I've been listening to PodCastle for a few months now, and I have enjoyed most of the stories it has to offer. This story was the first one that I really didn't like.
I love stories about supernatural detectives, so a shapeshifter, a null, and their sometime helper the witch sounds like a great trio of investigators. In fact, these characters were the highlight of the story.
Unfortunately, it's the rest of the characters I have problems with. From the frumpy but very competent cops at the hospital, to the headstrong teenage missing persons case, to the overly-protective WASPy parents we're supposed to dislike, these seem like cardboard cutouts of people from other, more interesting stories. Their behavior becomes so predictable to be almost cartoonish, and my empathy for any them ran out very quickly. I found myself waiting for the story to become more interesting, but in the end, there was only the long-telegraphed twist, and a lukewarm denouement.
I think this setting and these characters show great potential for good stories, and I would surely give a novel about them a chance. The Pacific Northwest is one of my favorite places, and the punkish magic of the streets gives the promises of mystery and danger. But please, build a better supporting cast!