In this second Nola O'Grady novel, Katharine Kerr picks up threads from her previous book (License to Ensorcell) and weaves them into another intriguing paranormal mystery. Nola is settling in to her new position as head of her branch of an agency so secret that even the CIA doesn't know of its existence. Her employees are few, but intrinsic to the success of her mission, to keep Chaos eruptions to a balanced level. Her bodyguard and lover, Ari Nathan, has his own agenda in his work ostensibly for Interpol and is slowly adapting to a world view which allows paranormal events to be part of his reality.

When a dark gray face formed from the San Francisco fog at her window (most likely an IOI, or Image Objectification of Insight) Nola O'Grady knew there was likely a chaos eruption in the offing. This was confirmed by the Rogue Waves hitting the beaches up and down the California coast, (and a bit too far inland) often taking lives with them. Further investigation hints at the involvement with a powerful being beyond the walls of this world, pulling his abilities from an alternate reality.

In WATER TO BURN Kerr shows the reader glimpses into the past of the mysterious Ari Nathan as well as revealing a painful secret from Nola's childhood. Her quirky family and their dynamics are very much in evidence (including the portal to an alternate universe in an upstairs room) and Nola's two unusual agents also serve essential roles in bringing the otherworldly criminal to justice.

Katharine Kerr has built an intriguing world with her new series. Despite all the magical mayhem the storylines are grounded firmly grounded with an engaging mystery and a hint of grit. I look forward to Nola's further adventures in Apocalypse to Go due out in February 2012.

Book Summary

Secret agent Nola O'Grady is back and ready to save San Francisco from all evildoers, alien and otherwise. With the aid of her bodyguard and lover Ari Nathan, Nola's new mission is to track down and apprehend the mysterious "Brother Belial," head of the now-dispersed Chaos cult-and a possible invader from another dimension.