An Affair of Sorcerers

Mongo #3

by George C. Chesbro

Three apparently separate investigations involving the New York City occult underground of covens, warlocks, tarot readers, faith healers, and palm readers dovetail into a single, explosive climax.

Genres: Mystery, Fiction, Horror, Crime, Novels, Ebooks

276 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1979

About the author

George C. Chesbro was an American author of detective fiction. His most notable works feature Dr. Robert "Mongo the Magnificent" Fredrickson, a private detective with dwarfism. He also wrote the novelization of The Golden Child, a movie of the same name starring Eddie Murphy.

Chesbro was born in Washington, D.C. He worked as a special education teacher at Pearl River and later at rockland Psychiatric Center, where he worked with trouble teens. Chebro was married and had one daughter and two step-daughters.

Reviews

[Violette Malan · Rating 4 out of 5]

One of my preferred entries in the Mongo Series. For my take on the series as a whole, see my post at Black Gate Magazine. https://www.blackgate.com/2016/06/17/...

[Joe Collier · Rating 4 out of 5]

Three separate cases—a nun trying to save a faith healer accused of a murder he didn't commit, a university dean with a professor mixed up in something sinister, and a dying little girl with a desperate need for answers—suddenly connect by threads leading straight to New York’s occult underground, and the only person capable of unraveling them is Dr. Robert "Mongo" Frederickson, former circus tumbler and karate black-belt turned criminologist/private investigator. This third entry in the Mongo Mysteries series finds Chesbro’s shrewd, diminutive detective going up against the forces of the occult to save a little girl’s life, and discover the secrets behind her father’s death. Faithful sidekick and brother Garth (himself an NYPD detective) returns to provide muscle for Mongo’s more thoughtful (and agile) investigative style. Some language and situations in Affair reflect the grittiness of urban crime, and readers sensitive to the presence of mild violence and mature themes should make note. The swift pace will keep pages turning all the way up to the stark, dramatic ending.

[Richard · Rating 2 out of 5]

Chesbro's Mongo books are sentimental favorites for me, but the series has some huge up and downs. The first three are particularly shaky; by comparison, the lesser later efforts just seem lazy or uninspired. Here we have:

The good: Wicca is described in a surprisingly accurate way. It's always great to see Mongo, of course, but Garth is still being written as a stock cop prop for the most part.

The bad: The plot is pretty much a mess. It makes sense - more or less - but characters come and go quite randomly and not all plot threads are explored equally. The one involving sensory deprivation is particularly wacky.

The ugly: Chesbro has an endearingly hippie sensibility for the most part, but he is far from immune to the prejudices of his day. This entry seems especially heavy on casual sexism and homophobia. The high/low point: Mention of a nun who saved one of her students from a coven that was a front for a "homosexual procurement ring." Seriously, George, WTF?

[David · Rating 5 out of 5]

I found this gem by chance at the used bookstore wrapped in plastic. Read the blurbs, and knew it was for me. Pure pulp bliss! Chesbro channels Chandler in one of the funnest reads that I have had in quite awhile. And for a book that features the world's most extraordinary detective, Mongo the Magnificent, a dwarf ex-circus acrobat, professor of criminology versus a coven of evil magicians, the plot is remarkably grounded. I don't know how I ever missed this book for so long, it deserves to be much better known, and if anyone was wise, immediately be optioned for Netflix.

[Michael]

PI and psychology professor -- and dwarf -- Robert "Mongo the Magnificent" Frederickson, PhD, returns in another dark urban mystery, this one involving the occult: astrology, tarot cards, a coven, ceremonial magicians, witches, university professors, a Nobel Prize winner, a nun and a few murders. A good story, vivid imagery, and more insight into the complex character of Dr. Frederickson. I think I'll read another of these.

[Claudia A · Rating 5 out of 5]

Peter Dinklage was right

I can definitely see Dinklage as the protagonist in this book and in the entire series. I wish HBO or Showtime would pick this up or Amazon Prime hint hint.This is a great story and I will enjoy reading more

[Jeffery · Rating 5 out of 5]

Chesbro's dwarf dectective channeling Jack Reacher hits my 5 star status for the first time in this (the third) installent of the Mongo series.

[Donna · Rating 4 out of 5]

A dwarf PI who is aldo a University professor, witches,covens. Wonderful

[Quanita · Rating 5 out of 5]

My favorite "short" detective gets caught up in the occult. Coven masters are killing people in ritualistic ways. Kept me guessing until the end.

[JR Johnson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Third in the Mongo mystery series. This book was his best to date. George Chesbro seems to have been learning as he went along with this series. A long term story arc is beginning to form, and our main character is not, as is usually the case, a static one. His internal development, and that of his brother Garth adds interest, and reality to an otherwise unreal series of occult related happenings.
Rumor has it that a movie has been given the green light that is based on this novel, and will be given the same name. Also interesting is the fact that all the Mongo mysteries to date have been re-issued, and are available as new publications.

[Colleen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Somehow, this story of a dwarf detective investigating sensory deprivation, faith healing and witch covens manages to be not too far out there or strange. Chesbro's matter of fact first person narrative gives the whole thing a noir fee

[Kellylynn · Rating 4 out of 5]

So many twists and turns. I never really felt confused, everything still pulled together well. Mongo is interesting a dwarf that is a professor at a university but also a private investigator. Multiple investigations that end up tying together.

Kinda cheesy and dated but absolutely a fun read.

[Gail · Rating 5 out of 5]

The third book in the series is the best one so far.

[Mortimer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Your friendly midget PI gets caught in a wiccan mistery.
After watching the tv version of game of thrones, the actor who plays tyrion would be a perfect big screen mongo.

[Robert · Rating 4 out of 5]

A bit thick compared to the previous installments - probably due to an excess of storylines - but still enjoyable.

[Jim]

just reminded I read this 30 years ago.

[Krista the Krazy Kataloguer · Rating 2 out of 5]

I thought I would like this detective because he's a dwarf, but I didn't.