Ever since Laurell K Hamilton started writing her books more & more as erotica rather than a supernatural thriller, I've been jonesing for writers who have strong female leads and aren't afraid to use them. I picked up this series on the recommendation of a friend and I've been entranced ever since. The character of Mercy is an interesting anomaly in the world of supernatural fiction. She's just as strong, willful, and supernatural as the rest of them, but unlike her counterparts, Mercy is for the most part unaware of what she can do & has a job that doesn't rely on her Walker skills. 
 In this particular entry, Mercy's good friend & fellow mechanic Zee has been accused of the gruesome murder of a human. While this is already a very bad thing, it comes in the midst of strong anti-magical being legislature and it looks very bad for Zee. Mercy of course decides that she isn't going to allow Zee to be railroaded into paying for a crime he didn't commit and investigates, unaware of the true danger that she'll be putting herself into. Also in this novel Mercy finally makes the decision that everyone has been waiting for: Adam or Samuel? 
 I really enjoyed this book. I had to pace myself so I wouldn't devour it all at once (I wanted to savor it). I am honestly surprised at several of the things that happen in this book, the least of which involves what Mercy suffers at the hands of the villain of the book. Briggs really took the uncommon road in this novel as she allows her main character to suffer harms that usually do not befall the main heroine (only her friends or others), which gives us a truly new look and respect for both author & her creations. More often than not most authors make their characters all powerful and above most harm, choosing to rather have their heroines suffer hurts that can be easily wiped away by the next volume. 
 Would I recommend this to a friend? Sure! While it may be a little difficult for them to jump in on the 3rd book, the main story can stand by itself easily.