Mark Everett Stone

I don't know how I missed writing this review?
anyway... just went and flipped back through it, and it really is as enjoyable as I remember. It's not the first book in the series, but it's the only one I've read so far. It works pretty well on its own, although I'm sure it would be a little easier to follow if I'd read the first book first.
Kal has faked his own death in order to escape his job in the BSI (Bureau of Supernatural Investigations). He really REALLY wants to kill the monster that murdered his sister. It's a fairly original story (and even the time-traveling Nazis don't seem out of place... how is that even possible?) with so much vividly described action that I kind of wish it could be turned into a movie.… (more)

I received this ebook from LibraryThing Early Reviewers. It's apparently not the first book of the series which I found a bit frustrating at times since I'm the kind of person that likes all the background on what the characters have already been through but on the positive side, I enjoyed this book enough to make me want to get the other books and read them!

I Left My Haunt in San Francisco by Mark Everett Stone is about Kal Hakela who heads a team of specialists that work for a secret government agency known as BSI or the Bureau of Supernatural Investigation. Their job is to protect the population from supernatural threats from the World Under. In this story the BSI is called in to investigate one of its own, a former member and friend, who committed suicide but left a clue in blood on his body that lets Kal know that some supernatural nasties were involved and that it's a job for BSI rather than the regular police.

The dialogue is witty, sharp and intelligent. Kal is tough, but likeable and his team is full of interesting characters with unique abilities. I found it especially interesting in how the author incorporated the real life historical figure Joshua Abraham Norton, who in 1859 proclaimed himself "Emperor of these United States" and subsequently "Protector of Mexico", a man who was loved and celebrated by the people of San Francisco. I love that Kal goes to his grave to request help, burning some of Norton's currency to "call" him and risking the ghost's wrath and sorrow while playing on his devotion to his city in the face of threat to try to gather information on the case. Very creative!

It's a good urban fantasy, a little bit gritty (which I tend to like) and fast-paced and exciting. The fight with the huge wasp on the rooftop near the start took by breath away. I also like that in addition to all the action, the author gives Kal some moments of introspection, especially now as he has clearly accomplished the quest he undertook to avenge his murdered sister. It gives him some depth, as does the fact that he's getting older and a bit slower and creakier than he once was. Made him feel very real.

I look forward to reading more about Kal and the BSI as well as picking up the first few books to catch up on what's already happened to them.… (more)