Books › Bloodhound (Beka Cooper #2)
Bloodhound (Beka Cooper #2)
First published 2008 · 240 pages
A grounded, gritty fantasy procedural that explores the heavy cost of wearing a badge in a world of shadows and counterfeit smiles.
What it feels like
Reading this book feels like walking the cobblestone streets of a bustling, shadowy port city alongside a fiercely dedicated beat cop. The narrative unfolds at a steady, deliberate pace, anchored by the intimate, observant format of a personal journal. It trades sweeping magical battles for the gritty, day-to-day reality of a fantasy police procedural, immersing you in a world of counterfeiters, gambling dens, and underworld informants. The mood is grounded and suspenseful, colored by the protagonist's pragmatic voice and her struggle to balance the rigid demands of duty with the messy complications of first love and betrayal. It is a deeply satisfying read for those who prefer their fantasy heroines introverted, hardworking, and armed with a sharp eye for justice.
- Mood
- bustling
- suspenseful
- grounded
- shadowy
- Tone
- earnest
- pragmatic
- observant
- gritty
- Pace
- steady
- Themes
- duty versus desire · navigating corruption · coming of age · trusting one's instincts · the weight of the badge
- The writing
- Presented as first-person journal entries, the writing is straightforward, highly observant, and flavored with the distinct, pragmatic slang of the city's working class.
- The arc
- The protagonist moves from eager, rule-abiding determination to a more complex, hard-won maturity as she navigates betrayal and the gray areas of justice.
- Who it's for
- Readers who love detailed fantasy world-building grounded in the gritty, day-to-day reality of a police procedural with a fiercely dedicated, introverted heroine.
Content notes
- fantasy violence
- murder
- betrayal
- gambling
About the book
Beka Cooper is finally a Dog--a full-fledged member of the Provost's Guard, dedicated to keeping peace in Corus's streets. But there's unrest in Tortall's capital. Counterfeit coins are turning up in shops all over the city, and merchants are raising prices to cover their losses. The Dogs discover that gamblers are bringing the counterfeit money from Port Caynn. In Port Caynn, Beka delves deep into the gambling world, where she meets a charming banking clerk named Dale Rowan. Beka thinks she may be falling for Rowan, but she won't let anything--or anyone--jeopardize her mission. As she heads north to an abandoned silver mine, it won't be enough for Beka be her usual "terrier" self. She'll have to learn from Achoo to sniff out the criminals--to be a Bloodhound....From the Hardcover edition.
Description from Open Library.
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