‘Neon Graveyard’ marks end of local author’s ‘Zodiac’ series

Ending a "Signs of the Zodiac" series at just six books? Wouldn't that be like Sue Grafton titling her mysteries after consonants only or Janet Evanovich using only prime numbers for hers?

Really. Having to say goodbye to Joanna Archer is difficult enough for fans of Vicki Pettersson's Signs of the Zodiac urban fantasy series without having to deal with a seeming numerical discrepancy, too.

But, the Las Vegas author says, "The Neon Graveyard" (Harper Voyager, $7.99) will indeed be the final book in the series. And, she assures us, it's for the best.

The book brings to a close the adventures of Joanna Archer, a casino heiress who also is an agent of Light battling dark forces in a Las Vegas that sports an underbelly more evil than anyone could have imagined.

"The Neon Graveyard" is "the last one," Pettersson says. "Some people thought there would be 12, because of the 12 signs of the zodiac."

However, Pettersson notes on her blog that the series' "signs" are portents of impending significant events "rather than astrological signs, so the number could have been anywhere from one to 12 to 50."

Beyond that explanation, Pettersson says that, given the arc of the series and Joanna's evolution throughout it, "it just made sense to end it now."

Pettersson notes that she hasn't given Joanna "a whole lot of breathing room (in the series), because that's boring. So I really just kind of questioned how much more any one individual could take, and not start throwing monsters at her and situations at her just for the sake of plot points that might, I think, dilute the series and dilute the story and kind of cheapen everything that came before.

"I just wanted to end with people wanting more ... and I think I accomplished that," Pettersson says.

In introducing Joanna in 2007's "The Scent of Shadows," Pettersson created a strong, complex female character who fit solidly into the emerging literary genre known as urban fantasy. Pettersson says she considers herself "a bit of the second wave" of urban fantasy writers, following in the literary footsteps of such authors as Laurell K. Hamilton (the Anita Blake series) and Kim Harrison (the Rachel Morgan series).

"They were out there doing this stuff before it even had a name," Pettersson says. "When I submitted my manuscript to my agent, she had to tell me what it was. She had to tell me, 'This is urban fantasy.' I had never heard that before.

"I just wanted to write somebody who was strong and who had a reason to be strong, and the paranormal aspect was really just popping out of nowhere in the third chapter."

Then Pettersson placed her new protagonist into a Las Vegas that, while containing enough real-life local landmarks -- the Peppermill, the Neon Boneyard -- to stock a Joanna Archer Gray Line tour, had a secret, dark, mystical side, too.

"In 'The Scent of Shadows,' the first book, you can tell how much fun I was having on the page," Pettersson says. "I was having so much fun developing that world. I took all my toys and was ready to come and play."

"The Scent of Shadows" was Pettersson's first published book. At the time, she was performing as a dancer in "Folies Bergere" at the Tropicana.

"I wanted to be a published author for a long time before that, but there are a lot of aspiring authors out there, and it took me a long time to learn the craft," Pettersson says. And when the publishing contract finally did come through, "my heart started beating so hard it didn't stop for about three days."

The series took off "pretty quickly," Pettersson recalls. "There were some really positive reviews in some big places."

But, she continues, "it didn't really hit me that people were reading it until I showed up at a conference some months later."

As Pettersson walked into an elevator, a passer-by, reading her name tag, screamed.

"I'm, like, what, is there a fire? That's unusual. Most authors don't get that. You're not recognized. You sit in your house with voices in your head and basically go about your day like everybody else."

Now that Joanna's tale has concluded, Pettersson is listening to the voices of characters in her new series -- the first book will be out next year -- the Celestial Blues trilogy, which features a supernatural private eye and a rockabilly reporter.

"It's not urban fantasy, strictly speaking," Pettersson says. "I read mostly in the crime fiction genre, so it's more of a paranormal noir or paranormal mystery series."

And, Pettersson notes, "my new female protagonist is nothing like Joanna.

"She doesn't carry a weapon. She's not wearing leather. She doesn't get in fights. When she needs thinking time, she goes to put in pin curls or victory rolls in her hair and goes to get her nails done.

"I couldn't write another tough urban fantasy heroine," Pettersson says. "For me, Joanna is it. I said everything I wanted to say about those issues through her. I don't think I could have done another tough heroine like that without being repetitive, and that's no fun to do."

However, Celestial Blues also will be set in Las Vegas. "I love this city, and I think it shows with all the books," Pettersson says.

Any plans for Joanna to reappear somewhere down the line? "Not that I'm aware of," Pettersson answers. "She would have to come back and basically knock on my door to let me know she's ready for more adventures."

But, Pettersson adds, "right now, she's kind of sick of me, for good reason."

MORE BOOKS

Other recently published books by local authors or that deal with local themes include:

"Confessions of a Las Vegas Motorcop" by H.D. Justice (3L Publishing, $14.95) is a memoir by a Nevada Highway Patrol trooper.

"Coyote Trap" by Don and Ron McKenzie (D.E.M. Publishing, $19.95) is the second entry in the twin brothers' Las Vegas-set Fargo Blue private eye series.

"Decide to Play Great Poker: A Strategy Guide to No-limit Texas Hold 'Em" (Huntington Press, $34.95) by professional poker champion Annie Duke and John Vorhaus focuses on teaching the reader strategic thinking skills.

"Deputy Dorkface: How Mannerland Got its Manners Back" (Stephens Press, 16.95) is the third in Las Vegas TV weatherman Kevin Janison's children's series about the gruff but kindhearted peace officer.

"Hassie Calhoun: A Las Vegas Novel of Innocence" by Pamela Cory (Scarletta Press, $15.95) is about a teenager from rural Texas who flees to Las Vegas during the '50s with dreams of becoming an entertainer.

"License to Pawn: Deals, Steals and My Life at the Gold & Silver" (Hyperion, $23.99) is a memoir by Rick Harrison, of the "Pawn Stars" Harrisons, about his family, his business, the popular TV show and Las Vegas' most unlikely tourist attraction.

"Nevada Rose: Inside the American Brothel" (Umbrage Editions, $40) is Marc McAndrews' photographic exploration of Nevada's legal brothel industry.

"Tell Secrets, Tell No Lies: Confessions of a Closetless Queen" by Bruce Headrick (Dog Ear Publishing, $17.95) is the now-Las Vegas resident's memoir of Hollywood, Capitol Hill, the adult film industry and many points in between.

"The Raiser's Edge: Tournament Poker Strategies for Today's Aggressive Game" by Bertrand "ElkY" Grospellier, Lee Nelson and Tysen Streib (Huntington Press, $34.95) offers lessons on using, and defending against, LAG (looser and more aggressive) poker play.

"The Trees: A Novel" by Las Vegan Stan Weisleder (Chaucer Press Books, $22.95) is the story of a group of childhood friends and their post-World War II journey from the Brooklyn slums to Las Vegas.

"Smurfs: The Inside Story of the Little Blue Characters" by Las Vegan Rena C. Winters (CreateSpace, $14.95) offers a surprising (Communism?) take on the popular cartoon characters.

"When We Walked Above the Clouds: A Memoir of Vietnam" (University of Nebraska Press, $29.95) is Las Vegas author and College of Southern Nevada English professor H. Lee Barnes' memoir of serving in Vietnam during the '60s.

"You Want What??? Concierge Tales from the Men and Women Who Make Las Vegas Dreams Come True" by Mariann Mohos (Mariann Mohos, $17.95) tells the tales of Las Vegans who probably have, for good or bad, heard it all.

Contact reporter John Przybys at jprzybys@ reviewjournal.com or 702-383-0280.