Rating: 10/10
Synopsis:
CLAWS, BLADES, GUNS, AND FIRE!
Benedict Shade, a were-cat and collector of exotic and potentially lethal magical artifacts, arrives in Yerba City with his good buddy, Dwayne, to “collect” (some would say “steal”) an unusual dagger that is much more than it seems. Little does Shade realize that the dagger was involved in an assassination attempt with dire consequences. To keep the dagger, Shade will have to navigate his way through secret hit squads, a homicidal troll, a trickster god, a fire demon, a sorcerous goat, the most powerful witch in western Tolanica, and law enforcement agencies from two different realms. Not to mention a dragon or two. But success for Shade and Dwayne could lead to a devastating interrealm war!
Review:
“I will miss you after you are dead. But, all things considered, not that much.”
Having just finished Douglas’s Alex Southerland Series (7 books & 1 nasty novella) I was at risk of falling into funk with end of my one of favourite series. Thankfully I had the perfect antidote, a brand spanking new series by Douglas himself.
Claws of The Collector is an action-packed mystery with the trademark skilful mixture of noir & fantasy that sets Douglas’s books apart. Thrown in some in depth world building alongside superbly imagined alternate history drawing on Meso-American and Indian myths and I was in my element. As I suspect Douglas was when he was writing it.
Set in the same world as the Alexander Southerland Series, Claws of the Collector features a number of familiar characters (yes our good friend Alex makes an appearance) as well as a whole slew of new ones. Prior reading of the Alexander Southerland books is not a prerequisite but those who have read the books will get a kick out of seeing number of familiar faces from a fresh perspective, but the real treat (for this reviewer) was the new characters.
Not least of which are the charismatic yet morally grey Benedict Shade and his easy going but deadly companion Dwayne. Benedict (Bennie to his friends) is a shape shifter who turns into 12 cats and a “collector” of exotic & often lethal magical artifacts with his own fair share of supernatural abilities. I really enjoyed the way in which we gain further insights into what means to be a shape shifter and not via the standard werewolf but via alternative animals such as were-cats and were-rats (yes a particular favourite plans a central role). The strain psychologically that being “were” takes is a unique take that is explored throughout the book.
Bendict is much darker and morally ambiguous character than Alex Southerland the tough no nonsense PI from Douglas’s other series. The feeling that Benedict will do whatever it takes to look after himself and Dwayne, suggests that we will be in for a wild ride in this series.
What starts as a simple in and out job to “collect” a magical dagger (yes that one – hint it features in The Demons Dagger novella) quickly descends into battle of competing interest and old Shade is smack bang in the middle of a life threating international incident in the making. Before you can say “Lord Ketz-Alkwat’s flaming pecker” we find ourselves into the thick of the action and there is no shortage trolls, elves, elementals and kick arse magic to keep the reader occupied. Suffice to say that this book brilliantly expands the details behind world that Douglas has created and does so expertly via the dark and morally flexible protagonist in the shape of Benedict Shade. I loved the wider look into the world that we were introduced to in the Alexander Southerland Series. Immortal Dragon Lords, murky Government agents, organised crime families sit alongside witches, magic, elemental spirits and the Dragon Lords nemesis the near mythical elves.
I can’t wait see where this new series takes us and would highly recommend Claws of the Collector to those who have read Douglas’s work as well as those yet to take the plunge.
Claws of the Collector was published on 16th October – so go get it!
Thanks to Douglas for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review
About the Author:
Dr. Douglas Lumsden is a former history professor and private school teacher. He is the author of a series of fantastical noir mystery novels featuring hardworking private detective Alexander Southerland, who wanders the mean streets of Yerba City while navigating his way through trolls, witches, otherworldly demons, political corruption, and femme fatales from the depths of the sea.
Dr. Lumsden lives in Monterey, California, USA, with his wife, Rita, and two cats, Cinderella and Prince.
Socials and Book Links:
Twitter – @DouglasLumsden1
Website – https://www.douglaslumsdenauthor.com/
Leave a Reply