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ONCE UPON STILETTOS is a surprisingly engaging entry in that odd new genre, the supernatural mystery romance. Admittedly, the romantic elements are the most important, but there is an actual puzzle and a serviceable plot under the hearts and flowers. This is the sequel to last year's ENCHANTED, INC., which introduced Katie Chandler, whose main feature is a complete immunity to all forms of spellcasting. This makes her incredibly valuable to the magical creatures of New York City, who have handed her a plush job working as administrative assistant to Merlin -- yes, that Merlin -- whose spell-providing company is the target of hostile takeovers of the legal and the mystical kind. In ENCHANTED, INC., Katie's lack of talent was instrumental in fighting off the attacks of a copycat spell salesman. As ONCE UPON STILETTOS begins, she is asked to look into a series of break-ins into her own company. Is it an inside job or someone acting under compulsion? The straightforward mystery soon hits several snags, the main ones being Katie's twin losses of her immunity and her boyfriend. (Ironically, he wanted more magic in his life, while she would give anything to have less.) Adrift, assuming that if she confesses she will lose her new friends and her job, Katie is on her own as the mysteries around her multiply. What has happened to her? Can she reverse it, and if she can't, can she at least dampen her vulnerability to spells she never noticed before? Is she going to be able to defend her new workplace from its enemies, or are they going to use her new vulnerability against her and her friends? And how can she hide the true nature of all of this from her parents on their first visit from Texas? Many authors who choose this genre seem to think that a shallow, designer name dropping, do-nothing story is just fine as long as there's some sexual tension and some kissing. However, ONCE UPON STILETTOS is, quite literally, charming. It's a well-rounded novel that stints on nothing. The characters are amusing, but also three-dimensional; everyone from the humans to the frogs, are believable. I found myself caring for all of them. The plot isn't composed of random occurrences; while this is far from a hardboiled espionage novel, the puzzle does exist, the clues and twists are peppered liberally throughout so that people can try to solve the mystery on their own, and the events flow logically from one to another. This last includes the romances as well; the hero and heroine aren't slapped together simply because they are the protagonists; you can follow along with Katie in her romantic trials, tribulations, and triumphs. This is the perfect book for a rainy day or the end of a hard week, because it is not only a good read, it is also guaranteed to cheer you up. Swendson has the deft, light writing style that makes a book bubble with fun, although it must be admitted that this series is best read in order.
Reviewed by Linnea Dodson, June 2006
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Contact: Yvonne Klein (ymk@reviewingtheevidence.com)
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