Rhiannon
Fast paced occult detective noir brimming with mystery, excellent world-building, and characters I love.
I was initially sent an e-ARC by the author, but by the end of the first chapter I had to send him a message to say I wasn’t going to be finishing the ARC.
‘Oh no!’ you think. Bad sign.
But wait! I had to immediately place an order for a physical copy, I’d fallen in ❤️ with the book that fast. And when I truly love a book, I absolutely must own a physical copy. So. I immediately placed that order.
It was an excruciating wait, but when the book arrived I dove right back in. I was not disappointed.
Seriously, by the beginning of Chapter 2 I was fully immersed in the late 90s nostalgia that felt effortless and weirdly comforting. But also, how Tyler managed to write a perfect 1998 when There Is No Way he’s old enough to have experienced it first-hand is a testament to his talent. Tyler’s creativity and imagination are wondrous things to behold – his characters are tough, funny, flawed, and wholly relatable.
Here, he writes a detective noir in 1998 Salem, Massachusetts, replete with occult critters, demons, ghosts, reanimation, pretty gruesome murders (but not so gruesome that the more squeamish will be put off, so it’s got a broader audience appeal in that way.) The main-Main Character, Ed, is scruffy, world weary and cursed to rise from the grave once a year (the opening scene of his death gave me strong Eric Draven vibes, again amping the 90s feel) to partner up with Sam, the young adult son of an old friend and solve some pretty heady supernatural crimes in the space of a week. Their relationship is touching, funny, and utterly relatable.
The mystery they’re pursuing is rife with action but the humanity and emotional connections are what really surprised and impressed me. I was quite thrilled with the plot, but these characters... I absolutely adored them and yes, Tyler, we need to hear more from this world!
And Tyler’s afterword, a tribute to someone who changed his life, broke my heart and made the story all the more moving.
Seriously folks, Tyler Downs does not disappoint! (And thank you Tyler for the e-ARC I didn’t read because it was too good.)
Originally posted at www.instagram.com.
Fast paced occult detective noir brimming with mystery, excellent world-building, and characters I love.
I was initially sent an e-ARC by the author, but by the end of the first chapter I had to send him a message to say I wasn’t going to be finishing the ARC.
‘Oh no!’ you think. Bad sign.
But wait! I had to immediately place an order for a physical copy, I’d fallen in ❤️ with the book that fast. And when I truly love a book, I absolutely must own a physical copy. So. I immediately placed that order.
It was an excruciating wait, but when the book arrived I dove right back in. I was not disappointed.
Seriously, by the beginning of Chapter 2 I was fully immersed in the late 90s nostalgia that felt effortless and weirdly comforting. But also, how Tyler managed to write a perfect 1998 when There Is No Way he’s old enough to have experienced it first-hand is a testament to his talent. Tyler’s creativity and imagination are wondrous things to behold – his characters are tough, funny, flawed, and wholly relatable.
Here, he writes a detective noir in 1998 Salem, Massachusetts, replete with occult critters, demons, ghosts, reanimation, pretty gruesome murders (but not so gruesome that the more squeamish will be put off, so it’s got a broader audience appeal in that way.) The main-Main Character, Ed, is scruffy, world weary and cursed to rise from the grave once a year (the opening scene of his death gave me strong Eric Draven vibes, again amping the 90s feel) to partner up with Sam, the young adult son of an old friend and solve some pretty heady supernatural crimes in the space of a week. Their relationship is touching, funny, and utterly relatable.
The mystery they’re pursuing is rife with action but the humanity and emotional connections are what really surprised and impressed me. I was quite thrilled with the plot, but these characters... I absolutely adored them and yes, Tyler, we need to hear more from this world!
And Tyler’s afterword, a tribute to someone who changed his life, broke my heart and made the story all the more moving.
Seriously folks, Tyler Downs does not disappoint! (And thank you Tyler for the e-ARC I didn’t read because it was too good.)
Originally posted at www.instagram.com.