Review: Possession by Kat Richardson

Possession
Author: Kat Richardson
Reviewers: Gikany and Una
Rating: A-, 4 Stars

---

What We’re Talking About:

---

Gikany and Una found this series not too long ago.  Sadly, we started it with the sixth book, Downpour.  Despite this, we immediately enjoyed the Greywalker series.  Although Gikany has been able to go back and start reading the previous books (starting with the first novel, Greywalker) Una has not been able to.  Therefore for this review, there are a few distinctions in it, but overall we thoroughly enjoyed it!

Possession picks up a few months after Seawitch ended.  Harper is spending some free time in a bookshop when a very desperate woman approaches her looking for Harper to help her sister.  It seems that her sister is suffering from PVS: Persistent Vegetative State… think of it as a prolonged deep coma.  There may be occasional twitches, but nothing that is cognizant. However, a strange phenomenon has taken hold of her sister; at random times her arm will begin to move.  She has started painting pictures…most of which are of the same subject over and over again.  It is as if someone (or something) is uses her as one would dance a marionette.  As Harper delves into the mystery, she discovers that these strange possession-like symptoms are occurring in two other PVS patients.  Considering the rarity of this condition, something nefarious must be afoot.

Gikany and Una really enjoy the Greywalker series.  This paranormal private eye series is well written and the world is truly fascinating.  Since Gikany has read the previous novels, there are some references to world building that a faithful reader of the series would recognize and understand.  Being that Una is not familiar with the beginning of the series, these references to its mythology were lost on her (however they make her eager to catch up).  These lost references include some of the nuances between Harper and her lover, Quinton, and the connection between Quinton’s father and his mission to find, capture and use for his nefarious schemes any paranormal being he can get his hands on.

As the story progresses, the plot thickens incredibly.  The ghosts of Seattle, the plight of the PVS victims, the schemes of Quinton’s father, and Harper struggling to make it all right and save everyone she can without it causing her permanent death make Possession a roller coaster of a nail-biting ride.  It was nearly impossible to put it down (sleep is really overrated).  As the novel came to a close, we eagerly anticipate what will transpire next for Harper and Quinton, especially with his father still running around.

If you haven’t tried the Greywalker series, we recommend it to any fan of detective novels or ghost story fans.  Think of Sherlock Holmes (okay a young Miss Marple), add in an eerie paranormal world, and there you have it.  You can jump in at Downpour as we did, but to truly enjoy and experience the series, please start from the beginning, Greywalker.  This is truly a great series.

4 stars: Enjoyed – strongly recommend (A-)

---

About the Book:

---

When a comatose woman suddenly wakes up and starts painting scenes she’s never witnessed, with a skill she’s never had, medical science has no explanation. As more bizarre phenomena manifest, even her doctors start to wonder if the woman may be possessed. Frustrated and frightened, the patient’s sister reluctantly turns to Greywalker Harper Blaine to discover who—or what—is occupying her sister’s body.

As Harper digs into the case of apparent possession, she discovers other patients struck with the same mystifying afflictions and a disturbing connection to one of the most gruesome stories in Washington’s history…

Release Date: August 6, 2013
Publisher: Roc
Series: Greywalker #8
ISBN: #978-0451465122
Genre: Urban Fantasy
Format(s): Hardcover (368 pgs), e-book
Book Source: Publisher

Purchase Info:
Possession (Book 8)

Reviews in the Series:
Downpour (Book 6)
Seawitch (Book 7)