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The Demon Detective #1
Crown of Lies: The Demon Detective
If he learns who I am, he'll kill me.
Half-demons don't belong in angel territory. But I'm kind of an expert at staying hidden and running my quiet magical business from my sister's cafe.
So, imagine my surprise when an archangel tracks me down and offers me a new job. He insists that someone's attacking archangel students at a prestigious college, and no one -- not even the best investigators -- can crack the case.
Why does this man think I can?
Who the hell knows. I'm a tracker for lost items. I'm not a crime investigator.
Besides, who cares if the snotty, rich archangels are in danger?
I certainly shouldn't.
But everything in me is pushing me to take this job. Urging to follow this gorgeous, lethal man into the shadows to find a killer.
All I have to do is go undercover at the school and find the culprit before the month is over.
If I fail, someone else dies.
If I'm caught, I could be next.
Half-demons don't belong in angel territory. But I'm kind of an expert at staying hidden and running my quiet magical business from my sister's cafe.
So, imagine my surprise when an archangel tracks me down and offers me a new job. He insists that someone's attacking archangel students at a prestigious college, and no one -- not even the best investigators -- can crack the case.
Why does this man think I can?
Who the hell knows. I'm a tracker for lost items. I'm not a crime investigator.
Besides, who cares if the snotty, rich archangels are in danger?
I certainly shouldn't.
But everything in me is pushing me to take this job. Urging to follow this gorgeous, lethal man into the shadows to find a killer.
All I have to do is go undercover at the school and find the culprit before the month is over.
If I fail, someone else dies.
If I'm caught, I could be next.
488 pages, Kindle Edition
Published August 25, 2022
121 people are currently reading
318 people want to read
About the author
Annika West
6 books131 followersAnnika hails from the glorious suburbs of Long Beach, California, blundering through life alongside her husband, three bonus children, and four cats.
She's a sour-candy enthusiast. She's shit at decorating. It's unlikely that she'll remember her appointments, but she makes up for it by writing urban fantasy books full of romance, feel-good friendships, and probably a lot of absurd humor that will most likely make you laugh.
Come for the spice. Stay for the chaos!
She's a sour-candy enthusiast. She's shit at decorating. It's unlikely that she'll remember her appointments, but she makes up for it by writing urban fantasy books full of romance, feel-good friendships, and probably a lot of absurd humor that will most likely make you laugh.
Come for the spice. Stay for the chaos!
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Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews
August 27, 2022
*DigTheDialogue:
One example: “Listen, you seem like the type of guy who says that to every woman who hasn’t faked an orgasm while you jackhammer around like a drunk bull expecting a prize."
Honestly, I needed a sassy, sexy, smart story. Gray and her archangel professor/employer are a total kick! It reminds me of Isa Medina, Kate Karius Quinn, or even Katy MacAlistair. It is the art of the tease.
The Plot:
"Gray Wilder, Finder of Things and Shameless Walking Plug for My Best Friend’s Cafe" is actually a hybrid angel/demon living under the radar finding things for people..like turtles. Seriously? Oh, yes. Her successes lead to a job opportunity as lead investigator at the angel university to catch a serial killer. She shouldn't take the job. Her bestie recommends she not take the job because she would be killed if anyone discovered her. It's as if she had declared herself lesbian and the penalty was death by lynching. Eww.
Of course she takes the job. In her words: "We all deserved the basic human right to safety." Plus, it comes with a hot angel cohort as a perk. She is asocial and he is touchy-feelie and too unpredictable in his social interactions. What a pair they make! I absolutely love him and the way he keeps people on edge.
Tracking down a campus killer involves torture and gore. If you have a queasy stomach, you might need to skip a chapter. Tracking a killer when there is an undeclared cold war between angels and demons? Even harder.
The world-building:
While this reads mostly as a paranormal play on the real world, there is an Underground marketplace with all the races: fae, mages, angels, demons. It travels on its own artificial intelligence and reminds me of Pippa Da Costa’s unfinished last series with an intelligent train station. My favorite scene!
The minor characters I loved:
Ember, the angry and abused fae freshman
Azra, the overly protective sister
Razai, the crazy archangel (okay, not a minor character at all!)
• Mystery romantic fantasy or Mystery paranormal romance
• A.I. Underground marketplace (i.e. goblin market)
• Heat levels: scorching 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️
• Smexy and sassy
• M/F
• Single POV
One example: “Listen, you seem like the type of guy who says that to every woman who hasn’t faked an orgasm while you jackhammer around like a drunk bull expecting a prize."
Honestly, I needed a sassy, sexy, smart story. Gray and her archangel professor/employer are a total kick! It reminds me of Isa Medina, Kate Karius Quinn, or even Katy MacAlistair. It is the art of the tease.
The Plot:
"Gray Wilder, Finder of Things and Shameless Walking Plug for My Best Friend’s Cafe" is actually a hybrid angel/demon living under the radar finding things for people..like turtles. Seriously? Oh, yes. Her successes lead to a job opportunity as lead investigator at the angel university to catch a serial killer. She shouldn't take the job. Her bestie recommends she not take the job because she would be killed if anyone discovered her. It's as if she had declared herself lesbian and the penalty was death by lynching. Eww.
Of course she takes the job. In her words: "We all deserved the basic human right to safety." Plus, it comes with a hot angel cohort as a perk. She is asocial and he is touchy-feelie and too unpredictable in his social interactions. What a pair they make! I absolutely love him and the way he keeps people on edge.
Tracking down a campus killer involves torture and gore. If you have a queasy stomach, you might need to skip a chapter. Tracking a killer when there is an undeclared cold war between angels and demons? Even harder.
The world-building:
While this reads mostly as a paranormal play on the real world, there is an Underground marketplace with all the races: fae, mages, angels, demons. It travels on its own artificial intelligence and reminds me of Pippa Da Costa’s unfinished last series with an intelligent train station. My favorite scene!
The minor characters I loved:
Ember, the angry and abused fae freshman
Azra, the overly protective sister
Razai, the crazy archangel (okay, not a minor character at all!)
• Mystery romantic fantasy or Mystery paranormal romance
• A.I. Underground marketplace (i.e. goblin market)
• Heat levels: scorching 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️
• Smexy and sassy
• M/F
• Single POV
October 15, 2022
I was quite enjoying this book until the twist at the end, then it went in a dramatically different direction to what I expected or wanted. 3 stars for now, pending judgement on the sequel.
Read
October 10, 2022DNF @30%
The grammar was absolutely horrific! The narrator was constantly dropping the F bomb and the plot was ridiculous. Walk on by
The grammar was absolutely horrific! The narrator was constantly dropping the F bomb and the plot was ridiculous. Walk on by
January 2, 2023
Why do we leave scathing reviews? In the hope that other writers read some of the reviews and they notice a trend of what we as readers like and don't like.
Like the fact that we want mature characters in adult themed books. A 23-year old acting more childish than the 18-year old students around her? Not acceptable.
The female lead was kind with a pet in Chapter 1 and showed compassion towards a crying little boy. But a few chapters later couldn't care much about the students. The grieving father irritated her! She had to pretend showing compassion with his tears, while in Chapter 1 she said "tears always gets to her". Uh, yes, we see so?! It was such a far cry from what the person in Chapter 1 seemed to be.
And it just escalated from bad to worse from there on. She had zero finesse, major anger issues, no compassion, no understanding, a huge chip on her shoulder and the inability to try and understand people or the world around her. And not because she wanted to, but failed, she didn't even try. She never worked on maturing, growing or learning from others. She used and abused them as she pleases, as did the male lead. She was short and awful towards the woman she apparently loved most in the world. Never really caring what she thinks or feels. Even shouting at her in the end, quieting her. Regularly ignoring her.
She had one person that was extremely friendly and nice to her in the office, and first opportunity she gets, she abused that trust, misused her talents on her, and then worried the person will "find out". So she KNOWS what she did was wrong, but she just cared about being found out. How awful. No misgivings. No second guessing. No guilt or remorse. No understanding or placing herself in the other person's shoes.
Even my 10-year old daughter knows finding out isn't what makes one a bad person, but whether you have the capability of recognising the wrong you've done to another human being, feeling remorse, and never repeating that behavior. The female lead thought of herself better than everyone else at campus, but she had no moral compass herself, no good judgement, no compassion or kindness or wish to do good whereever she goes.
If this wasn't bad enough, the male lead was even worse. He was a professor, but behaved like a 16-year old boy. His jokes wasn't funny, he prescribed to her, even when she can or cannot sleep, acted like a psychopath at times and treated his supposed "friends" like trash under his feet.
Then he made sick sexual innuendo's with an 18-year old female student that was new and scared, and the 2 lead characters laughed hysterically about it. They watched live porn, of 2 students no less, and felt no remorse, guilt or shame, but was turned on! The male lead, their PROFESSOR, even discussed what the male student should've done to the female student!!!
I felt sick reading this.
And started to skip major parts of most chapters from here on, and later even whole chapters. I'm glad, as when I read the end, I realised it truly didn't end any better. Building a relationship on so much lies and deceit and wickedness will NOT end well. There was no trust left, no compassion, no unselfish behavior putting the object of your affection first, no tenderness. Just lies, mocking, hating and vileness between all the characters. But most especially between the two leads.
I will not continue the series or read any other books of this author.
Like the fact that we want mature characters in adult themed books. A 23-year old acting more childish than the 18-year old students around her? Not acceptable.
The female lead was kind with a pet in Chapter 1 and showed compassion towards a crying little boy. But a few chapters later couldn't care much about the students. The grieving father irritated her! She had to pretend showing compassion with his tears, while in Chapter 1 she said "tears always gets to her". Uh, yes, we see so?! It was such a far cry from what the person in Chapter 1 seemed to be.
And it just escalated from bad to worse from there on. She had zero finesse, major anger issues, no compassion, no understanding, a huge chip on her shoulder and the inability to try and understand people or the world around her. And not because she wanted to, but failed, she didn't even try. She never worked on maturing, growing or learning from others. She used and abused them as she pleases, as did the male lead. She was short and awful towards the woman she apparently loved most in the world. Never really caring what she thinks or feels. Even shouting at her in the end, quieting her. Regularly ignoring her.
She had one person that was extremely friendly and nice to her in the office, and first opportunity she gets, she abused that trust, misused her talents on her, and then worried the person will "find out". So she KNOWS what she did was wrong, but she just cared about being found out. How awful. No misgivings. No second guessing. No guilt or remorse. No understanding or placing herself in the other person's shoes.
Even my 10-year old daughter knows finding out isn't what makes one a bad person, but whether you have the capability of recognising the wrong you've done to another human being, feeling remorse, and never repeating that behavior. The female lead thought of herself better than everyone else at campus, but she had no moral compass herself, no good judgement, no compassion or kindness or wish to do good whereever she goes.
If this wasn't bad enough, the male lead was even worse. He was a professor, but behaved like a 16-year old boy. His jokes wasn't funny, he prescribed to her, even when she can or cannot sleep, acted like a psychopath at times and treated his supposed "friends" like trash under his feet.
Then he made sick sexual innuendo's with an 18-year old female student that was new and scared, and the 2 lead characters laughed hysterically about it. They watched live porn, of 2 students no less, and felt no remorse, guilt or shame, but was turned on! The male lead, their PROFESSOR, even discussed what the male student should've done to the female student!!!
I felt sick reading this.
And started to skip major parts of most chapters from here on, and later even whole chapters. I'm glad, as when I read the end, I realised it truly didn't end any better. Building a relationship on so much lies and deceit and wickedness will NOT end well. There was no trust left, no compassion, no unselfish behavior putting the object of your affection first, no tenderness. Just lies, mocking, hating and vileness between all the characters. But most especially between the two leads.
I will not continue the series or read any other books of this author.
July 10, 2023
Started good but became bad after the first half of this book unfortunately..
August 28, 2022
Excellent writing, fascinating world building, engrossing story arc and absolutely wonderful characters. Complex and quirky. Who could ask for anything more ?!?
December 31, 2022
Rating: 4.5 out of 5.
October 31, 2022
Secret/hidden identity & murder mysteries are two types of novels that I’m always on the hunt for and this book definitely hit the spot.
The world building and magic systems were easy to understand which I always love in book 1 of a series. It got straight into the plot and didn’t drag at any point. The pacing was good, the plot and twists were intriguing and kept me interested the entire time.
I loved the FMC. Gray was snarky and witty and never afraid to stand up for people despite her need to stay under the radar. Her desire to help people and take risks despite what that could mean for herself was a character trait that I loved in her.
“You simultaneously desire the mundane and crave the unknown.”
Razai did confuse me a little. I will admit, I do prefer a broody, asshole MC to one who’s friendlier from the get-go so I wasn’t drawn to him straight away. As the story progressed I did find myself liking him more. The easy banter between him and Gray was so good, I laughed out loud a few times and with the revelations at the end of the book, I imagine I’ll like him even more in book 2.
This was a very strong start to the series and I’ll definitely be picking up book 2 when it’s out.
4⭐️
The world building and magic systems were easy to understand which I always love in book 1 of a series. It got straight into the plot and didn’t drag at any point. The pacing was good, the plot and twists were intriguing and kept me interested the entire time.
I loved the FMC. Gray was snarky and witty and never afraid to stand up for people despite her need to stay under the radar. Her desire to help people and take risks despite what that could mean for herself was a character trait that I loved in her.
“You simultaneously desire the mundane and crave the unknown.”
Razai did confuse me a little. I will admit, I do prefer a broody, asshole MC to one who’s friendlier from the get-go so I wasn’t drawn to him straight away. As the story progressed I did find myself liking him more. The easy banter between him and Gray was so good, I laughed out loud a few times and with the revelations at the end of the book, I imagine I’ll like him even more in book 2.
This was a very strong start to the series and I’ll definitely be picking up book 2 when it’s out.
4⭐️
November 30, 2022
ok
When I first started reading this book, I wasn’t sure if I was going to like it or not, I did think it was kind of boring to a certain point. I thought gray had a very interesting job where she was also trying to hide her magic. Gray knew that she was being stocked but she could never find out who her stocker was as she was out on her odd jobs. Razai was supposed to be an angel that higher gray to do with. Apparently, none of the other investigators could do, and find out who the killers were on the universities campus. He was such a dork throughout this whole book and then of course the way that Gray reacted to was ridiculous. She reacted to him like a lovestruck teenager, and then he ended up betraying her. It was difficult to decide whether these two actually liked each other or we’re just messing around with each other. I’m not sure if I’m going to read the next book in a series yet or not.
When I first started reading this book, I wasn’t sure if I was going to like it or not, I did think it was kind of boring to a certain point. I thought gray had a very interesting job where she was also trying to hide her magic. Gray knew that she was being stocked but she could never find out who her stocker was as she was out on her odd jobs. Razai was supposed to be an angel that higher gray to do with. Apparently, none of the other investigators could do, and find out who the killers were on the universities campus. He was such a dork throughout this whole book and then of course the way that Gray reacted to was ridiculous. She reacted to him like a lovestruck teenager, and then he ended up betraying her. It was difficult to decide whether these two actually liked each other or we’re just messing around with each other. I’m not sure if I’m going to read the next book in a series yet or not.
January 19, 2023
This was an interesting and fast read. The story moves along fast and it may not be for everyone. I did have some minor issues but it wasn't enough for me to DNF. I would have preferred a bit more maturity from the FMC but I also understand where she was coming from.
This is a mystery based story, as in some events have led the MC and FMC to interact and resolve. You'll have to read the book to find out. However, I had guessed the one of the character's twist but not what led to it. So, I was still intrigued in a way to keep on going. There is a cliffhanger BUT it is not the mother of cliffhanger. So rest assured...it is tolerable, lol.
Overall: 3.5/5
Characters: 3.5/5
Spark | Attraction: 4/5
Romance: Not much...
Pace: 5/5
Banter: 4/5
World building: 2.5/5
Mystery: 3/5
Cliffhanger: 3/5
I will probably read the book 2 of the series.
This is a mystery based story, as in some events have led the MC and FMC to interact and resolve. You'll have to read the book to find out. However, I had guessed the one of the character's twist but not what led to it. So, I was still intrigued in a way to keep on going. There is a cliffhanger BUT it is not the mother of cliffhanger. So rest assured...it is tolerable, lol.
Overall: 3.5/5
Characters: 3.5/5
Spark | Attraction: 4/5
Romance: Not much...
Pace: 5/5
Banter: 4/5
World building: 2.5/5
Mystery: 3/5
Cliffhanger: 3/5
I will probably read the book 2 of the series.
September 21, 2023
I personally enjoyed this book due to the mystery, world building, ML, and banter between him and the MC. The ML is basically Satoru Gojo in different colors (physically, as in he has green instead of blue eyes). He’s a chaotic neutral who is not so secretly overpowered. However, my main complaint is the MC. I get her cutesy bitchiness towards her adoptive sister and her stalker, but then she is randomly a bitch to some of the attack victims? What? And it’s not just a general low level of sass, it’s a solid constant base level of 100. To literally everyone. Why? You just met some of these people for crying out loud. No one just walks up to a stranger and tells them to go fuck themselves multiple times before asking for help. Gave off too stupid to live vibes. I hope she matures a bit by the next book otherwise I wouldn’t be surprised if someone kills her for being so damn annoying.
October 12, 2022
5 Stars for Crown of Lies: The Demon Detective
This is a great story with engaging characters. Set in a unique world the story wasn't predictable and the pacing was good. Told from the MC's perspective there were moments that had me laughing out loud. (I'm still chuckling over the scene with the potato chips.) The investigation and the relationships between the characters kept me reading well past when I should have put my Kindle down.
Overall, I absolutely loved Crown of Lies by Annika West. My only frustration is that I have to wait until January of 2023 for Threads of Fury, the next book in the series!
This is a great story with engaging characters. Set in a unique world the story wasn't predictable and the pacing was good. Told from the MC's perspective there were moments that had me laughing out loud. (I'm still chuckling over the scene with the potato chips.) The investigation and the relationships between the characters kept me reading well past when I should have put my Kindle down.
Overall, I absolutely loved Crown of Lies by Annika West. My only frustration is that I have to wait until January of 2023 for Threads of Fury, the next book in the series!
October 14, 2022
I can't lie...once a saw The Demon Detective, I was pretty much all in. A half demon/half angel private detective who has to hide half of what they are because it's considered an abomination? Yes I'm definitely all in.
Gray was fine living her life under the radar, not that she had much choice in the matter. Then in comes an archangel to hire her for a job she doesn't want and never takes. She finds things. Not people and certainly not a serial killer. She shouldn't take the job. It would be the opposite of under the radar. She should not. The archangel is annoying anyways. Hot...but annoying. You're allowed one educated guess as to whether she took the job or not LOL.
Gray was fine living her life under the radar, not that she had much choice in the matter. Then in comes an archangel to hire her for a job she doesn't want and never takes. She finds things. Not people and certainly not a serial killer. She shouldn't take the job. It would be the opposite of under the radar. She should not. The archangel is annoying anyways. Hot...but annoying. You're allowed one educated guess as to whether she took the job or not LOL.
November 30, 2022
Crown of Lies, the first book of the Demon Detective series, is an ebook I borrowed through Kindle Unlimited (KU). Talk about a plot with twists and turns! This is a read that will keep the reader on their toes. Gray is a really interesting, snarkastic, fun fmc, but I never really liked the male protagonist, Razel. Parts of the story seemed forced to fit the author's objective so not everything flowed smoothly (or believably), but I'm curious enough to read the next book in the series.
October 31, 2024
This book is definitely fun. Though the plot is predictable, I enjoy the main character not being completely OP and actually developing their abilities over the course of the story. The MMC is witty and the two don't have immediate chemistry which is a nice difference to many books of this genre.
Would recommend for a quick read, though this is only book one, you could definitely read as a standalone.
Would recommend for a quick read, though this is only book one, you could definitely read as a standalone.
March 21, 2023
Demons and Angels collide
Wow - great book! There are so many twists and turns in this book it will leave your head spinning. The snark and the tension just continued to build right to the end. Grey and Razai are well matched and both play a dangerous game. Only pick up this book if you have time - you won't put it down.
Wow - great book! There are so many twists and turns in this book it will leave your head spinning. The snark and the tension just continued to build right to the end. Grey and Razai are well matched and both play a dangerous game. Only pick up this book if you have time - you won't put it down.
Read
November 1, 2022i was like finally THE dude isnt all that doom and gloom, and then BAM! shouldve figured.
loved it tho. tho i expect he will spend some time groveling before she forgives him, bc...she must! i wont survive otherwise.
loved it tho. tho i expect he will spend some time groveling before she forgives him, bc...she must! i wont survive otherwise.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 28, 2022
whew the twists and turns
Usually these paranormal mysteries have solutions that are pretty obvious, but wowza did this one throw me for a loop. Also the steam between the two main characters was on fire
Usually these paranormal mysteries have solutions that are pretty obvious, but wowza did this one throw me for a loop. Also the steam between the two main characters was on fire
January 31, 2023
Excellent book! Has lots of twists and turns. Just saying I know who the criminal was and I was not surprised. However, I am questioning my morals. This book has you realizing not everything is black and white.
December 27, 2023
I liked this book a lot, I couldn’t put it down! Very spunky and feisty Female lead, lots of growing chemistry with the male MC. The world is interesting, I’m not sure I got a lot of building for it, but I didn’t mind.
March 3, 2024
I thought it was really good, it was exciting and funny, it immediately makes you curious!
What is the backstory of the characters, who can you trust and omg the ending! I'm so angry and at the same time excited to see what happens next
What is the backstory of the characters, who can you trust and omg the ending! I'm so angry and at the same time excited to see what happens next
March 24, 2024
Wow! Just Wow! Talk about getting me out of a reading slump! I can’t wait for the next installment and thank you for the amazing plot twist and not ending with a dreaded cliffhanger. The dialogue, humor, complexity of the characters…chef’s kiss!
October 9, 2022
4
love the betrayal and it was overall a good book the one thing that annoyed me was the excessive use of exclamation points
love the betrayal and it was overall a good book the one thing that annoyed me was the excessive use of exclamation points
did-not-finish
October 12, 2022DNF 17% could try again later
November 10, 2022
4.5 stars.
A great first book in a series that just feels a little unique. A mixture of dark and cute with fabulous world building and gothic undertones.
A great first book in a series that just feels a little unique. A mixture of dark and cute with fabulous world building and gothic undertones.
November 20, 2022
Loved the first chapter, hated the rest. Just go watch Lucifer on Netflix - same characters and childish behaviour.
February 11, 2023
If you like crescent city you’ll like this. She’s grumpy and he’s sunshine and there’s a plot twist I wasn’t expecting in the last 20% I’ll be interested to see where this goes.
Want to read
July 6, 2023🎁 FREE on Amazon today (7/6/2023)! 🎁
July 10, 2024
UGGGGH so good. I cant wait for the next one. I want a million more urban fantasy books written exactly like this one please.
Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews