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Croft and Sterling Paranormal PI Agency #1
Magic Thief
Stolen magical artifacts, missing girls, and a hot partner I don’t want, what could possibly go wrong?
Paranormal Private Investigator (PI), Rayne Martin races against the clock to solve a case that is becoming more complicated by the moment. What started as a simple missing grimoire and stolen ancestral necklace has now morphed Into a potentially debilitating new reality for magic users.
Now, young women are missing. Others are turning up stripped of their magic and raving about monsters. Stealing magic once seemed inconceivable, but it is now a very real threat. It’s up to Marty to find out who is stealing magic.
Just when she has things in-hand, a partner is forced on her. Marty never learned to work well with others, so this is the last thing she wants. He is a straight play-by-the-rules guy. There is no rule she wouldn’t break. If they can’t learn to work together, then they will fail.
When her closest friend is taken, time is running out for Marty and Lochlan to crack the case. If they can’t find the magic thief, there may be nothing left of Marty’s friend to recover.
Paranormal Private Investigator (PI), Rayne Martin races against the clock to solve a case that is becoming more complicated by the moment. What started as a simple missing grimoire and stolen ancestral necklace has now morphed Into a potentially debilitating new reality for magic users.
Now, young women are missing. Others are turning up stripped of their magic and raving about monsters. Stealing magic once seemed inconceivable, but it is now a very real threat. It’s up to Marty to find out who is stealing magic.
Just when she has things in-hand, a partner is forced on her. Marty never learned to work well with others, so this is the last thing she wants. He is a straight play-by-the-rules guy. There is no rule she wouldn’t break. If they can’t learn to work together, then they will fail.
When her closest friend is taken, time is running out for Marty and Lochlan to crack the case. If they can’t find the magic thief, there may be nothing left of Marty’s friend to recover.
236 pages, Kindle Edition
Published May 31, 2020
128 people are currently reading
138 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
did-not-finish
November 28, 2023DNF at 1%
I highly dislike this character. First of all she said "most people wouldn't notice this but I am not most people". And then she said "I don't like to be violent but violence is the only language that street people understand". He so, she said she's special and has license to be violent! I just highly dislike her!
She feels entitled to treat people like crap. I don't like her dehumanizing views of other people. I don't like her with being in the world.
I highly dislike this character. First of all she said "most people wouldn't notice this but I am not most people". And then she said "I don't like to be violent but violence is the only language that street people understand". He so, she said she's special and has license to be violent! I just highly dislike her!
She feels entitled to treat people like crap. I don't like her dehumanizing views of other people. I don't like her with being in the world.
April 17, 2022
Great Read
This is my first experience reading a Paranormal PI novel. It was very interesting and I enjoyed it. I'm anticipating more from this series. I'm loving this genre already.
This is my first experience reading a Paranormal PI novel. It was very interesting and I enjoyed it. I'm anticipating more from this series. I'm loving this genre already.
August 9, 2021
“Stolen magical artifacts, missing girls, and a hot partner I don’t want, what could possibly go wrong?”
Paranormal Private Investigator Rayne Martin races against the clock to solve a complicated case that started with a missing grimoire and stolen amulet, but blossomed into missing girls and people being stripped of their magic and driven to madness. She gets stuck with a hot partner, Lochlan, from a competing agency, and while she appreciates his hotness, she’s not at all happy. She don’t need no stinking partner, especially one who’s rule-bound. She’s never met a rule she wouldn’t break. Learning to work together is key to solving the mystery.
I had a love/hate relationship with this story.
Minuses: Much heavier on the magic than I really liked. Also, the writing slipped from past tense to present tense in the same paragraph, which I found extremely disturbing. The author also had difficulty with use of the possessive “s” – “Lynn, the seventeen-year-old daughter of the Jamison’s [sic] was missing.” “There’s no way a family like the Huntington’s [sic] had a cabin as their full-time residence.” And there were other editing errors (using “leaper” instead of “leper”) that took me out of the story. The author could have benefitted from a competent editor, or at least a couple of dedicated beta readers.
Pluses: Interspersed with the mediocre writing were flashes of creativity, like “I couldn’t hold back my laughter. No one considered me ‘discrete’. Direct and death inducing were more my style.”; and “This was the first time anyone called me a princess. Normally, it was she-devil, hell-spawn, psycho, or simply ‘oh-my-god-don’t-kill me.” The characters were intriguing, especially Rayne (or “Marty,” to her friends). Rayne has a complicated backstory and presents herself as being other than she is to get along in the world she lives in. Watching her navigate two worlds and keep secrets was entertaining. I also appreciated that she could kick butt and take names when the situation called for it. The plot was interesting, and the ending a surprise. It was a good book for the elliptical, made the time pass more quickly.
To be fair, this was the first in what looks to be a long series, so perhaps the successive books have improved. On balance, it was just ok with me, and I don’t think I’ll read any more.
August 2, 2021
2.5
This was a bit of a fail for me. It was almost something good, but just seemed to miss the mark. The writing was pretty good, but there were some continuity issues in the plot, quite a lot of pointless drama that just seemed like filler (I'm thinking of the whole trip with the bone man, for example), and what felt like missing bits. For example, two characters would have a conversation and one would react to something the other very obviously was meant to have said. Except, that the one hadn't said the thing being reacted to. The scene seemed to have a chunk missing from the middle. Then, later, the narrative would act as if the information hadn't been shared at all. It's hard to tell in an audio, when you're not looking at text. But I can only assume this is a matter of content editing.
I did like the characters and the man theoretically being position as a love interest. Though I wouldn't say this is a romance, certainly none develops here. All in all, a pretty mediocre experience. I might be tempted to see if the next book gets better. But unless it does, I can't see continuing the series.
This was a bit of a fail for me. It was almost something good, but just seemed to miss the mark. The writing was pretty good, but there were some continuity issues in the plot, quite a lot of pointless drama that just seemed like filler (I'm thinking of the whole trip with the bone man, for example), and what felt like missing bits. For example, two characters would have a conversation and one would react to something the other very obviously was meant to have said. Except, that the one hadn't said the thing being reacted to. The scene seemed to have a chunk missing from the middle. Then, later, the narrative would act as if the information hadn't been shared at all. It's hard to tell in an audio, when you're not looking at text. But I can only assume this is a matter of content editing.
I did like the characters and the man theoretically being position as a love interest. Though I wouldn't say this is a romance, certainly none develops here. All in all, a pretty mediocre experience. I might be tempted to see if the next book gets better. But unless it does, I can't see continuing the series.
September 1, 2020
(FYI I tend to only review one book per series, unless I completely change my mind on a series, so want to change my scoring down a lot)
How I rate Stars: 5* = I loved (must read all I can find by the author)
4* = I really enjoyed (got to read all the series and try other books by the author).
3* = I enjoyed (I will continue to read the series)
or
3* = Good book just not my thing (I realised I don't like the genre or picked up a kids book to review in error.)
All of the above scores means I would recommend them!
-
2* = it was okay (I might give the next book in the series a try, to see if that was better IMHO.)
1* = Disliked
Note: adding these basic 'reviews' after finding out that some people see some stars differently than I do - hoping this clarifies how I feel about the book. :-)
------------
First time read the author's work?: Yes
Will you be reading more?: Possibly
How I rate Stars: 5* = I loved (must read all I can find by the author)
4* = I really enjoyed (got to read all the series and try other books by the author).
3* = I enjoyed (I will continue to read the series)
or
3* = Good book just not my thing (I realised I don't like the genre or picked up a kids book to review in error.)
All of the above scores means I would recommend them!
-
2* = it was okay (I might give the next book in the series a try, to see if that was better IMHO.)
1* = Disliked
Note: adding these basic 'reviews' after finding out that some people see some stars differently than I do - hoping this clarifies how I feel about the book. :-)
------------
First time read the author's work?: Yes
Will you be reading more?: Possibly
October 8, 2020
This one will have your head spinning.
Someone is kidnapping magic users and stealing their magic. Marty is hiding her magic and the fact that she's the daughter of the most powerful evil mage ever to have lived it's not working. Working as a P I solving magical and mundane cases was ok until the murders start, on a case trying to recover a stolen necklace and a grimoire she encounters magic that shouldn't exist. Welcome to the world of fae, shifters, vampires, giants and every other magical being you can think of. A fast-paced roller coaster ride with more twists and turns than a bag of pretzels, a great really different storyline with amazing characters so well written you'll have trouble putting it down. I'll definitely be reading the next one, Highly recommended, Baz.
Someone is kidnapping magic users and stealing their magic. Marty is hiding her magic and the fact that she's the daughter of the most powerful evil mage ever to have lived it's not working. Working as a P I solving magical and mundane cases was ok until the murders start, on a case trying to recover a stolen necklace and a grimoire she encounters magic that shouldn't exist. Welcome to the world of fae, shifters, vampires, giants and every other magical being you can think of. A fast-paced roller coaster ride with more twists and turns than a bag of pretzels, a great really different storyline with amazing characters so well written you'll have trouble putting it down. I'll definitely be reading the next one, Highly recommended, Baz.
June 3, 2020
I really liked this book set in an urban fantasy world with magic, fae and shifters. It is about Rayne as she goes about her days as a PI working cases and pretending to be a normal human. It was full of action, magic, mystery and a few secrets that are revealed and hinted at. It grabbed my attention from the first chapter and I could not put it down it was so good. The characters were well written and their interactions were hysterical, especially Rayne. She made me laugh through most of it. The ending was good but set up the rest of the series beautifully. I cannot wait to see what happens next and what is revealed about the main characters and the rest of this addicting world they live in! I really really loved it!
August 24, 2020
When a simple case turns into something much more complicated, our heroine begins to regret taking the assignment. Giving her a new partner only makes the feeling worse.
This is an urban fantasy story involving all the usual types of baddies. I found the story to be well written, easy to read and rather addictive. The setting is detailed and full of interesting details. Our characters are also well developed with more back story then is obvious at first glance. I love exploring the characters and setting as the story proceeds. The plot is also rather intriguing and kept me flipping pages to see what came next. Overall, a very nice start to a series and I look forward to the next book.
Highly recommended
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout for review purposes
This is an urban fantasy story involving all the usual types of baddies. I found the story to be well written, easy to read and rather addictive. The setting is detailed and full of interesting details. Our characters are also well developed with more back story then is obvious at first glance. I love exploring the characters and setting as the story proceeds. The plot is also rather intriguing and kept me flipping pages to see what came next. Overall, a very nice start to a series and I look forward to the next book.
Highly recommended
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout for review purposes
July 27, 2020
Magic Thief by C. C. Sommerly is an amazing story that I have had the privilege to read. This is book number one in this amazing start to a brand new series that I have loved reading and can not wait to read the rest of this amazing series. I highly recommend this story to everyone who loves reading about magic, fantasy and thrillers.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
August 22, 2020
Magic Thief - Croft and Sterling Paranormal PI Agency Series - Book 1 by C C Sommerly.
For me some of the book was a bit muddled and confusing and I had to go back and re read parts; which made me wonder if the kindle version I read was corrupted and pages were out of sequence. Overall the premise and the blurb sounded interesting, the characters were engaging but for me the story never really hit the mark. It was OK. 2 stars.
For me some of the book was a bit muddled and confusing and I had to go back and re read parts; which made me wonder if the kindle version I read was corrupted and pages were out of sequence. Overall the premise and the blurb sounded interesting, the characters were engaging but for me the story never really hit the mark. It was OK. 2 stars.
August 4, 2020
I really wanted to love this because it has all the makings of a fantastic series! However, it fell a little flat for me. I feel like there were little jumps in the timeline or conversations that made no sense and left me kind of confused, flipping back and forth to see if I missed something. I’m really into the characters and the larger plot, though, so I look forward to book 2!
August 10, 2020
A fast paced thriller about a woman who hides her magic for the fear of being condemned for the acts of her father.
A PI by profession she's brash, in the face, brave & strong.
The book ends in a big question mark.
What's more in store for her & her friends?... we'll find out in the next book.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
A PI by profession she's brash, in the face, brave & strong.
The book ends in a big question mark.
What's more in store for her & her friends?... we'll find out in the next book.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
November 1, 2020
I really enjoyed reading Magic Thief, the main character was strong and greatly likable and the story was the right mix of crime, mystery, intrigue, action and many twists. Looking forward to reading book two to find out what happens next.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
July 18, 2020
The story line was good, the character work was terrific and the book had a smooth flow to it. This was a great series starter and I look forward to seeing what happens next.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
January 21, 2023
An awesome Book!
There is a girl that has her hands full since she ran away from her dad when she was 15. She was taught how to fight and survive on the streets then befriended a mage that helped her become a fighter, and it just gets better from there! Full of magic!
There is a girl that has her hands full since she ran away from her dad when she was 15. She was taught how to fight and survive on the streets then befriended a mage that helped her become a fighter, and it just gets better from there! Full of magic!
July 24, 2020
Exciting and mesmerizing.
An evocative tale of !magic and mayhem. A cautionary tale as well. Be careful and be wary of the monsters hidden in the dark.
An evocative tale of !magic and mayhem. A cautionary tale as well. Be careful and be wary of the monsters hidden in the dark.
November 2, 2020
I enjoyed the story and the complexity of the characters. There are punctuation and formatting errors that need correction, but I still enjoyed the story despite the errors.
December 28, 2020
I didn't get very far,the spelling errors just kept yanking me out of the story. I gave up in disgust.
April 4, 2024
Four Stars? Not this time.
-takes a deep breath-
At least it's not two stars.
Magic Thief: Croft and Sterling Paranormal PI Agency is an interesting read and that is putting it lightly; it definitely wasn't what I expected.
Starting off shaky after I read a few negative reviews the novel by C.C. Sommerly was not very well edited with plenty of spelling and grammar issues. Although it had it's issues, Magic Thief ended up holding it's own. I, however, hated the main Character, Rayne ("Marty"), and have no urge to pick up anymore novels based around her.
I think my biggest pet peeve was that Rayne was very Mary Sue and the only bad thing about her was her terrible personality/attitude.
The one thing I did like, though, was some of the dark humor that the author wrote. You can tell they put a lot of work into this and it really does have potential.
-takes a deep breath-
At least it's not two stars.
Magic Thief: Croft and Sterling Paranormal PI Agency is an interesting read and that is putting it lightly; it definitely wasn't what I expected.
Starting off shaky after I read a few negative reviews the novel by C.C. Sommerly was not very well edited with plenty of spelling and grammar issues. Although it had it's issues, Magic Thief ended up holding it's own. I, however, hated the main Character, Rayne ("Marty"), and have no urge to pick up anymore novels based around her.
I think my biggest pet peeve was that Rayne was very Mary Sue and the only bad thing about her was her terrible personality/attitude.
The one thing I did like, though, was some of the dark humor that the author wrote. You can tell they put a lot of work into this and it really does have potential.
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews