Cursed

Jack Nightingale #1.5

by Stephen Leather

Jack Nightingale - lives in the shadows, fights in the dark. Ex-cop turned private eye Jack Nightingale is used to dealing with tricky situations. He's faced down the powers of hell a couple of times, too. In this new short story, he's called in to help a policeman who's lying at death's door. The doctors can't work out what's wrong. But the dying man's colleagues swear blind that he was cursed by a gypsy during the Dale Farm clearance. And Nightingale could be his only hope. Jack Nightingale is the hero of Stephen Leather’s supernatural detective trilogy which began with Nightfall, continued with Midnight, and reaches a devastating conclusion in Nightmare.

Genres: Short Stories, Horror, Thriller, Crime, Mystery, Fiction, Fantasy

125 pages, ebook

First published January 1, 2011

About the author

Stephen Leather was a journalist for more than ten years on newspapers such as The Times, the Daily Mail and the South China Morning Post in Hong Kong. His bestsellers have been translated into more than ten languages. He has also written for television shows such as London's Burning, The Knock and the BBC's Murder in Mind series. For much of 2011 his self-published eBooks - including The Bestseller, The Basement, Once Bitten and Dreamer's Cat - dominated the UK eBook bestseller lists and sold more than half a million copies. The Basement topped the Kindle charts in the UK and the US, and in total he has sold more than two million eBooks. His bestselling book The Chinaman was filmed as The Foreigner, starring Jackie Chan and Pierce Brosnan and grossing more than $100 million.

Reviews

[T. K. Elliott (Tiffany) · Rating 4 out of 5]

An enjoyable short story in the Jack Nightingale series. You don't have to read it in order, or even to have read the previous books in the series. I read the first book in the series ages ago, and this has prompted me to get back to it.

[Sophie Narey (Bookreview- aholic) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Published: 01/01/2011
Author: Stephen Leather
Recommended for: fans of thrillers
Edition: Kindle

This is a short story which is part of the Jack Nightingale series by the talented Stephen Leather. The charactristics of Jack Nightingale and Chalmers seemed to have slightly changed in this short story with Chalmers asking Jack Nightingale for help which doesn't fit how they were in previous books in the series. It is a quick read but it does build up the suspense, it isn't a bad little book to read, however if you don't enjoy this novella then you should still try the full length books in the Jack Nightingale series. Stephen Leather is a very talented author.

[David Batterson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed this short read. I hadn't read any of Stephen Leather's work before, though I found Cursed a pleasant read that took a little over an hour to wrap up.

Cursed is an understatement though! I had to take a shower after I read this book for fear I was turning into a snake. Creepy! If you haven't read it, you don't know what I mean! ;)

[Midnight · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was privileged to receive a copy of this prior to release and I have to hold my hands up and admit I’m an enthusiastic devotee of Stephen Leather’s books; I admire his ability to tantalise and enthrall a varied spectrum of readers and this short story appealed greatly.

Police sergeant Simon Roach became critically ill after working at the Dale Farm clearance; doctors had used the most powerful antibiotic cocktails available and they’d had no effect. Convinced he had been cursed, his colleagues call in Jack Nightingale, a gumshoe plying his trade in London from his South Kensington office. Jack’s previous experience in the supernatural heebie-jeebie world is the officer’s last chance for help.

This is a tale of around 13,000 words so is sufficient to whet the appetite of those unfamiliar with the previous Jack Nightingale books (Nightfall and Midnight) and stimulate interest in Nightmare, due for publication in January 2012.

Stephen Leather writes with the confidence of the accomplished author he undoubtedly is so the story flows easily; his novels are well plotted, thoroughly researched and are always entertaining. The Jack Nightingale series is no exception and also provides an eerie twist to crime novels.

This short story delivers an excellent appetiser and is highly recommended. It is free on Kindle at the moment!

[AmbWitch · Rating 4 out of 5]

Years ago I read Nightfall and never realised it was a series, so it was a nice surprise when I was reading Cursed and started to realise it was familiar. This short story was an enjoyable read and the fact that I barely remembered the first book in the series was not a problem, Cursed can be read without reading any of the others.

[Ellen · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's always a pleasure to read anything by this author. He's a great storyteller. All his stories are captivating and perfectly paced to keep you reading. And his unique sense of humor is hilarious. Stephen Leather never disappoints no matter what genre he writes in.

[Gary · Rating 3 out of 5]

An introduction to the character of Jack Nightingale an ex cop. A very quick read and because of that fails to build up the characters or the plot itself. Don't be put off though I have read Stephen Leather's other work and it is worth a look.

[Brooks · Rating 2 out of 5]

Like every urban fantasy character Jack Nightingale is snarky, and generally only interested in actions that will benefit himself. This was my first introduction to the character so it was surprising to me that Jack has no real magic himself, but relies on the help of powerful friends to fight against magic. Unfortunately, nothing was really explained about the Gypsy magic curse that was used.

The story itself is short focused almost exclusively on the title character so side characters only show up briefly and are best forgotten for their minor roles. The story is well-told, but doesn't really add anything to the overall Jack Nightingale series and could be easily skipped over.

[Morgan · Rating 3 out of 5]

I listened to the audiobook for this. I also got pretty much all the way through before realising that it’s a part of a series that I haven’t read before…

Oops, but even without some context that reading the books before this, I still enjoyed it. This kind of book is way up my alley and listening to this short story has definitely got me excited to catch up on the rest of the series to see if the rest is as good (and to see if I can get some sweet sweet context lol)

[Lillian Cummings · Rating 4 out of 5]

Love Jack Nightingale he might use the grey side of the law but he does get the job done. He has been given the task of trying to save a cop's life after he was cursed. Jack knows that he can't find the cure he will lose whatever friends he still has on the force. Jack just hopes that he can be on time and find the old woman before it is too late.
A great thriller

[FeedMyReads · Rating 4 out of 5]

Jack Nightingale is a paranormal detective who is used to investigating unique cases but when a police officer is seriously ill and doctors can't figure out what is wrong with him it falls on Jack to investigate due to the rumours going around that he is the victim of a curse. This is a well written story that works overall but it can sometimes feel a little far fetched.

[Sarah Baines · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have to say it - the Jack Nightingale series is one of my favourite and Cursed didn't disappoint. I have read Cursed before a long time ago but I suddenly had the urge to read all the short stories as I've read 1-5 of the novels. Fabulous stuff.

[Denise · Rating 3 out of 5]

Apparently I picked this up as a freebie at some point, though I haven't read anything else in this series or by this author. Entertaining enough to pass the time, but the plot was a bit thin and too many clichées went into the whole thing.

[Karolyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyable

Quite enjoyed this short story,bit of supernatural involved but the writing style is easy to follow and good storyline ,

[Dave · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great Jack Nightingale story. Short but very enjoyable.

[Linda Irving · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read it

Great read recommended. Jack is a character with baggage. Have read a few in this series. Will get them all

[Hilary Mccarthy · Rating 3 out of 5]

A good short story in the Jack Nightingale series .
I love the characters and the mystic bits .

[Mrs C · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really enjoyed

[Mrs T J Giles · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great short story Jack Nightingale a very likeable character, with a bit of supernatural magic, very enjoyable, great characters. Set in London UK. Definitely read more.

[Andrew Butchers · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good. Nightingale is asked by his former boss to help a policeman who is dying after being cursed by a gypsy.

Fast moving + entertaining.

[Timelord Iain · Rating 3 out of 5]

This short story doesn't make sense anywhere, chronologically, but it's nice to see Nightingale solving some easier paranormal mysteries, and getting used to his new paranormal life...

[Adam · Rating 1 out of 5]

This short story didn’t keep my interest. I need to try a full length novel by Stephen Leather, which I’ve heard are good.

[Suzanne · Rating 1 out of 5]

Set around a Gypsy curse, placed on a Policeman at Dale Farm .. Didn't like it ..

[David SMITH · Rating 2 out of 5]

It was ok but nothing special in my opinion.

[Cait · Rating 2 out of 5]

I've been borrowing the Jack Nightingale series from a guy at work and he mentioned that there were some free ebooks featuring the character available online. I checked where they slotted into the series and after finishing the second book I dutifully loaded up this one on my Kindle to check it out.

I have to admit that I didn't think this one was as good as the first two books in the series. My major sticking point is that it opens with Chalmers going to Nightingale for help which just didn't gel with the character as I'd read him in the first two books. Perhaps if I'd read it after the third I might have felt differently. I think a better opening would have been a random police officer or acquaintance of Jack's asking for his help on this mysterious case.

As far as the actual story goes though it made for a nice quick read. I'd finished reading Case Histories by Kate Atkinson earlier in the evening and wanted something to occupy myself while my husband and I watched Starsky and Hutch in bed. This one lasted for exactly one episode of the TV show. Just under half of the book is comprised of the opening chapters of the first book which seems rather illogical considering most people going for this book will already be familiar with Nightingale. I'd rather have read the opening of the next book in the series.

This story worked well as a short story, I don't see that it would have been possible to extend it into a full Nightingale novel (unless it was part of a subplot). It would have been nice if it had linked in to the other books in the series a little better, rather than just mentioning characters who we've seen before in passing. I would have liked it if we'd got a bit about Jack's sister or something to tie it in a little better.

On the whole, not bad for what it is, but had I picked this up before the first Jack Nightingale book I wouldn't have bothered with the rest.

[Bradley · Rating 1 out of 5]

First the good news, this was free.
It is all downhill from this high point.

The story is quickly populated by hot topics for Daily Mail readers. Failed multiculturalism, travellers, benefit cheats, obesity, BBC bias, feckless youth. Feels like a check list was being used.

The storyline is an ex-cop, Jack Nightingale who, being acquainted with things supernatural, is tasked with lifting a gypsy curse from a cop currently fading fast in the ICU.

There are a couple of lines explaining how the ailing cop, named Mr Roach had the nickname Scrambled. It was not worth the padding.

So pleased was the author with this bit of invention we are then introduced to a character with the nickname Jack, which does not even begin to be a nickname.

If this sounds bad, it is worse than that.

The very thin story is pinned together by the unlikely event of the hero's secretary having a smattering of Romany.

I just kept reading, not in the hope it would improve but too see how poor it could get.

Soul-destroying is the answer.

The ending transcends bad. I will not ruin the surprise, there isn't one.

I would have to be paid to read more from this author, free is not incentive enough.

One star, deserves considerably less.

[Cathy · Rating 3 out of 5]

"Ex-cop turned private eye Jack Nightingale is used to dealing with tricky situations. [...] In this new short story, he's called in to help a policeman who's lying at death's door. The doctors can't work out what's wrong. But the dying man's colleagues swear blind that he was cursed by a gypsy during the Dale Farm clearance. And Nightingale could be his only hope."

A nice appetiser for the Jack Nightingale novels. Should appeal to fans of Jim Butcher's Dresden series.

I have some issues with it though. Nightingale comes across as a bit of a naive dope. And the author happily uses every clichee ever known regarding race and the social situation in the UK. I guess it's supposed to make the story feel real and contemporary, but it gets old fast.

The writing is witty and has a nice amount of sarcasm, although some of the conversations come across as a little stilted.

I liked the overall feel of the story well enough though and might be tempted to pick up one of his novels.

[Rachel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another corking story from an author who is fast becoming one of my favourites.

Jack Nightingale, cop with a penchant for the odd supernatural event, is called in to help 'Scrambled' a highly trained officer, who was sent in to deal with the gypsies of Dale Farm. Faced with the Romanchial, the true old historic Romany community, a woman's touch proves life threatening for 'Scrambled,' and as his skin turns into scales and fights against his own life force, it's all up to Jack to track them down, solve the puzzle, and save a man's life....

A brilliant story, Stephen Leather is a true weaver of the written word and always has me hooked. Check out his other works, Once Bitten being another cracker......

This story is currently FREE on Amazon....absolute bargain at double the price....

[Maxine (Booklover Catlady) · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved this short story that gives us an introduction to Jack Nightingale and his special talents in dealing with matters pertaining to the supernatural.

Jack is called upon to help a copper who is dying in hospital and the doctors can't find what's wrong with him. Investigations lead Jack to a family of Gypsies where an ancient crone of a woman has cast a curse.

Jack needs to fix it and save a life.

It was a great read all the way through, unusual plot, entertaining storyline. Lacking in character development but that's often the case in short stories. I have never read Stephen Leather before and would certainly try more f his many books.

A twist of the supernatural in your short stories? Grab this one.

[Anika Kalia · Rating 2 out of 5]

I mean like really? I got this ebook for free. Since I like thrillers so thought of giving it a try. When I started it looked promising. But later on wasn't impressed by the short story. The worst thing is that it portrays a bad concept of patients being treated with superstitious activities instead of the right expertise of a doctor. A patient who is not being cured by a doctor is cured immediately by the use of the concept of voodoo dolls and superstitious curses. Oh c'mon I don't like it when superstition and supernatural seem to belittle science. It doesn't seem real. This was the first short story that I read by this author. Maybe he has good books to his credit but this one definitely didn't impress me.