Grave Importance by Vivian Shaw

Grave Importance is the third and final Dr Greta Helsing story. Check out my review for the two previous books, Strange Practice and Dreadful Company!

Doctor Helsing and her merry group of vamp(y)ires, demons, and the occasional confused human are back for a final adventure. The entire series has consistently been a fresh take on urban fantasy, with warm and humorous mystery stories carried by a fantastic cast of characters.

This third book is no different. The strengths are still the same: the tone and the characters. It’s a low-stakes plot, comforting and cosy. Dr Helsing is asked to take the interim management of an exclusive health spa for mummies in Marseille. It’s a dream position for Greta, who is an expert on mummy care, and who wants a break from the awful London weather. But once there, she realises that some of her new patients seem to suffer from an infliction she can’t understand.

Greta is simply amazing. The way she thinks about her work and cares about her patients…it’s pure competence porn. She’s a big nerd about her field of expertise and takes genuine joy in helping others. She approaches medical mysteries like a puzzle but not in a Dr House “patients-don’t-mean-anything-to-me” way. Shaw managed to create a character who is passionate about what she does, does it remarkably well, and isn’t one-note, robotic, or cold in any way.

Her relationship with Varney has progressed and often made me smile. I know, human/vamp(y)ire relationships are a bit in the been-there-read-that area (although it feels like the trope is coming back in fashion), and I don’t want to be dismissive about how this type of pairings have been handled in other books, but it’s done remarkably well in the Dr Greta Helsing series. Varney has a lot to deal with, a past he regrets, a present he’s unsure of. His and Greta’s chemistry is not a firework of lust and forbidden love, it’s a slow-simmering, comfy soup of mutual respect and trust. It’s lovely, how they lean on each other, how Varney respects Greta’s work and supports her, how Greta understands Varney’s moods and anchors him to the present.

The rest of the cast also has the occasion to shine: Ruthven and Grisaille (another amazingly well-written romantic pairing. Truly, we’re spoiled) are touring Europe but run into some trouble, Cranswell might have gotten involved in a museum heist, Fastitocalon is still trying to figure out what the hell is wrong with Hell (heh, see what I did there). This weird big found family has a fantastic dynamic, full of banter and caring.

The plot itself was a bit weak, in my opinion. Don’t get me wrong, I don’t want to turn any potential reader off the book, it’s a fun read that I enjoyed thoroughly. But the story itself suffered a bit from final book syndrome. There was this “big finale” scene that felt tonally out of place.

Grave Importance is nevertheless a great ending to a great trilogy. Vivian Shaw’s stories are feel-good urban fantasy, which makes them a perfect autumnal read. I am sad to say goodbye to Greta and her family, but I’ve enjoyed every moment spent reading about their adventures. I’m looking forward to Shaw’s next projects.