WINTER SWANS describes shapechangers who interestingly turn to swans; their true form is the nymph, a lovely, alluring woman. Harper Cygnini has lost her sister Jenna and although the criminal was caught, that won't change anything. A lady at the funeral says that Jenna was her landlady and asks Harper to look for a man named Chance Landon, her ex-husband. Harper, who has come from Seattle for the occasion, sees no reason why she should help this stranger but Chance comes into her life anyway. When they meet, he's a professional poker player hoping to win lots of money to help a friend pay off a debt. This seems like reckless behaviour, but Harper finds him attractive. When Chance's ex-wife is found dead, Harper is his unwilling alibi.

A stash of drugs, a hitherto unknown teenaged daughter, a snow-capped mountain setting in Idaho and a final gift of books combine to keep our interest and send our suspicions racing in several directions. Harper has to tidy and close up the home where her sister lived, and this gives her time to get to know Chance and his daughter Starling, who just might be the daughter of a nymph, unlikely though that is. Starling is reticent with these two strangers but some good care encourages her to open up, and she claims to have an unusual talent. Could this help to find a killer?

I was disappointed that we don't get to see Harper turning into a swan and taking wing. This series is less about shapechanging and more about how nymphs face the challenge of living in the modern world. Anti-psychotic drugs are mentioned, as the scene shifts to a laboratory and a Vegas poker tournament. There's strong language and allusions to hard drug use, and an adult romance. While my favourite is still the first of the series, The Nymph's Labyrinth set in Greece, all Danica Winters' fans will be eager to pick up this instalment and see where she takes her world- building next. WINTER SWANS contains some very good ideas as well as working through the earlier concepts of the nymph.

Book Summary