Note: As Book 2 in this series, it works best if you’ve read Book 1. I wouldn’t recommend reading this as a stand alone.

Cisco Suarez, a dead necromancer, has his hands full with this one. He’s cursed into serving a group he doesn’t like and which he wants to bring down. Also, he’s dealing with some serious ghosts from his past horrific deeds. Toss in whatever that thing is with glowing red eyes, and Cisco could really use a vacation. No such luck for him!

With Book 1, Dead Man, I had one quibble and that was that the ladies were these throw away characters that were mostly comforters or sex symbols. Well, Domino Finn has definitely corrected that with this book. The ladies play larger roles and Cisco’s machismo has to deal with it.

I really enjoyed the quest for the Horn of Subjugation and what that could mean for Cisco long term. Also, those red eyes that follow him turns out to be a scary and interesting treat for us readers. Not sure Cisco is so stoked about it though. Ha! I love the mix of cultures that are brought into play in this series and this book doesn’t disappoint in this. With info about the Horn of Subjugation comes info about the Taino culture from Cuba and how that’s tied to Cisco.

In Book 1, Cisco destroyed the villain he believed responsible for killing him and turning him into a murdering zombie. Well, we learn that there’s a little more to that in this book and Cisco is dead set on tracking down whoever was controlling that villain. They are just as responsible, if not more so, for all the deaths Cisco was forced to do as a zombie.

Now this is an urban fantasy that features a necromancer, so of course we have to play with dead things. I like that the cat from Book 1 could be used as a scout of sorts with Cisco being able to peer through its eyes. Now Cisco needs the memories of the dead and that involves little graveyard worms. Poor Cisco! I really felt for him when he digs into the deaths of his family. He has to defeat whoever masterminded this tragedy in order to put their spirits to rest.

He also has to try to reconnect with his best good buddy Evan Cross, who heads up a special police squad that investigates and takes down organized crime. Things are strained between the two, as we learned in Book 1, partially because Evan married Cisco’s old girlfriend after Cisco disappeared for 10 years. Awkward. Plenty of intense feelings in those scenes.

All together, it was a great follow up to Book 1 and I look forward to more Cisco adventures.

I received a free copy of this book.

The Narration: Neil Hellegers makes the perfect Cisco Suarez. He does such a great job with the variety of accents throughout this book. Also, there were plenty of intense scenes with both bullets and emotions flying around hitting things. Hellegers was great at voicing these scenes. ( )

Where does Shadow Play rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?
Shadow Play, and the Black Magic Outlaw series, is one of the best stories that I've listened to. It is within my top 10 audio series.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Shadow Play?
The ending. I can't say I was surprised but I didn't pick who the person was. In fact I thought it was the other family member.

Which scene did you most enjoy?
I found it really funny how the poltergist kept playing country music songs and how Melina kept saying the situation was like a sad country song.

Any additional comments?
This is another great book in the series. It had great character development and a well thought out storyline. I did not see the ending coming, though I can't say I was completely surprised. This story really blurred the line of who you thought was good and who you thought was bad. I continue to like all the characters, even the 'Spanaird', who I think isn't quite as wicked as what Cisco seems to think. I'm really looking forward to the next book in the series. ( )

Well. I have bad news. I read Book 2 in the Black Magic Outlaw series, SHADOW PLAY, by Domino Finn in one night. Why is this bad news? Let me tell you. I have no idea how long I will now have to wait for Book 3. A week? A month? A year?

It was only yesterday that I finished reading Book 1, DEAD MAN. I am not sure what else I can say that I didn't already say in that review. It seems like just a few days have transpired between books 1 and 2. Cisco Suarez (the necromancer, shadow charmer, and classically trained in voodoo), is still looking for answers.

Cisco is determined to solve his murder, and the reason behind why his family was also killed. The case seems to revolve around the Horn of Subjugation -- whatever that is/does. Looking for answers isn't easy though. Cisco's violent past (when he spent ten years as a zombie under someone else's control -- a time when everyone believed he was dead) is interfering. Literally. Ghosts from the Murk want their revenge. Cisco is their target.

I just l0ve the noir style writing. Gritty. Raw. Finn spices his narrative with humor, and just floods it with tension. Cisco is one of those characters you can't help but like, can't help but root for! The complex plot is laid out nicely because of Finn's storytelling talent.

I don't know how else to make this clear: If you are not reading books by Domino Finn, you are missing out.

Phillip Tomasso
Author of Severed Empire: Wizard's Rise ( )