Dirty Magic

By: Jaye Wells

Narrated by: Morgan Hallett

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)

Jaye Wells is awesome!

Another great novel from Jaye Wells, who creates the most incredible worlds. If you enjoy fantasy and paranormal books, look no further.

Dirty Magic

Dirty Magic by Jaye Wells
1st book in the Prospero’s War series. Urban fantasy cop with magic.
Kate Prospero is a new member of the Magic Enforcement Agency task force. Her job gets more complicated when her brother wants to learn to “cook” dirty magic and he calls Kate’s ex.

Engrossing cop procedural with magic and family issues. Kate is raising her brother the best she can with ethical issues she still has to work out. The tension between Kate and her ex is tense and rich with feelings neither want to revisit. And poor Danny feeling like an outcast and just trying to survive high school is so dramatic and such a teenager.
The Magic investigation and Kate’s desperately trying to do the right thing carries a bit of angst but it’s so real and powerful, it makes the story that much more compelling to finish.

I will be reading more of this series.
I have a paperback copy from when it was first released and needed up alternating between the paperback and the audio version. The narration was done by Morgan Hallett who did a wonderful job portraying the tense situations and the teenage angst and the frustration of Kate trying to do the right thing. I ended up really enjoying the Audiobook version.

great story

Great book. Almost as good as the Sabina Kane series. Can't wait to start book 2

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.

Not my jam

This book was ok, it just was not my normal genre. Decided to try something new.

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.

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.

A Fun Story About Cops & Magic

Would you listen to Dirty Magic again? Why?

I would indeed listen to Dirty Magic again. It was a fun story. It had an interesting protagonist in the form of Kate Prospero. It was well written and very well performed.

What did you like best about this story?

I enjoyed the characters the most. They were all interesting, but believable people within the provided setting.

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

Morgan Hallett helped make Kate seem even more alive.

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

There wasn't a particular moment, but the relationship between Kate and her younger brother was very touching.

A refreshing change from the typical urban fantasy

Dirty Magic was a great read. It is urban fantasy but focused on magic instead of on various supernatural species such as many UF series are that I’ve read. I felt it was a refreshing change from that. Oh don’t get me wrong there was a type of were in this book but it was one brought on by a dirty magic potion rather then being a supernatural race.

I don’t need no stinking magic!

Kate gave up all things magic ten years ago when her mother died from some dirty magic. She also comes from the wrong side of the tracks you could say and now works for the cops instead. A recent case has her hot to get assigned to a special task force to find the culprits behind the newest and nastiest dirty magic on the streets. She makes the team of course and the hunt is on.

When siblings raise each other

Kate has been raising her younger brother these past ten years and I really enjoyed the family dynamic this bit added to the storyline. While I really like Kate character she makes done classic parenting mistakes where her brother is concerned. These things totally got under my skin as I’m sure they were meant to. It was an excellently done portrayal of a sibling/parenting situation.

A little potential sizzle sizzle burn

It looks like there might be two possible heart throbs in Kate’s future with forthcoming books. Thankfully Dirty Magic only sets up the possible scene for romantic entanglements, and I don’t know which way the author will take things but I know I’m liking what has gone down thus far.

Thoughts on the audio narration

Excellently done!! I’ve become more and more hooked on audio books lately. I find what will really pull me in is how well the characterization is accomplished. If a narrator can pull off all the personalities and voices of the different characters such that it really feels like each of those people are real to me and not just being read to me then I know that is a winning narrator. Morgan Hallett was definitely able to do that and I’ll be looking for more narrated by her.

A Little dark

Great world building, interesting characters, and a decent storyline what more could you want? A little dark but you have hope that Kate's outlook on life will improve as the series progresses.