We Drink Alone: Mission 12

Mirth & Mayhem #12

by J.S. Morin

the cause of, and solution to, all the galaxy's problems.

Mordecai The Brown has killed more than his fair share of his fellow humans. Once a mighty hunter of wizards, life has reduced him to chasing down mundane miscreants in a complex scheme orchestrated by a friend. One day, he simply realizes that he's being used, and he puts his foot down. This next murder, he will not do.

Thinking he's washed his hands of the matter, Mort informs Chuck of his retirement. But when Chuck discovers that the intended target was the man responsible for his favorite adult beverage, Earth's Preferred, he insists that they have to protect him from whoever the job will fall to next.

Hijinks ensue as both Mort and Chuck take day jobs at the Earth's Preferred home brewery, working their way up the corporate ladder to get close enough to protect the man behind the brew.

We Drink Alone is the twelfth mission of Black Mirth & Mayhem. It follows a mismatched duo of itinerant comedian and outlaw wizard as they roam the galaxy trying to eke out a living and stay ahead of the consequences of their actions. Black Mirth & Mayhem looks back at an earlier era in the Black Ocean universe, and returning readers will get to see how some of their favorite characters came to be. Fans of morally gray heroes and slick talking conmen will love this series.

Grab your copy before someone else does.

Genres: Science Fiction

184 pages, Kindle Edition

Published October 10, 2023

About the author

I am a creator of worlds and a destroyer of words. As a fantasy writer, my works range from traditional epics to futuristic fantasy with starships. I have worked as an unpaid Little League pitcher, a cashier, a student library aide, a factory grunt, a cubicle drone, and an engineer--there is some overlap in the last two.

Through it all, though, I was always a storyteller. Eventually I started writing books based on the stray stories in my head, and people kept telling me to write more of them. Now, that's all I do for a living.

I enjoy strategy, worldbuilding, and the fantasy author's privilege to make up words. I am a gamer, a joker, and a thinker of sideways thoughts. But I don't dance, can't sing, and my best artistic efforts fall short of your average notebook doodle. When you read my books, you are seeing me at my best.

My ultimate goal is to be both clever and right at the same time. I have it on good authority that I have yet to achieve it.

Reviews

[Kelly Peasgood · Rating 4 out of 5]

This one centres mostly around Chuck and Mort. Both demonstrate an ability to do honest work, and their usual aversion to it. Chuck's skills at running cons help in a marketing world, while his propensity for drinking beer and relating to those who don't wish to see any darker sides to life get him close to his target: a business tycoon with a contract on his head.

Mort, despite Chuck's prior deviousness against him, is willing to help Chuck protect his previous target as a means to thumb his nose at wizards who hoped to pull his strings. While Mort plays along with infiltration techniques for a while, his disdain for pretty much everyone around him comes through loud and clear. As does his penchant for overkill and fear.

While Brad doesn't feature prominently in this installment, we do see his introduction into the world of syndicates and the Rucker family.

And we finally see Becky truly trying to be a good mother and a decent person without resorting to chemical aides.

While I didn't enjoy this book as much as the previous one, it's still a fun ride in the Black Ocean.

[Brett Wickersham · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mordecai the Brown is one of, if not THE most feared wizard in the Convocation. While he has been disgraced, and is "in hiding" he has also been working under the table with his successor as a kind of black ops hitman. When he gets his next assignment, to take out the CEO of the galaxy's largest beer company, Mort decides he has had enough. However, just quitting isn't enough for Mort, so he and Chuck decide that they must now actively work to protect the Convocation's latest target.
This was an exciting addition to the series, with plenty of intrigue and mind games. For fans of Brad (Carl), this is a light episode for him, but the few scenes he gets are very formative for him.

I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Faith Hakimian · Rating 4 out of 5]

Of the last few Mirth and Mayhem stories, I think this has probably been my least favorite, but only because it focuses way more on Chuck again and Brad (and the rest of the family) don't really have much to do with the story, save for incidentally. That being said, the plot and the pacing are right on, and it was definitely an enjoyable read.

Even if it feels weird rooting for Chuck. At all.

I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Lucas Morris · Rating 5 out of 5]

The future begins to take shape, and you can see Galaxy Outlaws on the horizon. This was the best entry into this series so far. it takes place on Mars with big stakes and BIG players. Becky is barely in this book and that makes it all the better as she is the worst character in this universe.

[Schvenn · Rating 3 out of 5]

This story was "opposite day", wherein the bad guys become heroes, in the loosest of terms. These types of stories can often be a lot of fun and this one is.

[Kim · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.25 to 3.5 stars.