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The Bad Series #1
A Bad Place to Be a Hero
"There is no bigger bastard than a man who thinks he's a hero."
Thessa is a young noblewoman who has an unfortunate run-in with a werewolf on her engagement night. Lokenn is a fugitive necromancer, out to restore the reputation of his maligned art. Corlis is an innkeeper with a dying aunt and rapidly mounting debts.
In a string of bad luck and worse decisions, the three of them land neck-deep in an undercover investigation. Soon enough, they’re skulking in warehouses, dining with crime lords, and occasionally bleeding in alleys. The powers that be give them three days to find answers, but the real question is whether they can put up with each other that long.
Meanwhile, at the other end of town, an officer works on a murder case that has nothing to do with them. Except that it involves the same warehouse, the same crime lord, and also Lokenn.
Thessa is a young noblewoman who has an unfortunate run-in with a werewolf on her engagement night. Lokenn is a fugitive necromancer, out to restore the reputation of his maligned art. Corlis is an innkeeper with a dying aunt and rapidly mounting debts.
In a string of bad luck and worse decisions, the three of them land neck-deep in an undercover investigation. Soon enough, they’re skulking in warehouses, dining with crime lords, and occasionally bleeding in alleys. The powers that be give them three days to find answers, but the real question is whether they can put up with each other that long.
Meanwhile, at the other end of town, an officer works on a murder case that has nothing to do with them. Except that it involves the same warehouse, the same crime lord, and also Lokenn.
336 pages, Paperback
Published February 1, 2023
37 people are currently reading
410 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews
August 23, 2024
I found A Bad Place To Be A Hero by Jerry F. Westinger by looking for free or cheap books on kobo. Never heard of the title or the author, but the cover and blurb were intriguing, so I jumped right in!
I wasn't disappointed, as it is a quick to read story. I enjoyed just how different the main characters are. Not heroes, but still likable enough, unintentionally thrown together, which causes some nice banter.
A necromancer who has to hide, an ex noble werewolf now working the streets, and an innkeeper with a dark side business. Count me in!
There's a good dose of mystery as well as some twists and turns, and the balance between light reading and dark bits worked very well for me.
I would have liked a bit more depth here and there, but overall it was a really entertaining story!
I wasn't disappointed, as it is a quick to read story. I enjoyed just how different the main characters are. Not heroes, but still likable enough, unintentionally thrown together, which causes some nice banter.
A necromancer who has to hide, an ex noble werewolf now working the streets, and an innkeeper with a dark side business. Count me in!
There's a good dose of mystery as well as some twists and turns, and the balance between light reading and dark bits worked very well for me.
I would have liked a bit more depth here and there, but overall it was a really entertaining story!
June 11, 2024
Full disclosure, someone gifted me this book/series as a gift. Boy, did they get it spot on! I found the story twists and the adventure enjoyable enough to finish in two days. The characters are not meant to be likable in many ways, but I was rooting for them to accomplish their goals. There is too much that would make this a spoiler for me to give any plot points but there is murder, intrigue, mystery, and race against time. I am looking forward to picking up the next novel in the series.
My husband kept asking if it was like certain other authors that I enjoy. The truth is, it isn't. There is no sappy romance. The story gets dark, but not so dark as to be depressing. While there is a suggestion of world-building, the time spent in world-building is actually about the characters and their motivations rather than a narrative dump.
If the rest of the novels in this series are as good, I will be checking out the rest of this author's catalog.
My husband kept asking if it was like certain other authors that I enjoy. The truth is, it isn't. There is no sappy romance. The story gets dark, but not so dark as to be depressing. While there is a suggestion of world-building, the time spent in world-building is actually about the characters and their motivations rather than a narrative dump.
If the rest of the novels in this series are as good, I will be checking out the rest of this author's catalog.
March 22, 2022
Reviewed on Reedsy Discovery: https://reedsy.com/discovery/book/a-b...
A Bad Place to Be a Hero is a fantasy mystery with a set of morally gray characters that will pull you in. The worldbuilding is extremely well done, so much so that it made me hope for future stories set in the same world at least, if not following the same characters. Even though the story primarily takes place in one city, you get a taste of many cultures and histories. The city itself is rather diverse, and each main character has a different country of origin. The author makes them distinct, likable but flawed characters and writes in multiple POVs, which really highlights their difference in judgment, perception, reasoning, history, and motivations. One character’s POV might reveal flaws lurking just beneath the traits you loved in another character.
Westinger approaches worldbuilding in a way I prefer: information and topics coming up naturally, with knowledge of the world being given through context. I realize it must be rather difficult to find this balance between info-dumping or being overly descriptive and leaving too many unanswered questions or only a vague understanding. Particularly when your world is rather complex, and there are many elements playing a factor in your story. Westinger has a compelling and complex world and story, but is able to keep this balance perfectly.
This story seemed to pull on a few crime fiction themes, but it reminded me most of hardboiled fiction in a fantasy world. It’s dark and gritty, and set in a major city (though with limited magical technology). The main characters might not be strictly “good” themselves, but they have to expose even darker secrets of the city. I thoroughly enjoyed the way both the fantasy and the mystery were written!
Westinger was also effective with character development. We're given information again in a natural, well-balanced way and we see just enough of their motivations, inner obstacles, and personal growth. There's a great balance of conflict between characters and tension over the looming primary conflict, too.
If you think a mystery fantasy with a gritty feel sounds like it ticks a lot of your boxes, I think you'll love this!
A Bad Place to Be a Hero is a fantasy mystery with a set of morally gray characters that will pull you in. The worldbuilding is extremely well done, so much so that it made me hope for future stories set in the same world at least, if not following the same characters. Even though the story primarily takes place in one city, you get a taste of many cultures and histories. The city itself is rather diverse, and each main character has a different country of origin. The author makes them distinct, likable but flawed characters and writes in multiple POVs, which really highlights their difference in judgment, perception, reasoning, history, and motivations. One character’s POV might reveal flaws lurking just beneath the traits you loved in another character.
Westinger approaches worldbuilding in a way I prefer: information and topics coming up naturally, with knowledge of the world being given through context. I realize it must be rather difficult to find this balance between info-dumping or being overly descriptive and leaving too many unanswered questions or only a vague understanding. Particularly when your world is rather complex, and there are many elements playing a factor in your story. Westinger has a compelling and complex world and story, but is able to keep this balance perfectly.
This story seemed to pull on a few crime fiction themes, but it reminded me most of hardboiled fiction in a fantasy world. It’s dark and gritty, and set in a major city (though with limited magical technology). The main characters might not be strictly “good” themselves, but they have to expose even darker secrets of the city. I thoroughly enjoyed the way both the fantasy and the mystery were written!
Westinger was also effective with character development. We're given information again in a natural, well-balanced way and we see just enough of their motivations, inner obstacles, and personal growth. There's a great balance of conflict between characters and tension over the looming primary conflict, too.
If you think a mystery fantasy with a gritty feel sounds like it ticks a lot of your boxes, I think you'll love this!
December 30, 2023
A Bad Place to Be a Hero
by Jerry F. Westinger
The Bad #1
Fantasy Urban Mystery
Scribd Audio
16+
Thessa is running away from her arranged marriage and gets bitten by a wolf. Loken is a necromancer in hiding, whose goals are not to resurrect the dead with his gift, but to save the living. Corlis took over the inn after his aunt got sick, and to keep her pain-free and alive he has creative ways to keep the debt collectors somewhat sedated.
But when their paths cross, they get themselves into a lot of trouble. They are given the chance to save themselves if they can solve the investigation they accidentally stopped.
Not quite a 'cozy mystery' but it came close. There was a little bit too much action, violence, and blood. The characters were interesting, but their backstories were a little lacking, especially Thessa's. I feel there should have been more of her history before she came into Corlis' inn.
As to the mystery, I felt as if there wasn't enough 'drama' about why what was being done was wrong. Sure the reasons were brushed over, but details on what and why and the repercussions would have added more layers to the story and might have pushed it along a little faster.
Not a bad story, but a little slow. The characters were pretty interesting, though I didn't care much for one, but a part of me wonders if I wasn't supposed to like them. Sometimes it was kind of hard to follow as it/the characters tended to wander from the topic, but they found their way back.
As to the next book in the series... Maybe.
3 Stars
by Jerry F. Westinger
The Bad #1
Fantasy Urban Mystery
Scribd Audio
16+
Thessa is running away from her arranged marriage and gets bitten by a wolf. Loken is a necromancer in hiding, whose goals are not to resurrect the dead with his gift, but to save the living. Corlis took over the inn after his aunt got sick, and to keep her pain-free and alive he has creative ways to keep the debt collectors somewhat sedated.
But when their paths cross, they get themselves into a lot of trouble. They are given the chance to save themselves if they can solve the investigation they accidentally stopped.
Not quite a 'cozy mystery' but it came close. There was a little bit too much action, violence, and blood. The characters were interesting, but their backstories were a little lacking, especially Thessa's. I feel there should have been more of her history before she came into Corlis' inn.
As to the mystery, I felt as if there wasn't enough 'drama' about why what was being done was wrong. Sure the reasons were brushed over, but details on what and why and the repercussions would have added more layers to the story and might have pushed it along a little faster.
Not a bad story, but a little slow. The characters were pretty interesting, though I didn't care much for one, but a part of me wonders if I wasn't supposed to like them. Sometimes it was kind of hard to follow as it/the characters tended to wander from the topic, but they found their way back.
As to the next book in the series... Maybe.
3 Stars
June 27, 2022
I always like to take a chance and read books by new authors, especially if they fit into the fantasy genre. This one was well worth the read. Westinger takes the common themes found in crime dramas and pulls it into the fantasy realm. He doesn't rely on old beat up tropes, he takes them and expands them into something else entirely his own.
His characters were well built, flawed yet likable and striving for more. The world building was a great example of showing rather than telling. He let the story itself reveal the world rather than have a narrator just talk us through it. It made for a much more natural reading experience and didn’t feel forced. He leaves us with more questions than he answers, hopefully he gets some of those explained in the next novel.
This was a great first novel, left me wanting more and excited for what he writes next.
His characters were well built, flawed yet likable and striving for more. The world building was a great example of showing rather than telling. He let the story itself reveal the world rather than have a narrator just talk us through it. It made for a much more natural reading experience and didn’t feel forced. He leaves us with more questions than he answers, hopefully he gets some of those explained in the next novel.
This was a great first novel, left me wanting more and excited for what he writes next.
June 9, 2024
Unlikely protagonists
Alternate universe, fantasy, magic, suspense, murder mystery
The three main protagonists are more anti-heroes, and one of the characters has a pithy saying about heroes. The story is initially chaotic, before coming together, with twists and turn right till the end, with a tantalizing hint at the very end of more to follow. Well edited.
I'm also a fan of Jill Bearup, and I purchased this book solely on her exuberant recommendation. Enjoyed, and glad I already have book 2.
Alternate universe, fantasy, magic, suspense, murder mystery
The three main protagonists are more anti-heroes, and one of the characters has a pithy saying about heroes. The story is initially chaotic, before coming together, with twists and turn right till the end, with a tantalizing hint at the very end of more to follow. Well edited.
I'm also a fan of Jill Bearup, and I purchased this book solely on her exuberant recommendation. Enjoyed, and glad I already have book 2.
June 7, 2025
Spontanköpte alla tre böckerna på Comic Con i Stockholm där författaren hade ett litet bord som hade varit lätt att missa i folkhavet. Men så glad att jag stannade till där för detta fynd! Även om karaktärerna inte alltid är genomsympatiska så knyts man an till dem och engageras i deras respektive historier. Underhållande skriven och en spännande historia som både fick mig att skratta högt åt underfundigheter men även sörja andra inslag i berättelsen (trots att jag hade spoilat mig själv).
June 5, 2023
Sort of a police procedural with fantasy elements (and criminals doing the investigation). Quite enjoyable, and I'd continue the series.
June 23, 2024
10/10 A gripping and compelling story from beginning to end. A book you won't want to put down and leaves you wanting more. I'm excited to read on in the next installment.
August 27, 2025
If you enjoy a fun mystery set in a fantasy land with an interesting setting, magical elements and a not-insignificant amount of snark, this book is right for you!
January 3, 2026
I really enjoyed this book !
January 10, 2024
This book is just fun! It is about fun characters in a fun world solving a fun mystery. It reads like some of the DnD Campaigns I've been apart of. I enjoy the different POVs we get (though i wanted to smack Corlis a few times)and there is a End of the 2nd Act Twist that I did NOT see coming. The side characters are wonderful, as is the hints of the larger world. Can't wait to get to the sequel.
June 1, 2023
The opening chapter hit hard with bad fantasy tropes and cliches. I was not impressed, nor interested enough to finish.
December 8, 2022
Non-Roman Falco et werewolf
plus necromancer. An unlikely team, they nevertheless get their man (plus a few bystanders.) A clever and funny mystery to while away a few hours with, it’s worth those hours.
plus necromancer. An unlikely team, they nevertheless get their man (plus a few bystanders.) A clever and funny mystery to while away a few hours with, it’s worth those hours.
July 28, 2022
Thessa Kalou is facing the fact that she is supposed to get married but is unhappy with the man that has been chosen for her. Lokenn Mar Enae is on his way to New Montres to start his life over, but that’s easier said than done. Corlis Andassi is an innkeeper with a surly aunt he can’t let go of. Thessa, Lokenn, and Corlis meet during trying times. They don’t know each other very well, but they soon realize their fate is entwined. They end up working together, but things don’t always go according to plan… but sticking together is a must.
A Bad Place to Be a Hero by Jerry F. Westinger is an intense and thrilling read that will make it hard for you to put the book down. Westinger immerses the reader in the story with rich, vivid scenes and exquisite world-building. The tension slowly builds as each character faces obstacles in their lives that they have to sort out whether they like it or not. There is never a dull moment with them, and you are also wondering if they are going to figure it out.
The story moves at a smooth pace, and the author seamlessly moves from one character to the next. The chapters are told from the perspective of the characters, which is a pleasant treat because you get to know the characters and their reasons for their actions. In addition, the author has created many challenging situations for the characters to get out of, making this an unpredictable read that will have you wondering just how they will get out of this predicament.
The secondary characters are well thought out, such as Porla, the coach driver, Addie, the barmaid, and others add flare to the story. Most of the time, the lead characters are at odds with each other, but you don’t mind because it’s entertaining. It’s hard to criticize a wonderfully written story rich in detail! I recommend A Bad Place to Be a Hero to all fantasy book lovers. This is a story many will love and enjoy.
A Bad Place to Be a Hero by Jerry F. Westinger is an intense and thrilling read that will make it hard for you to put the book down. Westinger immerses the reader in the story with rich, vivid scenes and exquisite world-building. The tension slowly builds as each character faces obstacles in their lives that they have to sort out whether they like it or not. There is never a dull moment with them, and you are also wondering if they are going to figure it out.
The story moves at a smooth pace, and the author seamlessly moves from one character to the next. The chapters are told from the perspective of the characters, which is a pleasant treat because you get to know the characters and their reasons for their actions. In addition, the author has created many challenging situations for the characters to get out of, making this an unpredictable read that will have you wondering just how they will get out of this predicament.
The secondary characters are well thought out, such as Porla, the coach driver, Addie, the barmaid, and others add flare to the story. Most of the time, the lead characters are at odds with each other, but you don’t mind because it’s entertaining. It’s hard to criticize a wonderfully written story rich in detail! I recommend A Bad Place to Be a Hero to all fantasy book lovers. This is a story many will love and enjoy.
July 31, 2022
A Bad Place to Be a Hero, but a great place to visit
Three wonderfully flawed characters find themselves thrown together in a race to save themselves from punishment and death for their crimes in the city of New Montres. With elements of cyberpunk, Westinger creates a world that is savage and unpredictable. Thessa, Corlis and Lokenn form a truly dysfunctional team where the odds are set against them. Murder, deceit, intrigue, necromancy, werewolves and an empire without an emperor, A Bad Place to be a Hero is the start of a very promising series.
The style is fast, witty and takes the reader on a wild and exciting journey. The world is savage, and it is dog-eat-dog if one is to survive, but it is hard not to love Westinger’s anti-heroes. I really enjoyed this first novel from the author and look forward to future episodes in the series.
Three wonderfully flawed characters find themselves thrown together in a race to save themselves from punishment and death for their crimes in the city of New Montres. With elements of cyberpunk, Westinger creates a world that is savage and unpredictable. Thessa, Corlis and Lokenn form a truly dysfunctional team where the odds are set against them. Murder, deceit, intrigue, necromancy, werewolves and an empire without an emperor, A Bad Place to be a Hero is the start of a very promising series.
The style is fast, witty and takes the reader on a wild and exciting journey. The world is savage, and it is dog-eat-dog if one is to survive, but it is hard not to love Westinger’s anti-heroes. I really enjoyed this first novel from the author and look forward to future episodes in the series.
January 30, 2023
A bad place to be a Hero starts slow, needing to introduce our three primary characters, their motivations, quirks and various criminal situations before the plot kicks fully into gear, where upon the story becomes more of a mystery.
The mystery elements of the book are solid, with various leads, a couple twists, several hi-jinx and (mis)adventures and such, but the books strongest elements is its characters. All three are emotional and motivationally complex, walking on the slightly darker side of gray while still remaining fairly likable. The characters also interact meaningfully with one another a lot, most often caustically though they do warm to one another as the narrative progresses.
The mystery elements of the book are solid, with various leads, a couple twists, several hi-jinx and (mis)adventures and such, but the books strongest elements is its characters. All three are emotional and motivationally complex, walking on the slightly darker side of gray while still remaining fairly likable. The characters also interact meaningfully with one another a lot, most often caustically though they do warm to one another as the narrative progresses.
December 23, 2024
I had fun with this book. Thessa's intro was meh. She was just suddenly running away without any real back story, and we got snippets, but it felt so one dimensional.
A lot of the characterization felt lacking like that. Maybe it was because there were three characters being flipped between?
I liked the storyline, and it was a different take than I usually see on necromancy, so yay. I was disappointed overall since so much was surface level, but i want to see more, so maybe book two will get me the in-depth info I'm looking for.
I don't read many books by men these days. I mean, nothing against them, but there are so many more sapphic books out there now, and I like seeing that.
A lot of the characterization felt lacking like that. Maybe it was because there were three characters being flipped between?
I liked the storyline, and it was a different take than I usually see on necromancy, so yay. I was disappointed overall since so much was surface level, but i want to see more, so maybe book two will get me the in-depth info I'm looking for.
I don't read many books by men these days. I mean, nothing against them, but there are so many more sapphic books out there now, and I like seeing that.
October 5, 2024
I enjoyed this book and it was a quick read, but oftentimes, I felt like it skipped ahead to tell me what had just happened off-page instead of showing me. It was nice to see the character's growth throughout the book, but I'll wait a bit before picking up the next one.
It absolutely helps that Thessa is a werewolf (I had difficulties staying engaged at first) and I want to know more about what the necromancers did to cause such stuff in this fantasy world.
It absolutely helps that Thessa is a werewolf (I had difficulties staying engaged at first) and I want to know more about what the necromancers did to cause such stuff in this fantasy world.
June 24, 2023
The story had potential but was made almost entirely of tired clichés, coupled with characters with the depth of a kiddie pool. It was such a boring read that I had to go back several times to re-read what I'd just read, as I kept zoning out. I finished it, but it felt like a chore.
Would not recommend.
Would not recommend.
June 19, 2024
Good beach read.
June 26, 2024
Picked this up because the author sponsored an episode of Jill Bearup's on YT. I didn't hate it, but I didn't love it, either?
Want to read
October 14, 2024Want-to-read based on Jill Bearup's recommendation.
Unable to see trigger warnings for this in other reviews
One said no sappy romance - is there any romance?
Unable to see trigger warnings for this in other reviews
One said no sappy romance - is there any romance?
February 19, 2024
A good and fine 3.5 stars (not rounded up)
I liked the story and the idea quite a bit.
The characters were enjoyably different from one another and it was interesting to be following their different POV.
My favourite character was Lokenn, the necromancer.
I liked the different views the characters were bringing, as well as their very different bond and relation to one another.
I enjoyed Lokenn and Thessas connection at the get-go. But the way Lokenn's and Colis's relation was layered and the way Colis's and Thessa's relation evolved was so very suiting for the characters and the story as well.
I think the 3 characters relation (and difference) was what I enjoyed the very most.
The investigating and "action" didn’t take up quite as much as I might have liked - I really enjoyed the book the most, when the 3 characters were together, and I don't think those moments were given enough time. The book uses 100 pages, out of about 300 to introduce the 3 main characters and their situation, before the real plot really takes off.
Something might be lacking a bit for me, personally, ... I am not entirely sure what - however, I rather enjoyed the book with the characters, setting and mystery.
I am very curious about the next novel ^_^ ( )
I liked the story and the idea quite a bit.
The characters were enjoyably different from one another and it was interesting to be following their different POV.
My favourite character was Lokenn, the necromancer.
I liked the different views the characters were bringing, as well as their very different bond and relation to one another.
I enjoyed Lokenn and Thessas connection at the get-go. But the way Lokenn's and Colis's relation was layered and the way Colis's and Thessa's relation evolved was so very suiting for the characters and the story as well.
I think the 3 characters relation (and difference) was what I enjoyed the very most.
The investigating and "action" didn’t take up quite as much as I might have liked - I really enjoyed the book the most, when the 3 characters were together, and I don't think those moments were given enough time. The book uses 100 pages, out of about 300 to introduce the 3 main characters and their situation, before the real plot really takes off.
Something might be lacking a bit for me, personally, ... I am not entirely sure what - however, I rather enjoyed the book with the characters, setting and mystery.
I am very curious about the next novel ^_^ ( )
November 15, 2025
At first, I had a hard time understanding the story and fully merging in to the book. But as the pages went by and the story kept unfolding, I really started to like it!
And I started to love it even more when it turned out Thessa was the werewolf! When I first started the book I thought she would meet some kind of werewolf guy, and during all the hints until the confirmed transformation, I was so confused haha.
And I started to love it even more when it turned out Thessa was the werewolf! When I first started the book I thought she would meet some kind of werewolf guy, and during all the hints until the confirmed transformation, I was so confused haha.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews