Some of it is--Old Nick's visits range from warpedly mundane to pretty scary. But she deliberately tries to keep him out of much of the action, and the suspense can be rough going. But most of it is more just Jack figuring things out.

Have not read that one. I'll have to take a look at it. Urban fantasy is hit-or-miss with me, but when it's a hit, it's a BIG hit.

(I've been to the Boardwalk, but I sure as hell wouldn't recognize places after just one weekend in Santa Cruz. My sister might, though.)