The Case of the Half-Demon Spy

Otherworld Stories #0.10

by Kelley Armstrong

Paige & Adam’s first sleuthing adventure.

Genres: Urban Fantasy, Fantasy, Paranormal, Demons, Magic, Short Stories, Supernatural

16 pages, ebook

First published July 1, 2005

About the author

Kelley Armstrong has been telling stories since before she could write. Her earliest written efforts were disastrous. If asked for a story about girls and dolls, hers would invariably feature undead girls and evil dolls, much to her teachers' dismay. All efforts to make her produce "normal" stories failed.

Today, she continues to spin tales of ghosts and demons and werewolves, while safely locked away in her basement writing dungeon. She's the author of the NYT-bestselling "Women of the Otherworld" paranormal suspense series and "Darkest Powers" young adult urban fantasy trilogy, as well as the Nadia Stafford crime series. Armstrong lives in southwestern Ontario with her husband, kids and far too many pets.

Reviews

[Faye · Rating 4 out of 5]

First read: October 2006
Re-read: September 2022
Rating: 4/5 stars
Story #10 in my chronological re-read of the Women of the Otherworld series

The Case of the Half-Demon Spy centres around two ‘blink-and-you-missed-them’ characters very briefly mentioned in earlier novellas – the half-demon Adam (introduced in Demonology as an eight-year-old child) and Paige Winterbourne, daughter of Coven leader Ruth and former babysitting charge of Eve Levine (mentioned in passing by Eve in Bewitched).

They are now teenagers, and bored at a local council meeting, they decide to head down to an arcade, only to encounter a spy hanging around the lodge attempting to eavesdrop and take notes on the meeting. This is a fast-paced little story which drops a few hints about other things happening in the world and sets up both Adam and Paige’s future personalities and character developments nicely.

General trivia:
- The story is set around 1992, based on a reference to the ‘new’ Mortal Kombat game discussed by Paige and Adam.
- Paige is fourteen years old.
- Adam repeatedly refers to his ‘dad’ Robert, which based on Demonology, would be Robert Vasic, the former priest and professor of demonology that Adam’s mother went to for help when Adam started manifesting his powers.
- The first hints that the supernatural races in this world actually acknowledge each other in a democratic, civilised way is shown in the existence of an interracial council, which is in charge with keeping the peace and keeping the existence of supernaturals hidden from the human world.
- Witches, demons, wizards and vampires are all part of the council – werewolves are not mentioned.
- Ruth Winterbourne is both the leader of the Coven and leader of the Supernatural Council.

[Batpunch · Rating 3 out of 5]

I have to admit the cover drew me in, it was like my moms old Nancy drew and Hardy boys covers that I read..sometimes a little campy but always fun and a good read :)

[chucklesthescot · Rating 3 out of 5]

Paige and Adam have become best friends in the many hours that they have spent waiting for their parents to finish their council meetings. Paige is frustrated that her spells are not developing quickly enough and Adam lacks control over his fire abilities. The bored pair are trying to spy on the meeting when they realise that someone else is spying and this is their chance to get into the action.

This is a fun story and I liked seeing Paige and Adam as kids, trying to develop their skills and have some adventures. Adam's crush on Paige is amusing especially when you know that his first serious girlfriend will be her adopted daughter!

[Siobhan · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Case of the Half-Demon Spy is a short Otherworld story, one that gives you a glimpse into the past of Paige and Adam. Whilst I wasn’t crazy about this one in the same way I have been with some of the other Otherworld stories, it was an enjoyable enough read.

It was a cute read, one that left me smiling with the insight into the past of two of the beloved cast. The information isn’t vital to the overall series, but if you love the characters as much as I do then it is worth the few minutes it will take you to power through the story.

[Kathy Davie · Rating 4 out of 5]

A short story, 0.10 in the Women of the Otherworld urban fantasy series, revolving around a core group of characters. The couple focus is on Adam and Paige.

If you're interested, there is a chronological listing of the Women of the Otherworld books on my website.

My Take
Adam and Paige are young in this, still learning their powers. And so very anxious to know what's going on. Wanting some excitement, some adventure. They're so cute.

Armstrong uses a third person protagonist point-of-view from Adam's perspective. It's okay. It's real value is in that plot inside the plot...and getting a look-in at these two when they are young.

It's a real learning experience.

The Story
It's so frustrating to be kept out of those council meetings, and Paige and Adam are determined to listen in...with that really old-school device. Only Adam's dad "catches" them outside the door and sends them out.

Out where the two see someone spying through a window. Writing in a notepad. And Paige and Adam are determined to take him down.

The Characters
Paige Winterbourne is a witch still learning her craft. Ruth is her mother and the leader of the Interracial Council as well as the leader of her coven.

Adam Vasic is a fire half-demon and Paige's best friend. Robert is Adam's dad and also on the council.

The Interracial Council is...
…an organization for supernaturals, excluding sorcerers, dedicated to preventing the misuse of power.

Leo is an Exaudio, a mid-level auditory-enhanced half-demon.

The Title
The title refers to Adam and Paige's first adventure, "The Case of the Half-Demon Spy".

[Maud · Rating 3 out of 5]

So I know Adam as an eight year old boy from a different short story. It was interesting to see how different he is now. Paige seems like an interesting character, the whole council too actually. I wonder where Talia is but I will probably find out once I pick up the novel where he is a main character in (he is going to be a main right?).

[Mel · Rating 3 out of 5]

This story is set when Paige and Adam were still in their early teens. Bored after being told to wait outside at a Council Meeting, Paige and Adam try to pass the time eavesdropping... until a stranger turns up and things get really serious.

It's funny to see how some aspects of Paige's character are already on the forefront (like her know-it-all attitude and her worry over her limited powers). It was also fun to see Adam raging with hormones.
I did think at some times they came across as much younger than their 14 and 16 years.

A short but cute story, 3,5 stars.

[the judgy reader · Rating 4 out of 5]

Three reasons to read The Case of the Half-Demon Spy:

1) Seeing Paige and Adam as young teenagers is nice, especially since their personalities come off so strongly in only 16 pages.

2) Adam's raging hormones are fun to watch.

3) The adventure is short and sweet, making for a quick read that has me appreciating Paige, Adam, and, most of all, Adam's father more than I already did.

One drawback to The Case of the Half-Demon Spy:

1) It's too short. I was getting into the story and loving the characters, but then it just ended. A series of shorts focused on Paige and Adam's teen adventures would have been really nice.

[Nessa · Rating 3 out of 5]

Having got to know Paige and Adam as adults really well throughout the Otherworld series, it was a pleasant surprise to read about them as teenagers in this short story.

It was nice to see those two interact together, even if it was in typical teenager style lol.

It was enjoyable but somewhat too short for my liking.

[Theresa · Rating 2 out of 5]

Short PDF story found on author’s website under Extras.

Paige & Adams first ‘case’ when they are typical teenagers. They’re attending an interracial council meeting as observers when they see something odd happening. The ending is strange and awkward.

Fave scene: the closet.

[Cass · Rating 3 out of 5]

3,5

[Jules · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars ⭐⭐⭐

A solid, sweet short story about Paige and Adam that's worth reading.

[Kristy · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5

[Nyssa · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very cute!

[Lisa · Rating 1 out of 5]

Fire demon Adam is now a teenager and we also meet teenage witch Paige for the first time. They go for a walk in the woods. What a snooze.

[Lois · Rating 4 out of 5]

An adorable look at a young Paige & Adam

[Chrissy · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars

Adam's POV about teenage Paige and Adam spying on an interracial council meeting and having a little adventure. Fun!

[Heather · Rating 3 out of 5]

Paige & Adam’s first sleuthing adventure.

Heather's Notes
I really like these little stories. This one had a really good twist at the end.

[Claire · Rating 3 out of 5]

I don't know how I feel about this one. I liked it, but maybe not one of my all time favorite of her short stories.

[Cynthia · Rating 3 out of 5]

Too short IMO :P I also want to know more about Robert Vasic.

[Lilian Dickson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love how the kids took on themselves to try and fight. Very cute short!

[Kirsten · Rating 3 out of 5]

This short story left me with more questions than it gave answers. The last time we met Adam he was eight years old in Demonology. Now he is 14 and suddenly has a father, Robert, an important half-demon (or is he a full demon, unsure) and no mention of Adam's mother Talia who also featured in Demonology. By the looks of things we miss out on some critical years of Adam's life between these two short stories (Demonology and The Case of the Half-Demon Spy) where he finds out and embraces that fact he is a fire half-demon and reconnects with his father.

Also in this story we meet Paige, a 14 year old witch who is just coming into her powers. Together, when they asked to leave the meeting of the interracial council, a council lead by Paige's mother Ruth, they create their own adventure, coming across something they don't expect.


The meeting takes place in Vermont but Paige is mentioned to be Adam's "Boston friend".
Unfortunately the nice drawn together conclusion where everything gets explained doesn't happen and Adam's father has quite a bit of explaining to do.

[Kerrie Salsac · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thought it was a clever introduction to two significant characters of the Otherworld series at an early age. I also enjoyed Roberts tactic to push them into the situation with a certain element of safety added in. What I wasn't too keen on was Adam's affections for Paige, or lustful feeling to be exact. Especially, as he hooks up with Savannah in the end. It just felt a bit too close to home, seeing as Paige is Savannah's guardian. I know neither of them know that there, but still, as a reader I cringed.

[Carrie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Knowing what I do about how these characters end up, it's a little weird reading this short story about them growing up together. Adam is a typical young boy, with horrible things on the brain, and Paige is, well, Paige. Yuck. Pushing that aside, this very short story followed the two kids as they try to stop a half demon from listening in to the council meeting. They're both still struggling with their powers and it shows.

[Jennifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Love Paige! Although after having read all the Women of the Otherworld books (including Spell Bound) it is interesting to see Paige and Adam when they were younger. But sort of weird that he had a little crush on her.

[Michelle Tempted By Books · Rating 3 out of 5]

A cute little story about Adam and Paige's first spying case. We meet them as two close friends in their teen years. Looking to stop a possible spy for the good of Adam's father. There are hints of later romance between the two, should be interesting to find out what becomes of them as adults.

[R. · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is a brief glimpse of Adam and Paige's first "adventure" together as children, though it was apparently all staged by Robert. It would seem he knew what direction the Counsel needed to go with their young successors well before they did.

[Cottageunderhill · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was cute.

[Patricia · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute! :D About Adam and Paige as kids, very insightful.

[Sara · Rating 3 out of 5]

The ending made me smile! ANd I do love the see how Paige and Adam got along when they were younger. Kelley does write amazing characters!