I adored the previous Alex Southerland novels, so when I got the ARC for this one I practically squealed with joy. It was worth the wait! What to Expect Another paranormal case in the wonderful urban fantasy series of Alex Southerland, PI. This time time he gets hired (coerced, more like) into helping the mayor […]
Mystery
Book Review: A Witch Steps into My Office, by Douglas Lumsden
Lumsden’s previous novel left me wanting more, so it didn’t take me long to delve into this second book in the series. Nor was I disappointed – this is an excellent sequel, even better than the previous. What to Expect Expect a story that reads like Raymond Chandler or Dashiell Hammett, but with mobile phones […]
Action Choreography for Novels
This post arose out of my review of Six of Crows. I complained that many action sequences were problematic. I didn’t provide examples, to avoid spoilers and in fairness to Bardugo, but I think this subject deserves a full post. There were a few scenes in the novel, more than a passing oversight, where the […]
Spring Showers Sci-fi, Fantasy, Mystery Thrillers Box Set Giveaway
You’re here because you like reading, right? Right now, over thirty authors (yours truly included) are giving away novels, short stories and previews for you to read at no cost to yourself, except the time it takes to download this huge boxed-set. You pay nothing and they work for days, weeks and sometimes years to […]
Book & Series Review: Erast Fandorin by Boris Akunin
I’ve recently finished reading the latest (to be translated) Erast Fandorin mystery – All The World’s A Stage. I’ve talked about this series before, so it’s a good opportunity to review both the series and the latest volume. Overall, this is one of the best historical-detective mystery series out there. It is intelligent, engaging, and […]
Book Series Review: Medicus Roman Mysteries, by Ruth S. Downie
I strikes me that while I have mentioned Ruth Downie‘s writing before, have interviewed her protagonist Gaius Petreius Ruso, and have even used him for a guest appearance – with permission! – in In Numina, I have never actually wrote a full review of her books. I’ve read the first two books a couple of years […]
Book Review: Black City Saint by Richard A. Knaak
Let’s keep it short, shall we? You’re here because you like historical-urban-fantasy. So stop reading, and go get your copy now. Still not convinced? Let me share some more details then. What to Expect Black City Saint is the first novel in the series from Richard Knaak. Set against the back-drop of Prohibition-era Chicago, Nick Medea […]
Interview Roundup – these were fun ones :)
David Ellis of TooFullToWrite was kind enough to interview me on his blog. He had some unusual questions… What would you choose as your own personal mascot or spirit animal when it comes to you and your style of writing? Felix is called “the fox” for a reason. He is cunning, relying on quick wits […]
Book Review: Dying to be Roman, by E.M. Swift-Hook and Jane Jago
In case you missed it (it’s easy, I know), I’m a bit of a nut when it comes to ancient Rome and alternate histories. Yeah, who would have thunk it. So I was really excited to get my hands on this new addition to the field. I was not disappointed. What to Expect Imagine that […]
Podcast with Gabrielle Mathieu
Or rather, Gabrielle’s podcast with me 🙂 Gabrielle lived on three continents by the age of eight. She’d experienced the bustling bazaars of Pakistan, the serenity of Swiss mountain lakes, and the chaos of the immigration desk at the JFK airport. Perhaps that’s why she developed an appetite for the unusual and disorienting. Which neatly […]