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Prof Croft #9
Shadow Duel
Beware the shadow of many faces, but fear the master of many places…
It’s Monday morning, and I’ve recovered a strange glyph-covered chest from a landfill. By Monday afternoon, someone’s stolen it from my warded loft.
Before I can suss out who, why, and most importantly, how, I’m neck-deep with the NYPD on a murder case. A bigshot CEO is dead in his penthouse, his kidneys harvested in a way that screams black magic. Only there’s no magic in evidence.
The two crimes connect somehow, and the key may be an old explorer’s club in the heart of Manhattan. But this mage needs to get moving. More victims are turning up sans organs, and twice now I’ve found myself in a shadow realm—a darker, more dangerous version of the city, where a mysterious entity wants me dead.
And here I thought the summer’s biggest chore would be persuading my succubus cat to play nice with my wife.
Spoiler alert: she’s still Tabitha.
If you like occult action, spell-crackling suspense, and moments of heart, heroism, and all-out laughter, you’ll love Prof Croft!
It’s Monday morning, and I’ve recovered a strange glyph-covered chest from a landfill. By Monday afternoon, someone’s stolen it from my warded loft.
Before I can suss out who, why, and most importantly, how, I’m neck-deep with the NYPD on a murder case. A bigshot CEO is dead in his penthouse, his kidneys harvested in a way that screams black magic. Only there’s no magic in evidence.
The two crimes connect somehow, and the key may be an old explorer’s club in the heart of Manhattan. But this mage needs to get moving. More victims are turning up sans organs, and twice now I’ve found myself in a shadow realm—a darker, more dangerous version of the city, where a mysterious entity wants me dead.
And here I thought the summer’s biggest chore would be persuading my succubus cat to play nice with my wife.
Spoiler alert: she’s still Tabitha.
If you like occult action, spell-crackling suspense, and moments of heart, heroism, and all-out laughter, you’ll love Prof Croft!
311 pages, Kindle Edition
First published April 14, 2021
239 people are currently reading
145 people want to read
About the author
Brad Magnarella
50 books378 followersBrad Magnarella writes urban fantasy for the same reason most read it – to explore worlds where magic crackles from fingertips, vampires and shifters walk city streets, cats talk (some excessively), and good prevails against all odds. It’s shamelessly fun.
His three main series, Prof Croft, Blue Wolf, and Maddy Deeds, make up the growing Croftverse, with nearly a half-million books sold to date and an Independent Audiobook Award nomination.
Hopelessly nomadic, Brad can be found in a rented room overseas or hiking America's backcountry.
To learn more about the Croftverse, and download two free prequel novellas, visit his website at bradmagnarella.com
His three main series, Prof Croft, Blue Wolf, and Maddy Deeds, make up the growing Croftverse, with nearly a half-million books sold to date and an Independent Audiobook Award nomination.
Hopelessly nomadic, Brad can be found in a rented room overseas or hiking America's backcountry.
To learn more about the Croftverse, and download two free prequel novellas, visit his website at bradmagnarella.com
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 49 reviews
May 4, 2021
The Professor Croft series is set in a modern NYC but with a magical bent.
Everson Croft is a college professor who moonlights as a magical consultant for the NYPD.
He's asked to help on a murder investigation on a body with no obvious cause of death. He determines what killed the man, but not the how.
The investigation leads him to an otherworldly manner of death and he follows the clues to try to stop the murderer before he takes another victim.
The Croft series is a kinda procedural dark noir series with magic, likable characters and a non all powerful protagonist.
Everson Croft is a college professor who moonlights as a magical consultant for the NYPD.
He's asked to help on a murder investigation on a body with no obvious cause of death. He determines what killed the man, but not the how.
The investigation leads him to an otherworldly manner of death and he follows the clues to try to stop the murderer before he takes another victim.
The Croft series is a kinda procedural dark noir series with magic, likable characters and a non all powerful protagonist.
July 15, 2024
Interesting enough for me to keep reading. I'm curious now.
February 4, 2023
I really love this series. It's kind of a police procedural but not. That's pretty wishy washy, huh? Well, you have your intense magic user, you have nasty mythological creatures that terrorize people and murder. If you have never tried this series and think that sounds boring, let me clue you in. These books, this one included, are often edge of your seat adventure, murder in mysterious magical circumstances in a world that does know about magic. I feel the comparison to Indiana Jones would lead to an idea of the content of these books...except Indy never had a consultant gig with the NYPD.
Everson now has a family. I never thought that Ricki Vega would ever succumb to Everson's charms, let alone his dangerous and most often very closely lethal magic dealings. The baby they are expecting is growing and Vega is on desk duty. She doesn't like it, but she does manage to get inside this case due to her ability to liaison with the wizard. She doesn't really have an active part in this story, but she does have her moments in the spotlight. It is a complicated relationship that plays out between Detective Hoffmen and Prof Croft. They HAVE to get along and solve the case. Ricki can only do so much since she's not working directly on the case. It's a tough partnership between the two men.
So, the case. Weirdest dang thing - people are getting killed and having certain organs removed without a trace of incision or cause of death. No why or how. Just is. That's where Everson is brought in. He has a huge task of solving this riddle that just becomes more dangerous and mysterious as the book weaves it's story. It's surprising Everson doesn't develop a concussion for as many times as he hits a brick wall leading him to no answers, but he perseveres. I have got to tell you that I'd never have guessed where leads took him and the places he ended up. The dangers he put himself into were not just to solve the case, but to stop the destruction to humans of the earth. This feels like an over-several-books story that doesn't end at the end of this book. It's not a cliffhanger to the murders, so don't worry about that part. There is, however, a revelation at the very end that was of particular interest. It's not a bad revelation - a very "OMG" moment and I cannot wait to see where this leads.
Everson now has a family. I never thought that Ricki Vega would ever succumb to Everson's charms, let alone his dangerous and most often very closely lethal magic dealings. The baby they are expecting is growing and Vega is on desk duty. She doesn't like it, but she does manage to get inside this case due to her ability to liaison with the wizard. She doesn't really have an active part in this story, but she does have her moments in the spotlight. It is a complicated relationship that plays out between Detective Hoffmen and Prof Croft. They HAVE to get along and solve the case. Ricki can only do so much since she's not working directly on the case. It's a tough partnership between the two men.
So, the case. Weirdest dang thing - people are getting killed and having certain organs removed without a trace of incision or cause of death. No why or how. Just is. That's where Everson is brought in. He has a huge task of solving this riddle that just becomes more dangerous and mysterious as the book weaves it's story. It's surprising Everson doesn't develop a concussion for as many times as he hits a brick wall leading him to no answers, but he perseveres. I have got to tell you that I'd never have guessed where leads took him and the places he ended up. The dangers he put himself into were not just to solve the case, but to stop the destruction to humans of the earth. This feels like an over-several-books story that doesn't end at the end of this book. It's not a cliffhanger to the murders, so don't worry about that part. There is, however, a revelation at the very end that was of particular interest. It's not a bad revelation - a very "OMG" moment and I cannot wait to see where this leads.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 20, 2021
I didn’t realize how much I’d missed these characters and this world, but, as always I just jumped right in Shadow Duel like I'd never left. The characters are some of my favorite people!! OH, and CAT!! Tabitha will shred me if I forgot her!! The book starts off like a tornado and builds into a hurricane fast!! It starts out with Professor Croft in class discussing the tricksters of Mythology and debating the very definition of trickster with a student who is well versed in Mythology and intriguingly so. Then, he gets a call from his wife, Detective Vega, to help on a mysterious case with, the amazingly not charming at all, Detective Hoffman. A body with zero trauma and zero kidneys!! GOTTA LOVE IT. Next, Croft’s office door explodes big time then another body turns up like the first but with a different vital organ missing. Croft enlists the help of a trio of very sketchy clairvoyant sisters who give him a prophecy , with a big price tag. He uses magic to track clues in the cases of mysterious deaths and his exploding door. He accidentally steps into a shadow version of his present life--oh yeah, it's WOW! and awesomely so. Loved that part.
That’s just the first maybe 5 chapters or so!!. It gets better with each page!! Til the end and then in the last few chapters, well you’ve just got to read it for yourself LOTS GOING ON. Don’t bother skipping to the end though, it will totally ruin it for you.
That’s just the first maybe 5 chapters or so!!. It gets better with each page!! Til the end and then in the last few chapters, well you’ve just got to read it for yourself LOTS GOING ON. Don’t bother skipping to the end though, it will totally ruin it for you.
June 7, 2024
Dancing In The Dark
I loved this book. It is definitely an
Unputdownable! You’ve been warned!
When professor Croft is brought in on a murder that shouldn’t have been able to happen, he’s as confused as the PD. How did somebody get into a locked apartment, and take someone’s kidneys without an operation and barely without any marks?
Everson he is completely combululated until he walks into his house, but it isn’t his house. I’d be thinking did I forget where I live? But, it’s his house, but it seems to be somewhere else. He calls it the shadow present. So it’s not like going back in time, because it’s the present. So it’s not like before, because it’s stable, just different.
That was his first foray into the shadow present.
Along with trying to figure out a murder mystery, he’s dealing with the beginning of school. And evidently somebody needs to be chosen as a graduate student to help him. Lucky then that a new kid chosen to audit the class. Sven Roe seems to be determined not only help Everson, but to have him take him on as an apprentice. Who is this kid and why is he here now?
The books just keep getting better. Everson,grows in each book, and the writing just keeps getting better. I’m wondering where this will all end up. Can’t wait for the next book.
I loved this book. It is definitely an
Unputdownable! You’ve been warned!
When professor Croft is brought in on a murder that shouldn’t have been able to happen, he’s as confused as the PD. How did somebody get into a locked apartment, and take someone’s kidneys without an operation and barely without any marks?
Everson he is completely combululated until he walks into his house, but it isn’t his house. I’d be thinking did I forget where I live? But, it’s his house, but it seems to be somewhere else. He calls it the shadow present. So it’s not like going back in time, because it’s the present. So it’s not like before, because it’s stable, just different.
That was his first foray into the shadow present.
Along with trying to figure out a murder mystery, he’s dealing with the beginning of school. And evidently somebody needs to be chosen as a graduate student to help him. Lucky then that a new kid chosen to audit the class. Sven Roe seems to be determined not only help Everson, but to have him take him on as an apprentice. Who is this kid and why is he here now?
The books just keep getting better. Everson,grows in each book, and the writing just keeps getting better. I’m wondering where this will all end up. Can’t wait for the next book.
April 29, 2021
𝑺𝒉𝒂𝒅𝒐𝒘 𝑫𝒖𝒆𝒍, Prof Croft, Book #9
by Brad Magnarella
This was a great episode. The plotting and pacing were excellent, the characters well drawn and relatable, there was a good mystery that kept the reader guessing, plenty of action, and although the ending was shocking, it was not really a cliffhanger, but certainly gave the reader a good idea of where book 10 may go! The proofing and editing were very good. I did find one proofing error at 2004 ("I stepped back, a shield hardening around me, however (sic) good it would do." I would imagine whatever would have worked better there. However, that was my only complaint about the entire novel. So, kudos, Brad Magnarella! I'm looking forward to the next in the series.
by Brad Magnarella
This was a great episode. The plotting and pacing were excellent, the characters well drawn and relatable, there was a good mystery that kept the reader guessing, plenty of action, and although the ending was shocking, it was not really a cliffhanger, but certainly gave the reader a good idea of where book 10 may go! The proofing and editing were very good. I did find one proofing error at 2004 ("I stepped back, a shield hardening around me, however (sic) good it would do." I would imagine whatever would have worked better there. However, that was my only complaint about the entire novel. So, kudos, Brad Magnarella! I'm looking forward to the next in the series.
March 21, 2022
THE CROFTVERSE EXPANDS AND, MAYBE, SMILES ON OUR HERO
Magnarella continues to produce exciting, frightening, uniquely crafted worlds. Everson has to think multidimensionally to solve an extremely mystifying series of murders. He has a wife and son and one on the way that are his ground and anchor and a potential apprentice worthy of him. Magnarella has Everson deliver an awesome condensation of humanities power of belief.
This book reads like movingly down hill at an ever steepening slope until you're nearly falling toward the climax. Another great read.
Magnarella continues to produce exciting, frightening, uniquely crafted worlds. Everson has to think multidimensionally to solve an extremely mystifying series of murders. He has a wife and son and one on the way that are his ground and anchor and a potential apprentice worthy of him. Magnarella has Everson deliver an awesome condensation of humanities power of belief.
This book reads like movingly down hill at an ever steepening slope until you're nearly falling toward the climax. Another great read.
April 15, 2021
Whie newly married life may be blissful and easy, Everson's professional life is far from
the same.
Not one, but several enigmas present themselves to him. Are they connected? Is this some
concerted effort by an unseen, unknown enemy? The biggest question is, is this personal
or is Croft just in the way?
An extremely well paced, well written and compelling tale. Mystery and action enough to
satisy any reader.
Can't wait for the next one.
the same.
Not one, but several enigmas present themselves to him. Are they connected? Is this some
concerted effort by an unseen, unknown enemy? The biggest question is, is this personal
or is Croft just in the way?
An extremely well paced, well written and compelling tale. Mystery and action enough to
satisy any reader.
Can't wait for the next one.
April 15, 2021
Croft's story just keeps getting better. After the life changing events of the last arc, Croft finds himself more worried about the future than ever before. With a new family to keep safe he finds himself once again embroiled in a sinister situation he feels wildly unprepared for. In true Croft fashion he deals with it anyway with allies both old and new, this story moves quickly setting up new possibilities with new dangers ahead and I for one can't wait to read about those.
April 15, 2021
Prof. Croft is back in a big way! A new story ARC, a new mystery to solve, same world to save, but now with a family to keep safe too. Wow. The story kept me engrossed from the very beginning. I couldn't put it down. And the reveals at the end?!! I can't wait for more!
There's hints for future stories with characters from the past. There are lots of glimpses of some of my favorite side characters. And there's a sort of "what if" story within that is so fun! Can't wait for next book!
There's hints for future stories with characters from the past. There are lots of glimpses of some of my favorite side characters. And there's a sort of "what if" story within that is so fun! Can't wait for next book!
April 16, 2021
A new entry in the enjoyable Professor Croft series is always a welcome development, and the good Professor has really evolved and matured over the course of this UF series. Now that he's married there is a wife and family to protect while still investigating a new mystery that has the mayor and city on edge. Plenty of action to go around and a story that showcases a more experienced and confident Professor. Already looking forward to the next installment!
May 15, 2021
I liked "Shadow Duel" quite a lot.
As a story I think it ran more smoothly than the time travel/alternate worlds books (though there were things that I like about those stories too).
This one seemed to be very tightly plotted, well thought out, and well developed.
I am particularly fond of the Bree-Yark character and always feel that he adds a little something to the stories.
It will be interesting to see where the books go from here.
As a story I think it ran more smoothly than the time travel/alternate worlds books (though there were things that I like about those stories too).
This one seemed to be very tightly plotted, well thought out, and well developed.
I am particularly fond of the Bree-Yark character and always feel that he adds a little something to the stories.
It will be interesting to see where the books go from here.
May 16, 2021
I love Prof Croft!!!!
I'm totally loving reading these stories about Everson. He's grown up a lot since the beginning, he's got more control of his magic and he's better prepared for everything that could come up. I'm totally loving Bree Yarn and off would be fun hashing him with his own story too... Hint hint!! The bombshell at the end of this one wasn't surprising but I can't wait to see where this goes!!
I'm totally loving reading these stories about Everson. He's grown up a lot since the beginning, he's got more control of his magic and he's better prepared for everything that could come up. I'm totally loving Bree Yarn and off would be fun hashing him with his own story too... Hint hint!! The bombshell at the end of this one wasn't surprising but I can't wait to see where this goes!!
June 5, 2021
I think every book in the Prof Croft series has been better than the last and # 9, Shadow Duel, is the best -- so far. Brad Magnarella sharpens his writing skills with each story and he has got a fine edge on this one: Wonderfully developed, relatable characters; A fast paced, page turning story with obvious attention to details.; A solid, fascinating overlying plot with some excellent plot twists.
Shadow Duel was fun to read and I look forward to the next Prof Croft story.
Shadow Duel was fun to read and I look forward to the next Prof Croft story.
August 27, 2021
Great
So I have just finished book 9, I read the whole series in about 2 weeks and this is what I thought.
What an amazing series! It doesn't rely on all the same old tropes that others in this genre do. Yes there are some tropes but I think Brad chose them very well. There are plenty of twists and turns throughout the series so far, and the ending of this book was a huge cliffhanger, and now I have to wait for the next. I feel like I'm getting withdrawal from them already!
So I have just finished book 9, I read the whole series in about 2 weeks and this is what I thought.
What an amazing series! It doesn't rely on all the same old tropes that others in this genre do. Yes there are some tropes but I think Brad chose them very well. There are plenty of twists and turns throughout the series so far, and the ending of this book was a huge cliffhanger, and now I have to wait for the next. I feel like I'm getting withdrawal from them already!
April 18, 2021
This was one of my favorites of all the Prof.Everson Croft books. We have the action, suspense, danger, violence, murder, magic and secrets. Friendships, loyalty and love softens the threads of the others as we try to weave all the clues and evidence together as we read Prof. Croft's adventures. Ricki, Everson's wife is not eight months pregnant and Eveson worries for the safety of Tony, his new son, Ricki and their unborn daughter. So many questions in this book to figure out. Who is killing people, how and why are they harvesting organs. Croft can't make heads or tails of it and will do anything to follow up on clues, including giving up a year of his life. This series is full of adventure and I would highly recommend the books if you like the paranormal, magic and a great main character who grabs onto your imagination and doesn't let go. I voluntarily read and reviewed this ARC book.
Read
April 15, 2021This is book nine of the Prof Croft series and I have to say I loved it. What I love about this series is every book is fresh with new stories and ways for Croft to find himself in interesting situations. Brad Magnarella has such an interesting and fun imagination. I highly recommend this book and all of his books. They are well worth your reading time.
January 14, 2022
OK this is now my favorite book in the series. There were so many surprises I never knew what was gonna happen next. I was worried about Everson and Vega the whole time. This one definitely kept me on the edge of my seat. I started book 10 the moment I finished this. Can't wait to see what happens next.
June 20, 2022
A nice blend of magic and mythology
I'm enjoying this series,watching the characters evolve with each adventure. I kinda wish there were some more female magic users in the series that lived in New York. The probability of there being no witches in this seems weird to me. I like Everson and the rest of his crew.
I'm enjoying this series,watching the characters evolve with each adventure. I kinda wish there were some more female magic users in the series that lived in New York. The probability of there being no witches in this seems weird to me. I like Everson and the rest of his crew.
April 18, 2021
Another puzzle
I enjoyed reading this because I could not guess where the plot was heading. And we still do not know if the threat was quelled. Croft receives unexpected news. How does he manage to teach his classes? I do recommend this book.
I enjoyed reading this because I could not guess where the plot was heading. And we still do not know if the threat was quelled. Croft receives unexpected news. How does he manage to teach his classes? I do recommend this book.
May 12, 2021
I thought the series had wrapped up, i'm pretty glad I was wrong.
Brag Magnarella's writing has shown genuinely gotten better with each book, this one was excellent.
If you're ready to dive back into the croftverse, this is the start of something great ( with more to come allegedly).
Brag Magnarella's writing has shown genuinely gotten better with each book, this one was excellent.
If you're ready to dive back into the croftverse, this is the start of something great ( with more to come allegedly).
June 7, 2021
There absolutely needs to be a next book
Loved the whole shadow present and the duel rolls of Vega and” company” and the search for info in the swamp the talking bush and Mae being the true favorite just write fast please
Loved the whole shadow present and the duel rolls of Vega and” company” and the search for info in the swamp the talking bush and Mae being the true favorite just write fast please
June 27, 2021
Just keeps getting better and better.....
I won't give spoliers but I will say this: The twist the book took was very clever! Every book in this series has offered up different takes on our "standard mythology" and THAT is why I love this series.
I won't give spoliers but I will say this: The twist the book took was very clever! Every book in this series has offered up different takes on our "standard mythology" and THAT is why I love this series.
November 24, 2021
Another great book.
Well I'm all caught up with all things Prof Croft. The beauty of starting a series late in the game is that I have a lot to read, but now that I've read them all, I'll have to wait. Oh, as for my review, I loved it.
Well I'm all caught up with all things Prof Croft. The beauty of starting a series late in the game is that I have a lot to read, but now that I've read them all, I'll have to wait. Oh, as for my review, I loved it.
January 24, 2022
Another Amazing Book !!
Great , Awesome, Gripping is only beginning when describing this story. I have to adding Mythology gods in the mix is only fare giving Croft. Field of teaching but the punchline sat the end is seductive!!
Great , Awesome, Gripping is only beginning when describing this story. I have to adding Mythology gods in the mix is only fare giving Croft. Field of teaching but the punchline sat the end is seductive!!
March 27, 2022
Great series
I love this series. Never boring or redundant . A lot of action but not too violent. I always buy the audio with the book and the narration in this series is very well done. I look forward to book 10.
I love this series. Never boring or redundant . A lot of action but not too violent. I always buy the audio with the book and the narration in this series is very well done. I look forward to book 10.
May 9, 2023
I wasn't sure how this book was going to go after so many story lines ending with the last book. But this was a great "in between" story that bridged the gap between the previous books and setting up some new interesting story lines.
December 13, 2023
Shadow verse
The author continues to bring his metaverse to life. We get to see what happens in a shadow verse & more importantly how what happens in one can impact the other. It's seems an important feature to understand going forward.
The author continues to bring his metaverse to life. We get to see what happens in a shadow verse & more importantly how what happens in one can impact the other. It's seems an important feature to understand going forward.
November 12, 2024
I had to force myself to put the book down last night or I would have been up all night finishing it. The story cast a spell over me that I wanted to know what will happen next. AND, the end was definitely a surprise.
Great book, his best in the series so far, can’t wait to get into the next one.
Great book, his best in the series so far, can’t wait to get into the next one.
June 21, 2025
“Everson’s right,” Tabitha said from the back seat. “I’m no fan of Mae and that thing she calls her pet, but if I had to see Gretchen every day, I’d hang myself with my own tail. She’s revolting. Even talking about her makes me nauseous.”
Displaying 1 - 30 of 49 reviews