{"id":35833,"date":"2024-05-27T08:05:00","date_gmt":"2024-05-27T12:05:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/craigzablo.com\/?p=35833"},"modified":"2024-05-26T18:20:23","modified_gmt":"2024-05-26T22:20:23","slug":"a-troll-walks-into-a-bar-a-noir-urban-fantasy-novel-by-douglas-lumsden-z-view","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/craigzablo.com\/?p=35833","title":{"rendered":"A TROLL WALKS INTO A BAR: A Noir Urban Fantasy Novel by Douglas Lumsden \/ Z-View"},"content":{"rendered":"

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A TROLL WALKS INTO A BAR: A Noir Urban Fantasy Novel<\/a> by Douglas Lumsden<\/p>\n

Publisher: Independently published (November 17, 2019)<\/p>\n

First sentence…<\/p>\n

\n

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.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

The Overview:\u00a0 Beware of Spoilers\u2026<\/p>\n

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.\u00a0 Alexander Southerland is a human private detective.\u00a0 He’s getting by (barely), by knowing the players and using his smarts.<\/p>\n

One night Southerland is enjoying a quiet drink in a bar.\u00a0 His peaceful evening is ruined when a seven-and-a-half-foot tall troll pulls up a chair.\u00a0 The beast is a cop.\u00a0 Detective Stonehammer provides his credentials and a warning.\u00a0 He tells Southerland that a sexy dame is going to come to him wanting help.\u00a0 Southerland is to turn her down.\u00a0 Southerland asks how much she’s paying.\u00a0 Stonehammer says it doesn’t matter since Southerland ain’t takin’ the job.\u00a0 And with that fair warning, the troll leaves.<\/p>\n

Against his better judgment, Southerland meets with the woman.\u00a0 Although he initially turns her down, curiosity gets the best of him.\u00a0 She may be playing him, but it doesn’t matter once you’re in too deep.\u00a0 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!\u00a0 Discovering what is in the locked box will either kill or save him.\u00a0 The smart money ain’t on him livin’.<\/p>\n

+++++<\/p>\n

A TROLL WALKS INTO A BAR is my first book by Douglas Lumsden.\u00a0 Normally, I don’t read fantasy.\u00a0 If you’re story has elves and mystical creatures, I’m not you’re audience.\u00a0 Yet something about the opening pages of Lumsden’s story drew me in. (Oh, and let’s not forget the cool cover!)<\/p>\n

I love crime, noir and detective stories.\u00a0 Add the right mix of humor and violence and I’m on board.\u00a0 I don’t normally read stories with elves, gnomes and fantasy aspects.\u00a0 Still, I kept thinking about the tale Lumsden set up.\u00a0 I decided to give A TROLL WALKS INTO A BAR a try.<\/p>\n

I’m glad I did.\u00a0 Alexander Southerland is the type of hero I like in a detective yarn.\u00a0 Smart, tough and with enough attitude to get him in tight jams as he tries to (mostly) do the right thing.\u00a0 I even enjoyed the trolls and other creatures.\u00a0 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.<\/p>\n

Rating:<\/strong>
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