Strange Practice by Vivian Shaw Book Review

Tabitha Tomala
Apr 26
2 min read

Hello fellow bookworms! By purchasing books through the Bookshop link in this post Behind the Pages will earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. Thank you for your help and dedication!

Strange Practice Book Review

Having inherited her father’s medical practice, Greta Hellsing has carried on treating the supernatural community. She maintains their privacy as not only their doctor, but by keeping quiet about the community as a whole. When a vampyre shows up stabbed by what appears to be a poisoned blade, she cannot fathom why he will not heal. When she begins to investigate the cause of his wound, she and her companions will uncover a cult of monks determined to cleanse the world of the supernatural.

Strange Practice is an urban fantasy with plenty of pluck and action. While there are many moments of tension, there is also a balance of humor and comradery. Greta has built up quite the name for herself, and the trust the supernatural community places in her is heartwarming. From ghouls to vampires (and vampyres) they will band together to aid Greta and uncover what is hunting in their town.

Vivian Shaw does a wonderful job showing the humanity in the monsters. So often books portray supernatural creatures as the main antagonists. However, in Strange Practice, while they may have abilities and needs that set them apart, they also have built lives for themselves to show they are an equal part of society. Sure there may still be some stereotypical creatures, but the community Greta has become a part of truly fosters living together.

With a blend of fantasy, mystery and humor, Strange Practice is an extremely enjoyable read. It will appeal to fantasy readers who enjoy writing styles that have a high amount of tension, but a cozy sort of feel to the execution. Make no mistake this is not a cozy read, but it is easy to read and the characters feel like readers will be journeying alongside long time companions.

To Purchase: Bookshop | Author's Website

All or part of this book review may be used in marketing, I only ask that you reference Behind the Pages if you choose to do so.