Devil’s Bargain by Rachel Caine is the first in an urban fantasy duology. I cannot express how excited I was to see Caine’s backlist coming to audio. Narrated by Jennifer Aquino Devil’s Bargain delivered mystery, murder, two tenacious female detectives and plenty of twists.
by Rachel Caine
Series: Red Letter Days #1
Narrator: Jennifer Aquino
Length: 8 hours and 6 minutes
Genres: Urban Fantasy
Source: Purchase
Purchase*: Amazon | Audible *affiliate
Narration: 4.5 cups Speed: 1.5x
A disgraced former detective walks into a bar and . . . gets funding for a private investigation agency? If it didn't happen to Jazz Callender, she wouldn't believe it either. All she has to do is partner up with a national security risk known as Lucia Garza, accept one-hundred thousand dollars, and take on assignments that seem to have no purpose. Easy-peasy.
But when Jazz gets shot and one of their surveillance subjects winds up dead, the women aren't so thrilled. They need answers-fast. And what they uncover about their mysterious new employer will rock their worlds. For Jazz and Lucia have become pawns in a psychic game of chance with much more than their own futures on the line . . .
Ex-detective Jazz Callender is determined to clear her best friend Ben’s name. He’s locked up for a crime. She knows he didn’t commit. When James, a member of a well-established law firm, offers her the startup funds to open her own private investigation firm. The catch? She’ll need to partner with Lucia Garza, an ex-federal agent and take on cases for The Cross Society, a shadowy secret organisation.
Jazz and Lucia make an excellent duo. They work well off each other and the two soon work odd jobs that, on the surface, seem to have no purpose. The Cross Society and James lead them into a world of magic and danger.
I have so many questions! I am hoping the next book will deliver more answers, but I gotta say I was hooked. Jazz goes down a rabbit hole to clear Ben while working for the firm. Each case that they work brings danger, death and questions that James seems unable to answer.
This is a fast-paced, action packed tale but we get to know Jazz, and Lucia and their personal live. There is a romantic thread for each, and I look forward to seeing those play out. If you like urban fantasy, private investigators and secret societies, I highly recommend grabbing this duology.
Jennifer Aquino narrates and does a good job of giving voice to both Jazz and Lucia. I think she captured their attitudes and emotions. Her male voices were done well and I recommend grabbing the series for audio.
About Rachel Caine
Rachel Caine is the NYT, USA Today, and #1 WSJ bestselling author of more than 50 books in several categories and genres, including adult thriller and adult urban fantasy/SF as well as books for young adults ages twelve to eighteen. Rachel Caine lost her fight with a rare and aggressive cancer, soft tissue sarcoma, in November of 2020. With over 56 books in print and millions of copies sold, she was a frequent guest at conventions in the United States and around the world. Her popular book series include the young adult Morganville Vampires novels, the Great Library series, and the #1 bestselling Stillhouse Lake novels in adult thrillers.
About Jennifer Aquino
Jennifer Aquino is an American actor and award-winning narrator based in Los Angeles. She works in film, television, theater, and voice-over. She's one of the doctors who killed McDreamy on the ABC medical drama Grey's Anatomy. Her theater background includes performances at East West Players, The Actors' Gang, LaJolla Playhouse, Theatre West, El Portal Theatre, and Center Stage Theatre. Jennifer loves giving voice to young adults, and reading journeys of empowered women in romantic comedies, LitRPG books, fantasy/sci-fi novels, mysteries, and thrillers. Her background in theater and voice contributes to her narration in giving each character a unique life.
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About Kimberly
Kimberly is a coffee loving book addict who reads and listens to fictional stories in all genres. Whovian, Ravenclaw, Howler and proud Nonna. She owns and manages Caffeinated PR. The coffee is always on and she is ready to chat. BlueSky | Facebook | Instagram
Lisa Mandina (Lisa Loves Literature)
Sounds like this was really good, and that the audio was done well. Thanks for sharing!
Rachel @Waves of Fiction
I read this years ago and enjoyed it. I have the second book as well. It’s been sitting on my Netgalley shelf forever. I tagged the audio on my library so hopefully they’ll add it. If not I may just buy the audio.
Laurel-Rain Snow
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Lindsi
This sounds like a fun, quick read! Bummer about all the questions though. I want to know *everything* at the end of the book, lol. Definitely going to keep this one in mind when I have a lull in my audiobook holds!
Ethan
There’s something about a wrongly accused story that just works for me. I love it when characters have to try to get true justice!
Mary Kirkland
It’s great when a book hooks you and you want to read the next one.
Sophia Rose
I love your enthusiasm for this one and hope you get those answers in book two. Still need to get to a great deal of her backlist.
Anne- Books of My Heart
I thought this was fun and I liked the characters. I also enjoyed that each book was a different point of view. Jazz for this one and Lucia for the next one.
Lux G.
Sounds like an absolute thrill ride! I’m curious to see how their investigation unravels and what other twists and turns await in the duology. Thanks for sharing your thoughts!