Shadow of Secrets (SOS)

In the lesser-known parts of Portland, OR, lives a down-on-his-luck wizard. Alex T. Black ekes out a living as a private investigator. Alex has a knack for getting into trouble, but he's determined to make a name for himself in the supernatural community. Chaos erupts in the city when a powerful artifact goes missing from a museum. The message hidden within the artifact has the potential to amplify magic to unimaginable levels, and its theft threatens to plunge the city into anarchy. The local authorities are stumped and desperate to recover the artifact, so they turn to Alex. Alex dives headfirst into the case with his wand, a tattered notebook, and a wry sense of humor. He soon discovers that a dangerous cult known as the "Coven of the Shadows" may be responsible for the theft. Led by a charismatic and enigmatic leader, the Coven seeks to harness the crystal's power for their dark agenda. As Alex investigates, he encounters a colorful cast of characters, including a centuries-old vampire informant, a mischievous bartender, and a shapeshifting ally with a mysterious past. Along the way, he uncovers long-buried family secrets, confronts his inner demons, and navigates the treacherous world of magical politics. During his investigation, Alex stumbles upon the body of a hermit in the remote bayou, and it becomes clear that the hermit's death is connected to the missing Shadowed Crystal. The hermit, who lived in solitude for decades, had stumbled upon the secret significance of crystal before meeting a gruesome end. This discovery adds a layer of complexity to the case and raises questions about the hermit's knowledge of the artifact's power. With time running out and the fate of New Orleans hanging in the balance, Alex must use all his wit, magic, and cunning to unravel the Coven's plot, recover the Shadowed Crystal, and solve the mystery of the hermit's death before it falls into the wrong hands. Along the journey, he'll face deadly traps, supernatural adversaries, and a powerful conspiracy that reaches the highest echelons of magical society. "Shadowed Secrets" is a fast-paced urban fantasy novel that combines mystery, magic, and a dash of humor. Alex Black battles external and internal foes to save his city, uncover the truth behind the stolen artifact, and bring justice to the hermit's untimely demise.