Unholy Ghosts

Downside Ghosts, Book 1

By: Stacia Kane

Narrated by: Bahni Turpin

The world is not the way it was. The dead have risen, and the living are under attack.

In a future world under attack from the undead, the powerful Church of Real Truth, in charge since the government fell, has sworn to reimburse citizens being harassed by the deceased. Consequently, there are many false claims of hauntings from those hoping to profit. Enter Chess Putnam, a fully-tattooed witch and freewheeling ghost hunter. She’s got a real talent for nailing human liars and banishing the wicked dead. But she’s keeping a dark secret from the Church: a little drug problem that’s landed her in hot water.

Chess owes a lot of money to a dangerous drug lord who wants immediate payback. All Chess has to do is dispatch a very nasty species of undead from an old airport. But the job involves black magic, human sacrifice, a nefarious demonic creature, and crossing swords with enough wicked energy to wipe out a city of souls. Toss in a dangerous attraction to the drug lord’s ruthless enforcer, and Chess begins to wonder if the rush is really worth it. Hell, yeah.

©2009 Stacey Fackler (P)2010 Blackstone Audio, Inc.

Critic reviews

“[A] dark futuristic urban fantasy….atmospheric and well written.” ( Publishers Weekly)

“Gripping….Vivid characters and a wonderful sense of place….I was enthralled.” (Charlaine Harris, New York Times best-selling author of the Sookie Stackhouse novels)

“ Unholy Ghosts is a wonderful, weird, wild tale filled with gritty magic, punk rock, and macabre spirits. Kane’s world is dark, dangerous, and haunted, populated by hustlers, junkies and exorcists…and you’ll never want to leave. Simply the best book I’ve read this year.” (Caitlin Kittredge, author of Street Magic)

a new definition of "underworld"

suspensful, shivery. I like Chess. She is a fighter, she gets her job done and seems to stick to her word even when she would rather not. And who doesn't love a muscle car.( the guy driving it is pretty exciting, too) We need more of Chess and the people that inhabit that dark, gritty, interesting world.

Story is good enough but please read on

I did enjoy the story line but I swear I read the other reviews and they most talked about the humor....I never heard any humor and never laughed outloud?! Also, who would you have a narrator that has a lisp? I disliked the narrator a ton and not only did she have a speech problem she sounds old and the character is young. I will not be listening to any other books read by this narrator.

Really enjoyed this book!

Staring im unholy Magic, love the characters & the characters. The atmosphere is dark & compelling. It's a genius futuristic adventure I love Lex & Terrible I think they are going to have some grand adventures with our heroine

good writing, bad message

First I will say the author is a decent writer and the narrator did an excellent job. I listened to the entire series, hoping the MC would see that she needs help for her addiction. She did not. In fact her drug use is glorified and unapologetically a major part of the story. Whenever the MC feels any emotion that is slightly uncomfortable, she takes drugs. The author spends way more time talking about how good the drugs make her feel than any slight negative side effect. As someone who teaches teens, and sees the negative effects, including overdose and death, this book sends the wrong message. Today's young adults have enough difficulty processing emotions as it is. Teaching them to avoid their emotions with drugs, which is the message in this book, is wrong.

Ghost galore

The premise is fresh. The world building is interesting. Had to come to apreciate the Heroine. a pill taking , dope smoker is definitely not your usual hero. But, she grew on me. I hope she will be able to stop the drugs...but hey that's the nurse in me. I have lost several friends and family to drugs, so..I am bias. Will read the next one with my fingers crossed.