Sacrificial Magic

In a gritty urban fantasy world where the Church of Real Truth employs witches to banish ghosts, Chess Putnam finds herself caught between her official duties and underground obligations. When a powerful crime boss demands she investigate a murder steeped in dark magic, Chess must navigate treacherous territory while simultaneously handling a haunting case at a local school. Her personal life complicates matters further as romantic tensions with her boyfriend Terrible reach a breaking point, and a rival crime lord's son attempts to win her back. As both investigations reveal disturbing connections to forbidden necromancy, Chess realizes someone is manipulating deadly forces that could consume everyone she cares about.

Bahni Turpin delivers a commanding performance that captures the raw edge of Kane's dystopian landscape with remarkable precision. Her nuanced portrayal brings distinct voices to each character, from Chess's guarded vulnerability to Terrible's rough charm, while maintaining the story's relentless pacing through complex magical mysteries and emotional turmoil. Turpin's skillful handling of the dense world-building and intricate plot threads makes the audio experience particularly engaging, allowing listeners to fully immerse themselves in the shadowy atmosphere of Downside's criminal underworld and supernatural dangers.