4.5/5 stars 
 What can I say I thoroughly enjoyed this book and was surprised at how much I did because I had no clue what this book was about. 
 There were so many things that I absolutely loved about this book. I do not have one bad thing to say about it at all. Alexia Tarabotti is a soulless spinster who is very smart because she reads lots of books and has a very smart mouth (which I love in all female characters), and she is tough. This made her interesting and a delightful character to read about because she had sense and was smart and tactful. I also love the banter between her and Lord Maccon the Alpha werewolf who is the Earl and head of BUR a supernatural police agency so to speak. I have to say I loved every scene they were in together. Quite juicy and fun-filled. 
 The story was pretty good. I liked the mystery that Alexia was trying to solve. I also really liked the way Gail created this European society of humans intermingling with vampires, werewolves, and ghosts. Although not so much of ghosts goin on in this book. I personally loved Professor Lyall, Lord Maccon's Beta and Lord Akeldama, a very old and flamboyant vampire and dear friend to Alexia. Add a nice dose of romance and tension to the mix and this made for a great story. I was a bit more on the romantic side because I just loved it so much. Gail wrote the romance perfectly. 
 Again I was so pleased with this book and cannot wait to read the rest of the series. I am also officially in love with Lord Maccon.