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Hawk & Fisher #4
Un lobo en el rebaño
Every family has its black sheep. But the wealthy MacNeils of Haven have a terrorist in their bloodline--with an emphasis on blood. Hawk and Fisher are quick to learn that even high society has its share of lowlifes, and they plan to go undercover to expose the criminal.
But the skeletons they find in the closet might be their own.
They're two tough cops in a city of magic and mayhem. Hawk rules the streets by battle-axe. Fisher wields her sword and dagger with unflinching skill. Together, they are the perfect crimebusters ...with a magic touch.
But the skeletons they find in the closet might be their own.
They're two tough cops in a city of magic and mayhem. Hawk rules the streets by battle-axe. Fisher wields her sword and dagger with unflinching skill. Together, they are the perfect crimebusters ...with a magic touch.
Mass Market Paperback
First published September 1, 1991
9 people are currently reading
425 people want to read
About the author
Simon R. Green
312 books3,209 followersSimon Richard Green is a British science fiction and fantasy-author. He holds a degree in Modern English and American Literature from the University of Leicester. His first publication was in 1979.
His Deathstalker series is partly a parody of the usual space-opera of the 1950s, told with sovereign disregard of the rules of probability, while being at the same time extremely bloodthirsty.
Excerpted from Wikipedia.
His Deathstalker series is partly a parody of the usual space-opera of the 1950s, told with sovereign disregard of the rules of probability, while being at the same time extremely bloodthirsty.
Excerpted from Wikipedia.
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Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews
August 26, 2019
The fourth of Green's "Hawk and Fisher" novels - fantasy murder mysteries featuring grizzled, married cops Hawk and Fisher - is the best yet. While it may not have the best ideas underlying it, it's the most polished and successful.
The "Hawk and Fisher" novels follow the exploits of an anachronistically modern police force in a decadent, sprawling fantasy city-state (Haven), ramming together the clichés of detective stories and high fantasy, with a side of wry humour. In this sense, they're effectively precursors to Terry Pratchett's sublime "City Watch" novels (Fisher and Angua would get on marvellously), and while they're clearly not up to Pratchett's quality (or depth), that's hardly a fair criticism, given how few authors are on Pratchett's level.
This episode sees Hawk and Fisher trapped in a country house with an assortment of peculiar strangers and at least one corpse; this set-up (with a few extra twists) helps focus the novel and move it away from areas where Green and his worldbuilding are weaker (the 'hardboiled American cop show' aspect), toward areas where he is stronger (the 'cozy British murder mystery' aspect). It reads very much like a magic-tinted episode of Poirot or the like. Which immediately tells you a lot about what the novel does NOT accomplish, or even attempt... but which isn't, to be honest, an entirely bad thing. An episode of Poirot is unlikely to change your life... but it's not a bad way to spend a few hours on a Sunday evening. Green manages to integrate his genres most succesfully here, and packs a brief pagecount to the gills with constant activity - a dead body here, a little chase there, some flying accusations on this page and a psychologically-acute soliloquy on that. Everything keeps going at such a stimulating (yet un-exhausting) pace that you don't really have time to notice how thin some of the characterisation is, or lament the lack of more substantial world-building.
I read the entire thing in one sitting, though I certainly didn't intend to. And I came out of it suffused with a general goodwill toward it - it's certainly no triumph of literature, but it is a fun read.
A book like this is very easy to overlook - it's completely inessential - and very easy to underestimate. This is not a work of genius - but it's a very accomplished work of professional craftsmanship, and while it may show some weakness at the seams now and then, that's largely because of how much it's trying to do: Green has set out to merge two totally different genres, deliver a satisfying plot with a number of twists, red herrings and cliffhangers, which requires introducing nearly a dozen characters and an entire fantasy world, and he tries to do it all in only a few hundred pages, a space of time that some other fantasy novelists would spend describing two small rooms and an interesting cloud formation. The fact that he doesn't succeed perfectly shouldn't detract from how close he comes, just as the novel's limited literary ambitions should not detract from how well it accomplishes its real function: providing the reader a jolly good time.
Wolf in the Fold is the fourth book in the series - it's probably slightly beneficial to have read the earlier installments (and there are also easter eggs for readers of Green's other series), but it's hardly necessary, due to the novel's "bottle episode" structure. I'd solidly, if not passionately, recommend it.
My slightly more detailed thoughts can be found on my blog.
The "Hawk and Fisher" novels follow the exploits of an anachronistically modern police force in a decadent, sprawling fantasy city-state (Haven), ramming together the clichés of detective stories and high fantasy, with a side of wry humour. In this sense, they're effectively precursors to Terry Pratchett's sublime "City Watch" novels (Fisher and Angua would get on marvellously), and while they're clearly not up to Pratchett's quality (or depth), that's hardly a fair criticism, given how few authors are on Pratchett's level.
This episode sees Hawk and Fisher trapped in a country house with an assortment of peculiar strangers and at least one corpse; this set-up (with a few extra twists) helps focus the novel and move it away from areas where Green and his worldbuilding are weaker (the 'hardboiled American cop show' aspect), toward areas where he is stronger (the 'cozy British murder mystery' aspect). It reads very much like a magic-tinted episode of Poirot or the like. Which immediately tells you a lot about what the novel does NOT accomplish, or even attempt... but which isn't, to be honest, an entirely bad thing. An episode of Poirot is unlikely to change your life... but it's not a bad way to spend a few hours on a Sunday evening. Green manages to integrate his genres most succesfully here, and packs a brief pagecount to the gills with constant activity - a dead body here, a little chase there, some flying accusations on this page and a psychologically-acute soliloquy on that. Everything keeps going at such a stimulating (yet un-exhausting) pace that you don't really have time to notice how thin some of the characterisation is, or lament the lack of more substantial world-building.
I read the entire thing in one sitting, though I certainly didn't intend to. And I came out of it suffused with a general goodwill toward it - it's certainly no triumph of literature, but it is a fun read.
A book like this is very easy to overlook - it's completely inessential - and very easy to underestimate. This is not a work of genius - but it's a very accomplished work of professional craftsmanship, and while it may show some weakness at the seams now and then, that's largely because of how much it's trying to do: Green has set out to merge two totally different genres, deliver a satisfying plot with a number of twists, red herrings and cliffhangers, which requires introducing nearly a dozen characters and an entire fantasy world, and he tries to do it all in only a few hundred pages, a space of time that some other fantasy novelists would spend describing two small rooms and an interesting cloud formation. The fact that he doesn't succeed perfectly shouldn't detract from how close he comes, just as the novel's limited literary ambitions should not detract from how well it accomplishes its real function: providing the reader a jolly good time.
Wolf in the Fold is the fourth book in the series - it's probably slightly beneficial to have read the earlier installments (and there are also easter eggs for readers of Green's other series), but it's hardly necessary, due to the novel's "bottle episode" structure. I'd solidly, if not passionately, recommend it.
My slightly more detailed thoughts can be found on my blog.
October 31, 2017
zatiaľ pre mňa najlepšia časť :)
February 4, 2016
Looking past the cliches; the plot and mystery were wonderful. I was overly creeped out by the situation to the point where I was on edge when hearing anything bang around. Hawk and Fisher's teamwork was better than ever and it seems that not much can pull the wool over their eyes. The fact they go undercover for an assignment made it even better. This case though had many similarities to the first book, and seemed like another game of Clue was being played. I had never even considered the villain to be who it was.
That's all for now, and on to the next book.
Cheers Pretties!
September 13, 2021
He de admitir que este libro lo comencé por leer algo y no porque me despertara especial interés. Desconozco los libros anteriores a este o nada relacionado con su autor. Lo que me esperaba era una típica historia de fantasía épica al puro estilo De&D.
Al principio no defraudó mis espectativas: podría haber pasado tranquilamente por una partida de rol novelada. Pero al cabo de un rato me cansó y dejé el libro abandonado por casi un mes sin ninguna esperanza de retomarlo.
Y menos mal que no fue así.
El primer tercio del libro aproximadamente es mera introducción para el verdadero argumento de la trama. En cierto punto de vuelve una novela policial y puedo jurar que marca un antes y un después en el libro hasta el punto de que pareciera que se trata de dos obras distintas. Pasado ese abismo inicial el libro te atrapa y te enrieda en sus intrigas. Con toda seguridad yo recomendaría leer este libro para las personas que gustan de los géneros fantásticos (teniendo en cuenta esta advertencia inicial)
Al principio no defraudó mis espectativas: podría haber pasado tranquilamente por una partida de rol novelada. Pero al cabo de un rato me cansó y dejé el libro abandonado por casi un mes sin ninguna esperanza de retomarlo.
Y menos mal que no fue así.
El primer tercio del libro aproximadamente es mera introducción para el verdadero argumento de la trama. En cierto punto de vuelve una novela policial y puedo jurar que marca un antes y un después en el libro hasta el punto de que pareciera que se trata de dos obras distintas. Pasado ese abismo inicial el libro te atrapa y te enrieda en sus intrigas. Con toda seguridad yo recomendaría leer este libro para las personas que gustan de los géneros fantásticos (teniendo en cuenta esta advertencia inicial)
August 1, 2022
Wolf in the Fold is the fourth book in the Hawk and Fisher series, and I knew I would love it from the first line: "When you are tired of life, come to Haven. And someone will kill you." You know what you'll get from these books if you've been here before. Hawk and Fisher are cracking wise and cracking heads in equal measure, with something of a murder mystery thrown in for good measure.
The mystery here surrounds an ancient Freak on a killing spree and an escaped spy that our two grumpy guards must capture at all costs. Hawk and Fisher are undercover and as brilliant as ever, and its supporting cast is diverse and entertaining. The mystery was simple enough that I figured it out but not so easy that I didn't feel smart for getting it, which is all you can ask for, really.
So overall, another winning instalment in the Hawk and Fisher series and one that I can recommend to anyone. It's short, punchy and filled with great lines, and I can't wait to read the next one. Keep them coming, Simon!
The mystery here surrounds an ancient Freak on a killing spree and an escaped spy that our two grumpy guards must capture at all costs. Hawk and Fisher are undercover and as brilliant as ever, and its supporting cast is diverse and entertaining. The mystery was simple enough that I figured it out but not so easy that I didn't feel smart for getting it, which is all you can ask for, really.
So overall, another winning instalment in the Hawk and Fisher series and one that I can recommend to anyone. It's short, punchy and filled with great lines, and I can't wait to read the next one. Keep them coming, Simon!
February 10, 2024
The fourth in the Hawk and Fisher series. There's a spy loose in Haven that the council is determined to find. All other activity is secondary to finding the spy. Unfortunately the description is rather vague. Hawk and Fisher utilize their contacts and come up with where the spy might be. Alas the spy is able to escape Hawk and Fisher, but the guard mages track him to the home of the MacNeils, a wealthy family just outside Haven.
Hawk and Fisher go undercover posing as distant relatives. Pretending to be quality is a capital offense so they cannot under any circumstance reveal who they are. But the MacNeils are getting ready to read the will of the recently deceased head of the family and the process requires sealing the home for 24 hours with magic. Hawk and Fisher discover that not only is there a spy to ferret out but apparently there is the legend of a monster sealed somewhere in the home. Then a body turns up.
This is an interesting twist on the locked room murder mystery.
Hawk and Fisher go undercover posing as distant relatives. Pretending to be quality is a capital offense so they cannot under any circumstance reveal who they are. But the MacNeils are getting ready to read the will of the recently deceased head of the family and the process requires sealing the home for 24 hours with magic. Hawk and Fisher discover that not only is there a spy to ferret out but apparently there is the legend of a monster sealed somewhere in the home. Then a body turns up.
This is an interesting twist on the locked room murder mystery.
June 7, 2021
While the formula for this series is well in place, Mr Green uses that as a means to flesh out his world. In this fourth volume of fantasy procedurals, a lot of plot points, historical notes and characters begin to form a story that involves the wider world outside of Hawk and Fisher’s beat. The story itself is fairly predictable - it even mentions a similar story from earlier on in the series just so the reader knows that Green knows - but the details and background make it a little more interesting. The stakes are a little higher, too: Haven is becoming a bit of a diplomatic player in the wider world, so there’s more than reputations and money at stake here. There’s also some major clues dropped that Hawk and Fisher aren’t all that they appear...
In summary, an above average entry in the series. And almost worth the admission price for the wonderful opening chapter set in a spiritualist’s rooms.
In summary, an above average entry in the series. And almost worth the admission price for the wonderful opening chapter set in a spiritualist’s rooms.
June 25, 2022
I didn’t think this a bad outing by Green.
Hawk & Fisher are fairly well established by now, and this book does some things differently than previous entries. It puts them in an uncomfortable environment and also confines them to a central setting for most of the book.
This entry reads more like a sword and sorcery Agatha Christie, though the quality of writing isn’t quite as good. That’s not to say it’s bad. Green is serviceable. If you’ve gotten this far into the series, you know his style by now. He writes action scenes very well, but every talks about the same in his dialogue, some things he thinks are hidden in the plot are actually telegraphed, and the plot conflict wraps up in the last fifteen or twenty pages or so.
It’s a little different thematically this time, which I appreciated. I got a chuckle out of Hawk & Fisher having to try and pass as Quality in order to do their job.
Hawk & Fisher are fairly well established by now, and this book does some things differently than previous entries. It puts them in an uncomfortable environment and also confines them to a central setting for most of the book.
This entry reads more like a sword and sorcery Agatha Christie, though the quality of writing isn’t quite as good. That’s not to say it’s bad. Green is serviceable. If you’ve gotten this far into the series, you know his style by now. He writes action scenes very well, but every talks about the same in his dialogue, some things he thinks are hidden in the plot are actually telegraphed, and the plot conflict wraps up in the last fifteen or twenty pages or so.
It’s a little different thematically this time, which I appreciated. I got a chuckle out of Hawk & Fisher having to try and pass as Quality in order to do their job.
May 15, 2023
Another whodunnit in an enclosed space this one, but I do enjoy those, and it is set up quite nicely. Interspersed there is more hints to Hawk and Fishers' background, starting that tie in to the Blue Moon books. Hawk and Fisher great characters as always here, I think their descriptions seemed to differ a little bit from the repetition of the the prior 3 books.
A bit trickier initially to pick up on who had in fact dunnit this time, with some clever plot points helping to blur the picture here, with a couple of interesting twists as well.
While the ending made sense, it is a bit of a shame as well, as prevented Hawk and Fisher from building ever more good friendships / connections.
Good suspense throughout, and all round good read, if not as strong as the God Killer.
A bit trickier initially to pick up on who had in fact dunnit this time, with some clever plot points helping to blur the picture here, with a couple of interesting twists as well.
While the ending made sense, it is a bit of a shame as well, as prevented Hawk and Fisher from building ever more good friendships / connections.
Good suspense throughout, and all round good read, if not as strong as the God Killer.
May 7, 2018
The Hawk & Fisher series by Simon R Green follows a married couple of mercenaries who are part of the Haven City Guard. Haven is a fairly traditional dreadful medieaval-ish with fantasy trappings background city, that serves as a backdrop to the eponymous heroes crime solving adventures.
Green's work is pretty much of a standard across all his various series. There's an argument that his prose tends to be a bit overwrought and he does love his descriptions, but he does read easily and there is plenty of enjoyment to have whether you're in Haven or the Darkside.
Green's work is pretty much of a standard across all his various series. There's an argument that his prose tends to be a bit overwrought and he does love his descriptions, but he does read easily and there is plenty of enjoyment to have whether you're in Haven or the Darkside.
March 19, 2023
I liked this one pretty well. Something that bothers me a little bit about these books are the naming conventions. Too many characters have modern names and that makes it a bit hard for me to suspend disbelief. A lot of the descriptions are very modern too, which doesn't help. But the story here is solid and I like the characters of Hawk and Fisher. This time they follow a shapeshifted spy into a wake held for a dead noble, and there's someone else in the group who isn't what he or she seems. Good tension. I enjoyed it.
February 2, 2020
Otra historia entretenida de Hawk & Fisher. En esta ocasión, se mezclan con un clan de la alta sociedad para encontrar a un fugitivo, y terminan encontrando más de lo que buscan.
Me encantan las aventuras de estos dos :D
En este caso, si bien no me sorprendió tanto la identidad del monstruo (medio que me la esperaba) y tampoco la del espía (era evidente después de algunas páginas), la revelación final me dejó con la boca abierta.
Me encantan las aventuras de estos dos :D
En este caso, si bien no me sorprendió tanto la identidad del monstruo (medio que me la esperaba) y tampoco la del espía (era evidente después de algunas páginas), la revelación final me dejó con la boca abierta.
August 27, 2017
This seemed a more complicated story than the other Hawk and Fisher stories. I was sort of startled to suddenly have multiple viewpoints halfway in. The other H&F stories I have read were just from the POV of the two leads.
Other than that little bump, it was a fine story with a mystery that kept me guessing about the actual criminals. Made for a nice short escape.
Other than that little bump, it was a fine story with a mystery that kept me guessing about the actual criminals. Made for a nice short escape.
June 8, 2019
Další jednohubka k bazénu. Podobná #2, v uzavřené skupině manželé hledají špiona ale taky magickou zrůdu, která má hradě vysává lidi. Tentokrát se ale musí vydávat za aristokracii, což je jinak hrdelní zločin.
January 31, 2017
Младежът задобрява с всяка книга от поредицата! Финалът е разкошен, въпреки че успях да го предвидя, а заплитането на сюжета е пълна красота.
October 31, 2018
6- Reads okay, however complete dependent on one nice idea, single story line, limited interaction between Hawk & Fisher. Part of omnibus 4-6.
December 16, 2019
Magic, murder, mayhem - but also humour, and great characters.
March 13, 2021
A mix of a Agatha Christie closed room mystery with a bit of an ableist thriller in the vein of Castle Freak.
February 24, 2022
This book feels like a big step up for the characters and the style Green has come to be known for.
December 16, 2024
I am not sure if it's completely cheesy and the author meant to give us all the hints, or I am just that good a detective (lol, no, pls), but this was really easy to guess so far...
August 10, 2025
Note that this book is also (originally?) published as "Vengeance for a Lonely Man".
March 6, 2012
"Wolf in the Fold", which is book four in the "Hawk & Fisher" series, is a small, but very powerful novel. Hawk & Fisher, the legendary husband & wife team in the City Guard of Haven, are send disguised as nobles in the Tower MacNeil, in search for an elusive spy, who has vital information about the security of the Low Kingdoms. Unfortunately both the mysterious spy and the heroes are locked in the Tower, when a horrible monster escapes his prison...
The plot mixes elements from a crime novel, mystery, horror and swords & sorcery and has very powerful human characters, including the monstrous being. Simon R. Green proves again that to create a powerful story, unique world and vivid characters, you don't need 900 pages of dull descriptions. As a person, who dabbles in writing, I am awed and humbled by his skill.
The plot mixes elements from a crime novel, mystery, horror and swords & sorcery and has very powerful human characters, including the monstrous being. Simon R. Green proves again that to create a powerful story, unique world and vivid characters, you don't need 900 pages of dull descriptions. As a person, who dabbles in writing, I am awed and humbled by his skill.
December 4, 2015
Once again Green tried to mix mystery with fantasy, and he has done a good job this time.
The mystery was much better than the first book on this series, which looked forced and wasn't entertaining that much. And this time around, the rules of the game are clear from the start, so you can start guessing about the plot.
Razor Eddie had a brief cameo which was nice in my opinion. I missed Nightside series.
And Hawk and Fisher are blending to John bloody Taylor and Suzie in each book. It is like watching a writer, giving birth to his characters...
The mystery was much better than the first book on this series, which looked forced and wasn't entertaining that much. And this time around, the rules of the game are clear from the start, so you can start guessing about the plot.
Razor Eddie had a brief cameo which was nice in my opinion. I missed Nightside series.
And Hawk and Fisher are blending to John bloody Taylor and Suzie in each book. It is like watching a writer, giving birth to his characters...
November 25, 2007
I only read the first half and I had not read the first three books in the series. What I did read, though, was a string of plot points held together by cliches and uninhibited by character development.
February 28, 2009
It seems that Hawk and Fisher are not who I thought they were, but I still like them nonetheless.
I just wish the books were longer
I just wish the books were longer
March 4, 2012
don't like it too much
rather good book, but, imho, every next book in this series is worse than previous one
rather good book, but, imho, every next book in this series is worse than previous one
December 18, 2015
I really do enjoy these Graphic Audio versions. It's such utter, and total fluff.
May 11, 2016
Didn't enjoy this one as much as the others. It was too similar to book 1 and how the story was resolved at the end didn't leave me feeling satisfied.
August 25, 2016
Great series I enjoyed them all
Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews