A TROLL WALKS INTO A BAR: A Noir Urban Fantasy Novel by Douglas Lumsden / Z-View
A TROLL WALKS INTO A BAR: A Noir Urban Fantasy Novel by Douglas Lumsden
Publisher: Independently published (November 17, 2019)
First sentence…
If I had failed to notice that he was packing a quarter of a ton of rock-hard muscle into his seven-and-a-half foot frame, or if I hadn’t observed the loose grayish skin that made his face look as if it were made of wet clay, the large close-set ears that rose to a point next to his hairless skull, his blood-red sunken eyes glowing like half-hidden warning lights beneath a stony brow ridge, his predator teeth behind oversized dark ruddy lips, and his large knobby hands with clawed fingers that extended like eight thorny tendrils, I wouldn’t have known he was a troll.
The Overview: Beware of Spoilers…
Our story takes place in a world where trolls, gnomes, were-rats, ocean nymphs, adaro, Dragon Lords, elves and other mystical creatures live along side humans. Alexander Southerland is a human private detective. He’s getting by (barely), by knowing the players and using his smarts.
One night Southerland is enjoying a quiet drink in a bar. His peaceful evening is ruined when a seven-and-a-half-foot tall troll pulls up a chair. The beast is a cop. Detective Stonehammer provides his credentials and a warning. He tells Southerland that a sexy dame is going to come to him wanting help. Southerland is to turn her down. Southerland asks how much she’s paying. Stonehammer says it doesn’t matter since Southerland ain’t takin’ the job. And with that fair warning, the troll leaves.
Against his better judgment, Southerland meets with the woman. Although he initially turns her down, curiosity gets the best of him. She may be playing him, but it doesn’t matter once you’re in too deep. Southerland finds himself in the middle of a gang war, on the run from crooked cops and corrupt politicians… and those are just the humans! Discovering what is in the locked box will either kill or save him. The smart money ain’t on him livin’.
+++++
A TROLL WALKS INTO A BAR is my first book by Douglas Lumsden. Normally, I don’t read fantasy. If you’re story has elves and mystical creatures, I’m not you’re audience. Yet something about the opening pages of Lumsden’s story drew me in. (Oh, and let’s not forget the cool cover!)
I love crime, noir and detective stories. Add the right mix of humor and violence and I’m on board. I don’t normally read stories with elves, gnomes and fantasy aspects. Still, I kept thinking about the tale Lumsden set up. I decided to give A TROLL WALKS INTO A BAR a try.
I’m glad I did. Alexander Southerland is the type of hero I like in a detective yarn. Smart, tough and with enough attitude to get him in tight jams as he tries to (mostly) do the right thing. I even enjoyed the trolls and other creatures. While I’m not ready for a constant diet of this genre, when I do want another taste, I know Douglas Lumsden is open for business with other tales.
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