Dirty Magic

By: Jaye Wells

Narrated by: Morgan Hallett

Length: 11 hrs and 52 mins

Publisher's summary

The last thing patrol cop Kate Prospero expected to find on her nightly rounds was a werewolf covered in the blood of his latest victim. But then, she also didn't expect that shooting him would land her in the crosshairs of a Magic Enforcement Agency task force, who wants to know why she killed their lead snitch. The more Prospero learns about the dangerous new potion the MEA is investigating, the more she's convinced that earning a spot on their task force is the career break she's been wanting. But getting the assignment proves much easier than solving the case. Especially once the investigation reveals their lead suspect is the man she walked away from ten years earlier-on the same day she swore she'd never use dirty magic again. Kate Prospero's about to learn the hard way that crossing a wizard will always get you burned, and that when it comes to magic, you should never say never.

©2013 Jaye Wells (P)2014 Recorded Books

Critic reviews

"Kate Prospero is my new favorite heroine-imperfect, haunted, driven, and dangerous." ( New York Times best seller Kevin Hearne)

Not really fantasy at all

What would have made Dirty Magic better?

This book should have been filed as a pseudo fantasy procedural. There was nothing in plot devices that couldn't have just been renamed. Covens = syndicates, Potions = drugs, Magic = chemistry. The writing was good and easy to follow and the plot had possibilities that were not explored.

What could Jaye Wells have done to make this a more enjoyable book for you?

This book could have been more enjoyable if the characters had been presented in a more realistic light. The main character was authentic but so psychologically broken that she could have never passed any psych evaluation to be a policewoman. Every trauma made her essentially become a whining wreck in a corner.

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

Morgans performance was relaxed and nuanced in such a way that even when the portrait she was painting was unbelievable it was pleasant to listen.

You didn’t love this book... but did it have any redeeming qualities?

This book was a great study of someone who has never gotten over teenage crushed and hangups and moved on into the grownup world where reality of the moment trumps self pity and angst.

Any additional comments?

My real problem with the story was the fact that I wanted to yell at the protagonist to get her head out of her butt and move along. The fact was her character was well written enough that I actually could believe her existence and issues. That she would have been in these situations was totally unbelievable but even those situations were well written for style and voice.

Solid start to a new series...

Listened for Fun (Audible)
Overall Rating: 4.25
Character Rating: 4.00
Story Rating: 4.50

Audio Rating: 4.00 (Not part of the overall rating)

First Thought when Finished: Dirty Magic was a great mix of Urban Fantasy and Mystery! In other words, I dug it.

Story Thoughts: Fact: I am a huge fan of mysteries and thrillers. I get excited about good old fashioned detective work. So when I heard that Jaye was doing an UF meets Mystery book, I got excited. She did not disappoint! The mystery was solid, well thought out, and most of the case solving came from tracking down the clues through working the scene/beat/players! I am always a little worried that "paranormal" elements will be used too much to solve a case in a paranormal/mystery mix but there was a great balance here. There were all the UF elements people love so much: world building, action, and snappy dialogue. Overall this was just a good mix of both worlds and I am excited to see where the series goes from here.

Character Thoughts: Kate is an interesting leading lady. She is strong, independent, stubborn, loyal, and at times a little unlikable. She is a good cop, a good sister, and a good friend. She is also quick at learning on the job. I think the longer she is with the team (Magical Enforcement Agency) the more she will fit in with them. Here is where I think the characters shined: I really liked the MEA task force! They were a great group of characters and hopefully as the series progresses we learn more about them.

Audio Thoughts:

Narrated By Morgan Hallett / Length: 11 hrs and 52 mins


This was my first Morgan Hallett book and I thought she did an excellent job. The pacing and tone of the story was well matched to her voice! The character voices were well done (male and female)with just enough uniqueness to tell who was talking at all times. There were one or two voices that took a bit to get used too but other than that I think the narration was spot on. I will be continuing this series in audio.

Final Thoughts: I really enjoyed Dirty Magic and can't wait for Kate's next adventure!

Note: Yes I am ignoring the setup for a love triangle. The romance won't be the main reason that I am reading this series.

Great Beginning!

Magic, hot men and an awesome kick a$# heroine! What's not to love? Jaye Wells set us up for a great new series. This book had an intricate plot with good world building. I am not too sure who is going to be the hero to the heroine. I think it is going to be interesting to see who is going to take the starring role. So no overt romance in the first book, it’s like the anticipation before you get on the roller coaster. In this first book we get a glimpse of past interest highlighted with one man (past lover) and possible future interest with the other (new partner). There is a full cast of secondary characters that are being fleshed out. I am looking forward to the second book. It will definitely be on my wish list :)

Worth my credit :)

Great Concept/Poor Execution

What did you like best about Dirty Magic? What did you like least?

The concept of the story is pretty good, and the characters are fairly interesting if a little trope. Unfortunately, the dialog reads like it was written by a bored, Midwestern housewife who learned to write "tough street talk" while watching old episodes of "Dragnet." In one scene, the hardboiled special agent actually says "Come on team, weve got crimes to solve" I mean COME ON! Who talks like that?

Would you be willing to try another book from Jaye Wells? Why or why not?

Probably not, her juvenile writing style makes it almost impossible to enjoy her fairly good plot.

What aspect of Morgan Hallett’s performance would you have changed?

She did really well considering what she had to work with

If this book were a movie would you go see it?

I might, if the person who wrote the screenplay changes enough of the dialog around it might make a decent movie.

Any additional comments?

I only read this book because I'm such a big fan a Kevin Hearne and it showed up as a book he was currently reading. Im hoping that was just some marketing ploy by Audible to move "Dirty Magic" I have a hard time believing the guy who wrote the Iron Druid series actually liked this book.

A good fix until a new Dresden or Iron Druid

It was well written, and a good character set up with magic and fantasy as a solid background. It was not sappy like a tween novel, but it also was free of detailed descriptions of every gorgeous woman. Not a dude or chick novel.

Heavy Handed Allegorical crime novel

Would you try another book from Jaye Wells and/or Morgan Hallett?

I won't be reading any more books by Jaye Wells.

What was most disappointing about Jaye Wells’s story?

I did not finish this book. This may have been the first time I've ever gotten beyond the halfway point in a book and turned it off without having the slightest desire to see how it ends. Good allegorical fantasy exists. The Chronicles of Narnia are among the most beloved classic fantasies in the last 60 years. If it's well done, I can even enjoy a story where I disagree with the author's views. Tolkien was pretty clear on his feelings about industrialization in The Lord Of the Rings, yet it remains an epic and exciting story. This book is a barely concealed indictment of our modern drug culture, both legal and illegal. It reads as though the author wrote a straightforward crime novel, then went back and did a word replace on every mention of drugs with 'magic' or 'potion'. Okay fine, we all know urban fantasy sells better than crime fiction, but the continuous heavy handed dialogue about how "white magic" (prescription drugs) are bringing down our society gets old quickly. I am a person who has benefited immensely from the use of prescribed antidepressants, and I don't take kindly to the suggestion that I am no better than a heroin addict.

Good start to a new urban fantasy series

I am very excited about this book. As the first in a series, I feel that it kicked things off with a great start. The world and magic system are interesting. There may be a bit too much angst in the characters, but I am willing to overlook this, since I know the author needed to jump start the vibe for where they are in their lives.

The main character, Kate Prospero, is a tough cookie. She grew up on the shady side of the street, but she's trying to craft a better, cleaner life for herself and her brother as a police officer. Meanwhile, she is trying not to crack under the pressure of staying clean from magic, money woes, work stress, and raising a difficult teenage brother.

There were no real shocks to the mystery side of the story, but the intrigue was solidly built. The author did a good job of laying out the clues and not creating drama when none was warranted. The only thing that rings a little false is Kate's mistrust in Volos. After all, she loved him, but left him. Why the animosity? It also feels like things are being set up for a possible love triangle with Drew. Ewww. WHY do authors always seem to go there?

Regardless, I was left with enough answers to feel like a read a complete book, yet there were good threads left open for exploration. I look forward to the next book.

Exciting New Look on Magic

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

Yes because it is full of excitement. The story of Katie and her brother actually was a good. it is sad how they come to be on there own but I also like how she is being honest about her feelings. I like to also she were her relationship with Drew goes he seems like someone who is full of secrets of his own but at the same times already knows she is also hiding her own. Let's just say wow sexy bad guy John really seems to be hiding more and I look forward to the next book to see what he is going to do next under the false pretense of a good guy.

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

Morgan did a wonderful job this was my first time to listen to her but she did a great job bring it to life.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

When she almost lost Danny and also when she had to be honest with him about her Mom. There were several.

Any additional comments?

Great Story if you like magic stories and I really do look forward to the next one. I have enjoyed all Jaye Wells Book and I think this new series is going to be great and look forward to seeing how it goes.

meh

Not a magic story, more like bad sci-fi. Drug metaphor was painful and forced. This may be a book for you, but there was so many parts that made me want to give it up, maybe I should have.

Not for me

I couldn't get into this book and did not finish it. I won't get another one in this series