What do you think?
Rate this book
Harbinger P.I. #3
Dark Magic
Zombies on Main Street. Not my finest moment.
The police aren’t exactly thrilled with me, but when a cold case heats up and starts to stink of the supernatural, suddenly the sheriff is in my office offering me a job.
When the case hits boiling point, I’m dealing with monsters, black magic, and ritual killings. I even have to call on the two craziest witches in town for help. Things must be bad if the Blackwell sisters are my only hope for survival.
Maybe I've bitten off more than I can chew. After all, those who fight monsters should beware that the monsters aren’t frog-faced, soul-eating demons.
The police aren’t exactly thrilled with me, but when a cold case heats up and starts to stink of the supernatural, suddenly the sheriff is in my office offering me a job.
When the case hits boiling point, I’m dealing with monsters, black magic, and ritual killings. I even have to call on the two craziest witches in town for help. Things must be bad if the Blackwell sisters are my only hope for survival.
Maybe I've bitten off more than I can chew. After all, those who fight monsters should beware that the monsters aren’t frog-faced, soul-eating demons.
236 pages, Kindle Edition
Published June 13, 2016
257 people are currently reading
166 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 78 reviews
March 2, 2018
Dark Magic
Harbinger P.I., Book 3
By: Adam J Wright
Narrated by: Greg Tremblay
The sheriff that hates our guy now wants his help...with demons and ....
The witches help him with issues, good to have friends in supernatural places...
The series just keeps getting better!!!
Love the narrator. He keeps the characters fun, clear, and with their own flare!
Harbinger P.I., Book 3
By: Adam J Wright
Narrated by: Greg Tremblay
The sheriff that hates our guy now wants his help...with demons and ....
The witches help him with issues, good to have friends in supernatural places...
The series just keeps getting better!!!
Love the narrator. He keeps the characters fun, clear, and with their own flare!
September 15, 2016
Well this was real nice read! and I am looking forward to other adventures of Alec Harbinger now.
As I said before this was so refreshing and entertaining reads than all girly paranormal romance I used to read. and although Alec solves most of P.I. cases, he takes help of his friends and there are certain wonderful girls are there in his crew - that includes - Falicity, Mallory, Sherry, Blackwell sisters. Cheers to girl power!
In this particular book, Alec solves the mystery of Frog monster. I had hard time picturing this 'Gibl' as Google search comes back with nothing. May be it's brand new monster created by Wright.
Anyways, Falicity came back to Alec (that was nice) and being involved in 3 year old case, helped them stop the real apocalypse happening and they saved the world. Yay! What is amazing is that, it is fast paced, filled with action and adventure with little bit of romance, humor and friendship, thrown into mix. The writing is to the point and doesn't drag and pages literally fly when I'm reading this.
Alec Harbinger -
No no, not like that Pogo (blue one), more like -
Yeah Newt (pink one), you got it right.
When I said I'm looking forward to next in the series - I wasn't kidding.
The Midnight Cabal was gaining power. I was indebted to a faerie queen. There were marks on bones that had been put there with my father's consent. Mallory was living on borrowed time thanks to an ancient curse. I know the location of the Spear of Destiny, an artifact so powerful that nobody should ever get their hands on it. Just the fact that it existed meant there was potential for bad things to happen.
See, never a dull moment!
January 5, 2018
I owe Adam J. Wright my thanks. First, my non-reader husband got hooked on this audiobook series, and wants to discuss books! He's talking about ogres and vampires and magic, and now knows what Excalibur is! It's like my wildest dream come to life.
Secondly, these wonderful stories have made a hellish three-hour daily commute not only bearable, but I don't want to get out of my car when I get there. (Please! Just one more chapter!)
And I am totally a Michael fangirl, but I digress.
Having grown up reading fantasy novels, this series is like coming home to all the things I originally loved about reading. Adventure, good triumphing over evil (even though the protags have to work really hard for it), comradery among a diverse cast, spells, magic, werewolves...
I no longer have to stay up late reading under the covers with a flashlight, but Harbinger P.I. takes me back to when I first fell in love with reading and did spend every free moment with a book.
Oh, and I think I should mention taking lunch break in my car so I can listen to more of the story.
Now, on to the next one!
Secondly, these wonderful stories have made a hellish three-hour daily commute not only bearable, but I don't want to get out of my car when I get there. (Please! Just one more chapter!)
And I am totally a Michael fangirl, but I digress.
Having grown up reading fantasy novels, this series is like coming home to all the things I originally loved about reading. Adventure, good triumphing over evil (even though the protags have to work really hard for it), comradery among a diverse cast, spells, magic, werewolves...
I no longer have to stay up late reading under the covers with a flashlight, but Harbinger P.I. takes me back to when I first fell in love with reading and did spend every free moment with a book.
Oh, and I think I should mention taking lunch break in my car so I can listen to more of the story.
Now, on to the next one!
July 2, 2016
3.75 stars rounded up
Not much progress from the Midnight Cabal plot -- and I really, truly, wasn't sure with the development over Alec-Felicity relationship ...
BUT, there was still enough action involving dark magic ritual/monsters that kept me entertained.
Plus Alec was able to get answers regarding the case which Amy Cantrell hired him for in book #2 about the Church massacre in which her mother became one of the victims.
Looking forward to book #4.
Not much progress from the Midnight Cabal plot -- and I really, truly, wasn't sure with the development over Alec-Felicity relationship ...
BUT, there was still enough action involving dark magic ritual/monsters that kept me entertained.
Plus Alec was able to get answers regarding the case which Amy Cantrell hired him for in book #2 about the Church massacre in which her mother became one of the victims.
Looking forward to book #4.
August 1, 2016
This series just keeps getting better. I saw some complaints that it was too short but in my opinion the length worked really well. I always look forward to the Harbinger series, the perfect mix between investigation and magical beings. It being my first and only urban fantasy read, I have very much enjoyed it. The next one comes out at the end of this month I will surly buy it. Adam J. Wright you rock :)
July 16, 2020
3.5 Stars
Another fast paced adventure of Alec Harbinger. Even though I'm enjoying the series I feel the characters need to be more developed. The plot is fast and too precise. It could have been flashed out a bit. The continuing thread in these books is the mystery of Alec's past which is still left unresolved. I'm hoping for some answers in the next book.
Another fast paced adventure of Alec Harbinger. Even though I'm enjoying the series I feel the characters need to be more developed. The plot is fast and too precise. It could have been flashed out a bit. The continuing thread in these books is the mystery of Alec's past which is still left unresolved. I'm hoping for some answers in the next book.
November 7, 2017
This starts right where the last one stopped. He is being helped into the house by Felicity. Pretty much this is the second half to the story. There are plot lines that are not totally fleshed out and answered, but mainly, this answers most of what was left from the last installment. Put book 2 & 3 together and you get a novel with a beginning middle and end and it was really good, really excellent in some points. I still want more and think all the characters need more time. I like them a lot but maybe if he did give them more page time, I wouldn't like them or the book as much. Hmm....
Well in this one we get the sheriff asking for help with a case that happens to be related to the church case his daughter, from the last book, asked for help with. The sheriff is coming, grudgingly around to believing in these things. Alec gets help along the way from his many friends and colleagues and now there is a new one, Sherry. I like that the women he deals with, for the most part, are smart and helpful, not spiteful and evil, but strong good females, yea. The sheriff insists on working with Alec and gets to see more of the paranormal. I think the ending brings him more into the fold. The church is glamoured and Alec sees right away the evil that it has been worshiping. This was really the 2nd half of the story and furthers the characters and the future for Alec and friends.
We still have unanswered questions like Mallory and what will happen with her after the book and what exactly did Alec's dad do to him. Also the questions about his mother but the plots of the town are wrapped up. I think I'll hold off going to #4 until there is a #5 out, just in case. This is a good stopping point. Not sure why I liked the plot and characters so much, maybe because it is not as complicated as Dresden or some of the other UF mystery series. hmm...
Will definitely go on.
Well in this one we get the sheriff asking for help with a case that happens to be related to the church case his daughter, from the last book, asked for help with. The sheriff is coming, grudgingly around to believing in these things. Alec gets help along the way from his many friends and colleagues and now there is a new one, Sherry. I like that the women he deals with, for the most part, are smart and helpful, not spiteful and evil, but strong good females, yea. The sheriff insists on working with Alec and gets to see more of the paranormal. I think the ending brings him more into the fold. The church is glamoured and Alec sees right away the evil that it has been worshiping. This was really the 2nd half of the story and furthers the characters and the future for Alec and friends.
We still have unanswered questions like Mallory and what will happen with her after the book and what exactly did Alec's dad do to him. Also the questions about his mother but the plots of the town are wrapped up. I think I'll hold off going to #4 until there is a #5 out, just in case. This is a good stopping point. Not sure why I liked the plot and characters so much, maybe because it is not as complicated as Dresden or some of the other UF mystery series. hmm...
Will definitely go on.
January 10, 2019
These books are quick to read and enjoyable stories. The characters are pretty normal, not over-the-top or annoying. Just doing their thing, knowing there are things in the world not everyone knows about. Good characters and stories.
January 3, 2017
Very good short read. Lots of action. I enjoyed the continuation of this series and look forward to the next case.
July 22, 2019
Actual rating 3.75 stars.
As campy as the Harbinger P.I. series is, I was still lost and entertained in this paranormal tale. I wish Adam Wright would bust away from the tropes typical to this genre and raise this collection to another level, but nonetheless, the multiple mysteries and collection of cast members are both endearing and captivating.
Harbinger didn't seem as chauvinistic in 'Dark Magic' and we get many kick ass moments from his female co-stars. We also see plot points introduced in the previous two books resolved - but there are plenty more loose threads leading up to even more mysteries to be solved in future sequels.
The climax was all things apocalyptic, Wright is definitely upping the ante and improving with each installment of this series.
I feel I wanted some more development on the ongoing story lines, only because I wanted a bigger hook to have me reaching for the next sequel, 'Dead Ground.' Wright's books are falling into the category of reading I associate with the likes of Clive Cussler : adventurous, entertaining, with a strong masculine sense to the writing style and not to be taken too seriously.
With our protagonist Alec healing from a gunshot wound and straight into hand to hand combat... and even a shower afterward - the author should think a little before writing implausible scenarios to prevent the reader getting pulled from the story with a wtf moment.
Still an element of misogyny- kinda like James Bond and Moneypenny- the male swoops in to save the day and solve the mystery where the female companion does all the hard work behind the scenes and fetches coffee. And of course the male lead has any number of attractive females around him, all trying to land him in bed.
Unfortunately I identified some spelling and grammatical errors that could have been solved with a simple read-through from an editor. But this is an entertaining collection and I am able to forgive a few oversights. Plus the cover art has been eye-catching and spooky, really capturing what Alec Harbinger is all about.
‘Dark Magic’ has great pacing with multiple storylines that kept me hooked. Beginning to love the magical mythology, it is unlike nothing I've read before, it's intricate and well realised. Bring on book four!
As campy as the Harbinger P.I. series is, I was still lost and entertained in this paranormal tale. I wish Adam Wright would bust away from the tropes typical to this genre and raise this collection to another level, but nonetheless, the multiple mysteries and collection of cast members are both endearing and captivating.
Harbinger didn't seem as chauvinistic in 'Dark Magic' and we get many kick ass moments from his female co-stars. We also see plot points introduced in the previous two books resolved - but there are plenty more loose threads leading up to even more mysteries to be solved in future sequels.
The climax was all things apocalyptic, Wright is definitely upping the ante and improving with each installment of this series.
I feel I wanted some more development on the ongoing story lines, only because I wanted a bigger hook to have me reaching for the next sequel, 'Dead Ground.' Wright's books are falling into the category of reading I associate with the likes of Clive Cussler : adventurous, entertaining, with a strong masculine sense to the writing style and not to be taken too seriously.
With our protagonist Alec healing from a gunshot wound and straight into hand to hand combat... and even a shower afterward - the author should think a little before writing implausible scenarios to prevent the reader getting pulled from the story with a wtf moment.
Still an element of misogyny- kinda like James Bond and Moneypenny- the male swoops in to save the day and solve the mystery where the female companion does all the hard work behind the scenes and fetches coffee. And of course the male lead has any number of attractive females around him, all trying to land him in bed.
Unfortunately I identified some spelling and grammatical errors that could have been solved with a simple read-through from an editor. But this is an entertaining collection and I am able to forgive a few oversights. Plus the cover art has been eye-catching and spooky, really capturing what Alec Harbinger is all about.
‘Dark Magic’ has great pacing with multiple storylines that kept me hooked. Beginning to love the magical mythology, it is unlike nothing I've read before, it's intricate and well realised. Bring on book four!
April 27, 2025
Rushed romance, interesting mashup mysteries... paused here the first time I tried the series, and it's been a few months and I've failed to continue on retry, too...
May 23, 2020
Initially, I began reading this series because it was available to read free with my Kindle Unlimited subscription. That being said, that was my method for reading this incredibly engaging book.
The story picks up right where the previous book left off at, which I liked. Poor Alec is discovering more about himself to a draining degree. Quite literally. That doesn't stop him from taking on cases and showing the bad guys whose boss!
I like that Felicity does seem to be growing as a potential Preternatural Investigator in training herself. Her and Alec make a good team, given she is the book smart one who enjoys relics and ancient tomes, while he's the brawny one whose proficient with weaponry. The development between the two of them seems pretty fast, to almost an off-putting degree, but I'm willing to let it slide since besides that the book was a fast-paced, engaging read.
Besides the clear turn up to the level of romance, the only other thing I'd say negatively about the book is it lacked development on the Society's traitor infestation/Midnight Cabal story arc. Granted, I'm assuming most of the bigger things relating to the Midnight Cabal is occurring in London HQ, but it would still have been nice to be given a small scrap or two of information, given how tremendous an arc it is to the overall series.
Hopefully Alec will train Felicity in combat soon, too. He's got a whole basement full of goodies he can utilize to improve her nearly-nonexistent skills. Even though she's the lesser combat inclined of the duo, she's still actively in the field with Alec often enough to at least be shown defense training.
The story picks up right where the previous book left off at, which I liked. Poor Alec is discovering more about himself to a draining degree. Quite literally. That doesn't stop him from taking on cases and showing the bad guys whose boss!
I like that Felicity does seem to be growing as a potential Preternatural Investigator in training herself. Her and Alec make a good team, given she is the book smart one who enjoys relics and ancient tomes, while he's the brawny one whose proficient with weaponry. The development between the two of them seems pretty fast, to almost an off-putting degree, but I'm willing to let it slide since besides that the book was a fast-paced, engaging read.
Besides the clear turn up to the level of romance, the only other thing I'd say negatively about the book is it lacked development on the Society's traitor infestation/Midnight Cabal story arc. Granted, I'm assuming most of the bigger things relating to the Midnight Cabal is occurring in London HQ, but it would still have been nice to be given a small scrap or two of information, given how tremendous an arc it is to the overall series.
Hopefully Alec will train Felicity in combat soon, too. He's got a whole basement full of goodies he can utilize to improve her nearly-nonexistent skills. Even though she's the lesser combat inclined of the duo, she's still actively in the field with Alec often enough to at least be shown defense training.
August 27, 2019
I'm going to cheat here and review all 7 books of the series up to this date as one. I read all 7 books in a wonderful and enjoyable binge read of about 5 days and what a fabulous time I had. This cheeky little urban fantasy series crept up on me out of the blue and grabbed my attention. It has all the things that I love most about this genre. A strong but not perfect hero, who has a newly discovered mysterious past and possible developing powers and history. A team of people around him who form a scooby gang :-), wonderful characters who start to feel like friends, with real life drama and situations. There is a hidden world of magic with secret societies, shady motives, and an increasing feeling of not knowing who the good or bad guys are. The books interweave constantly and whilst each book has a start and a finish, there is an interweaving and increasingly complex over reaching plot that had me hooked and reaching for the next. The wait for the next book is agony! Definitely now a fan of this author.
May 22, 2022
Harbinger has to team up with the sheriff who hates him to figure out what happened to the sheriff’s wife. There’s also another P.I. involved who has been accused of a murder that she quite obviously couldn’t have committed. The heart of the problem is a villain who is trying to bring an elder god to earth and I enjoyed everyone’s efforts to keep that from happening. The sheriff gets to discover the hard way that the supernatural is real. This should make him and Harbinger partners in the future, but I doubt that will actually happen.
If you liked this review, you can find more at www.gilbertstack.com/reviews.
If you liked this review, you can find more at www.gilbertstack.com/reviews.
January 12, 2022
It took a while - three books - but I finally worked out what it is about the "Harbinger P. I" series that doesn't work.
Maybe it is just me, but there is a complete lack of tension - it's all too cosy until it isn't and then it is over.
This time out Alex finally finds out what happened in the deadly church, ditto with his predecessor, Sherry Westlake.
It's quite readable but I've had enough.
If you want to read a book that does it properly - Harry Dresden is the way to go.
2.5 Stars, raised to 3 Stars.
Maybe it is just me, but there is a complete lack of tension - it's all too cosy until it isn't and then it is over.
This time out Alex finally finds out what happened in the deadly church, ditto with his predecessor, Sherry Westlake.
It's quite readable but I've had enough.
If you want to read a book that does it properly - Harry Dresden is the way to go.
2.5 Stars, raised to 3 Stars.
January 24, 2019
Glad things are finally moving forward but man some of these things are just plain jacked when you start seeing stuff unfold. A wife that was murdered just because of an occult. I felt sorry for the Sheriff because his naivety in the paranormal finally brings him to his knees and it breaks my heart. Now the revelation about the bones and the memory is a stark and shocking mess and again another betrayal by a parent is a sad thing but for what purpose.
January 24, 2019
This book was so good
I absolutely loved this book. I couldn't put it down. Alec is a wonderful main character, he knows he's not perfect but he is going to do his best to stop the bad guys. I like how he has to figure out his past and what it means to him now. I can't wait to see what is in store for him and the rest of his crew. I look forward to reading the next book in the series.
I absolutely loved this book. I couldn't put it down. Alec is a wonderful main character, he knows he's not perfect but he is going to do his best to stop the bad guys. I like how he has to figure out his past and what it means to him now. I can't wait to see what is in store for him and the rest of his crew. I look forward to reading the next book in the series.
November 21, 2019
Never dull
Another great book by Adam J Write. I sometimes have a difficult time finding a good author that can keep my attention throughout a story. Mr. Wright does a wonderful job of keeping the story moving along without giving too much away before its time. Thank you for sharing your talents.
Another great book by Adam J Write. I sometimes have a difficult time finding a good author that can keep my attention throughout a story. Mr. Wright does a wonderful job of keeping the story moving along without giving too much away before its time. Thank you for sharing your talents.
October 18, 2017
Improved
I think the characters have come around a bit. Definitely the main character or we know him better and accepted his personality. Anything that is binge read with good characters deserves five stars. And, to the author, it’s not as sweet/cute as it was ;)
I think the characters have come around a bit. Definitely the main character or we know him better and accepted his personality. Anything that is binge read with good characters deserves five stars. And, to the author, it’s not as sweet/cute as it was ;)
May 26, 2019
Dark Magic is the third book in Adam J. Wright’s Harbinger P.I. series. If you haven’t read the first two books in this series, Lost Soul and Buried Memory, I strongly recommend checking out the first book here before reading on. Spoilers are ahead if you’ve not read the first two books. You’ve been warned.
While I am a woman on a book budget and will use my KU subscription to help me satisfy my reading addiction and stay within my budget, I also believe in supporting my favorite authors by buying their books when I can. So although Dark Magic is available in the KU library, I spent some of my book budget buying the title, and I’m not at all disappointed. Dark Magic picks up just a few minutes after the moment where Buried Memory ends. Felicity has returned to Dearmont and reveals that she has broken off her engagement to Jason, and Alec tells her about everything he learned about himself during the course of Buried Memory (which I’m going to do my best not to spoil here). Mallory has gone to search for Mister Scary and, with the exception of a short phone call between her and Alec, remains absent for the whole of the third book.
Remember back to the beginning of Buried Memory, where Amy Cantrell comes to Alec and asks him to investigate her mother’s death and she reveals that her mother was killed by the preternatural investigator who worked in Dearmont prior to Alec’s arrival? In book two, Alec learns that Mary Cantrell was one of thirteen people massacred at a church in Clara, a town down the road from Dearmont. It seems that Alec is going to further investigate this massacre but then he gets called to London by his father. Well, it’s in book three that we pick up the threads of that mystery and find Alec investigating what happened in Clara. In this way, Buried Memory and Dark Magic feel like companion books, with the mystery surrounding the massacre at the church in Clara standing as the outer frame of the story and the mystery surrounding Alec’s sudden summons to London and the hunt for a traitor within the Society operating as the inner frame. For this reason I’m glad I read these two books in quick proximity to each other, and I’d recommend readers of this series do the same.
With Dark Magic being the third book in this series, I would expect to begin seeing some further development of the supporting characters in addition to seeing continued evolution in the protagonist. This book focuses on the development of two relationships—the one between Alec and Sheriff Cantrell and the one between Alec and Felicity. More than in any of the previous books, Wright spends some time developing Felicity as a love interest. On the one hand, this is what we expected all along, right? On the other hand, well, I don’t find anything compelling about them as a couple. In other words, if this were a television show, I would not be shipping them. Still, it’s fine and not distracting or anything that would make me want to throw the book across the room. The relationship between Alec and Sheriff Cantrell, on the other hand, does hold my interest and I’m invested in seeing where it goes. Sheriff Cantrell’s dislike for Alec stems from his hatred for Sherry Westlake, the P.I. he believes is responsible for the massacre at the church where Mary Cantrell died. Throughout the story, Alec must deal with the Sheriff’s animosity even while working with him on the case. In a way, gaining Cantrell’s respect is the equivalent of gaining full acceptance into the community of Dearmont. It’s also important (at least, I think it’s important) to see Cantrell as a contrast to Alec’s father, Thomas. By the end of the novel, what we have is a solidification of a trusted Scooby Gang for Alec, composed of the Sheriff, Amy Cantrell, Felicity, Leon (the computer whiz) and his butler/bodyguard, Michael, and Devon and Victoria Blackwell. Moving forward, it will be worth watching how Wright uses the supporting cast of characters to weave in conflict as well as a sense of family into the story.
Three books into this series, I’m still invested in the characters and their stories and the world Wright is building. I’m still waiting patiently to find out more about Alec’s back story and the secret of his true nature, and I’m also waiting to see what will happen with Mallory, her search for Mister Scary, and whether or not Alec will eventually help her bring her search to a conclusion. I still want to know the true motives and goals of Alec’s father, Thomas, because at the end of book three, I haven’t yet decided whether he is friend or foe (in fact, Thomas reminds a little bit of Jack Bristow from Alias, but it’s still to be determined if he’s the kind of father who is always acting in the best interest of his child with his sole intent to be protect Alec, or if he’s the kind of father willing to sacrifice his own son for some nefarious purpose or seemingly greater good).
I liked Dark Magic and think the books in the Harbinger P.I. series get better with each new installment. I recommend this series if you like urban fantasy (especially light urban fantasy that isn’t too dark or overly complex). The next book in this series, Dead Ground, is already in my reading list. I can’t wait to see what happens next.
While I am a woman on a book budget and will use my KU subscription to help me satisfy my reading addiction and stay within my budget, I also believe in supporting my favorite authors by buying their books when I can. So although Dark Magic is available in the KU library, I spent some of my book budget buying the title, and I’m not at all disappointed. Dark Magic picks up just a few minutes after the moment where Buried Memory ends. Felicity has returned to Dearmont and reveals that she has broken off her engagement to Jason, and Alec tells her about everything he learned about himself during the course of Buried Memory (which I’m going to do my best not to spoil here). Mallory has gone to search for Mister Scary and, with the exception of a short phone call between her and Alec, remains absent for the whole of the third book.
Remember back to the beginning of Buried Memory, where Amy Cantrell comes to Alec and asks him to investigate her mother’s death and she reveals that her mother was killed by the preternatural investigator who worked in Dearmont prior to Alec’s arrival? In book two, Alec learns that Mary Cantrell was one of thirteen people massacred at a church in Clara, a town down the road from Dearmont. It seems that Alec is going to further investigate this massacre but then he gets called to London by his father. Well, it’s in book three that we pick up the threads of that mystery and find Alec investigating what happened in Clara. In this way, Buried Memory and Dark Magic feel like companion books, with the mystery surrounding the massacre at the church in Clara standing as the outer frame of the story and the mystery surrounding Alec’s sudden summons to London and the hunt for a traitor within the Society operating as the inner frame. For this reason I’m glad I read these two books in quick proximity to each other, and I’d recommend readers of this series do the same.
With Dark Magic being the third book in this series, I would expect to begin seeing some further development of the supporting characters in addition to seeing continued evolution in the protagonist. This book focuses on the development of two relationships—the one between Alec and Sheriff Cantrell and the one between Alec and Felicity. More than in any of the previous books, Wright spends some time developing Felicity as a love interest. On the one hand, this is what we expected all along, right? On the other hand, well, I don’t find anything compelling about them as a couple. In other words, if this were a television show, I would not be shipping them. Still, it’s fine and not distracting or anything that would make me want to throw the book across the room. The relationship between Alec and Sheriff Cantrell, on the other hand, does hold my interest and I’m invested in seeing where it goes. Sheriff Cantrell’s dislike for Alec stems from his hatred for Sherry Westlake, the P.I. he believes is responsible for the massacre at the church where Mary Cantrell died. Throughout the story, Alec must deal with the Sheriff’s animosity even while working with him on the case. In a way, gaining Cantrell’s respect is the equivalent of gaining full acceptance into the community of Dearmont. It’s also important (at least, I think it’s important) to see Cantrell as a contrast to Alec’s father, Thomas. By the end of the novel, what we have is a solidification of a trusted Scooby Gang for Alec, composed of the Sheriff, Amy Cantrell, Felicity, Leon (the computer whiz) and his butler/bodyguard, Michael, and Devon and Victoria Blackwell. Moving forward, it will be worth watching how Wright uses the supporting cast of characters to weave in conflict as well as a sense of family into the story.
Three books into this series, I’m still invested in the characters and their stories and the world Wright is building. I’m still waiting patiently to find out more about Alec’s back story and the secret of his true nature, and I’m also waiting to see what will happen with Mallory, her search for Mister Scary, and whether or not Alec will eventually help her bring her search to a conclusion. I still want to know the true motives and goals of Alec’s father, Thomas, because at the end of book three, I haven’t yet decided whether he is friend or foe (in fact, Thomas reminds a little bit of Jack Bristow from Alias, but it’s still to be determined if he’s the kind of father who is always acting in the best interest of his child with his sole intent to be protect Alec, or if he’s the kind of father willing to sacrifice his own son for some nefarious purpose or seemingly greater good).
I liked Dark Magic and think the books in the Harbinger P.I. series get better with each new installment. I recommend this series if you like urban fantasy (especially light urban fantasy that isn’t too dark or overly complex). The next book in this series, Dead Ground, is already in my reading list. I can’t wait to see what happens next.
February 16, 2020
Another great installment in this series. Fast-paced, excellent world building, and good character development. I like how there’s an individual plot for each book, but there’s an overarching story and a little more is revealed each time. A fun, engaging read.
January 16, 2021
Magic
Story with a couple of mysteries solved and a few hooks still in place to continue to the next book or more. Excellent! I love the characters and their diversity and the way each of them add to the story. This is an enjoyable series and I’m eager to start the next book.
Story with a couple of mysteries solved and a few hooks still in place to continue to the next book or more. Excellent! I love the characters and their diversity and the way each of them add to the story. This is an enjoyable series and I’m eager to start the next book.
May 16, 2017
Still enjoying this series, must read on.
July 13, 2017
Wow that was a nice book. Looking forward to nr 4
October 25, 2017
dull, ctuhlu investigation plot
February 23, 2018
easy and entertaining read
June 2, 2018
Great action
Good plot twists and deepening of some of the core characters which kept me engaged up to the end of the book
Good plot twists and deepening of some of the core characters which kept me engaged up to the end of the book
September 15, 2018
Wow
Just as good as the first ones! Make sure you get in on the action soon. Don't waste anymore time!
Just as good as the first ones! Make sure you get in on the action soon. Don't waste anymore time!
April 27, 2019
Apocalyptic monster. Epic battle. Witches, magic weapons, secrets revealed. Plenty of action and the sheriff and the witches take on a bigger role. I feel like the series has come into its own.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 78 reviews