The fourth in her Walker Papers urban fantasy series, Walking Dead offers a wonderful look into how Joanne is maturing into her shamanistic powers, though she still has doubts. I must admit, when I saw zombies, I was curious how she’d tackle one of the popular genre tropes in a way that is unique. Let’s just say that while her zombies are traditional, everything surrounding them is not, from what brings them to life to Joanne’s reaction and solution. Even if you haven’t been following the series, this one is a fun read. And when you’re done, go back and read the rest of them. ( )

Walker finds herself struggling to contain an anciant menace that can raise the dead. This book is very enjoyable. The interactions between the main characters and the central storyline is very well done. ( )

Joanne Walker, Seattle cop and shaman, has finally come to terms with her powers--just in time for an outbreak of death magic on the eve of Halloween. Now she needs to find the Black Cauldron of Celtic legend and stop a zombie outbreak, or become a sacrifice to a centuries-old obsession. ( )

Joanne Walker is back. And she's hosting a Halloween party and wearing a skimpy Xena costume. No, hell hadn't frozen over, but the party doesn't go too smoothly after a bunch of malevolent spirits arrive and try to take over a few bodies. Joanne steps in and saves the day with her shamanic powers, but things aren't all rosy yet. The next day is Halloween, after all. When a museum guard is murdered and an exhibit stolen - and exhibit featured the famed Black Caldron - Joanne investigates with her police and supernatural skills. As more of the living dead pop up around Seattle, one thing is very clear: it's going to be a very interesting Halloween.

This is the fourth book in the Walker Paper series, and brand new. I absolutely loved it. It has the frantic pace and wit of the predecessors. Actually, I'd say this one is as good as Urban Shaman, the first in the series. Joanne is just a delightful character - geeky, sarcastic, and still a bit reluctant about using her shaman powers. Her partner in the homicide division, the cross-dressing family man Billy Holliday, is tremendous fun, too. Also, I loved the use of the Black Caldron as The Prydain Chronicles are a childhood favorite of mine. This book was everything I hoped it would be. Now I just have to wait another year for the fifth book to come out. Sigh. ( )

Yet another series I CANNOT get enough of. "Walking Dead" is C.E. Murphy's latest in her 'Walker Paper' series about Joanne Walker, shamaness/auto mechanic/cop. Now if that combination doesn't make you want to read this series, I don't know what would!

It's been a chaotic year for Joanne. Her otherworld mentor, Coyote, died in the last book. But as in real life, major events presage major life changes and Joanne has finally (well, mostly) come to terms with all the weirdness that goes with being who she is. She's even spending time learning and practicing. And that's a good thing when her Halloween party is crashed by a few ghosts looking for a body. Then she and her police partner are called to investigate a robbery/murder at the local museum. You would assume the murder part would be the worst...but that would only be true if the robbery didn't involve a relic called Matholwch's Cauldron. So now Joanne has to figure out how to find and destroy a relic while dealing with: the two love interests in her life, an insurance adjustor who's being nosy about Petite, zombies in graveyards, the Wild Hunt, and a teenager who's had a sure vision of Joanne's death! What's a shamaness to do?

I enjoy this series so much. Joanne is NOT your typical heroine. She's almost six feet tall, more into muscle cars than muscle men, and is often resentful of what her birthright has given her. I guess that makes her the 'reluctant heroine' instead of the 'reluctant hero'. Yet her complaints fall just short of 'whine' territory and the combination of mystery, action, and magic is perfectly suited to my tastes.

On a more serious note, this series has much less typical 'romance' and I would rate it PG which means I don't have any problems letting my sons read it...and they love it too! Another keeper for my bulging shelves and another long wait for the next chapter in Joanne's life. ( )