I've read quite a few books in C.T. Adams and Cathy Clamp's Sazi series, but upon commencing Cold Moon Rising, it became clear to me that I hadn't read at least one of them before this one: the story of Tony Giodone. This story continues on with Tony's life, which made it a bit awkward that I didn't know the previous history - although it is doled out now and again within the narrative.

There's something about the Sazi series that doesn't quite work for me and never has. I think it's because I'm never entirely sure what's going on and everyone always seems to be rushing around on hunches which come right. The same is true in this book, with several plot lines which somehow all merge together.

Tony Giodone is a wolf and former contract killer who finds himself strangely linked to the snake Ahmad, which means that together they are able to investigate a plot within the snake community. At the same time, there are issues with a newly-turned woman who is a badger-shifter; Tony's wife, Sue, seems to be ailing as a result of their bond; and various mafia people seem to have gotten onto Tony's trail. These disparate threads didn't all work too well for me.

The writing is good, as usual, and there's no hint that it's the work of two different authors working in concert. At the same time, I didn't find it gripping as I was reading it, and the characters are all rather one-dimensional. Those who like this series know what they're going to get with this book, but it's not one I expect to want to read again.