City of Ghosts

Downside Ghosts, Book 3

By: Stacia Kane

Narrated by: Bahni Turpin

Length: 13 hrs and 15 mins

Publisher's summary

From rising star Stacia Kane comes the third novel in her dark and sexy Chess Putnam series, perfect for fans of Kim Harrison and Patricia Briggs.

Chess Putnam has a lot on her plate. Mangled human corpses have started to show up on the streets of Downside, and Chess’ bosses at the Church of Real Truth have ordered her to team up with the ultra-powerful Black Squad agency to crack the grisly case. Chess is under a binding spell that threatens death if she talks about the investigation, but the city’s most notorious crime boss—and Chess’ drug dealer—gets wind of her new assignment and insists on being kept informed. If that isn’t bad enough, a sinister street vendor appears to have information Chess needs. Only he’s not telling what he knows, or what it all has to do with the vast underground City of Eternity. Now Chess will have to navigate killer wraiths, First Elders, and a lot of seriously nasty magic—and the only man Chess can trust to help her through it all has every reason to want her dead.

©2010 Stacia Kane (P)2000 Blackstone Audio, Inc.

Heartwrenching, scary and totally awesome!

What does Bahni Turpin bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

Bahni Turpin sucks you into the story with her voice, gives the Downside characters a great accent and overall is a great story teller.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

The love story in this book actually made me cry at one point. It has been building up from the first two books, the intensity ever increasing. I finished the second book yesterday (I think), and just had to start on this one right away - it was such a cliff hanger at the end and I had to know if she ended up happy - or as happy as Chess could ever be. Also, Chess' selfdestructive actions have made me want to bang her head in a wall quite a few times.

Any additional comments?

A great series. I love the concept of the ghosts and the Church, and I like the quotes from different Church books at the beginning of each chapter.If you haven't read the first two books in the series, you must do so. Don't miss out on this action-thriller world.

Excitement & HEA for Now

I am really enjoying this take on the supernatural, natural and overall reality, but I will admit to some mild frustration with our beloved characters over their own stupidity.

Still the story and its telling are wonderful.

great series

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

i would definately recommend this series! start with book 1 unholy ghosts. this series is suspensful, dark, action packed unique fun!

What was one of the most memorable moments of City of Ghosts?

there are many memorable parts, really love the complicated relationship that heats up and the battle.

Have you listened to any of Bahni Turpin’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

she is a terrific narrator! she really brings the characters to life, the slang flows off her tongue easily and you can always tell the differnece between the characters.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

there is a lot of drug use in this series and the main character often has negative self dialouge. there are times where it can bring tears to your eyes but then she pulls herself up and fights, in more ways than one. she is definately changing over the series, i wish i had discovered this series long ago, but am so happy i can listen to one right after the other instead of waiting months for the next one to come out. i am downloading 4 right now! give these books a try!

City of Ghosts

I love Chess and Terrible ❤️‍🔥❤️❤️‍🔥❤️!!! Love this series and audible!!! Can’t wait to start the next book !!!! Can’t get enough of them !!!

Love the series

Great narration
“Terrible”is my fave (read in order)
The setting, magic and/ or background (for lack of better words) remind me of Ilona Andrews “Kate Daniel” series
Even better, it’s free right now

Best book in series!

City of Ghosts, is by far the best book in this series. I have to admit, it took me awhile to "get" the dark and gritty world of magic, that author, Stacia Kane, has invented. You know, like when you read "Shakespeare" sometimes it is hard to understand, until you get into the rhythm of the language.
The same is true for the Chess Putnam series. Ms. Kane has most of her characters speaking in this broken language that is not very articulate. But after the flow of the language came to me, I really did enjoy the story.
Chess, the main character, is very tainted. In fact all of the charaters have huge flaws. But these flaws make them so much more interesting. I would recommend this book to anyone that likes their urban fantasy with a little grit, and alot of action.

Falling into this series... HARD

Would you consider the audio edition of City of Ghosts to be better than the print version?

I LOVE the characterizations. I love hearing Bump and Terrible's language. I think that adds a lot to the experience.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Terrible. Always Terrible.

I do love Bumps voice though.

Which character – as performed by Bahni Turpin – was your favorite?

Bump.

“Bump stood in the middle of the room, wrapped in a heavy fur coat, with a black silk top hatcovering his fuzzy head and unnecessary sunglasses hiding his pale face. He looked like the Abominable Snowpimp.”
― Stacia Kane, Unholy Ghosts

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

yep. all of it.

I highly enjoy this series

In spite of the storyline turning smushy with love, I very much enjoy this series. It's an easy listen and the reader's voice throughout is very good.

Superb!

This series has been a real find and a total surprise. I purchased the first one after reading some amazing reviews but was unsure what to expect. The heroine is a drug addict?? However, Chess is such a vulnerable and complex character that the listener can't help but love her. She is insecure, brave, clever, and full of contradictions. She is a fascinating protagonist and gets more interesting with each installment. Stacia Kane's world is edgy and unique. At times it is genuinely scary and at others it is grim, yet there is still love and hope to be found. Terrible and Lex add to a wonderful cast of rich characters. The other great thing about this series is the magnificent performances by Bahni Turpin. I honestly think the best way to experience these books is to hear her read them. She is superb - probably the best narrator I have heard. The books come to life and the characters are voiced so well its impossible to think of them sounding any other way. If you're a fan of urban fantasy with an edge this series is one of the best. I bought the first one and was so captivated I purchased all the others and had them finished in a week. Then I started again!

Great series

After this third book I am excited for the fourth but sad it will be the last. Great performance by the reader.