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Izzie Berens: Arcane Enforcer #2
The Dark Artifact
A stolen artifact. A city on the brink. A deadly game with no rules.
Izzie Berens and her Paranormal Defense Agency partner, Rafe, thought they had a handle on the Arcane Syndicate—the ruthlessmagical organization that sent an assassin into their city. But when a brutal daylight robbery leaves multiple dead and a powerful dark artifact missing, they realize the Syndicate has upped its game.
The deeper Izzie digs, the more the case twists into something far more personal. A signature in the stolen artifact’s magic feels disturbingly familiar, pulling her toward a truth she’s not ready to face. And when an unexpected ally with too many secrets of his own is forced into the investigation, trusting the wrong person could be deadly.
With time running out and the artifact’s dark power already seeping into the city, Izzie and Rafe are in a race against an unseen enemy—one who won’t hesitate to burn the city to the ground to get what they want. And when the final move comes, Rafe may have to put his life on the line to stop a catastrophe no one saw coming.
The Syndicate made their move. Now it’s Izzie’s turn.
For fans of Ilona Andrews, K.F. Breene, and Patricia Briggs, Shadow Heist is a high-stakes urban fantasy adventure packed with magic-fueled action, pulse-pounding suspense, and a heroine who refuses to back down.
Grab The Dark Artifact today and join Izzie Berens on her most dangerous mission yet!
Izzie Berens and her Paranormal Defense Agency partner, Rafe, thought they had a handle on the Arcane Syndicate—the ruthlessmagical organization that sent an assassin into their city. But when a brutal daylight robbery leaves multiple dead and a powerful dark artifact missing, they realize the Syndicate has upped its game.
The deeper Izzie digs, the more the case twists into something far more personal. A signature in the stolen artifact’s magic feels disturbingly familiar, pulling her toward a truth she’s not ready to face. And when an unexpected ally with too many secrets of his own is forced into the investigation, trusting the wrong person could be deadly.
With time running out and the artifact’s dark power already seeping into the city, Izzie and Rafe are in a race against an unseen enemy—one who won’t hesitate to burn the city to the ground to get what they want. And when the final move comes, Rafe may have to put his life on the line to stop a catastrophe no one saw coming.
The Syndicate made their move. Now it’s Izzie’s turn.
For fans of Ilona Andrews, K.F. Breene, and Patricia Briggs, Shadow Heist is a high-stakes urban fantasy adventure packed with magic-fueled action, pulse-pounding suspense, and a heroine who refuses to back down.
Grab The Dark Artifact today and join Izzie Berens on her most dangerous mission yet!
344 pages, Kindle Edition
Published January 16, 2025
147 people are currently reading
27 people want to read
About the author
Martha Carr
559 books766 followersOkay, I'm a late bloomer who's a big DC comics fan and spent my childhood summers on the Jersey shore but I was born under a wandering star and have lived in different parts of America ever since. That's enough about me. Need to feel inspired today? Looking for something to make you root for an ordinary hero? I'm all about that in everything I write.
I love a good tale that makes me wonder about things and I love a story even more that leaves me feeling inspired or like I'm capable of doing more than I realized. That's my goal with everything I've ever written. Some of the stories I tell involve twisting, turning thrillers and others have a lot of magic.
There's something to be said for getting lost in another world and coming out the other side feeling a little better about yourself or the possibilities in front of you. That's basically the best part of life in a nutshell, no matter what kind of story I'm setting out to tell.
Thank you for checking out my stories!
I love a good tale that makes me wonder about things and I love a story even more that leaves me feeling inspired or like I'm capable of doing more than I realized. That's my goal with everything I've ever written. Some of the stories I tell involve twisting, turning thrillers and others have a lot of magic.
There's something to be said for getting lost in another world and coming out the other side feeling a little better about yourself or the possibilities in front of you. That's basically the best part of life in a nutshell, no matter what kind of story I'm setting out to tell.
Thank you for checking out my stories!
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
January 17, 2025
As I said before…. it’s IZZIE!!!!
So even if you hate it, you’ve just gotta love it. And let me be clear, I most CERTAINLY do not hate it. In fact, quite the opposite is true to a ridiculously extreme degree….
So I utterly LOVE both Mike and Martha’s writing, and together I like to refer to them (quite respectfully, I hope) as the Mike and Martha Show. I coined this phrase because when they get together it is always quite a, well… a SHOW! Separately they are both extraordinary, but together, they entertain, beguile, occasionally bewilder, and without exception they DELIVER. When these two collaborate, just go out and buy it immediately. It is always a penny well spent, even when they decide to end a book on a hideously evil cliffhanger, which I am more than pleased to say has not happened yet in this series.
There’s a lot of action in this book for those of you who love that sort of thing, and if you’re into the mystery of it all, that continues to deepen. If you just like the idea of magic in a mundane world, well it IS an Oriceran novel, so you’re covered. Whatever you find appealing in urban fantasy, you’ll find it here. There’s even a touch of paranormal romance, or two, so there you go. I’ll stand by my earlier statement with conviction and repeat, this one has something for everyone.
My only question is this… while he’s referenced often, and while I get that he’d unbalance the narrative horribly if he had much active participation, where is The Fixer while all this is going on? There have been hints about his role in Izzie’s modern world, and I’m really curious to see that explored…. Alas, every book cannot answer every thing so I’ll just be patient. But again, well done, my dear authors. Well done!
So even if you hate it, you’ve just gotta love it. And let me be clear, I most CERTAINLY do not hate it. In fact, quite the opposite is true to a ridiculously extreme degree….
So I utterly LOVE both Mike and Martha’s writing, and together I like to refer to them (quite respectfully, I hope) as the Mike and Martha Show. I coined this phrase because when they get together it is always quite a, well… a SHOW! Separately they are both extraordinary, but together, they entertain, beguile, occasionally bewilder, and without exception they DELIVER. When these two collaborate, just go out and buy it immediately. It is always a penny well spent, even when they decide to end a book on a hideously evil cliffhanger, which I am more than pleased to say has not happened yet in this series.
There’s a lot of action in this book for those of you who love that sort of thing, and if you’re into the mystery of it all, that continues to deepen. If you just like the idea of magic in a mundane world, well it IS an Oriceran novel, so you’re covered. Whatever you find appealing in urban fantasy, you’ll find it here. There’s even a touch of paranormal romance, or two, so there you go. I’ll stand by my earlier statement with conviction and repeat, this one has something for everyone.
My only question is this… while he’s referenced often, and while I get that he’d unbalance the narrative horribly if he had much active participation, where is The Fixer while all this is going on? There have been hints about his role in Izzie’s modern world, and I’m really curious to see that explored…. Alas, every book cannot answer every thing so I’ll just be patient. But again, well done, my dear authors. Well done!
July 17, 2025
good
I really like Izzy and her human partner. Even though her partner is human, he still kicks butt with her. at the beginning of the book, the scene is set for the artifact that gets stolen, and Izzy and her partner are having to try to figure out who stole it and what it does. Unfortunately, the company that was transporting the artifact does not want to tell Izzy what the artifact does. Izzy and her partner end up having to go to a underground auction to get the artifact back and then they figure out what it really does. I will definitely be reading the next book in the series.
I really like Izzy and her human partner. Even though her partner is human, he still kicks butt with her. at the beginning of the book, the scene is set for the artifact that gets stolen, and Izzy and her partner are having to try to figure out who stole it and what it does. Unfortunately, the company that was transporting the artifact does not want to tell Izzy what the artifact does. Izzy and her partner end up having to go to a underground auction to get the artifact back and then they figure out what it really does. I will definitely be reading the next book in the series.
February 18, 2025
Paranoia works
Izzie and her partner Rafe are investigating an armed robbery that was done by dark magicals and killed most of a security team. It turns out the stolen item is an artifact, and they need to figure out who has it and what it can do before it's too late. With the help of a new ally they may be able to figure it out. Another good edition to the series and I look forward to more of the teams adventures.
Izzie and her partner Rafe are investigating an armed robbery that was done by dark magicals and killed most of a security team. It turns out the stolen item is an artifact, and they need to figure out who has it and what it can do before it's too late. With the help of a new ally they may be able to figure it out. Another good edition to the series and I look forward to more of the teams adventures.
May 4, 2025
I still like Izzie's story after reading the 2nd book. There's just something "off" for the lack of a better word. I'm not sure how to put it into words. I'm truly at a loss as to what it is that is affecting me and why. I really don't know what to think or say.
It's still a good series with strong characters. I'm just not getting lost in it like I usually do.
It's still a good series with strong characters. I'm just not getting lost in it like I usually do.
February 13, 2025
Excellent!
I'm living this The Arcane Enforcer series, this second book was even better than the first.
Could out intrepid protagonist actually be getting a social life?
I look forward to reading the next book.
I'm living this The Arcane Enforcer series, this second book was even better than the first.
Could out intrepid protagonist actually be getting a social life?
I look forward to reading the next book.
February 15, 2025
Excellent as always
Loved this from the first page. Izzie is paranoid about the Arcane syndicate. With her history and her last case it’s understandable. There’s something not right with the Technomagic company and DoD, she will find out or die trying.
Loved this from the first page. Izzie is paranoid about the Arcane syndicate. With her history and her last case it’s understandable. There’s something not right with the Technomagic company and DoD, she will find out or die trying.
February 2, 2025
Dark Magic
Izzie and her partner are in for some major work after an artifact was stolen. Finding who stole it and what it really is will be a major undertaking.
Izzie and her partner are in for some major work after an artifact was stolen. Finding who stole it and what it really is will be a major undertaking.
April 9, 2025
Getting good
This book continues Izzie's story and character development. It also adds a couple more characters to the "inner" circle. There is even a whisper of a social life.
This book continues Izzie's story and character development. It also adds a couple more characters to the "inner" circle. There is even a whisper of a social life.
April 14, 2025
Excellent
I have enjoyed this book to the extent that it has distracted me from a job! It is an excellent second book for the series, and it leaves me keen to read the next.
I have enjoyed this book to the extent that it has distracted me from a job! It is an excellent second book for the series, and it leaves me keen to read the next.
October 22, 2025
Totally enjoyed it! This is a well written and has well developed characters. The story is catching and with the strong characters makes for a very enjoyable read. Great Reading Everyone!
February 2, 2025
Another fine outing with izzy and necromancers.
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews