Read The Grendel Affair: A SPI Files Novel Online
Authors: Lisa Shearin
The Grendel Affair: A SPI Files Novel
PRAISE FOR
THE GRENDEL AFFAIR
“Lisa Shearin always delivers a great story. Fresh and exciting, humorous and action-packed,
The Grendel Affair
is urban fantasy at its best.”
—Ilona Andrews, #1
New York Times
bestselling author of
Magic Rises
“Throw Stephanie Plum,
The X-Files
, and tequila in a blender and experience it all explode in your face with murder, mystery, the supernatural, tea-drinking dragons, and a hot partner who always has your back (and he might have a little more if given half a chance). Nonstop action, hilarious klutziness, romance, and lethal Lotharios everywhere. What could be better?”
—Rob Thurman,
New York Times
bestselling author of
Slashback
“In Lisa Shearin’s SPI Files series, seer Makenna Fraser brings Southern sass, smarts, and charm to the mean streets of Manhattan as she battles monsters and other magical beings. An action-packed mix of monsters, magic, and mayhem that will keep you turning the pages.”
—Jennifer Estep,
New York Times
bestselling author of
The Spider
“One of the best parts of being an author is getting to read books like
The Grendel Affair
before they’re published. One of the most frustrating parts is sitting here asking, ‘When does the next one come out?’ before book one is even in print. This was great fun, with engaging characters and plenty of fast-paced action. But seriously, when does the next one come out?”
—Jim C. Hines, author of
Codex Born
PRAISE FOR THE RAINE BENARES NOVELS
ALL SPELL BREAKS LOOSE
“Exceptional . . . Shearin has proven herself to be an expert storyteller with the enviable ability to provide both humor and jaw-dropping action.”
—
RT Book Reviews
“
All Spell Breaks Loose
not only lived up to my expectations but was even BETTER!”
—
Dangerous Romance
CON & CONJURE
“Tons of action and adventure, but it also has a bit of romance and humor . . . The complexities of the world that Ms. Shearin has developed are fabulous.”
—
Night Owl Reviews
“Action-packed and fast-paced, this was a fabulous read.”
—
Fresh Fiction
“A great addition to a wonderful series.”
—
Dear Author
BEWITCHED & BETRAYED
“Once again, Ms. Shearin has given her readers a book that you don’t want to put down. With Raine, the adventures never end.”
—
Night Owl Reviews
“
Bewitched & Betrayed
might just be the best in the series so far! . . . An amazingly exciting fourth installment that really tugs at the heartstrings.”
—
Ink and Paper
THE TROUBLE WITH DEMONS
“Lisa Shearin’s fun, action-packed writing style gives this world life and vibrancy.”
—
Fresh Fiction
“Lisa Shearin represents that much-needed voice in fantasy that combines practiced craft and a wicked sense of humor.”
—
Bitten by Books
ARMED & MAGICAL
“Fresh, original, and fall-out-of-your-chair funny, Lisa Shearin’s
Armed & Magical
combines deft characterization, snarky dialogue, and nonstop action—plus a yummy hint of romance—to create one of the best reads of the year . . . Shearin [is] a definite star on the rise.”
—Linnea Sinclair, author of
Rebels and Lovers
“An exciting, catch-me-if-you-can, lightning-fast-paced tale of magic and evil filled with goblins, elves, mages, and a hint of love interest.”
—
Monsters and Critics
“Dazzling wit and clever humor. It’s gritty, funny, and sexy—a wonderful addition to the urban fantasy genre . . . From now on Lisa Shearin is on my auto-buy list!”
—Ilona Andrews, #1
New York Times
bestselling author of
Magic Rises
“An enchanting read from the very first page . . . [Shearin is] definitely an author to watch!”
—Anya Bast,
New York Times
bestselling author of
Embrace of the Damned
MAGIC LOST, TROUBLE FOUND
“Take a witty, kick-ass heroine and put her in a vividly realized fantasy world where the stakes are high, and you’ve got a fun, page-turning read . . . I can’t wait to read more of Raine Benares’s adventures.”
—Shanna Swendson, author of
No Quest for the Wicked
“[Shearin] gives us a different kind of urban fantasy . . . Littered with entertaining characters and a protagonist whose self-serving lifestyle is compromised only by her loyalty to her friends,
Magic Lost
is an absolutely enjoyable read.”
—C. E. Murphy, author of
Mountain Echoes
Also by Lisa Shearin
The Raine Benares Novels
MAGIC LOST, TROUBLE FOUND
ARMED & MAGICAL
THE TROUBLE WITH DEMONS
BEWITCHED & BETRAYED
CON & CONJURE
ALL SPELL BREAKS LOOSE
THE BERKLEY PUBLISHING GROUP
Published by the Penguin Group
Penguin Group (USA) LLC
375 Hudson Street, New York, New York 10014
USA • Canada • UK • Ireland • Australia • New Zealand • India • South Africa • China
A Penguin Random House Company
THE GRENDEL AFFAIR
An Ace Book / published by arrangement with the author
Copyright © 2013 by Lisa Shearin.
Penguin supports copyright. Copyright fuels creativity, encourages diverse voices,
promotes free speech, and creates a vibrant culture. Thank you for buying an authorized
edition of this book and for complying with copyright laws by not reproducing, scanning,
or distributing any part of it in any form without permission. You are supporting writers
and allowing Penguin to continue to publish books for every reader.
Ace Books are published by The Berkley Publishing Group.
ACE and the “A” design are trademarks of Penguin Group (USA) LLC.
For information, address: The Berkley Publishing Group,
a division of Penguin Group (USA) LLC,
375 Hudson Street, New York, New York 10014.
eBook ISBN: 978-1-101-61841-7
PUBLISHING HISTORY
Ace mass-market edition / January 2014
Cover art by Julie Dillon.
Cover design by Judith Lagerman.
Interior text design by Kelly Lipovich.
This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents either are the product
of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to actual persons,
living or dead, business establishments, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.
Version_1
CONTENTS
Also by Lisa Shearin
Title Page
Copyright
Dedication
Acknowledgments
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
Chapter 17
Chapter 18
Chapter 19
Chapter 20
Chapter 21
Chapter 22
Chapter 23
Chapter 24
Chapter 25
Chapter 26
Chapter 27
Chapter 28
Two Days Later
About the Author
For Derek, the perfect husband for a writer.
For my in-laws, Ron and Roma Shearin. Though to me, you’re Dad and Mom. Your love, encouragement, and support mean the world to me.
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
To Kristin Nelson, my agent. What would I ever do without you? You rock!
To Anne Sowards, my editor. You’re simply amazing to work with! And on top of everything else you do for my books, thank you for helping this Southern girl get the New York details right.
To Colleen Lindsay, Melissa Hastings, and Brad Brownson, my marketing, online promotions, social media, advertising, and publicity team at Ace Books. You guys are awesome!
To Julie Dillon, my cover artist. Thank you for bringing Mac and Ian to vibrant life.
To Mary Pell, my copy editor. Thank you for your sharp eyes and meticulous attention to detail. Your hard work made this a better book.