I loved Knox’s AltEarth blend of historical-fantasy since I first saw (the excellent Goblins at the Gate), so I was very keen to try this latest installment, especially as it’s promising a mystery. What to Expect Expect a classic tale of mystery, where the protagonists – in this case, a band of actors – are […]
Book Reviews
Hard-boiled detectives: Then and Now (a philosophical review of The Big Sleep, by Raymond Chandler)
It’s been a while since I read the classic hard-boiled detectives, and felt like revisiting the pillars of the genre. The Big Sleep is one of those genre-defining works, but a lot has changed in the 80+ years since its publication. Following is a review of the novel, with a summary that is waxing philosophical […]
Review: The Law, by Jim Butcher (plus Little Things: a short story)
At this point I’m pretty much invested in the Dresden Files series, so there’s a lot of momentum in reading new releases. This review covers the recent Novella plus a short story that appeared in another anthology. What to Expect The Law: Expect a shorter story, about a quarter of the usual novel length. More […]
Book Review: Comeuppance Served Cold, by Marion Deeds
Historical-fantasy blends are my favourite genre, and the Roaring 1920’s is one of my fav periods, so of course this drew my attention. What to Expect Expect a half-heist half-revenge story, told in a somewhat non-linear way (lots of skipping back and forth). The story mostly follows Dolly White, with occasional other points of view, […]
TV Series Review: Miss (and Ms) Fisher’s Murder Mysteries
Double whammy (and a half): review of Miss Fisher’s Murder Mysteries, the sequel series Ms Fisher’s Modern Murder Mysteries, and a note about the book series that sparked them. First, let’s acknowledge the elephant in the room. Yes, I’ve watched the TV series before reading the books. However, that is how I found out about […]
Book Review: L’Esprit de L’Escalier, by Catherynne M. Valente
A promise of a Hugo-award finalist retelling of one of my favourite greek myth caught my interest for a quick read. What to Expect Expect a Gothic novelette, full of brooding atmosphere. The ancient Greek gods are the rock stars (literally) of the modern world, and we get to explore what might have been were […]
Book Review: Amongst Our Weapons, by Ben Aaronovitch
The Rivers of London is a good series and I’ve enjoyed the previous volumes, so I was quite excited with new release. What to Expect Expect another typical Peter Grant supernatural crime blend, reading like a modern British police procedural novel except that the crimes (and police people) deal with magic. By now Aaronovitch is […]
Book Review: Unremarkable, by Geoff Habiger and coy Kisse
I love the 1920’s and historical fantasy, so any combination is an obvious allure 🙂 What to Expect Expect a short novel about a good Jewish boy from Chicago getting caught in the notorious gang wars between AL Capone and Bugs Moran. Not only is that bad enough, but there’s a supernatural twist that bubbles […]
Book Review: A Practical Guide to Conquering the World, by KJ Parker
The Siege is one of modern fantasy most unique series, coming from one of the best authors out there, so of course I jumped on the latest (and probably last) installment. What to Expect Expect a story happening in parallel to the previous novels. This could be a different starting point (at least for those […]
Book Review: Invisible Romans, by Robert C. Knapp
As someone who writes fiction inspired by Ancient Rome, I am always fascinating by the lives of the ordinary people. I find the adventures of the ones comprising 99.5% of the population much more fascinating than the movers and shakers. What to Expect Expect a review of non-elite (as much as possible) sources, where Knapp […]
FELIX THE FOX MYSTERIES 