3.5 stars

When I read the first in this series, I predicted it would get better as it went along. This is only the second book, but so far my prediction is coming true. I liked this one more, and I continue to love Bones. Cat can still be annoying, but nothing close to how she was in the first book, and it was refreshing to see her following her heart and mostly being reasonable about Bones instead of being a big martyr. I was worried there might be a lot of angsty relationship dithering when they were together again, but I was pleasantly surprised at how that played out. I didn’t want it to be dragged out, and it wasn’t.
I’m up for another for sure. The author is full of surprises, and I liked getting a little more characterization of the supporting characters. I could do without so much female rivalry and so many characters lusting after Cat, but with how it ended, I’m hoping that will be behind us in the coming books.
I’m trying to think of what series it’s most similar to. Maybe more Sookie Stackhouse than Mercy Thompson, given the number of sex scenes and their explicit descriptions. I think It would be a good match for the Sookie fans, and anyone looking for action-packed paranormal romance.
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I love this series. Cat and Bones are so good together. ( )

Wow, this had so much plotting and character development. Half-Vampire Cat is now working for the government, and hasn't been able to get over her feelings for her ex, Bones. Now Cat is being targeted for assassination and she may need Bones's help once again. We meet new characters in this one and I loved how the relationships developed and also how the world-building was fleshed out. Loved all the action for Cat's character and how she became such a kick-butt fighter! And the Cat/Bones was divine! ( )

Trigger warnings: sexual harassment, transphobia, bad writing
It’s been nearly five years since the events in Halfway to the Grave. Catherine “Cat” Crawfield has settled into her new life as Special Agent Catrina Arthur or maybe it’s Cristine Russell or Red Reaper or Brunette Reaper or somehow still Cat despite staging her death under that name. Not even a quarter of the way into the book, everyone gives up on any of the new names and all the characters call her Cat. The reason she needed a new name in the first place is because she killed the governor of Ohio at the end of the previous book, and a prerequisite to working for the secret government agency was to fake her death. Her mother, teammates, and even a new friend, Denise, call her by her old name except when they’re in public, but they don’t even seem to remember to do that all the time. Because of her noncommittal to her new identity, it wouldn’t be difficult for bad guys to track her down (spoiler alert: that’s what happens).

Read more at https://theparanormalreview.blogspot.com/2021/08/one-foot-in-grave-by-jeaniene-f.... ( )

I love the cast of characters assembled in this book. Bones and cat both have so much going on, but they still laugh and jump in head first at times with clever sarcasm and witty banter. There's a great balance of content with action, drama, and romance. There a few tiny continuity issues with details set up early on, or even from the first book, mostly insignificant to me; so four ~ four and a half stars.

Very worth while reading, as long as you love paranormal/action/romance/drama, all served up with a copious doses of sarcasm and wit.

The only truly frustrating aspect is her familial relationships with her mom and uncle, I'd like to see growth there. Either finally push for a real relationship built on love and honesty or break the cycle of emotional abuse and manipulation. Sadly, her uncle is well ahead of her mother in both areas.

Also, I've got to say from the very first conversation between the mother and daughter I knew her story of cat's origin was at least partially false if not entirely fabricated. That woman is caring a tremendous amount of shame, and subsequently shaming her daughter for existing. However, the tone of her shame, derision, and bitterness didn't feel like it matched the trauma she claimed to have suffered. I felt the hostility of her character read more like a person who'd been duped, scammed in a way that shattered her trust and her self image. So she punishes herself and her daughter for the shame and stupidity she feels for allowing herself to be in that situation. The toxic cycle has festered and grown and is choking the life out of her. I'm not saying she wasn't violated, but it was her trust and her perception of the world that actually was violated, and she's never allowed herself to heal because she's too ashamed to even admit that at first she was a willing participant in cat's creation, carrying that burden silently means she can't face it and she can't be helped. I'm hoping as I read book three that the real story will be revealed. ( )