Shadow Unit 12

Shadow Unit #12

by Emma Bull, Leah Bobet, Sarah Monette

"Five Autopsies" - by Leah Bobet
"Hope Is Stronger Than Love" - by Sarah Monette
"Latency" - by Elizabeth Bear
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Genres: Mystery, Science Fiction, Urban Fantasy, Fantasy, Fiction, Horror, Supernatural

176 pages, Kindle Edition

First published July 18, 2012

About the author

Emma Bull is a science fiction and fantasy author whose best-known novel is War for the Oaks, one of the pioneering works of urban fantasy. She has participated in Terri Windling's Borderland shared universe, which is the setting of her 1994 novel Finder. She sang in the rock-funk band Cats Laughing, and both sang and played guitar in the folk duo The Flash Girls while living in Minneapolis, Minnesota.

Her 1991 post-apocalyptic science fiction novel Bone Dance was nominated for the Hugo, Nebula, and World Fantasy Awards. Bull wrote a screenplay for War for the Oaks, which was made into an 11-minute mini-film designed to look like a film trailer. She made a cameo appearance as the Queen of the Seelie Court, and her husband, Will Shetterly, directed. Bull and Shetterly created the shared universe of Liavek, for which they have both written stories. There are five Liavek collections extant.

She was a member of the writing group The Scribblies, which included Will Shetterly as well as Pamela Dean, Kara Dalkey, Nate Bucklin, Patricia Wrede and Steven Brust. With Steven Brust, Bull wrote Freedom and Necessity (1997), an epistolary novel with subtle fantasy elements set during the 19th century United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland Chartist movement.

Bull graduated from Beloit College in 1976. Bull and Shetterly live in Arizona.

Reviews

[Larou]

Volume 12 of Shadow Unit continues the fourth and last season of this mock TV-show over from the last installment. We get no less than four episodes here, which I think is a record for the e-book publications of the series, but barely any additional material – not sure whether that is a sign that the authors are getting tired of the series or of increased focus as they are nearing the finish line.

I’m leaning towards the latter, as I at least was not able to find any signs of exhaustion while reading this; to the contrary, I was impressed how the authors still managed to keep everything fresh even so many volumes into the series. The first two episodes here, “Five Autopsies” and “Hope Is Stronger Than Love” achieve this by giving us an outside perspective on the team and its work, the remaining two by furthering the main story arc and deepening relations between the protagonists, and all of them by presenting a well thought-out and excellently written crime plot which, in keeping with the rest of the series, stays as rigorously realistic in its depiction of FBI procedures as it is compellingly imaginative in the invention of the crimes that are being investigated. Good stuff, and I know I’ll be sad when I get to the end of it.

[Jill Carroll · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 good cases.

[K.S. Trenten · Rating 4 out of 5]

A void in the team refills with a familiar presence, brightening the book up with her individual magnificence, even if there’s another gap still bleeding, which everyone feels, remembers, and mourns. Two cases stood out. One was sickeningly specific in its victimology, costing Shadow Unit another member; only this individual got to retire with grace, responsibility, and foiling his own fall at the hands of a superior. It was very satisfying to see that same superior acknowledge that Shadow Unit would not be the same without his adversary/ally. The second case was disturbingly fascinating, diverse in its victimology, mysterious; almost poetic in the way it explored lonely hearts; returning the series to the main arc, while tying in beautifully with two individual character arcs. Resolving this case brought back those arcs, engaging my interest, and catching my attention in how they reared their heads. I’m very curious about what will happen next.

[Ryan · Rating 3 out of 5]

I am a serious addict. I peek at the website and get excited when there are a few stories because that means a new edition will arrive...and get so excited. I will read the stories on the site when I can't wait, but I love the "books" because there are these great snapshots of the characters - office picnics, or interactions that have nothing to do with work. Its a glimpse into lives that may not really happen in a TV series (and not being a TV person, I would not be able to say).

[Lotta · Rating 4 out of 5]

The team, solving cases. Good stuff.

[KA · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really liked "Five Autopsies."