Carpe Demon
By Julie Kenner
Berkley books/ The Penguin Group

Kate Conner, stay at home mom, has a four year old son, a teenage daughter, a husband with political aspirations and a suburban lifestyle. She also has a hidden past. Born an orphan, Kate was trained from childhood by the Vatican to hunt and kill demons.

She’s retired now. At thirty-eight, she’s immersed in a world of potty training, carpooling and cocktail parties. Her dangerous life is well behind her. Kate’s husband, Stuart, doesn’t know about her supernatural exploits. Her two children, baby Timmy and high school freshman Allie have no idea that Mom used to kick demon butt.

Well, they may be about to find out. Kate just had a little visit. On the eve of a last minute dinner party for a few judges and lawyers, a homicidal octogenarian crashed through her bay window and wrapped his bony hands around her windpipe. She managed to kill the possessed corpse, but the brie is in the oven, she can’t find the cocktail napkins and there’s a demonic corpse cluttering up her kitchen.

Talk about your supermoms. Kate’s always been better as a Vatican hit woman than she was a suburban housewife. It’s so easy; you get a call, kill the demon and let the clean up crew dispose of the body. Next case, please.

Now, she’s on her own. The lure of demon hunting just can’t compete with playing an hour or two of Doom. Who wants to spend a lifetime training and then risk life and a really messy demise when you can zap them with a push of the button. Nintendo Rawks!

With a dearth of trained demon hunters, the Vatican just can’t spare one to send her way. It’s up to Kate to save the world.

As long as she’s not late picking the kids up for the car pool. Oh, and she has to find a babysitter. Four year olds and rabid demons don’t mix. The neighbors just wouldn’t understand.

As we follow Kate’s adventures we get a list of do’s and don’ts for basic demon hunting. We meet her mentor and find out what’s at stake. We get a feel for this town and some of its people. Mostly we bet a feel for Kate.

Her hopes, dreams, regrets and conflicts are examined. This book has a lot of personality. Kate’s trapped into playing a dual role and into hiding this. She secretly loves demon hunting, yet fears the danger it represents to her family and to her carefully built, “normal” lifestyle.

This book has a few problems. The plotting could be tighter. We’re led through a random encounter to the conclusion that this town is infested with demons, yet Kate didn’t have a clue until they attacked. The mentor knew they were infesting her home town before she did.  The main character’s family should have been more realistically portrayed. They are too out of touch with Kate’s moods, her past, and too ready to accept the most unusual of occurrences. Kate brings home an eccentric old man, introducing him as her father in law from her first marriage, yet all along she has told them that her husband was an orphan. There’s little backlash, in spite of the fact that he’s spouting demon hunting lore and discussing his adventures. No one questions his identity, or why she kept him a secret. Her daughter, who should be angry, bonds with the old man, even though he seems demented.

Kate’s husband is suspected of consorting with the demons. This part was too cliché, and the novel’s ending too predictable. The plot twists didn’t surprise me. As I read the last pages, I found myself wanting to read the sequel, yet hoping the author worked less on voice and attitude and more on basic plotting and character development.

I give this book a three, for its tongue in cheek treatment of the story, fast pacing and in your face action. It’s a good read. Give it a try. Kate’s a fun character, and keeps you on the edge of your seat.