This intriguing story starts at the Metropolitan Museum of Art on the night before Halloween; a ball is being held and our narrator Makenna Fraser is attending. She works for the little-known Supernatural Protection & Investigations group, and life is about to get exciting. THE DRAGON CONSPIRACY starts when a wealthy senior lady Vivienne Sagadraco displays a glittering treasure collection. She needs to ensure that thieves don't ruin her night.

Makenna has the ability to see supernatural creatures as they really are; being long-lived they have often managed to accumulate wealth. So the vampires, goblins and others are out to party. Vivienne is herself a dragon shifter, not that Makenna would dream of mentioning it. A second dragon is encroaching on her territory, a Russian mobster of lurid reputation. Will this mean war?

As if guarding cursed, possessed, stolen diamond-encrusted eggs wasn't enough, Makenna is on hand when a life-size statue of three harpies comes to life and the guests are attacked. Ben Sadler, a diamond appraiser, tries to stop the three thieves and some kind of magic is released. Can he be a hidden talent? Makenna's immediate boss thinks so, and when the coast is clear he kidnaps Ben. But a harpy tries to get her claws into Ben, and only an enraged werewolf can deter her.

With this kind of action, variety and character, this urban fantasy is breathtaking in its daring and scope. The city abounds with people who only feel at home when playing World of Warcraft. Touring mages have been drawn to New York to admire the gems, and who knows what powers they might have? The gems themselves have each had a separate, blood-soaked history, including two which were stolen from the goblins and the elves a century ago; just yesterday in the span of those beings' lives. Anyone might have wanted to steal the diamonds, but Makenna reckons anyone would have to be crazy to want to keep them. I'd call this a situation like Men In Black only with supernaturals instead of visiting aliens. THE DRAGON CONSPIRACY is tremendous fun. If you have read Lisa Shearin's SPI Files before you know what you are getting into; otherwise tread carefully because you don't know what might be around the corner. This one is dragons, werewolves and goblins all the way and you find yourself thinking that harpies are just the thing to liven up those stuffy society parties. Enjoy!