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Stranger Times #4
Relight My Fire:
Some comebacks can be murder . . .
Stella is enjoying life as an almost student, or at least she is until a man falls from the sky right in front of her, leaving a big old hole in the pavement for Manchester Council to fill. The obvious question of how he ended up in the sky in the first place has no obvious answers, which is where The Stranger Times come in. This isn't just the hunt for another story though. Dark powers think Stella might have been involved and the only way she and the team can prove her innocence is to find out what the hell is really going on. What have dodgy gear, disturbed graves and a decommissioned rock star got to do with all this?
Vincent Banecroft has problems of his own in the form of a tall, dark but-definitely-not-handsome man dressed like a one-man funeral who has been sent to make the paper's editor atone for his sins. Once he finds out exactly what that entails, Banecroft is not keen. Being banished to a Hellscape for all eternity looks like being no fun at all, not least because he has that pale Irish skin that burns really easily . . .
All that plus territorial ghouls, homicidal felines, eternal (and seemingly unstoppable) gnomes and a celebrity 'Who's Who' that'd put a royal wedding to shame, and you're looking at a wild few days for The Stranger Times .
Stella is enjoying life as an almost student, or at least she is until a man falls from the sky right in front of her, leaving a big old hole in the pavement for Manchester Council to fill. The obvious question of how he ended up in the sky in the first place has no obvious answers, which is where The Stranger Times come in. This isn't just the hunt for another story though. Dark powers think Stella might have been involved and the only way she and the team can prove her innocence is to find out what the hell is really going on. What have dodgy gear, disturbed graves and a decommissioned rock star got to do with all this?
Vincent Banecroft has problems of his own in the form of a tall, dark but-definitely-not-handsome man dressed like a one-man funeral who has been sent to make the paper's editor atone for his sins. Once he finds out exactly what that entails, Banecroft is not keen. Being banished to a Hellscape for all eternity looks like being no fun at all, not least because he has that pale Irish skin that burns really easily . . .
All that plus territorial ghouls, homicidal felines, eternal (and seemingly unstoppable) gnomes and a celebrity 'Who's Who' that'd put a royal wedding to shame, and you're looking at a wild few days for The Stranger Times .
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First published January 25, 2024
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About the author
C.K. McDonnell
13 books639 followersA pseudonym for Caimh McDonnell.
Irishman Caimh McDonnell is a former professional stand-up comedian and TV writer who now concentrates all of his energies on writing books. Born in Limerick and raised in Dublin, he has taken the hop across the water and calls Manchester his home.
His TV writing work has seen him work on some of the biggest topical comedy shows on British TV, such as the The Sarah Millican Television Programme, Mock the Week and Have I Got News for You. His work as a children’s TV writer earned him a BAFTA nomination for the CBBC animated series ‘Pet Squad’ which he created.
Irishman Caimh McDonnell is a former professional stand-up comedian and TV writer who now concentrates all of his energies on writing books. Born in Limerick and raised in Dublin, he has taken the hop across the water and calls Manchester his home.
His TV writing work has seen him work on some of the biggest topical comedy shows on British TV, such as the The Sarah Millican Television Programme, Mock the Week and Have I Got News for You. His work as a children’s TV writer earned him a BAFTA nomination for the CBBC animated series ‘Pet Squad’ which he created.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 430 reviews
November 12, 2023
5 stars ++ Definitely the best yet.
I'll apologise for waxing lyrical from this point on. Okay, maybe not lyrical but overly enthusiastic at least.
The employees of The Stranger Times are thankfully back in the building and it's probably for the best that they stay there because it's getting even more weirdy outside - students are behaving oddly (yes even more strange than students usually do). The only problem is that someone is taking notice.
It starts with Stella nearly getting squashed by one. Thankfully Banecroft et al are tailing the teenager since her last near death experience. Unfortunately for Banecroft someone with a bigger grudge is tailing him. It's bound to end badly unless the staff start solving mysteries fast.
But how do you find out who has been messing with the newly deceased? Will Hannah and DI Sturgess ever get past the awkward stage? How does Hannah's teenage pop idol crush fit into this? Will the paper go out on time and will the crossword ever get better? But, most importantly, will Manny ever keep his trousers on?
I'm giving away nothing more of the plot than you'll read in the blurb because it's simply too insanely wonderful. CK McDonnell has truly outdone himself on this outing of the Times. Its funny, witty, clever, tightly plotted, reasonably disturbing and with a finish that has various extremely satisfying endings (you'll understand when you get there - I'll just say you may be surprised who you meet in this book).
I loved it. I've enjoyed the whole series so far but this is most assuredly the best yet. I laughed more. I stayed awake to finish it. I really did not want to put it down. Excellent.
Very highly recommended. Since I've read the first three I can't honestly say whether you could read this without the others. But why would you? Read them all. They're very funny.
Thankyou to Melissa Kelly at Random House for the advance review copy. I did a little dance when it landed.
I'll apologise for waxing lyrical from this point on. Okay, maybe not lyrical but overly enthusiastic at least.
The employees of The Stranger Times are thankfully back in the building and it's probably for the best that they stay there because it's getting even more weirdy outside - students are behaving oddly (yes even more strange than students usually do). The only problem is that someone is taking notice.
It starts with Stella nearly getting squashed by one. Thankfully Banecroft et al are tailing the teenager since her last near death experience. Unfortunately for Banecroft someone with a bigger grudge is tailing him. It's bound to end badly unless the staff start solving mysteries fast.
But how do you find out who has been messing with the newly deceased? Will Hannah and DI Sturgess ever get past the awkward stage? How does Hannah's teenage pop idol crush fit into this? Will the paper go out on time and will the crossword ever get better? But, most importantly, will Manny ever keep his trousers on?
I'm giving away nothing more of the plot than you'll read in the blurb because it's simply too insanely wonderful. CK McDonnell has truly outdone himself on this outing of the Times. Its funny, witty, clever, tightly plotted, reasonably disturbing and with a finish that has various extremely satisfying endings (you'll understand when you get there - I'll just say you may be surprised who you meet in this book).
I loved it. I've enjoyed the whole series so far but this is most assuredly the best yet. I laughed more. I stayed awake to finish it. I really did not want to put it down. Excellent.
Very highly recommended. Since I've read the first three I can't honestly say whether you could read this without the others. But why would you? Read them all. They're very funny.
Thankyou to Melissa Kelly at Random House for the advance review copy. I did a little dance when it landed.
August 13, 2023
Oh wow, so happy to have read this early! This is my favourite Stranger Times novel so far, it was so so good! It has everything I could have asked for and more. The plot is great and really builds on some crucial elements from the other parts of the book, and I really feel this has brought everything together nicely to set up even more brilliant parts to this fantastic series. The gang are back and as brilliant as ever with a new edition that I hope sticks around a while longer. It’s funny, very entertaining and overall an absolute joy to read. Best one yet, can’t wait for it to be published for everyone to read!!
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February 6, 2025New instalment in the Manchester-set series about a Fortean Times type newspaper run by a somewhat Jackson Lamb-like editor plus motley crew. There's a lot of backstory built up over the series but it was well handled here and didn't feel too burdened by having to catch the reader up. The characters are entertaining and I like the world and the comic tone of the narrative voice a lot. Very much worth a go if you're looking for urban fantasy in the Rivers of London vein.
February 2, 2024
The employees of The Stranger Times are back with a new mystery to solve - and the stakes have never been higher.(If you've read the book, then you can appreciate the pun there!)
I was up first thing on release morning, downloading my Audible preorder of this one so I could start binging it straight away.
Brimming with the humor I've come to expect from anything penned by this author, RELIGHT MY FIRE reunites readers with the beloved characters from the previous installments, introduces a few new faces, (Those who have read this, it was so hard not to type 'feces' instead of 'faces' - Brian was just the BEST new character, wasn't he??) and the world building is expanded ever so slightly.
In other words, C.K. McDonnell leveled up. Again.
Before I was even at the halfway mark, I began to feel a deep sadness that soon it would be over and the wait for the next book would begin.
I would be remiss if I did not scream about the excellence that is Brendan McDonald's audiobook narration. Honestly, I cannot imagine consuming this series any other way than audio. I almost wonder if it's a competition between McDonnell and McDonald - to see if McDonnell can give life to a character that stumps McDonald on the voice to give it. So far, McDonald is on the winning end!
Readers who enjoy the found family trope, great character development, and a huge helping of humor that will endear this series in your heart permanently - this is the series for you! (Once you read these 4 books, to battle the book hangover that you are sure to experience, I would also recommend the author's crime thriller series, The Dublin Trilogy. Be warned, McDonnell can't count and that series is now around 7 books, I believe.)
You can find this review along with other reviews spanning multiple genres at The Nerdy Narrative or if you prefer video format, I do have a BookTube Channel
A heartfelt thanks to my Patrons on Patreon for their support towards my enthusiasm for reading and reviewing!
Special thanks to my highest level Patrons: Ev, Sharon, Andrew, Star, Kate, Gail, Amanda F., Lourdes, Tara, John, Ann, Chad K., Ashley E., & Jennifer M.
I was up first thing on release morning, downloading my Audible preorder of this one so I could start binging it straight away.
Brimming with the humor I've come to expect from anything penned by this author, RELIGHT MY FIRE reunites readers with the beloved characters from the previous installments, introduces a few new faces, (Those who have read this, it was so hard not to type 'feces' instead of 'faces' - Brian was just the BEST new character, wasn't he??) and the world building is expanded ever so slightly.
In other words, C.K. McDonnell leveled up. Again.
Before I was even at the halfway mark, I began to feel a deep sadness that soon it would be over and the wait for the next book would begin.
I would be remiss if I did not scream about the excellence that is Brendan McDonald's audiobook narration. Honestly, I cannot imagine consuming this series any other way than audio. I almost wonder if it's a competition between McDonnell and McDonald - to see if McDonnell can give life to a character that stumps McDonald on the voice to give it. So far, McDonald is on the winning end!
Readers who enjoy the found family trope, great character development, and a huge helping of humor that will endear this series in your heart permanently - this is the series for you! (Once you read these 4 books, to battle the book hangover that you are sure to experience, I would also recommend the author's crime thriller series, The Dublin Trilogy. Be warned, McDonnell can't count and that series is now around 7 books, I believe.)
You can find this review along with other reviews spanning multiple genres at The Nerdy Narrative or if you prefer video format, I do have a BookTube Channel
A heartfelt thanks to my Patrons on Patreon for their support towards my enthusiasm for reading and reviewing!
Special thanks to my highest level Patrons: Ev, Sharon, Andrew, Star, Kate, Gail, Amanda F., Lourdes, Tara, John, Ann, Chad K., Ashley E., & Jennifer M.
April 7, 2025
The gang is back as are as funny as ever.
This story for some reason was not as interesting as other installments probably because it has less Dr. Carter in it who has become an essential character in this series.
The story kept me laughing constantly. I like the author’s social commentary. When talking about the United States Banecroft says “It was a brand from the US, after all a nation with prudish peculiarities, seemingly more alarmed by the proliferation of drag queens than automatic weapons” Bam!…bullseye.
I am not a fan of fantasy, monsters and even vampires but this book humanize monsters and try to make you realize that they live among us, you can call them anything you want, rich people trying to make a dollar from the suffering of other people or conspiracy theorists that are less evolved and are in this to get attention or even those who are born monsters and are a threat to others. I will continue reading this series as long as McDonnell continues writing it.
This story for some reason was not as interesting as other installments probably because it has less Dr. Carter in it who has become an essential character in this series.
The story kept me laughing constantly. I like the author’s social commentary. When talking about the United States Banecroft says “It was a brand from the US, after all a nation with prudish peculiarities, seemingly more alarmed by the proliferation of drag queens than automatic weapons” Bam!…bullseye.
I am not a fan of fantasy, monsters and even vampires but this book humanize monsters and try to make you realize that they live among us, you can call them anything you want, rich people trying to make a dollar from the suffering of other people or conspiracy theorists that are less evolved and are in this to get attention or even those who are born monsters and are a threat to others. I will continue reading this series as long as McDonnell continues writing it.
December 22, 2023
Relight My Fire is the fourth instalment in the darkly hilarious Stranger Times urban fantasy series, about the staff of a unique Manchester newspaper which reports on anything too weird for the Mainstream press. Don’t even think about starting this if you haven’t read the previous books - there’s minimal recap and you’d miss out on too much backstory. This one - which has our team facing a sinister new villain who has been performing dastardly experiments on unwilling subjects, living and dead - is the best yet.
Junior trainee reporter Stella is minding her own business when a young man suddenly falls from the sky - sending her affectionately over-protective colleagues into a tizzy wondering what’s going on. Their obnoxious boss has problems of his own - a menacing apparition is threatening to send him to hell if he doesn’t solve a problem - but he doesn’t know what it is. And detective Sturgess, resigned to his relegation to the investigation of “weirdy bollocks”, must put aside his feelings for Hannah if he’s to discover just what it is she and her team are hiding…
I love this series - the humour, the parodies, the recurring characters and their complicated and sometimes shifting loyalties. There are all sorts of interconnections with factions from previous books as well as a new plot arc featuring a disturbing plot - and some unexpected cameo appearances!
If you like slightly anarchic horror-fantasy, go buy The Stranger Times and dive in, you won’t regret it. 4.5 stars rounded up for making me laugh out loud!
Thanks to NetGalley and Random House UK for the ARC. Relight My Fire is published on January 24th.
Junior trainee reporter Stella is minding her own business when a young man suddenly falls from the sky - sending her affectionately over-protective colleagues into a tizzy wondering what’s going on. Their obnoxious boss has problems of his own - a menacing apparition is threatening to send him to hell if he doesn’t solve a problem - but he doesn’t know what it is. And detective Sturgess, resigned to his relegation to the investigation of “weirdy bollocks”, must put aside his feelings for Hannah if he’s to discover just what it is she and her team are hiding…
I love this series - the humour, the parodies, the recurring characters and their complicated and sometimes shifting loyalties. There are all sorts of interconnections with factions from previous books as well as a new plot arc featuring a disturbing plot - and some unexpected cameo appearances!
If you like slightly anarchic horror-fantasy, go buy The Stranger Times and dive in, you won’t regret it. 4.5 stars rounded up for making me laugh out loud!
Thanks to NetGalley and Random House UK for the ARC. Relight My Fire is published on January 24th.
November 22, 2023
Yay! The gang is back.
As a massive fan of this series, I couldn't wait to get stuck in.
The series continues with a body face-planting the street from a great height right in front of Stella. The powers that be believe Stella had something to do with the young mans demise so the team investigate to prove otherwise.
This is book four in the series. It's dark, hilarious, and often bonkers. An urban fantasy/horror that will have you gasping one minute and laughing out loud the next. There's a new member of the team, Brian the ghoul, and I'm hoping he'll be in the next book.
Thank you, NetGalley and publishers, for the ARC. I really needed that.
As a massive fan of this series, I couldn't wait to get stuck in.
The series continues with a body face-planting the street from a great height right in front of Stella. The powers that be believe Stella had something to do with the young mans demise so the team investigate to prove otherwise.
This is book four in the series. It's dark, hilarious, and often bonkers. An urban fantasy/horror that will have you gasping one minute and laughing out loud the next. There's a new member of the team, Brian the ghoul, and I'm hoping he'll be in the next book.
Thank you, NetGalley and publishers, for the ARC. I really needed that.
April 9, 2024
I love how hilarious this book can be. C.K. McDonnell writes quite an unusual take on familiar Urban Fantasy tropes. The book is mostly character driven, but the action can be fun as well. One of the things I enjoy about the series is the absence of the main character. All the characters are 'side characters", because the book is about Stranger Times stuff as a whole. And I love every each one of them from Benecroft to Sturges. Celebrity zombies were definitely the best part of the story.
March 13, 2025
Ein weiterer großartiger Band der Reihe! Der Autor verbindet auch wichtige Details aus den Vorgängen weiter in die Entwicklungen und schreibt wieder mit viel Wortwitz, so dass ich eine Menge Spaß und Spannung hatte beim Lesen :)
March 21, 2024
Another great hit by McDonnell! I preferred this to the previous book (which was still great), and normally I'd be wanting him to wrap things up in the next book or two, but if this keeps going at this pace I'd be happy. I think the 'case of the week' format mixed with an overarching plot thread works very well to combat series fatigue.
July 18, 2024
Ach war das toll wieder eine neue Geschichte aus Manchester zu lesen 😄 Ich kann mich einfach immer drauf verlassen, dass ich eine tolle und witzige Zeit mit den Geschichten haben werden. Auch hier konnte ich wieder so viel lachen, der scharfe britische Humor zündet einfach jedes Mal 😂 Unglaublich wie viel Entwicklung die Charaktere schon durchgemacht haben und wie groß die Gruppe geworden ist! Stella fand ich besonders toll und alles mit der Doktorin 🤣 Mir war es nach hinten raus nur etwas zu lang. Ich konnte ich die aufkeimende Ernsthaftigkeit der Geschichte nicht ganz greifen, weil die vorangegangen Szenen einfach zu überzogen waren.
Eine hervorragende Reihe mit vielen aktuellen Themen, die mal mehr oder weniger doll durch den Kakao gezogen werden. Und das beste Redaktionsteam weltweit!
Eine hervorragende Reihe mit vielen aktuellen Themen, die mal mehr oder weniger doll durch den Kakao gezogen werden. Und das beste Redaktionsteam weltweit!
May 10, 2025
McDonnell takes a more serious turn in his paranormal series with this edition. The evil doers become more pronounced giving the Founders and the Folk a common enemy. Of course, our zany newspaper reporters are in the midst of it all. They even gained a new journalist. A ghoul.
Still, lots of smiles if you catch the one liners. Political sarcasm among them. The editor of "The Stranger Times," dodges a bullet.
A fast moving read. Book five is due in October of this year.
Still, lots of smiles if you catch the one liners. Political sarcasm among them. The editor of "The Stranger Times," dodges a bullet.
A fast moving read. Book five is due in October of this year.
January 3, 2024
Given that book 1 in the series got five stars and a listing in my Book of that Year, Relight My Fire has a lot to live up to. Although I didn’t enjoy book 2 so much, book 3 was back to the series’ usual high standards.
In Book 4 C K McDonnell picks up more or less where we left off, and sends us on a fast and furious adventure with our favourite characters. If you couldn’t remember them when you first renew your acquaintance, you remember everything about them, which is often far too much for your health or sanity, within about ten seconds.
What I really love about this series is the combination of great characters, ridiculous scenarios, a bonkers Manchester, and brilliant story-telling. Relight My Fire is definitely the best of the sequels so far. I think C K McDonnell has a difficult line to tread in how many sequels to attempt before it becomes ordinary. This is exceptional. And great fun.
In Book 4 C K McDonnell picks up more or less where we left off, and sends us on a fast and furious adventure with our favourite characters. If you couldn’t remember them when you first renew your acquaintance, you remember everything about them, which is often far too much for your health or sanity, within about ten seconds.
What I really love about this series is the combination of great characters, ridiculous scenarios, a bonkers Manchester, and brilliant story-telling. Relight My Fire is definitely the best of the sequels so far. I think C K McDonnell has a difficult line to tread in how many sequels to attempt before it becomes ordinary. This is exceptional. And great fun.
February 25, 2024
I was planning to read this one more slowly but failed miserably. We're back in Manchester with the usual team plus a new addition, another evil plot and jokes that make me laugh so loud, that my neighbour asked, if everything was okay. It's less articles from the Stranger Times, but that's the only remotely bad thing I can say about this. I would give Relight My Fire an extra half star for the excellent (and fitting!) Musk-bashing, but as I cannot give more than five stars, I think I might be forgiven for not doing that.
March 10, 2024
Another sterling effort, and wonderful read. Not as laugh out loud hilarious as the earlier books, but still a lot of fun, and feels as though the bonkers has been turned up to eleven. Please sir, can I have some more...
December 29, 2023
Thank you, Netgalley, for the ARC.
As always I look forward to the next installment of the Stranger Times newspaper team's escapades and this fourth installment did not disappoint. Suddenly a man flies above Manchester and literally lands in the path of the newspapers' staff which would normally make a great article but leads the team on a time sensitive investigation. Banecroft is hilariously Banecroft, possibly my favourite character, and this time he has a personal diabolical deadline to meet. The staff begrudgingly take on a new team member that has questionable personal hygiene however Grace takes them under her wing. Hannah meets her teenage crush and makes a memorable first impression that later on she won't regret. Overall a great romp and can't wait for the next installment.
My ARC copy didn't have the newspaper titles between chapters so I look forward to seeing the final book as they are always a highlight of the books.
As always I look forward to the next installment of the Stranger Times newspaper team's escapades and this fourth installment did not disappoint. Suddenly a man flies above Manchester and literally lands in the path of the newspapers' staff which would normally make a great article but leads the team on a time sensitive investigation. Banecroft is hilariously Banecroft, possibly my favourite character, and this time he has a personal diabolical deadline to meet. The staff begrudgingly take on a new team member that has questionable personal hygiene however Grace takes them under her wing. Hannah meets her teenage crush and makes a memorable first impression that later on she won't regret. Overall a great romp and can't wait for the next installment.
My ARC copy didn't have the newspaper titles between chapters so I look forward to seeing the final book as they are always a highlight of the books.
February 16, 2024
Эта серия с каждой книгой становится все безумнее и все прекраснее.
June 26, 2024
Another fun book in this crazy series of books. Once again, wonderfully narrated and funny credits at the end.
January 25, 2025
Reread: immer noch GRANDIOS
Original review: I cannot wait for the next book, this series has my heart🖤
Original review: I cannot wait for the next book, this series has my heart🖤
September 9, 2024
Deel 4 en spijt dat het uit is
Spannend, origineel, en ontspannend lezen met een einde om U tegen te zeggen
deze boeken kunnen zo verfilmd worden
duimend dat er een deel 5 uitkomt, missing the characters already
https://www.swirlandthread.com/review...
Spannend, origineel, en ontspannend lezen met een einde om U tegen te zeggen
deze boeken kunnen zo verfilmd worden
duimend dat er een deel 5 uitkomt, missing the characters already
https://www.swirlandthread.com/review...
February 1, 2024
The Stranger Times team are back, bigger (in book size) and better than ever. And I loved every minute of it
April 4, 2024
I loved this series
March 23, 2025
Ein weiteres absurdes Abenteuer der Stranger Times-Crew und ihren Verbündeten und Feinden.
Ich hoffe es wird noch viele weitere Storys von diesen Irren geben.
Ich hoffe es wird noch viele weitere Storys von diesen Irren geben.
February 2, 2024
‘Some comebacks can be murder … Stranger Times Investigates’ - cover tag line.
My thanks to Random House U.K./Transworld Publishers/Bantam Press for an eARC via NetGalley of ‘Relight My Fire’ by C.K. McDonnell.
This is the fourth book in The Stranger Times series in which the author skilfully blends urban fantasy, mystery, comedy, and horror. It is set in Manchester and features an ensemble cast of eccentric characters who produce The Stranger Times, a weekly newspaper that prints the news that no one else will report.
While some background is provided, I would suggest that it is best to read these books in order to appreciate the characters’ development, a number of ongoing plot threads, and the running jokes. I was very pleased that it opened with a Dramatis Personae, which proved very useful as an aid to memory. It also includes a Drinkiposium, advising on each character’s favourite drink.
As for the plot of ‘Relight My Fire’, it sort of defies summary. So just a taste. In the opening trainee journalist, Stella, is on her way home when a body falls from the sky right in front of her. Squelch! Certain Powers That Be are convinced that Stella is responsible for this event. The Stranger Times team need to prove her innocence and this leads them down various rabbit holes, including investigating disturbed graves. Could there be zombies?
In addition, Vincent Banecroft is contacted by a tall, dark sinister figure, dressed like a funeral director, who no one else seems to see. He announces that he is there to ensure Banecroft atones for his sins. These and other plot lines are woven together with the occasional strange report from The Stranger Times archives.
Overall, ‘Relight My Fire’ was another excellent instalment in this quirky series. It is filled with action, great characters, witty dialogue and plenty of pop culture references, including the all important question of what type of zombies they are dealing with based on various film references.
Very highly recommended.
My thanks to Random House U.K./Transworld Publishers/Bantam Press for an eARC via NetGalley of ‘Relight My Fire’ by C.K. McDonnell.
This is the fourth book in The Stranger Times series in which the author skilfully blends urban fantasy, mystery, comedy, and horror. It is set in Manchester and features an ensemble cast of eccentric characters who produce The Stranger Times, a weekly newspaper that prints the news that no one else will report.
While some background is provided, I would suggest that it is best to read these books in order to appreciate the characters’ development, a number of ongoing plot threads, and the running jokes. I was very pleased that it opened with a Dramatis Personae, which proved very useful as an aid to memory. It also includes a Drinkiposium, advising on each character’s favourite drink.
As for the plot of ‘Relight My Fire’, it sort of defies summary. So just a taste. In the opening trainee journalist, Stella, is on her way home when a body falls from the sky right in front of her. Squelch! Certain Powers That Be are convinced that Stella is responsible for this event. The Stranger Times team need to prove her innocence and this leads them down various rabbit holes, including investigating disturbed graves. Could there be zombies?
In addition, Vincent Banecroft is contacted by a tall, dark sinister figure, dressed like a funeral director, who no one else seems to see. He announces that he is there to ensure Banecroft atones for his sins. These and other plot lines are woven together with the occasional strange report from The Stranger Times archives.
Overall, ‘Relight My Fire’ was another excellent instalment in this quirky series. It is filled with action, great characters, witty dialogue and plenty of pop culture references, including the all important question of what type of zombies they are dealing with based on various film references.
Very highly recommended.
February 3, 2024
Three and a half stars.
We return to Manchester and the Stranger Times newspaper, they thought they were publishing ridiculous stories, conspiracy theories, and wild imaginings, turns out a lot of it was true.
Someone is distributing dodgy pills which enhance any minute magical ability of the taker which has resulted in a woman's touch turning everything to flowers, another woman setting a bathroom alight, and one unfortunate young man thinking he could fly (well, TBH he could for a minute until his brain overthought things). Said unfortunate young man happened to reacquaint himself with terra firma right in front of Stella, who was trying to be a normal young woman, but The Founders are convinced the two events are connected.
So generally its business very much as usual at the Stranger Times. I won't mention the fading rockstar, the improbable sisters, the Quaker, the ghoul, the body snatchers, or the brass goblins - I mean, what would be the point?
Generally if you liked the three previous novels you'll like this. The style is familiar, the humour is dry, and not all of the bodies are breathing.
I received an ARC from the publisher via NetGalley for an honest review.
We return to Manchester and the Stranger Times newspaper, they thought they were publishing ridiculous stories, conspiracy theories, and wild imaginings, turns out a lot of it was true.
Someone is distributing dodgy pills which enhance any minute magical ability of the taker which has resulted in a woman's touch turning everything to flowers, another woman setting a bathroom alight, and one unfortunate young man thinking he could fly (well, TBH he could for a minute until his brain overthought things). Said unfortunate young man happened to reacquaint himself with terra firma right in front of Stella, who was trying to be a normal young woman, but The Founders are convinced the two events are connected.
So generally its business very much as usual at the Stranger Times. I won't mention the fading rockstar, the improbable sisters, the Quaker, the ghoul, the body snatchers, or the brass goblins - I mean, what would be the point?
Generally if you liked the three previous novels you'll like this. The style is familiar, the humour is dry, and not all of the bodies are breathing.
I received an ARC from the publisher via NetGalley for an honest review.
November 24, 2023
I’ll be delighted to close my eyes and catch up on some sleep . I’m currently running at a deficit of about three years.’‘Unfortunately for you, I am the stuff of nightmares.’ Banecroft rolled his eyes. ‘Oh, please, you’re a walking cliché. Having said that, most of my nightmares comprise being chased around by a giant flaccid penis, so that checks out.’
Once again Caimh has written a fantastic sequel. As the lore expands the characters grow. We recieve some answers and yet many more questions.
With many more laugh out loud moments this is a brilliant sequel! 5*****
‘You, get out of here right now or I’ll arrest you for trying to extract a mobile phone from your arse in public.’‘But my phone isn’t—’‘It will be in a second!’
Once again Caimh has written a fantastic sequel. As the lore expands the characters grow. We recieve some answers and yet many more questions.
With many more laugh out loud moments this is a brilliant sequel! 5*****
‘You, get out of here right now or I’ll arrest you for trying to extract a mobile phone from your arse in public.’‘But my phone isn’t—’‘It will be in a second!’
June 25, 2025
This book was mental! Sooo good but so bats**t crazy! 🤣
In the fourth book of the Stranger Times series we have celebrity zombies, a not quite toilet-trained ghoul called Brian, grave-digging gnomes and a big murderous (more than usual) cat...Add in quite a lot of dry British humour and a cast of colourful characters and we get a wonderfully ridiculous story! The Pratchett vibe is strong in this one! 😆
In the fourth book of the Stranger Times series we have celebrity zombies, a not quite toilet-trained ghoul called Brian, grave-digging gnomes and a big murderous (more than usual) cat...Add in quite a lot of dry British humour and a cast of colourful characters and we get a wonderfully ridiculous story! The Pratchett vibe is strong in this one! 😆
February 5, 2024
Just the best series. It honestly makes me so happy to read.
February 6, 2024
Fantastic book in an amazing series. The only issue I have with these books is I read them far too fast and have to wait a year for the next one
December 30, 2025
From start to finish this book was hilarious. A new character added and he is pretty awesome. Enjoy this next chapter of Stranger Times
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