Sins & Shadows (A Shadows Inquiries Novel)

by Lyn Benedict

Book Overview

Sylvie Lightner is no ordinary P.I. She specializes in cases involving the unusual, in a world where magic is real-and where death isn't the worst thing that can happen to you. But when an employee is... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Mass Market Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0441017118
• Release Date: April 2009
• Publisher: Ace
• Length: 368 Pages
• Weight: 0.40 lbs.
• Dimensions: 6.8" x 1.0" x 4.3"

Customer Reviews

Awesome Read! Sylvie Lightner Rocks!

Sylvie Lightner is no ordinary PI. SHe specializes in cases involving the unusual and unbelievable, in a world where magic is real, where hell is just around the corner--and where death isn't the worst thing that can happen to you... When one of her employees is murdered in front of her, Sylvie has had enough. After years of confouning the dark forces of the Magicus Mundi, she's closing up shop. But wanting to quit and actually quitting are two different things. Because when a god asks you for a favor, saying no isn't and option. A man claiming to be the god of Justice wants Sylvie to find his lost lover. And if she doesn't agree to help, her family, her friends, and the world wil suffer the consequences. Tracked by real-world government agents, hunted by her many enemies from the darkness, and drawn ever deeper into a labyrinth of evil deeds and immortal powers. Sylvie must find her quarry before she finds the trth about herself.Because in her line of work, the truth can set you free...and then it can kill you. Lyn Benedict has crafted a story filled with many fantastic characters that keep you enthralled from beginning to end. This was very well written and I actually had an odd reaction to reading this story, I felt myself being drawn into the story. For over 300 pages I was Sylvie, I was going through everything that she went through. There aren't many authors who can pull their readers into a story so thoroughly. For this reason alone I will definitely be a Lyn Benedict reader from this point forward. Reviewed for Patricia's Vampire Notes by Breia Brickey

A Spectacular, Gritty and Exciting New Urban Fantasy!

I loved everything about this book! Sylvie Lightner P.I. extraordinaire is having a very bad day and it's about to get worse. Syl had the unfortunate experience of interrupting a group of Satanist during their power ceremony. Well, we all know Satanist, right? They just have no sense of humor and now she's the object of their fixation. As if being stalked by Satanists isn't horrific enough, try having a god as a client...... Syl has decided to close up her P.I. business after the Satanist incident but as she's walking out her shop door, the God of Justice (GOJ) appears and insists that she use her skills to locate his lover. The GOJ lover Bran has gone missing and is suspected of being kidnapped. Unable to locate him, GOJ needs Syl and compels her, by means of threats, to take the case. Tension is rising between various gods who covet GOJ's power and would like to use this vulnerability to siphon more power for themselves. During these conflicts, earth is going to hell in a hand basket with widespread cataclysmic events, as a consequence from having too many gods and too much power on earth. Meanwhile, time is not on Bran's side and Syl literally has the fate and weight of the world on her shoulders. Following leads Syl crosses paths with the utmost unwavering and timeless wickedness that she must defeat to retrieve Bran. How do you out-smart a timeless being who has honed their malicious skills and through their relentless cleverness is determined to succeed? I was literally enthralled by this story and actually lost sleep over it, it was so good. This book is creative, fast paced and action-packed. Syl's character is strong, mean and always gets the job done. I highly recommend this book and look forward to the next book in the series. I also recommend: Blood Engines (Marla Mason, Book 1) Succubus Dreams (Georgina Kincaid, Book 3) Magic Strikes (Kate Daniels, Book 3) Bloodring: A Rogue Mage Novel Storm Born (Dark Swan, Book 1)

A True Hardcore Heroine

Wow a lot of urban fantasy has a tough heroine with a soft center. However, Benedict's Sylvie Lightner is just one hardcore tough chick. I loved the story from beginning to end and having the main character willing to sacrifice it all just to survive was great! Can't wait to read more.

excellent investigative fantasy thriller

On an alternate earth, magic is taken for granted although government agencies and private investigative firms exist to fight evil users. P. I. Sylvie Lightner of Shadows Inquiries is ready to quit the magical sleuthing business to go mundane after she breaks up a Satanist ring during a ceremony and now has a group of Satanists ready to kill her. Her perilous escapade emphasized that death is not necessarily the final safe frontier and Everyone near her is now in danger. However, she cannot refuse a special offer from an extraordinary new client who asks for her help. The Greek pantheon God of Justice, once a mortal, wants Sylvie to find his lost lover Brandon Wolf. If she says no, she places her friends, family, and perhaps the world in danger from the wrath of an angry god. Sylvie receives some assistance on the case from the three Fates especially Erinya. She discovers that Lilith is behind what has become of the lover as she wants Bran's power, which would make her the leader of the gods and enable her to retaliate against Jehovah for kicking her out of Eden. However the sleuth remains in the dark as to the whereabouts of Bran and how to help him while Justice and Zeus fight. Lyn Benedict uses as her background Greek mythology to provide an excellent investigative fantasy thriller. This other earth comes across as genuine with its government bureaucracy the ISI as much as the strong characterizations while Sylvie works the case. She learns it is becoming easier to kill malevolent monsters and humans; the latter a path if she explores would make her one of the monsters. She depends on her best friend to pull her back from going over that cliff. Sylvie turns SINS & SHADOWS intro a fascinating spellbinding work. Harriet Klausner

A great read, even if you don't like Urban Fantasy

A strong start for a new series, the book focuses on Sylvie Lightner, a (sort of stereotypical but still loveable) temperamental heroine and her PI business dealing with paranormal events, which is about to close down until it gets a job from a god who won't take no for an answer. The plot is the strong point of this book and includes some twists that, while well-hinted at and sensible, aren't entirely predictable. The book itself is well-written above all else and feel a bit like what would happen if Janet Evanovich wrote things that were fantasy and about ten times more intelligent. Definitely recommended for those who like urban fantasy, those who like fantasy in general, and those who like the conventions of popular thrillers.