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Heart of Stone (The Negotiator Trilogy, Book 1) | 
| Author: C.e. Murphy
Publisher: Luna
Category: Book
List Price: $14.95
Buy Used: $3.04
You Save: $11.91 (80%)
New (36) Used (34) from $3.04
Rating:  36 reviews
Sales Rank: 55140
Media: Paperback
Pages: 448
Number Of Items: 1
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.8
Dimensions (in): 7.8 x 5 x 1.3
ISBN: 0373802927
Dewey Decimal Number: 813.6
EAN: 9780373802920
ASIN: 0373802927
Publication Date: November 1, 2007
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
Condition: Binding crease. Minor cover, corner wear with crease in back cover. Pages clean and in very good condition.
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Product Description
WHAT SECRETS LIE SHROUDED IN DARKNESS? Okay, so jogging through Central Park after midnight wasn't a bright idea. But Margrit Knight never thought she'd encounter a dark new world filled with magical beings—not to mention a dying woman and a mysterious stranger with blood on his hands. Her logical, lawyer instincts told her it couldn't all be real— but she could hardly deny what she'd seen…and touched. The mystery man, Alban, was a gargoyle. One of the fabled Old Races who had hidden their existence for centuries. Now he was a murder suspect, and he needed Margrit's help to take the heat off him and find the real killer. And as the dead pile up, it's a race against the sunrise to clear Alban's name and keep them both alive.…
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| Customer Reviews: Read 31 more reviews...
Traditional Urban Fantasy... November 29, 2008
J. Hulet
Murphy begins this story with our main character "grit" being shadowed by a Gargoyle as she runs through Central Park. The Gargoyle, Alban, is a member of the few Old Races that are hidden in plain sight from the rest of humanity. His tragic history and how it compels him and leads him to eventually interact with Grit is the meat of the tale.
Murphy is no stranger to Urban Fantasy and she does a good job of creating a plausible background/history for why things are they way they are. Her main character is cookie-cutter Urban Fantasy. She's smart, she's athletic and she's a maverick who fights against injustice.... If you have read Urban Fantasy then you know where this is going.
Murphy does a much better job with the supporting characters. From Alban the Gargoyle to the quirky bookstore clerk who happens to know a whole bunch about the Old Races, Murphy gives just enough detail and individuality that they make the story work. Some of the bad guys, for example, are complex and deep enough that you start to wonder if you wouldn't be the same if you had walked in their shoes. That was really fun for me.
So, to read or not to read.... Well, if you like Urban Fantasy then this is worth using to pass the time between Harrison novels. The writing is good and there is enough interesting, creative world-building that you won't feel like you wasted your time. Just don't let it get in the way of something better like Briggs or Harrison.
 Great Paranormal Mystery November 11, 2008
Jessica (Reno, NV)
This book starts out with lawyer Margrit, Grit, running through Central Park at midnight and having a guy approach her. When she gets home she learns that a woman was murdered in the part and a witness describes the murderer as the guy that approached her. Alban, a gargoyle, is fascinated with Grit and wants to clear his name. So, he keeps approaching her to try to get his side heard.
The idea is that their are five Old Races that live along side of humans. They have there own set of laws and mainly want to remain hidden. When Grit decides that she believes Alban, she learns about the Old Races. Not knowing much more, she starts making deals and such to solve who is behind the killings.
The book started with a bang and just kept going. I could not put it down. I like the development, the character differences, and the flow of the story. I would recommend this to anyone that likes paranormal mysteries.
Good Read October 15, 2008
Southern Gal (New Mexico)
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
The book was well written and I like the difference between this and other urban fantsy books. One of the big plus' for me was the individuals in this book did not fall into mad monkey sex in the first few pages. In fact their relationship builds. This book was - let's call it a "intro" to this world of the five "old races" and developing the charters. My actual rating is 3 1/2 stars because I felt that the story was a little confusing. But, I enjoyed it enough that I really wanted to read the next book and find out what happens next. I am glad I did, the next book has a more action and --- well you need to read it.
Really great read July 19, 2008
Madea
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
C.E. Murphy has a unique style, I think. I like that her characters are not too whiney or unrealistically brave. I read this book in two days. Yes, I disappeared from my family for two days while I was caught up in this world of gargoyles. lol
I've read her other series and I am glad that the character is way different. Also, her writing doesn't seem to be formula.
Another thing I enjoy in her books is that she hasn't made sex the main plot to the book. It seems that is a recurring theme these days. I don't have anything against eroticism in a book, I love a good sex scene, but I love a good plot more.
Good story line, I really look forward to reading more of her books.
Unique Mythos July 18, 2008
Scott Tengelin
I'm most fascinated with the way Murphy creates her own fantasy worlds using our own myths and legends, then shaping them and crafting them to fit her stories. Her treatment of gargoyles, for example, follows the archetypes of hunched, brooding guardians, while adding new twists, such as the ability to appear human. (Gargoyles may walk among us...!)
But what makes this story most compelling is the way it is revealed through the eyes of its protagonist, Margrit. Murphy's strength is in letting us identify with a character, then journey with her through new and often frightening paths.
I would highly recommend this for readers who enjoy personal stories of discovery through fantastic yet familiar worlds.
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