Guest Review: Mind Over Monsters – Jennifer Harlow

Beatrice Alexander is no ordinary schoolteacher–she can move objects with her mind, an embarrassing skill she hasn’t yet mastered or embraced. After nearly killing her brother by accident, she joins the F.R.E.A.K.S. Squad, the Federal Response to Extra-Sensory and Kindred Supernaturals. This top-secret branch of the FBI combats ghosts, ghouls, and other monsters threatening humanity.
With her teammates–among them a handsome former-detective werewolf and an annoying Don Juan vampire who’s dead-set on seducing her–Beatrice investigates her first case. Disgustingly dismembered bodies have turned up, bearing bite marks of the undead. Someone–or something–is raising a horde of hideous, bloodthirsty zombies. Armed with Bette, her trusty machete, Beatrice takes on the master of the flesh-devouring corpses, who’s guarding a horrifying secret . . .
Featuring a team of monster hunters with unique paranormal abilities, the F.R.E.A.K.S. Squad Investigation series combines humor, suspense, and supernatural crime-fighting.

Series:  A.F.R.E.A.K.S.Squad Investigators #1
Release Date:  October 11, 2011
Publisher:  Midnight Ink
Source:  Provided by Author
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Reviewer’s Thoughts:

I have to admit that I may have vampire fatigue so this book was a pleasant surprise.  Main character, Bea has superpowers and as a result joins the FREAKS (Federal Response to Extra-Sensory and Kindred Supernaturals) a branch of the FBI.  And she is an awesome zombie fighting machine.  There is a murky, as yet, undeveloped love triangle between vampire Oliver a member of the FREAKS team, Bea and team leader Will, a werewolf.  I say undeveloped because Bea rejects Oliver’s advances at every turn, that’s one of the things that makes this book so fabulous. Bea does not automatically fall for the charismatic vampire instead she is immediately drawn to the werewolf.

The other reason this book is fabulous is the underlying crime procedural drama.  Bea’s first mission is in a town overtaken by zombies.  Harlow does a great job developing the team dynamic and pulling the crime together.  All while balancing the developing relationship between Will and Bea.  I loved reading this book and cannot wait to read the next one in the series.