Synopsis: 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 be never say never.
Review: Let’s start with the quotes!
“I pinned him with pitying glare. ‘That the best you got?”
His eye flares at the challenge. ‘No, this is.’ His hand cupped his balls.
‘According to Alice in Dispatch’–I lowered my gaze to his crotch and winced–‘there ain’t much magical about that wand.”“How do I know where you’re really taking me? Maybe you got a plan to kidnap me and make me your sex slave.”
I scanned a dubious gaze over the man’s ratty gray hair, serious dental hygiene crimes, and the dirt caked back under his nails. “It’s tempting, but I think I can control myself today.”“I leaned against the counter and eyed the back of Danny’s head. His hair was in the style his peers favored—meticulous messiness. I swear the kid took half an hour applying goo to his hair so it could look exactly like it had when he rolled out of bed.”
Well this was a fun one! Does the cover model remind anyone else of Olivia Munn? I should know!
I think this series is off to a great start. I don’t really read too many police procedurals, but Dirty Magic makes it more interesting through incorporating paranormal elements in a traditional urban fantasy setting. The magic is really unique and I liked that it isn’t totally flashy. It comes off as more scientific which makes the parallels between magic in this world and drugs in ours very believable.
Kate can be very funny and I think she’s a good heroine so far. Though she has a tragic past, the series doesn’t come off as too dark. I found myself quoting several hilarious lines though the latter half isn’t quite as quotable as the first one. A few of the supporting characters should develop pretty nicely in the sequels, but I wasn’t quite attached to them right away. I do sense a potential love triangle brewing, but I wouldn’t be surprised if this series doesn’t put a lot of focus on romance.
I’m very happy to have given Jaye Wells another shot. I tried a novel in her Sabina Kane series and it didn’t really grip me, but Dirty Magic’s witty dialogue, solid worth building, and character development put this series on track to become a potential favorite.
*ARC Provided by the Publisher.
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