City of Ghosts

Chess Putnam navigates the gritty underbelly of Downside, where the Church of Real Truth employs her to banish unruly spirits and maintain the fragile balance between the living and the dead. When mangled corpses begin appearing throughout the city and rogue spirits terrorize innocent people, Chess finds herself bound by deadly magic and caught between her Church superiors, dangerous crime bosses, and mysterious forces threatening to tear open the gates to the spirit realm itself. As the investigation deepens, she must confront not only supernatural threats but also the dark secrets of her own past while working alongside allies she cannot fully trust.

Bahni Turpin delivers a powerhouse performance that captures both Chess's vulnerability and fierce determination with remarkable nuance. Her voice work brings distinct personality to each character while maintaining the story's dark, atmospheric tone throughout the lengthy runtime. Turpin's pacing allows the complex magical elements and urban fantasy worldbuilding to unfold naturally, never rushing through the intricate plot developments or emotional beats. The narrator's ability to convey Chess's internal struggles makes the audiobook format particularly compelling, as listeners experience the protagonist's fears and addictions with intimate immediacy that enhances the story's psychological depth.