Hell Cop is an anthology of three novellas set in Parmas City, in a world where magic and demons and travel between realms are everyday events. Each story features a different Hell Cop – a powerful military-trained sorcerer working for the police force whose purpose is to keep malevolent demons and sorcerers within the limits of the law.

Next of Kin by Astrid Amara features Detective Jay Yervant. Considered by many a genetic throwback, Jay’s body burns with a flame that injures those he touches skin to skin, and this has condemned him to a lonely and frustrated existence. Jay meets Brian Day during an investigation and finds that his fire does not harm Brian. Jay seems to have found someone special he can spend his life with, but there is an issue: someone is sending demons to kill Brian. Jay must pull out all the stops to keep Brian safe and ensure their future together.

Red Sands by Nicole Kimberling brings us Detective Dion Marius Argent and Michael Gold. Michael is just a professor at Parmas City University, so why is someone trying to frame him for the murder of his cousin? Granted he is half demon, but that is not something that he advertises, and he has never had trouble with the law before. As Detective Argent investigates Michael’s case, the two rekindle a past association. The evidence points towards Michael’s father as the killer, however, and this may put a serious crimp in their relationship.

Touching Sparks by Ginn Hale is the story of Detective Ben Moran. Detective Moran is working with photographer James Sparks to gather evidence on an illegal drug and demon-baiting ring. Moran has known James since James was a teenager, and while he doesn’t like putting his younger friend in danger, this is the only way to stop the drug trafficking. Inside involvement from the police department leads to both Moran and James facing death and it will take all of their talents to just keep each other alive.

Each of the stories in Hell Cop can be read as a stand-alone; however, all three work together to paint a vivid picture of the world of Parmas City. Jay and Argent and Moran exist in all three of the stories, which ties the anthology together nicely. Brian Day makes an appearance in Red Sands but it is more of a cameo role than a main player. His appearance basically serves to reassure that he and Jay are alive and well and are continuing with their lives, and this reader thought that was a nice touch.

Each of the three stories features a whodunit, which will appeal to lovers of action and suspense. They are all well-written and entertaining, but if this reader had to pick out one of the stories to be the star, it would be Touching Sparks. Ben Moran and James Sparks are a little more well-developed than the characters of the other two stories, and the conflict in the story was the most captivating of the three, containing edge-of-your seat suspense that made it very difficult for this reader to put this story down. Overall, the stories of Hell Cop are entertaining and are well worth the read.

Reviewed by: Whitney