As I began reading Urban Shaman, I had serious questions as to whether or not I would enjoy this book because of the negative attitude and whiney personality of the main character Joanne Walkingstick (aka: Jo Walker). Then, I began to realize that her snarkiness was just due to a lack of sleep and she began to grow on me.
Jo Walker works for the Seattle Police Department as a mechanic. After taking a 4 month unsanctioned family leave (she went to Ireland to bury her mother) she returns home to see (from a window in the plane)a woman being chased by dogs and a man with a knife. She is desperate to find the woman. So after her failed attempts to get assistance from the airlines, she hires a cab to help her. Although the cabbie, Gary thinks she maybe a few fries short of a happy meal, he agrees to help her. They find an abandoned church and the woman, Marie. Marie explains that the man Jo saw was part of "the Hunt" and is trying to kill her. Although Jo is not a true believer in Celtic or other religious lore, she realizes something is wrong.
Jo, Gary and Marie have dinner together in a cafe and are attacked by Cernunnos, King of the Hunt. Jo almost dies but is brought back by her Cherokee spirit guide, Coyote. The next day she goes into work expecting to be fire but finds due to affirmative action they are hesitant to let her go. So, Capt. Morrison puts her on foot patrol. However, before she can begin her new position, Marie is killed and she is the number one suspect.
I truly enjoyed this book. What attracted me most was the characters are real, everday, average looking, hardworking individuals and not a bunch of pretty, rich people.