Twenty-nine years ago, Sam and Dean Winchester lost their mother to a mysterious demonic supernatural force. In the years after, their father, John, taught them about the paranormal evil that lives in the dark corners and on the back roads of America... and he taught them how to kill it. When a truck full of illegal Mexican immigrants is found by the side of the road, the occupants slaughtered with violent and unnatural force, Sam and Dean are compelled to investigate. Guided by the tattooed, pistol-packing bandita on a motorcycle, Xochi Cazadora, the brothers are plunged into a terrifying world of Aztec gods and monsters. Soon their explorations lead them deep into the dark heart of Mexico City...

Coyote's Kiss is the latest book to be based on the characters from the Supernatural TV series. The events in this book take place between the season six episodes Caged Heat and Appointment in Samara. Christa Faust does an impressive job overcoming the hurdles that come as part and parcel of writing a book based on the characters and events of an ongoing TV show.

Firstly she's managed to get the feel of the Winchester brothers down to a fine art. Their speech, their reactions, everything, has you believing that these are the characters you've come to know and love.

More importantly Faust has slotted this story in between two episodes of the show without it feeling forced. The usual problems are neatly dealt with. New characters are introduced and depart by the book's end so that Faust is allowed more freedom in her writing.

What's great about this book is that it depicts a supernatural force that would never be committed to screen. The way it dispatches its victims is quite graphic, allowing horrific images to rattle around in your mind for quite some time. This also adds much to the stories jeopardy - while you know the Winchester brothers will prevail and put everything back to normal, its their search for the source of the slaughter and the execution of their plan that keeps you turning the pages.

Xochi Cazadora is an interesting character added to mix things up a bit. And, once again, Faust brings to life a character that you can believe in.

Another winner of a book in the Supernatural series.

8

Nick Smithson