Elysian Fields by Suzanne Johnson @torbooks

Author: Suzanne Johnson
Title:Elysian Fields
Series: Sentinels of New Orleans #3
Publication: August 13, 2013 
Publisher: Tor Books
Genre: Adult Paranormal, Fantasy
Source: Publisher via Netgalley

An undead serial killer comes for DJ in this thrilling third installment of Suzanne Johnson’s Sentinels of New Orleans series

The mer feud has been settled, but life in South Louisiana still has more twists and turns than the muddy Mississippi. 

New Orleanians are under attack from a copycat killer mimicking the crimes of a 1918 serial murderer known as the Axeman of New Orleans. Thanks to a tip from the undead pirate Jean Lafitte, DJ Jaco knows the attacks aren’t random—an unknown necromancer has resurrected the original Axeman of New Orleans, and his ultimate target is a certain blonde wizard. Namely, DJ.

Combatting an undead serial killer as troubles pile up around her isn’t easy. Jake Warin’s loup-garou nature is spiraling downward, enigmatic neighbor Quince Randolph is acting weirder than ever, the Elders are insisting on lessons in elven magic from the world’s most annoying wizard, and former partner Alex Warin just turned up on DJ’s to-do list. Not to mention big maneuvers are afoot in the halls of preternatural power.

Suddenly, moving to the Beyond as Jean Lafitte’s pirate wench could be DJ’s best option.

D.J. is now the sole sentinel for New Orléans, having proved herself capable by solving the mer dispute and mysterious murders. Now, there is a new copycat killer that the police are investigating but once D.J. senses traces of paranormal residue, it becomes her problem. The Axeman keeps coming back faster and she's his next victim. D.J. has other problems with the men in her life and trying to juggle it all becomes overwhelming with the Elders monitoring her and the elves trying to get to her. One thing is clear, someone wants her dead. Incidents begin to spiral out of control and D.J. finds herself bound and bruised but she has to figure out a way to stop the necromancer before the Axeman catches her. Everybody wants her but only one can have her heart.

D.J. has talent for attracting trouble not that it's her fault. She doesn't know much about her wizard abilities and she tries to learn more about her elven powers. Randolph her neighbor keeps pressuring her to speak with and she still believes he's hiding his true identity somehow. The Elders want her to practice using her staff but being that her aim is off, leads to a few happy accidents. Jean LaFitte remains his sexy self and always ready to come to her aid. Jake has become angrier and more volatile and he presents a danger to himself and those around him. Then that leaves Alex, who is no longer he co-sentinel and can pursue D.J. even though she seems hesitant to lose the friendship they have. This book has so much going on that I never got bored and loved the verbal tango between D.J. and all her male interests. Johnson crafts the romance, action and mystery in a way that grabs your attention. The end surprised me because I wasn't expecting that particular person to mastermind the killings and I didn't feel the punishment was sufficient enough considering they tried to kill D.J. The plot moves steadily and the characters are so fun to read. Overall, this is a great continuation of a fantastic story. Love it!