MADreads

Hound on the hunt

July 7th, 2009 Jane J. - Central Library

When Tamora Pierce published a new novel set in her fantasy realm of Tortall I was thrilled.  I’ve read a couple of her other series and loved them.  Pierce specializes in strong, capable young women as protagonists.  They are realistically drawn as they struggle with their life choices and in their heroics.  Beka Cooper follows that pattern.  Though her life in Tortall takes place 200 years earlier then Pierce’s other books and Beka lives in a gritty, inner-city world, she is still a practical-minded fighter of the good fight. 

Beka was introduced in Terrier: The Legend of Beka Cooper, Book 1 where she entered the Provost Guard as a trainee (Puppy) in the city of Corus.  Known coloquially as Dogs, these local police keep the peace in uneasy times.  Beka and her fellow Dogs’ lives more closely resemble the early days of policing - bribes are the norm and a Rogue runs the criminal’s guild - and they struggle to maintain a law-abiding balance.  Having successfully completed her Puppy training, Beka returns as a full-fledged Dog in Bloodhound: The Legend of Beka Cooper, Book 2.

In Bloodhound, Beka is on the job once again.  Though she’s having a hard time finding a partner who fits, she is glad to be fully on the job and nabbing Rats at every opportunity.  When she and her mentors begin to notice a disturbing trend - counterfeit silver coins are flooding the market and driving up prices - they notify the bosses.  Since the coins seem to be originating out of Port Caynn Beka and her temporary partner, Clary Goodwin, are sent undercover to the harbor city to investigate.  Once there they find themselves caught up in an ongoing war between Pearl, the local Queen of the criminals, and the local Dogs who may or may not help Beka when the crunch comes.  

Though Pierce’s Beka books are set in a fantasy realm where magic is possible and Gods are present, these are police-procedurals more then anything else.  The ins and outs of Beka’s life on the job are centerstage, which is all to the good.  As she unravels the mystery of the false coins the pacing increases and the book ends with an action-packed chase.  I can’t wait for the final book in this trilogy.

Entry Filed under: Fantasy, Mystery