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The Penumbra Papers #1
That Ol' Black Magic
Welcome to The Penumbra Papers, an exciting new Urban Fantasy series from award-winning author Silver James.
These "Cases from the Shadow's Edge" explore the forces of light and dark as they dance through shadows humans barely glimpsed prior to the Big Rip. Since then, all manner of preternatural magicks intermingle with humans in ways mysterious, magical and, in some cases, criminal. Much to humanity's surprise, there really are monsters under the bed and the things that go bump in the night are bigger and scarier than anyone ever imagined.
That’s where Special Agent Sade Marquis enters the mix. A human FBI agent with an X-Files mentality, Sade's been handpicked to fill a new slot within the Bureau—Preternatural Liaison Officer with the MAGIC Unit. The Magical Activity, Grievances, and Inhuman Crimes unit is in charge of investigations involving magicks. It's her job to deal with all the monsters.
Along with her FBI partner—and werewolf best friend—Caleb Jones, Sade is sent to New Orleans to investigate the murders of several high-ranking magicks. The Big Easy is neutral territory so Sade must find and arrest the culprit before war breaks out between the Realms. Things look up when the gargoyle Sentinel, Roman, a permanent fixture in Sade’s childhood, arrives to keep the peace. Maybe.
The investigation is hampered by Sade’s faerie nemesis, Ariel—the King’s Seducer. Oh, and then there’s the new dragon in town, Nikolas Constantine. Sade can’t decide whether to arrest his ass or admire it.
When guilt and innocence come to play in the French Quarter, it’ll take Sade’s brand of crazy to sort it all out.
These "Cases from the Shadow's Edge" explore the forces of light and dark as they dance through shadows humans barely glimpsed prior to the Big Rip. Since then, all manner of preternatural magicks intermingle with humans in ways mysterious, magical and, in some cases, criminal. Much to humanity's surprise, there really are monsters under the bed and the things that go bump in the night are bigger and scarier than anyone ever imagined.
That’s where Special Agent Sade Marquis enters the mix. A human FBI agent with an X-Files mentality, Sade's been handpicked to fill a new slot within the Bureau—Preternatural Liaison Officer with the MAGIC Unit. The Magical Activity, Grievances, and Inhuman Crimes unit is in charge of investigations involving magicks. It's her job to deal with all the monsters.
Along with her FBI partner—and werewolf best friend—Caleb Jones, Sade is sent to New Orleans to investigate the murders of several high-ranking magicks. The Big Easy is neutral territory so Sade must find and arrest the culprit before war breaks out between the Realms. Things look up when the gargoyle Sentinel, Roman, a permanent fixture in Sade’s childhood, arrives to keep the peace. Maybe.
The investigation is hampered by Sade’s faerie nemesis, Ariel—the King’s Seducer. Oh, and then there’s the new dragon in town, Nikolas Constantine. Sade can’t decide whether to arrest his ass or admire it.
When guilt and innocence come to play in the French Quarter, it’ll take Sade’s brand of crazy to sort it all out.
146 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 9, 2013
1 person is currently reading
31 people want to read
About the author
Silver James
129 books205 followersSilver James likes walks on the wild side and coffee. Okay. She LOVES coffee. Warning: Her Muse, Iffy, runs with scissors. A cowgirl at heart, she’s also been an Army officer’s wife and mom, and has worked in the legal field, fire service, and law enforcement. Now retired from the real world, she lives in Oklahoma and spends her days writing with the assistance of her two Newfoundland dogs, the cat who rules them all, and the myriad characters living in her imagination. She writes dark paranormal thrillers, time travel romance, and sexy contemporary romance. If you want to know more about Silver or her books, visit her at www.silverjames.com
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
October 25, 2013
WOW. This is not my usual fare, but it was good. Ms. James wrote a great start to her world and her mystery series, The Penumbra Papers. I liked Sade Marquis's hard won strengths and the cast of males around her, some who value her for what/who she is, and some who value her for her. Plus there seems to be someone trying to kill everyone, but the evidence, while pointing in one direction, doesn't quite add up. The last scene seemed a bit abbreviated (I would have liked a little longer to take down the bad guy), but there are several questions left open to explore in the second story. This is a short story, so don't expect a novel out of this one, but you get more of Sade and the gang in the next one. 4.5 stars!
June 9, 2018
It's even better on the second read. I caught stuff I didn't remember and it was awesome. So good.
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Original review:
I thought I already reviewed this, but I can't find the review anywhere - so if you've already seen me going on and on about this book... well, here we are again.
I've always loved Ms. James' work, but she surprised me with her first foray into urban fantasy. I thought her paranormal suspense and time travel romance was good. Hah. This book passes them all and rocks hard. Awesome characters, intense action, suspense and mystery, plus all the supernatural beings you could want in an urban fantasy. And a main character you can really connect with. :happy sigh:
And this is just the beginning. I can't wait to dive into the rest of this series.
-----------------------------
Original review:
I thought I already reviewed this, but I can't find the review anywhere - so if you've already seen me going on and on about this book... well, here we are again.
I've always loved Ms. James' work, but she surprised me with her first foray into urban fantasy. I thought her paranormal suspense and time travel romance was good. Hah. This book passes them all and rocks hard. Awesome characters, intense action, suspense and mystery, plus all the supernatural beings you could want in an urban fantasy. And a main character you can really connect with. :happy sigh:
And this is just the beginning. I can't wait to dive into the rest of this series.
November 21, 2016
What a fan-freaking-tastic PNR fiction must read! This is my first book I’ve ever read by this new-to-me author, but I am now addicted & can’t wait to read more! ...Ms. James has a magical way of writing, with a totally unique storyline and well-defined characters that's filled with twists & turns and awesome details to pull you right into the book! ... An amazing page-turner that kept me on the edge of my seat not wanting to stop whenever I had to! ...Plus, it’s set in one of my favorite locations- the Big Easy, New Orleans ;) I highly recommend this to all fans of fiction & especially those who love contemporary PNR like I do! I cannot wait to read more of this series and other works by this talented author!
October 21, 2025
Well done
A great start to a captivating series. The book is well written and keeps the reader intruguided. The heroes are interesting.
A great start to a captivating series. The book is well written and keeps the reader intruguided. The heroes are interesting.
October 15, 2025
Intriguing. Not my typical read. Descriptive, characters are fascinating.
October 11, 2013
That Ol’ Black Magic indeed!
pe•num•bra (p -n m br ) [ Latin paene, almost + Latin umbra, shadow.]
n. pl. pe•num•brae (-br ) or pe•num•bras
1. A partial shadow, as in an eclipse, between regions of complete shadow and complete illumination
This novella begins the new series by author Silver James, a paranormal author with more than a dozen titles to her credit, including the Moonstruck Series. This book is a short read, only about 133 pages, and gives us a little taste of what her newest series “The Penumbra Papers.” will be about. In the story we meet FBI Special Agent Sade Marquis, a sassy, aggressive young (human) woman raised in the world of Magick. She’s the kind of woman I like to see in these stories; smart, sassy, and isn't easily pushed around! She has a sharp wit and a backbone. That’s a good thing when her closest friends and work associates are a Werewolf, a Gargoyle, and a Fae, all of whom think of her as family. And they will do almost anything to keep her safe, even from her newest admirer, a Dragon. (That relationship looks like it’s going places!) Ms. James has included everybody from the realm of Magick, not just one or two species!
The story takes the reader to a new world of today, where the veil has torn. As children we were told these creature were to be feared, as adults we were told they didn't exist; now they’re living next door to us! There’s even one running the country. What!?! Oh yeah. We’re in New Orleans with Sade investigating the murders of several magical creatures, and this serves as our introduction to many of the major players in the future series.
Two things I found lacking in the story are, probably, much to be expected from a preliminary story like this. First, I wish there had been more action, such as the investigation and capture of the main antagonist. Second, more information about Sade’s past would have been helpful. I also want more information about what happened when the veil ripped. There are clues but not a lot of substance. Third, I just wanted more! But that’s what the full length novel The Penumbra Papers #1: Season of the Witch promises to give us. MORE!
My first love in literature has always been mythology and the paranormal so this book was a fun read for me! I love the direction it’s going in, and the promise of the future books; I’m recommending it to everyone!
pe•num•bra (p -n m br ) [ Latin paene, almost + Latin umbra, shadow.]
n. pl. pe•num•brae (-br ) or pe•num•bras
1. A partial shadow, as in an eclipse, between regions of complete shadow and complete illumination
This novella begins the new series by author Silver James, a paranormal author with more than a dozen titles to her credit, including the Moonstruck Series. This book is a short read, only about 133 pages, and gives us a little taste of what her newest series “The Penumbra Papers.” will be about. In the story we meet FBI Special Agent Sade Marquis, a sassy, aggressive young (human) woman raised in the world of Magick. She’s the kind of woman I like to see in these stories; smart, sassy, and isn't easily pushed around! She has a sharp wit and a backbone. That’s a good thing when her closest friends and work associates are a Werewolf, a Gargoyle, and a Fae, all of whom think of her as family. And they will do almost anything to keep her safe, even from her newest admirer, a Dragon. (That relationship looks like it’s going places!) Ms. James has included everybody from the realm of Magick, not just one or two species!
The story takes the reader to a new world of today, where the veil has torn. As children we were told these creature were to be feared, as adults we were told they didn't exist; now they’re living next door to us! There’s even one running the country. What!?! Oh yeah. We’re in New Orleans with Sade investigating the murders of several magical creatures, and this serves as our introduction to many of the major players in the future series.
Two things I found lacking in the story are, probably, much to be expected from a preliminary story like this. First, I wish there had been more action, such as the investigation and capture of the main antagonist. Second, more information about Sade’s past would have been helpful. I also want more information about what happened when the veil ripped. There are clues but not a lot of substance. Third, I just wanted more! But that’s what the full length novel The Penumbra Papers #1: Season of the Witch promises to give us. MORE!
My first love in literature has always been mythology and the paranormal so this book was a fun read for me! I love the direction it’s going in, and the promise of the future books; I’m recommending it to everyone!
November 9, 2015
If I could give this more stars than 5 I would! Following Sade and her exploits will keep you on your toes. Loved the book and can't wait for the next one! (Literally. Write fast please!)
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews