Book Review: Ashtrays and Kittens by P.A. Sheppard
Title: Ashtrays and Kittens
Author: P.A. Sheppard
Release date: May 31st, 2023
Thanks again to P.A. Sheppard for sending me some of his books to check out. After reading the fun ‘The Nightcrawler,’ his latest, ‘Ashtrays and Kittens’ was up. I had zero idea going in what it was even about, but Sheppard had said that it was one of his personal favorites, so that had me intrigued, knowing this one excited the author as much as it did.
What I liked: The story follows a former Army member who is now an investigative journalist. He’s been tasked with interviewing a notorious serial killer, a guy who believed strange objects were in each of his victims and he’d have to kill them and cut them out.
From there, Sheppard takes us on a crazy Urban Fantasy tale that rips back and forth between the history of the events that led us to this moment, as well as the current battle raging that brings about the potential demise of the human race.
We get plenty of great world building and historical context, which gave us the ‘why’ about is happening and as some betrayal’s stack up and the reader no longer can trust who we think we can trust, it heightens the tension.
The ending was great. A very cinematic finale that ‘wraps’ things up but with a cheeky grin suggesting more is to come.
What I didn’t like: Urban Fantasy can be hit or miss for me. It sometimes can come off as very silly. That wasn’t the case here, but what it did create for me was some odd moments when people were no longer called by their names and were sudden Bear or Cat etc and I had to try and recall who was who.
As well, for our MC being a former Army Ranger, he seemed very timid and meek and not someone who had experienced the front line of war or the rigors with getting to that rank.
Why you should buy this: Fans of fast-paced, mildly bonkers Urban Fantasy should be all over this. It starts out with a very intriguing opening and explodes from there. Definitely a fun read and one that goes in a number of very exciting directions.
4/5
