A Kiss Before the Apocalypse: Thomas E. Sniegoski

When P.I. Remy Chandler's most recent case, tailing a potential cheating husband, turns fatal, Remy receives a shock. The gunman, before turning the gun on himself, recognizes Remy for what he really is, an angel living among humans. Even worse for Remy though is the fact that the gunman doesn't die, even after receiving a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the face that leaves much of his brain on a motel ceiling. Something has gone terribly wrong in Remy's home realm and he may be the only one who can make it right.

Remy Chandler left Heaven and his existence as Remiel of the Seraphim Choir 9000 years ago after Lucifer fell. He has walked among mortals since and only recently, within the last fifty years, settled in Boston, and taken a wife whom he loves dearly. Madeline is aged now but Remy clings to her as any human would. Madeline is tired, sick with cancer and ready to die but she can't, no one can. Israfil, the Angel of Death, seems to have taken the proverbial holiday and no one can find him.

When the leader of Seraphim Choir approaches Remy for help in locating Israfil Remy knows he has no choice. The dying are trapped and crying out and Remy can hear them all. Between Remy and Israfil however stands a host of beings who also wish to see Israfil found and the Five Scrolls opened, unleashing the Apocalypse. Remy must decide if he is willing to release the angel that has been leashed inside him for so long, in order to stop the Black Choir and allow his precious Madeline to say goodbye.

Though it sounds rather serious the book has more than it's share of hilarity. It's written in a very noir-style as Remy became a P.I. in 1945 and seems to retain much of that era. He has the ability to speak any language, even that of animals. This makes for awesome and sometimes heartbreaking conversations with his Labrador Marlowe. One of the truly greatest scenes is Remy is bursting forth in full angelic glory. The verbiage isn't overblown or girly-poetic. It's just really good hard-boiled/paranormal & urban-fantasy... crap... methinks Sniegoski may have created a new genre. Thanks Sniegoski! Like we need another one!
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Paperback: 304 pages
Publisher: Roc Trade (May 6, 2008)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 045146205X
ISBN-13: 978-0451462053