This is the second book in the Downside Ghost series by Kane. It was a decent book and I enjoyed listening to it. It expands some on the world we were introduced to in the first series.

I listened to this on audiobook and the audiobook was well done. I am still not crazy about the narrator, but she is growing on me. The narrator did an excellent job of distinguishing between the different characters voices and of conveying the mood or feeling of the dialogue.

Chess has been promoted in the Church for her work in the first book and in this book she is given her first really high profile case. She is supposed to debunk a haunting of a celebrity. As with the last book her drug habit gets in the way when she is coerced into working another case for her dealer Bump; hookers have been gruesomely killed and Bump wants Chess to figure out if a ghost is involved.

As with the first book in this series I enjoy the dark, gritty, and creative world that these stories take place in. We learn a bit more about ghosts and how they are summoned, we learn a bit more about the history of the Church of Truth as well. This book wasn’t as gruesome as the first one, but it still didn’t gloss over any of the yucky details.

I still have some trouble with these characters. I just don’t like any of them, they are all pretty much train-wrecks. That doesn’t mean they aren’t interesting to read about; reading about Chess as she tries to work and use her drugs is kind of like watching a train on the verge of crashing. It is kind of fascinating how she can balance all these things and mostly have it work out.

Things come to a head between Chess, Terrible, and Lex in this book. Terrible is still by far my favorite character in this series and I am interesting to see what happens between him and Chess. We get to learn a lot more about Terrible’s background and history in this book and it was very interesting.

This book was similar in structure to the first book in the series. Events that happen with Bump and seemingly unconnected events that happened with Chess’s job at the Church end up being closely related. I found this to be a bit formulaic and hope that future books don’t continue to repeat this pattern. It made the story somewhat predictable.

These books have all been fairly self-contained and I am hoping future books introduce some broader story that ties the books together.

Overall a decent addition to this series. I love this world, it is interesting and creative. I am not totally sold on the characters though. I thought this book was a bit too similar to the previous one in structure and hope future books are different. I am planning on reading book 3, City of Ghosts, then I will decide if I will continue on with this series. I would recommend this book to those who like gritty urban fantasy with flawed characters.

This series just keeps getting better. The first book introduced this new world, and the characters. This book expands and develops these characters. Chess is such a messed up addict, that seems to do her job well, but can't get her personal life in order. The book is non stop action, and emotional turmoil. The main problem is getting away from the narration, it's so good. The voices are unique, and she captures the feelings of everyone she speaks for. I read the first novel, but do believe I will have to listen to the rest of them.

The narrator is terrific. she really can interprate (sp??) the characters emotions well, brings the characters to life. there is a lot of slang and i believe it is a better listen than read. she does a great job. this story had a real creepy mystery, i got goosebumps!

This book is truely unique. the ideas of the world they live in and how things are run really stand out. the graffic crime scenes and darker side of things are intense, maybe compare to a little early laurell k hamilton.

the roof top talk between terrible and chess. also there is an intense scene earlier in the book with her drug use that brings you to tears. great writting.

absolutely!!! i finished it in 2 days.

start with book one and keep going! i am downloading the next and really enjoy the unique style of these books.

dark, mystery & magic

The characters! Even though sometimes I wanted to shake them, I really liked them. They made me want to keep reading/listening.

No. I really liked. She does a good job of the slang. If I read it I don't think it would have been the same.

The Narration on this is simply superb! Let me start with that as the narration is can make or break an audiobook. In this case, it is more than merely good or adequate --- it actually elevates the story.

It's difficult to describe this series - as the world is so rich & complex- so I will refrain from trying for the sake of brevity. I will say that while I enjoy both the paranormal aspects of the story as well as the mystery/detective story componet of the story/series, This particular book is all about the characters' growth and development for me. It's all about the romance --- and not the flowery kind, but the punch-in-the gut, emotional highs and lows kind.

This series should definitely be read in order to fully fall in love with Chess and Terrible and the like and, you know, to be properly emotionally eviserated later. That may not sound pleasant, but I personally love when a writer can pull extreme emotions from me. And this particular book brings empathy to new heights.


Great Series, Great Characters, Unique World, Fantastic Writing & Amazing Narration.

I LOVE Stacia Kane and am ADDICTED to this Urban Fantasy series. Can't get enough. Not such a fan of Bahni's reading though.

Chessiebomb and Terrible... LOVE LOVE LOVE THEM!!! They are both unconventional heros that most people dont believe have the right to exist. Together, they make an unbeatable team

I'm not such a fan of Bahni's reading of this partictular series. Sure, everyone has their own inner-voice in which they read things, but Chess is not ment to be a whiny person and Terrible isn't ment to SOUND so dumb.

YES! Absoluetly, but I say definitely READ THE BOOKS. The printed word gives you such a different impression.

Check out Stacia Kane's other work. You WONT be dissapointed.

Great narration. I like to list this first as it can make or break a story.

Took some getting use too, to start with, due to the street slang and the drug addiction (which I can't relate too). But I have now become caught up in the series. Just finished the 4 book and can't wait for book 5. Best to follow series in order if possible.

I really enjoy it when readers with similar reading interests list their favourite authors and series. It really helps me find new authors too follow. Mine are Charlaine Harris, Jeaniene Frost, Jennifer Estep, Faith Hunter, Molly Harper, Ilona Andrews, Kresley Cole, Deborah Harkness, Nalini Singh, Coreene Callahan, Stacia Kane, Kelly Medding and Sherrilyn Kenyon.

Happy Reading

Anyone who thinks a junkie who stumbles around looking a fix while sloving a mystery in either coming down or shooting up for a high.

No

Chess Putnam the main character.

The superfluous characters are more interesting.

After reading the rave reviews, I downloaded it. I had to force myself to read/listen to it. By the time I got to the end of part 1, I still didn't give a rip about the story or the characters. Poorly written, poorly read, and just flat boring. Don't waste your credits or time!

If you are into dark otherworld audio books, this one is for you. Unfortunately, I am not a fan. The narrator was great but the story was dark, dark, dark.