Kate Prospero meets Kit Colbana in this new series about Mage Private Investigator, or MPI, Alice Worth. The magic takes center stage in her latest case, which starts out as a search for missing books from her client's library. And I loved seeing Alice use her magic! That green glowy thing on the book's cover? That's her cold fire whip, conjured using her earth magic. She's also adept at air magic (and blood magic, but no one likes to talk about that.)

As if her magic weren't cool enough, she also has a new ghost sidekick with magic of his own. I loved Malcolm! The afterlife in Alice's world seems a little bit like the one in Beetlejuice with long lines and lots of beurocracy. Alice knows why she's being haunted but neither she nor Malcolm know why he was the ghost assigned to her. I wish they would have made some effort to find out by the end of the book, but I'm willing to wait for answers.

I have a few other, not exactly issues but things I wonder about, like "Why did we never see another member of the werewolf pack when their alpha played such a big role in the story?" and "Why didn't Alice ever go back to her office after chapter one?" but I enjoyed the book so much that I'm trying not to hold them against it. The only thing that bothered me is that I didn't love the way the mystery wrapped up.

I did love most of the supporting characters though, like the mysterious federal agent who keeps crossing paths with Alice. I definitely want to read more in this world and see where it all goes.

I was a little skeptical at first. A powerful blood mage who is held prisoner by her own grandfather, tortured and forced to do terrible things, fakes her death in order to escape and changes her face. In the beginning scenes she chases a criminal and defends herself forcefully. Then......she almost gets herself killed twice doing dumb amateurish stuff. It didn't make sense. Then the same extremely secretive Mage, meets a guy and opens up like a flower, reluctantly, but she still does it. It seemed opposite to what I think the character was trying to be, but I guess it also made her human. The book had a little 'Kate Daniels' feel to it, and I love Kate Daniels.
The storyline kept me guessing and was action packed, though the ending happened quickly, was explained quickly and then forgotten. All that wind-up and it kind of fizzled in the end. I was intrigued by Charles and what his end game is. He is almost as creepy as the vampire in J.C. Daniels books. I was worried about a love triangle, but now I wonder about his motives. Overall, a great read and can't wait for the others.

Heart of Malice, Alice Worth Book 1, Lisa Edmonds
Review from Jeannie Zelos book reviews

Genre:  Romance, Sci-fi and fantasy

What a cracking read this is, and it seems to be Lisa's debut book! 
I love when I find an author who can write books like this, with so many multi layers of plots, with interesting and varied characters that it keeps me gripped to the end. 

There are so many paranormal reads out right now, and it seems 90% are one plot romances; those where its a meets b, and there's just one plot making - or preventing - that happening. Clearly that's what many readers want, they sell really well, but some of us want that bit more. A story where it isn't obvious which way its going from the first chapter, and Heart of Malice delivers that. 

There's a clear and solid story-line in this first book that wraps up, but there is so much more going on in tandem with that, that its easy to see its going to make a fabulous and gripping series. 
My favourite Fantasy authors are Patricia Briggs, Jeanine Frost, Kelley Armstrong, Kim Harrison, Rachelle Mead, Debbie Reynolds and of course Sookie's creator Charmaine Harris. Those reads are what I love, ones where the world settings are clear, the plots multi layered and always imaginative, and there's so much more going on underneath the main plot in each book.
I read and reread them finding more each time I devour the content. They kind of build up an over-arcing story-line, while delivering individual ones, and the Alice Worth series feels that way. 

Clearly Alice has a gruesome and terrifying history, she's escaped for now but the dangers are ever present. We get glimpses of her past from her memories and nightmares.
Then there's the world as it is, where supernaturals are open and out, mixing with humans, but as ever there are some vigilant, at times over vigilant, official organisations policing them.
We've ghosts, shifters, vampires, mages, in the supernatural types, SPEMA and SPERA gov orgs and I'm sure more will come out in future reads. 

Alice is a Mage PI, working alone, always trying to keep her head down, avoid any hint of her past being exposed. That means she tends to be very self contained, doesn't have freinds, and when Malcolm the ghost comes into her life he's kind of the first person I feel she really talks to.
She's careful with him too though, but his help in this current investigation is invaluable as it gets ever more complex and brings her into real danger.
Natalie, her client was a great girl, and I felt a real rapport between her and Malcolm. Will anything come of that in later books? Who knows...
Then Alpha wolf shifter Sean comes in. Alice meets him in a bar, and he tries to persuade her they can be more than just a one night stand. The chemistry they have is incredible, but is he really trustworthy? Its far too soon for Alice to let down her defences, however beguiling and persuasive he seems, and she keeps him at arms length. Except for those scorching times when he's not ;-)
And what about Vampire Charles, over 200 years old, suave, good looking, perfect charm and manners, very well respected by the Vampire Alliance, and full of his own vampire intrigues...what's his interest in Alice?
He's held back so far, keeping her in a kind of loose acquaintance field which suits her. She trusts him, just a little bit, a very, very little bit, but she isn't letting her defences down for a pretty face and a few vampire wiles. She's wary as to what his end game is, vampires aren't known for altruism...He's never yet hinted at wanting more from her but it feels like there's an unspoken text whenever they meet. 
Of course we can't forget Agent Lake either, comes into the book early and turns up again at the end. I get the feeling he's got an interest in Alice, but why? What sort? What does he want from her? 

Its a cracking read, ages since I read a new fantasy story that's gripped me like this, that I so enjoyed.
Its up there with my favourite reads and I hope Lisa is hard at work with the next book. 
 
Stars: five, a fabulous read, fast paced, solid plots great characters, and will join my favourites. 

ARC supplied for review purposes by Netgalley and Publishers

I've been meaning to try out some urban fantasy lately, and this fell into my hands. I can't compare it to others in this genre, but I loved it! There was a cool magic system, werewolves, vampires (I'm not a fan, but it was well done), and a whole system of magic mafia groups that strong mages need to avoid on pain of joining or death.

Alice (the MC), was a good character with a tough history, and I always enjoy reading about people undercover or hiding their true abilities.

The romance was also nicely done, until the end, where it looks like we have a love triangle, but I'm not sure how it'll play out yet, so I'm still rating this at five stars.

I think the best part of urban fantasy is that it reads like a mystery, but with magic. So it's a nice change from the standard fantasy plots of saving the world, usually from evil magical dictators.

I highly recommend this book. Can't wait for the next!

Disclaimer: I received a free copy through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

This was just fantastic! I''m hooked and waiting for more!

Let me just say WOW! I am absolutely surprised by this book!
I used to read this genre a lot but became discontent with the quality of books that have become the norm lately with this type of book. But Lisa Edmonds has restored my interest in the genre. This was an amazing read and I can wait to see what else she has to offer.

Alice Walker is a Mage PI, or MPI for short. And that's not her real name. She is really a very powerful blood Mage on the run from her grandfather, the psychopathic head of a criminal cabal who used 'Alice' to exact revenge on his enemies. She's a loner trusting no one, trying to stay under the radar until a new client and a friendly ghost overturn her life.

I loved this, with overtones of Kelley Armstrong's Women of the Underworld and a nod to Devon Monk's Allie Beckstrom this has ghosts and werewolves and vampires and cabals and elemental magic.

This was an awesome start to a new series, loved the world and the characters. I can feel a love triangle in the offing, or a quadrangle? Can't wait for the next book, sign me up.

Alice has made a new life since escaping her grandfathers cabal. Faking her own death, plastic surgery, suppressing her massive mage magic, and keeping to herself for several years. A private investigator, she takes on a client that is inheriting her grandmothers estate. A ghost mage is sent to haunt her and they form an alliance and friendship. A chance encounter results in a relationship, and Sean becomes an associate that helps her with the investigation. A powerful vampire wishes to have her blood, but her freedom depends on no one finding out what she is through her blood. Too many people are now looking her way. A powerful fire mage, the paranormal agent, Charles the vampire. Deception, lies, magic, and one heck of a thriller. I voluntarily reviewed an ARC from Netgalley.

ABSOLUTELY LOVED THIS BOOK!!! It reminded me of Patricia Briggs and Mercy Thompson. Love the mythology of Alice's world, the different mages, the cabals, the blood magic, and how Malcolm, though a ghost, still has his mage abilities. Really like Sean and really didn't like Charles after his manipulations. Loved the first chapter of the second book. I can't wait to read it! Can't wait to learn more about Grampa Murphy and all the evil he does/did. So glad to have found another Urban Fantasy series to read!!

This novel was better than I expected it to be. I enjoyed the characters and I liked the idea behind they story. The story was told in first person point of view and she is a bada$$ type of character.
Alice Worth is an alias. She escaped from her grandfather who used and abused her for her magical abilities as well as made her an assassin. Now, Alice runs a private investigation company that deals with all types of problems, including the supernatural.
She tries to live her life and keep the SPEMA off her back and not leave blood anywhere that could show how powerful her abilities are and give away her identity. She has deep trust issues and relies on no one but herself. She meets Malcolm, a ghost that is somehow bound to her. He was killed and was a mage that still has his abilities. He becomes very helpful and useful to Alice in her investigations. When Alice takes on a new client, she gets into much more than she signed a contract for. Many things were hidden from Alice's client by her family and the backlash led to some interesting and unsuspecting discoveries. Alice also gets help from an alpha werewolf named Sean. Sean wants more from Alice after their initial meeting and things heat up between them in more ways than one. However, Alice is afraid of letting someone close to her. After all, putting your trust in others can get to you to be betrayed. I also like how the author incorporated some flashbacks of Alice's past, though we never learn her true name. Sean and Alice work together to help her client. However, when Sean is accused if something, Alice feels betrayed and it hurts her deeply. The person who accused Sean has ulterior motives and wants Alice. When Alice learns the truth, she is angry.
Alice's client is kidnapped and then she is targeted. Sinister things are ahead and some will do whatever is necessary to achieve their goals. Will Alice be able to save her client and solve the mystery surrounding her client? I am looking forward to the next book in the series!!

This was a great launchpad for the series. Full of action, romance and mystery, not only was it satisfying but it leaves the reader wanting more and eager for the next instalment.