her abilities. And now she's got to find a balance between her warrior and healer paths. When Joanne is presented tickets to a spirit dance show as a thank you from a woman she'd helped, she goes to Capt Morrison to see if it's okay to use them. He thinks she asked him ou
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May 06, 2011
Jo (Mixed Book Bag)
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Spirit Dances is a free book I received from Amazon Vine. It is the sixth book in the series and I was afraid I might be totally lost. I have to give C.E. Murphy credit; she knows how to treat and catch new readers. All the back-story I needed was inserted in small snippets in the first few pages. I had not trouble jumping right into the story.
Joanne Walker is a Seattle detective who also has shamanic abilities. She has survived her first challenges and is beginning to feel comfo More...
Joanne Walker is a Seattle detective who also has shamanic abilities. She has survived her first challenges and is beginning to feel comfo More...
Apr 10, 2011
drey
rated it:
Oh my goodness!! The ending to Spirit Dances totally knocked me over. Don't get me wrong, it was a good knock-me-over, but I'm still digesting it... On the one hand, I'm soooooooo happy for Joanne. On the other I'm like, "wait, what???" Way for C.E. Murphy to leave me hanging! When is Raven Calls coming out? Aargh!!!
Ok, ok, let's start at the beginning. After Demon Hunts, which I cannot believe I didn't review (I will have to rectify that oversight!!), Joanne's made some dis More...
Ok, ok, let's start at the beginning. After Demon Hunts, which I cannot believe I didn't review (I will have to rectify that oversight!!), Joanne's made some dis More...
Apr 10, 2011
Heather
rated it:
This series continues to grow into itself. Each book is better than the last, and this one is no different. Joanne continues down the path of accepting herself and her new talents, while learning just how far she can push herself. In Spirit Dances, Joanne must stop another killer, but this time she doesn't know if it's paranormal or if she's just being paranoid. Homeless people are disappearing and she might just be the only person that cares enough to even look into the matter.
At the sam More...
At the sam More...
Apr 04, 2011
Crystallena
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This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers.
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Mar 02, 2011
Ruth
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Murphy has a talent for capturing the imagination, and she definitely achieved and surpassed that in the sixth installment of the Walker Papers series. As with the rest of the series, I thoroughly enjoyed Spirit Dances and am anticipating the release of Raven Calls.
It is easy for an author to get caught up in the mundane details, which leave the book feeling as though there is not much going on while a lot is going on. Unlike some other books that I have read, this one actually move More...
It is easy for an author to get caught up in the mundane details, which leave the book feeling as though there is not much going on while a lot is going on. Unlike some other books that I have read, this one actually move More...
Feb 27, 2011
Rachel
rated it:
Spirit Dances by C.E. Murphy
Spirit Dances is number six in the Walker Papers series and WOW what an addition to the series.
If you're not familiar with the Walker Papers series, and you like the Paranormal genre, you should be. These books have everything, Zombies, Wendigos, ghosts, demons, spirit guides, and gods. Joanne Walker, starts out a mechanic for the police department, with a love of classic cars and a Cherokee, Irish heritage. She soon finds out in book one, the spirit world More...
Spirit Dances is number six in the Walker Papers series and WOW what an addition to the series.
If you're not familiar with the Walker Papers series, and you like the Paranormal genre, you should be. These books have everything, Zombies, Wendigos, ghosts, demons, spirit guides, and gods. Joanne Walker, starts out a mechanic for the police department, with a love of classic cars and a Cherokee, Irish heritage. She soon finds out in book one, the spirit world More...
Feb 02, 2011
Rex Robot Reviews
rated it:
Spirit Dance ~ Book Six of the Walker Papers series is an incredible read! I have not read any other books from this series, but I am sure I am going to pick them all up! C.E. Murphy keeps you absolutely spellbound by her vividly descriptive action packed story.
The main character Joanne Walker is just one accident after another. Whether she is getting herself or others into troubling situations, there is always has a sense of duty and a sense of humor attached to it.
In Sp More...
The main character Joanne Walker is just one accident after another. Whether she is getting herself or others into troubling situations, there is always has a sense of duty and a sense of humor attached to it.
In Sp More...
May 14, 2011
Tracy
rated it:
Coming Into Her Own
It's been fifteen months since cop mechanic and cynic Joanne Walker became warrior shaman and Seattle detective. In those fifteen months, she's been stabbed, hung, strung out, strung up, wiped out and beat down. She's done battle with creatures that aren't supposed to exist outside of grim horror stories or fantasy books. She's had crises of faith, been riddled with self doubt and guilt, and gotten several close friends almost killed just by associating with her. But she More...
It's been fifteen months since cop mechanic and cynic Joanne Walker became warrior shaman and Seattle detective. In those fifteen months, she's been stabbed, hung, strung out, strung up, wiped out and beat down. She's done battle with creatures that aren't supposed to exist outside of grim horror stories or fantasy books. She's had crises of faith, been riddled with self doubt and guilt, and gotten several close friends almost killed just by associating with her. But she More...
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Apr 23, 2011
Jeff
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As with all of the "Walker Papers" novels, this is a fantastic read. Each book in the series is better than its predecessors, with this one obviously being the best so far.
If I can be nit-picky here, there are minor editing problems in the book (in point of fact, in several of the books in the series) that seem to consistently get missed by both Murphy and her editor; editing problems that tend to momentarily shock me out of the story. For instance, "these ones" More...
If I can be nit-picky here, there are minor editing problems in the book (in point of fact, in several of the books in the series) that seem to consistently get missed by both Murphy and her editor; editing problems that tend to momentarily shock me out of the story. For instance, "these ones" More...
Feb 05, 2011
Caitlin
rated it:
I really enjoyed this latest installment of the Walker Papers series because I think Joanne has finally grown-up. She has come to terms with her shamanic powers and is really learning to take responsibility. I liked how she had more confidence. Now, she’s not perfect because lets be honest that would not be Joanne-style. She makes mistakes with the best intentions and spends twice as much time trying to fix them. Her big mistake involves Morrison this time. Yes, it’s unexpected but good.
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Feb 22, 2011
Dee
rated it:
Good First-person narratives are hard to find.
Grade: A
The Story: Detective and Shaman Joanne Walker is accepting her dual nature as a healer and warrior. She has a long-running "Not a Thing" thing with her boss, the handsome Captain Morrison. Her mentor, Coyote, is her spiritual and shaman guide into multiple planes of existence and she is learning and sometimes going beyond his teachings.
Jo is at a dance performance on a date with her boss when the lead dancer is murd More...
Grade: A
The Story: Detective and Shaman Joanne Walker is accepting her dual nature as a healer and warrior. She has a long-running "Not a Thing" thing with her boss, the handsome Captain Morrison. Her mentor, Coyote, is her spiritual and shaman guide into multiple planes of existence and she is learning and sometimes going beyond his teachings.
Jo is at a dance performance on a date with her boss when the lead dancer is murd More...
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May 30, 2011
Leah
rated it:
FINALLY! It only took them six books. That sounds so crass to say, like it's all that I got out of this book. This author is consistently one of my favorites. I seem to have developed some weakness for Native American female leads who are mechanics and have some kind of supernatural lifestyle and responsibility thrust upon them. I don't know what to do with that but I will take it since it makes me happy.
I'm unsure how much I like Jo's transformation. I rather liked the bumbling Jo wh More...
I'm unsure how much I like Jo's transformation. I rather liked the bumbling Jo wh More...
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Dec 05, 2011
Lynsey
rated it:
Whew!
This was a great book, and easily my favourite so far. As you can see from the back-cover blurb Joanne actually goes on a date with Morrison! Did you hear what I said? A Date! With Morrison! I know!
Of course partially shifting into a Coyote during a "special" dance performance will put a dampener on most romantic evenings, still, progress is progress and I'm taking it where I can get it!
I don't want to spoil the rest of the plot from here but lets jus More...
This was a great book, and easily my favourite so far. As you can see from the back-cover blurb Joanne actually goes on a date with Morrison! Did you hear what I said? A Date! With Morrison! I know!
Of course partially shifting into a Coyote during a "special" dance performance will put a dampener on most romantic evenings, still, progress is progress and I'm taking it where I can get it!
I don't want to spoil the rest of the plot from here but lets jus More...
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Jan 04, 2012
Bronwyn
rated it:
This series had been a little flat for me and I was unsure I wanted to read anymore. However, this book has piqued my interest again. I think it helped that there was a little romance for our heroine.
Joanne is visited by the girl she saved in Demons Hunt, and is offered tickets to a native american spirit dance. This night introduces Joanne to a new shaman trick, however, before she can learn much about how or why, the show ends in disaster and Joanne finds herself caught up in ye More...
Joanne is visited by the girl she saved in Demons Hunt, and is offered tickets to a native american spirit dance. This night introduces Joanne to a new shaman trick, however, before she can learn much about how or why, the show ends in disaster and Joanne finds herself caught up in ye More...
Jun 17, 2011
Sarah
rated it:
C.E. Murphy is definitely growing as a writer. This is the 6th in the Walker Papers, and I can really see the development of her talent. There have been parts of the last two books that have had me literally laughing out loud, and that didn't happen in the first couple of books.
As Murphy's writing has developed, so has her character. Joanne Walker (Siobhan Walkingstick) is also coming into her own. She is much more accepting of her talents, and more willing to do what needs to More...
As Murphy's writing has developed, so has her character. Joanne Walker (Siobhan Walkingstick) is also coming into her own. She is much more accepting of her talents, and more willing to do what needs to More...
Feb 23, 2011
Minh
rated it:
Despite jumping head first into this series without reading any of the previous novels I had no trouble picking up the storyline, world building or any of the relationships between the characters. Starting off with a bang, we find our Heroine Jo struggling with her magic, a DV case, accidentally turning into a coyote but above all, somehow accidentally going on a date with the Captain, Michael Morrison.
Jo is an all guts, uncensored, unrepentant woman of a Heroine and instantly has my More...
Jo is an all guts, uncensored, unrepentant woman of a Heroine and instantly has my More...
Aug 26, 2011
Jackie
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This book 6 of the Walker Papers; Seattle Detective Joanne Walker is a Shaman, and in the previous books we have travelled with her as she discovers this fact, and seen how she learned how to use her abilities. We have enjoyed getting to know her partner Billy who can see and communicate with certain ghosts, and her boss Captain Michael Morrison.
This book begins with Joanne and Billy on a call out which results in Joanne having to shoot a woman in order to stop her killing B More...
Apr 28, 2011
Lia
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Oct 04, 2011
Amy
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OMFG. Seriously. I wouldn't have classified the Walker Papers series in my top paranormal romance picks before #6 here. I mean, I'd read them all, but hadn't paid much attention to when #6 was being released (like I do w/ my Kate Daniels & Mercedes Thompson books). In fact, I believe this actually came out in April. That's right - five whole months before I even noticed.
BUT BUT BUT - I read it in one sitting, have subsequently read it again, and have read the last half of the last ch More...
BUT BUT BUT - I read it in one sitting, have subsequently read it again, and have read the last half of the last ch More...
Mar 02, 2011
Elizabeth
rated it:
Joanne Walker is a cop. She also is a healer... a shaman. Her magical gifts should be an asset to her job, but now that she has come to accept them and begin to understand them, she still needs to master them to make them truly effective. And she has to remember to use them when a split-second decision can save her partner's life. Or, she can just rely on her gun.
After she saves her partner's life, she runs into a woman whose life she inadvertently saved while working on a much large More...
After she saves her partner's life, she runs into a woman whose life she inadvertently saved while working on a much large More...
Nov 14, 2011
Laura
rated it:
C.E. Murphy has managed to master the complexities of human emotion, as portrayed in the interactions between Morrison and Joanne. It is these emotional complexities in which the true story lies, in this part of the series especially. Not only do Joanne and Morrison go on their first day—though it may have been accidental—but Joanne also turns Morrison into a wolf—also an accident. Yet, even through something as significant as turning him into a wolf, Morrison takes it in stride, continuing his
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May 08, 2011
Aryn
rated it:
I found the first book in this series, Urban Shaman, funny as all get-out. And this book is funnier; Ms Murphy is at her very best here. And, of course, she writes well, complete sentences and good grammar and all that (the occasional typo really surprised me; generally her books are close to meticulous in the editing process). At any rate, it is a cracking good yarn. The characters remain within the author's chosen parameters, no straying off into new ground. It is a page turner, keeping me suc
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Mar 31, 2011
Kt from A Book Obsession..
rated it:
Joanne thought she had faced down some pretty tough situations in the past, but nothing compares to her date with Morrison. She accidentally asks him to a dance concert, and somehow he says yes. Things are already pretty complicated between then, and a date that gets messed up by the supernatural, well that just doesn't help at all. When the dance concert turns her into a coyote right in front of Morrison, Joanne wants to just curl up and die. Add in all of the other craziness going on with home
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Aug 10, 2011
Virginia
rated it: 
Since I started the series in the middle the constant references to what went before was not annoying, but if I were a follower It would have put me off the book.
For those who have not read any of the preceding 5 Papers,a quick summary. Joanne Walker is A Seattle Policeman who suddenly finds that she is a Shaman. She had a mentor and a lot of good he is because she never listens to him but goes off on her own merry way. Her attempts at magic backfire as often as not but in the end More...
For those who have not read any of the preceding 5 Papers,a quick summary. Joanne Walker is A Seattle Policeman who suddenly finds that she is a Shaman. She had a mentor and a lot of good he is because she never listens to him but goes off on her own merry way. Her attempts at magic backfire as often as not but in the end More...
Dec 17, 2011
Deea
rated it:
WOW! That was quite a ride!
A lot of unexpected things happened in this book. I think it had the most WTH moments -and the most awesometastic moments - from all the books! It was, hands down, THE BEST BOOK in the series so far!<3 There's definitely an improving in the storyline and everything. And that ending... *dreamy sigh* *bites nails*
P.S. Being the big The Hollows series (by Kim Harrison) fan that I am, I can see Walker Papers as its sister.:)) They have a lot of t More...
A lot of unexpected things happened in this book. I think it had the most WTH moments -and the most awesometastic moments - from all the books! It was, hands down, THE BEST BOOK in the series so far!<3 There's definitely an improving in the storyline and everything. And that ending... *dreamy sigh* *bites nails*
P.S. Being the big The Hollows series (by Kim Harrison) fan that I am, I can see Walker Papers as its sister.:)) They have a lot of t More...
