This Case Is Gonna Kill Me Blog Tour and Giveaway

A fresh, entertaining urban fantasy debut featuring a human lawyer
in a vampire firm who just won’t quit…
THIS CASE IS GONNA KILL ME by Phillipa Bornikova

“[Bornikova’s] characters, human and supernatural alike, possess complexity and depth, and her heroine is tough and immediately likable…
Strong storytelling, appealing characters, and an intriguing setting make this urban fantasy series opener
likely to have great appeal to the genre’s many fans.”
-Library Journal, «starred review« & SF/Fantasy Debut of the Month

“A refreshing new take on an old idea, with a strong, intelligent, and independent protagonist: a highly promising debut.”
-Kirkus Reviews

TITLE: THIS CASE IS GONNA KILL ME

Author: Phillipa Bornikova
$14.99 / 320 pages

INFORMATION ABOUT THE BOOK/AUTHOR

Linnet Ellery, the offspring of an affluent family dating back to Colonial times, is no stranger to the supernatural. Fresh out of law school, she’s beginning her career in a powerful New York “white fang” law firm. She has high hopes of one day making partner. But in a workplace where some humans will eventually achieve immense power and centuries of extra lifespan, office politics can be vicious beyond belief. When she’s assigned to a dead-end case with a dead-end boss, Linnet can only hope that she’ll be able to carve a place for herself within the entrenched hierarchy of the firm.



Then, for no reason that she can see, she become the target of repeated, apparently random violent attacks, escaping injury each time through increasingly improbable circumstances. For some inexplicable reason, her dead-end case is now worth her life. However, there’s more to Linnet Ellery than a little old-mone y human privilege. More than even she knows. And as she comes to understand this, she’s going to shake up the system like you wouldn’t believe…



THIS CASE IS GONNA KILL ME introduces a new type of heroine to urban fantasy, one who works within the system and not outside it, and uses the power of the law and her personal sense of justice to save the day.

1. What is your favorite thing about blending legal thrillers and the paranormal?



Figuring out how the presence of vampires, werewolves and elves would affect the shape and structure of the law.  Also finding a way to win using money and power rather than brute force.



2. What was the toughest scene to write in This Case Is Gonna Kill Me?



The sex scene.  I have this sense that sex is really only interesting for the participants.  Because seriously everybody looks and sounds kind of silly in the moment.  George R.R. Martin and I jokingly debate about this all the time.  He wants the sex scenes played out.  I want to cut to falling leaves, and swelling music,



3. I love Linnet's character and the world you have created. What inspired you to write this story?



When I looked at the urban fantasy landscape it seemed like what was missing was an analysis of how the halls of money and power would react to the presence of supernatural beings in our world.   Vampires were totally going to be controlling the levers of power behind the scenes.  I was curious what would happen it they were up front about their power and control.  And as I looked at werewolves I thought they'd make great bond traders, agents and soldiers.



4. Will there be more installments? (God I hope so!)



The second book, BOX OFFICE POISON is delivered and in the pipeline.  I need to start the third book



5. The play on women in the work force and vampire/were politics was very interesting. Especially the taboo on Making a woman into either supernatural Power, so to speak. Will a woman ever get made?



Not at this point, but things are about to happen to Linnet in the third book, and she will meet a _very_ old female vampire.



6. Do you write to music? If so, what?



I do.  For Linnet I tend to listen to my pop/dance playlist that is my workout music.  For my other books it tends to be more classical music.



7. Plotter or pantster?



Total plotter/architect.  I have a cork board and 3x5 cards, and the act outs and the major scenes all go up on the board.



8. Kickboxing or yoga



Both



9. Cheeseburger or sushi?


Both



I'm eclectic, what can I say?



10. What is next in your writing universe?



A big space opera.

 Overall:

What do you do when you are the new kid on the block at a legal firm and a girl to boot? Ramp it up by adding vampires, werewolves and some serious politics and you have a thriller that is going to keep you reading past the midnight hour, long after I should have been catching some sleep.

 But you  know what...it was worth every second and I am waiting like mad for the second book to be released. Think Grisham meets Underworld. It rocks. 

Linnet has been raised as a human in a vampire world. She knows the ropes and when she gets hired on at a prestigious law firm and a seemly dead end case, things start to go a little weird. Cranky werewolves and murder don't mix well with office politics. Neither does sleeping with one of the partners. 

One of the things about this book that makes it unique is the blend of legal thriller and paranormal page turner. The intricate steps one takes in politics are upped when there is a murder at the firm and Linnet is put in the position of having to fight for her job and her life with compelling and humorous consequences. 

The action is spot on here.  You won't find a better book with fight scenes that will have you pumping your fist in the air and screaming. The chase scenes are nail biters too.  The tension is palpable and  I could barely leave the book to go to work. It was painful to put it down because all of the characters became living breathing people I wanted to get to know. Linnet with all of her strengths and foibles is a person that fights for those she is loyal to. Fans of Kim Harrison books will love it. 

This book is a 5/5. If I could give it higher, I would. It was an amazing foray into a world I want to see more of. Vampire gentry and all the levels of politics and traditions that make for an excellent world building experience. Complete thumbs up!

Want to win a copy? Tor is hosting a giveaway of three copies. Enter the rafflecopter form at the end of the post. You want to win this one!!!

PHILLIPA BORNIKOVA has been the story editor of a major network television series, a horse trainer, and an oil-company executive. She lives in the Southwest. This is her first novel.

I received this book in exchange for an honest review.

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