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The Many Travails of John Smith #5
A Dead Man's Favor
Now that he's back home in San Diego, life is looking up for John Smith, hapless P.I. and supernatural mediator.
Business is booming (sometimes literally), his girlfriend is fantastic, and their mutual boss/acquaintance is thousands of miles away where she won't be able to do too much damage. And sure, there may be a few flies in the ointment, like the little matter of an ongoing goblin war, the disappearance of John's chief mediator rival, and an ever-growing list of questions about the suspicious events of the past few years, but those are all topics for another day. It's wedding season and the sun is shining, the weather is perfect, and the early fall air is thick with the scent of—
Wait. Is that rotting flesh?
Yes, yes it is. You see, a year ago, John traded away a favor for help on a case, and the owner of that favor is calling it in. San Diego's zombie prince, Simon, may be long dead, but his descendants are still around and kicking, and one of them, his great-great granddaughter, just went missing outside the town of Ghost Falls, New Mexico. Now, Simon wants John to track her down. Failure is not an option.
John has never worked across state lines before, but clearly that's going to change. And while New Mexico might not be quite as blissful as Catalina Island, it still sounds pretty sweet. A scenic drive, a week or so chasing down leads in a picturesque town, and all the Hatch chiles he can eat? It's the perfect couples vacation, really. After all, John and his friends have already survived gods, witches, werewolves, and the terrifying guacamole shortage of 2013. What sort of challenge could this case possibly offer by comparison?
He's about to find out.
Business is booming (sometimes literally), his girlfriend is fantastic, and their mutual boss/acquaintance is thousands of miles away where she won't be able to do too much damage. And sure, there may be a few flies in the ointment, like the little matter of an ongoing goblin war, the disappearance of John's chief mediator rival, and an ever-growing list of questions about the suspicious events of the past few years, but those are all topics for another day. It's wedding season and the sun is shining, the weather is perfect, and the early fall air is thick with the scent of—
Wait. Is that rotting flesh?
Yes, yes it is. You see, a year ago, John traded away a favor for help on a case, and the owner of that favor is calling it in. San Diego's zombie prince, Simon, may be long dead, but his descendants are still around and kicking, and one of them, his great-great granddaughter, just went missing outside the town of Ghost Falls, New Mexico. Now, Simon wants John to track her down. Failure is not an option.
John has never worked across state lines before, but clearly that's going to change. And while New Mexico might not be quite as blissful as Catalina Island, it still sounds pretty sweet. A scenic drive, a week or so chasing down leads in a picturesque town, and all the Hatch chiles he can eat? It's the perfect couples vacation, really. After all, John and his friends have already survived gods, witches, werewolves, and the terrifying guacamole shortage of 2013. What sort of challenge could this case possibly offer by comparison?
He's about to find out.
Audible Audio
First published September 5, 2023
74 people are currently reading
49 people want to read
About the author
Chris Tullbane
21 books212 followersChris began as a gleam in someone’s eye, but birth and childhood were quick to follow. He’s been fortunate enough to live in Spain, Germany, and all over the United States of America, and is busy planning a tour of the distilleries of Scotland.
He currently lives in Nevada with his angelic wife and ever-expanding whisky collection and occasionally ventures outside to peer upwards, mutter to himself about ‘day stars’, and then scurry back into the house.
Chris is the author of two series; The Murder of Crows and The Travails of John Smith. He frequently shares new content on his author website at https://christullbane.com.
He currently lives in Nevada with his angelic wife and ever-expanding whisky collection and occasionally ventures outside to peer upwards, mutter to himself about ‘day stars’, and then scurry back into the house.
Chris is the author of two series; The Murder of Crows and The Travails of John Smith. He frequently shares new content on his author website at https://christullbane.com.
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Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews
July 6, 2024
4.5 fantastic 👏 full RTC
December 13, 2023
Meh.
Lacks a solid direction and just feels like a set up for the next book. The end is thrown together while the beginning is just filler. The middle is not enough to carry the story.
Lacks a solid direction and just feels like a set up for the next book. The end is thrown together while the beginning is just filler. The middle is not enough to carry the story.
December 4, 2024
I love this series so insanely much.
October 22, 2023
Chris Tullbane has done it again with this book. This is the 5th installment of the John Smith books and it was great. What I love so much about these books is the creativeness of the characters. Of course, John smith is so ordinary that he is lovable. And his band of friends and frenemies are just growing. It's very hard not to love him and his entourage.
So this book started with a wedding and ended with something much more intriguing and I am so excited where this is going to take the story. And yes fans, there will be another book. At first I wasn't sure where the story was going. New characters were introduced and a couple different stories were happening at the same time. But if you stuck with it, it was worth all of the creation that needed to happen to get to how all of these stories intersected to hit you in the face with a great Travail of John Smith.
My favorite character was Kevin and I really hope to see Kevin again in the next installment. It's crazy that a character such as him can be both funny and insightful yet communicate on a much different level. You'll know what I mean when you get there. And I was happy how this story ended. I never knew I would grow so attached to a character that was way in the background and then surprised the hell out of you when they make an appearance again.
This is definitely a story you need to pick up. Better yet, pick up the whole series. You'll thank me. Also, make sure you make a contingency plan for anything important you need to do because you will NOT want to put this story down.
So this book started with a wedding and ended with something much more intriguing and I am so excited where this is going to take the story. And yes fans, there will be another book. At first I wasn't sure where the story was going. New characters were introduced and a couple different stories were happening at the same time. But if you stuck with it, it was worth all of the creation that needed to happen to get to how all of these stories intersected to hit you in the face with a great Travail of John Smith.
My favorite character was Kevin and I really hope to see Kevin again in the next installment. It's crazy that a character such as him can be both funny and insightful yet communicate on a much different level. You'll know what I mean when you get there. And I was happy how this story ended. I never knew I would grow so attached to a character that was way in the background and then surprised the hell out of you when they make an appearance again.
This is definitely a story you need to pick up. Better yet, pick up the whole series. You'll thank me. Also, make sure you make a contingency plan for anything important you need to do because you will NOT want to put this story down.
February 10, 2024
A most excellent next instalment in the John Smith series. We see John up to his old tricks, as well as some very, very new things that I'm pretty sure John from book 1 would have never dreamed of. And that's all I'm going to say about that. This book is filled with plenty of witty banter between John and the Dutchess of Snark. Throw in some werewolves, a new mystery to solve, and a sentient fungus and what more could you ask for? Actually wait,,, THERE IS MORE AMIGO. This book makes up for the lack of BILL and JEE SUN in the previous instalment. Our favourite demi-god asparagus once again graces the pages in his very typical off-kilter fashion. You'll be screaming for MILKSHAKES by the end.
October 10, 2023
San Diego mediator John Smith is back and life is good, despite the weird world he now lives in! When an old favour is called in, he finds himself on a road trip with Juliette to find a missing couple. As danger comes from multiple sources, John must use his unique skills to save the woman he loves, stop a war, save a teenage couple and help Kevin. This series keeps getting better, the characters continue to grow and it leaves you wanting more.
October 15, 2023
I might of said this in previous reviews of the author's work, but I really vibe with his sense of humour. This writer is very funy and perhaps more importantly in my opinion, knows when to pull it back and get serious. It gives his books a great mix of highs and lows.
Similarly in many ways book #5 is less high stakes than #4, perhaps not for John but more of the regular 'i'm gonna die' variety than the 'court intrege and gods are gonna kill me'. In many instances this book was more domestic, Juliette and John get to work on their business, John gets to enjoy his new relationship etc.
Looking at all the books as one continuous whole, its exactly what the series needs. Especially as near the end a future new dyanmic is introduced that I didnt expect to see. Trying to watch These characters in paticular deal with that while the story starts to ramp back up, I think is going to be amazing.
Perhaps more gushy than I typically get in my reviews, but I will say I finished this book very much looking forward to the next one.
Similarly in many ways book #5 is less high stakes than #4, perhaps not for John but more of the regular 'i'm gonna die' variety than the 'court intrege and gods are gonna kill me'. In many instances this book was more domestic, Juliette and John get to work on their business, John gets to enjoy his new relationship etc.
Looking at all the books as one continuous whole, its exactly what the series needs. Especially as near the end a future new dyanmic is introduced that I didnt expect to see. Trying to watch These characters in paticular deal with that while the story starts to ramp back up, I think is going to be amazing.
Perhaps more gushy than I typically get in my reviews, but I will say I finished this book very much looking forward to the next one.
September 29, 2023
So much fun!
It's hard to say why, exactly, I like these books so much. The unpretentious everyman protagonist? Maybe. But maybe it's the theme, that good, ordinary humans, hopelessly outclassed, can still triumph in the face of ridiculous supernatural threats? Regardless, I highly recommend this series.
It's hard to say why, exactly, I like these books so much. The unpretentious everyman protagonist? Maybe. But maybe it's the theme, that good, ordinary humans, hopelessly outclassed, can still triumph in the face of ridiculous supernatural threats? Regardless, I highly recommend this series.
May 15, 2024
There's less humor than in the earlier books but more character growth, just as any good series should be. Interesting sub plots help keep everything moving. I can't wait for the next chapter in John's life.
May 18, 2024
Excellent!
Urgh... When I started this series, I was sure it was already completed! I hate the wait between books, that's why I usually check that the books are all out. Guess it will worth the wait, since all the five books were excellent. But still... 😒
Urgh... When I started this series, I was sure it was already completed! I hate the wait between books, that's why I usually check that the books are all out. Guess it will worth the wait, since all the five books were excellent. But still... 😒
May 26, 2024
What a glorious twist!
Just read it. Some of the best characters ever, a beautiful love story, tons of crazy action, and plot twists and arcs abounding throughout. Cannot recommend this book, or this series, enough.
Just read it. Some of the best characters ever, a beautiful love story, tons of crazy action, and plot twists and arcs abounding throughout. Cannot recommend this book, or this series, enough.
September 29, 2023
Very good y
This is a fine urban fantasy adventure novel. It is well written and edited. I especially like Lucia. I anxiously await the sequel.
This is a fine urban fantasy adventure novel. It is well written and edited. I especially like Lucia. I anxiously await the sequel.
October 3, 2023
another great installment.
Loved it as always.
Pick up the series, you won’t be disappointed.
This sentence is a means to an end.
Loved it as always.
Pick up the series, you won’t be disappointed.
This sentence is a means to an end.
September 28, 2023
An enjoyable read, excellent companion to the other books in the series, it's like 5 stories well tied together in the one book.
October 6, 2023
Good book if not as exciting as the others before it. I really wish we could have gotten the MC and his love interest together as a couple for another book before including a kid because I hate unexcepted pregnancy plots.
6.2/10
6.2/10
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 30, 2023
Another excellent edition
I haven't met a Chris Tullbane novel I didn't love. His characters are well developed and unique. The plot lines are interesting and fun. The dialog is witty, sharp, and entertaining. Just all around wonderful books for anyone who is a fan of urban fantasy. The only downside is once you're caught up because then you have to wait for the next one!
I haven't met a Chris Tullbane novel I didn't love. His characters are well developed and unique. The plot lines are interesting and fun. The dialog is witty, sharp, and entertaining. Just all around wonderful books for anyone who is a fan of urban fantasy. The only downside is once you're caught up because then you have to wait for the next one!
March 15, 2025
Hope this wasn't the last book in the series.
October 29, 2024
An alright sequel
The last book was an absolute blast, so it is understandable that it is hard to make a sequel. Here the most of the plot feels like a filler with the ending randomly put together, but I liked the characters enough to not rate it lower. Also it is 5 books in, John either needs to stop being saved by luck and plot armor every damn time and start making sensible decisions to save his own ass OR come out as the descendant of lady luck or something.
The last book was an absolute blast, so it is understandable that it is hard to make a sequel. Here the most of the plot feels like a filler with the ending randomly put together, but I liked the characters enough to not rate it lower. Also it is 5 books in, John either needs to stop being saved by luck and plot armor every damn time and start making sensible decisions to save his own ass OR come out as the descendant of lady luck or something.
November 9, 2023
Are we ready for next installment?
I am in love with the characters so inventive creative story telling and character building at its best blended with joy and possible happy endings. I will follow this writer and John Smith forever more
I am in love with the characters so inventive creative story telling and character building at its best blended with joy and possible happy endings. I will follow this writer and John Smith forever more
September 17, 2024
Can't wait for the next one!
October 1, 2024
Loved this book!
Super nice fun read. Had some LOL moments where my wife looked at me funny, perfect ! Keep writing and I’ll keep reading my good man.
Super nice fun read. Had some LOL moments where my wife looked at me funny, perfect ! Keep writing and I’ll keep reading my good man.
October 22, 2023
None of us is okay. Not while the commies have their orbiting alien death rays.
The year is 2015. A few years ago (or as we call it: before 2015), a perfectly ordinary, if thoroughly likeable (meh) private investigator named John was just trying to, well, work as little as possible. Then crab people tried to kill him but a gorgeous vampire saved his life. That would ultimately come to work out very well for him. But then as these shenanigans tend ot do, things started to get weird. And so, John Smith's career as a supernatural mediator officially began. And I may or may not have plagiarized most if not all of that bit just to get things started for my own review. No matter: at the end of the day, it will be late and quite dark.
There are NO SNAKES in the vicinity. There will be VICTORY and ICE CREAM!
Wow oh wow oh wow. Now you folks do realize that "Dead Man's Favor" had everything going AGAINST it before it was launched, right? I mean, (a) it's the first new book since author Chris Tullbane released only the last in this series, "The Italian Screwjob" which in the local parlance "Aveva tutto!" (translation: look, there's a veva wearing a tutu… but try not to stare!). Seriously, if you can think of anything that THAT amazingly complex and highly entertaining book was missing, then, please, let me know! I sure as heck never found it! But not only that, um, hang on: (b) it also followed then "The Queen of Smiles", the newest book in the "Murder of Crows" universe that really has brought that series into the realm of hard-hitting, borderline grimdark grown-up books! So two absolute killer books were the lead-in to this release! Neat, huh?
Wubby-Lubby Rivers Tomlinson was Tikky-Wokka’s only son, and the reason I’d first been hired by the goblins…
And yet here we are. At very, VERY least, I really think this was my favorite of all of the John Smith books… or it will be until the next book is released and my mind is reduced to mushy viscera again. There are, after all, so many delicious mysteries and future "events" still pending by the time the final credits roll! But I mean, just to get in a few sentences that Amazon might accept: the pacing was magnificent, there were BOTH some genuinely funny as well as utterly scary moments, and the wide-range of emotions that this crowd naturally brings to the table were amazingly well-balanced! Plus, the absolute plethora (all together team: yes, we counted!) of beasties, weirdos and more were just awesome!
Generally, gay dudes only hit on me when they were too drunk to see straight.
In many ways, well, there's little I can say that hasn't already been noted in other Tullbane books. Do you think you've got a given plot deviation all sussed out? Hm, most probably not. I wish I could give ANY kind of hints to some of the bits that slap us 'side the head (slap us 'side the head, they sang) without spoiling anything, but that's a pipe bomb, oops, pipe dream at best. Just promise yourself that while you're supposedly just out for a nice drive with your business (don't call her Junior) partner that you'll pay attention. To what? Well, everything, duh!
Through the grace of the Demigod of Unexpected Romantic Pairings, (she) had for some reason taken a liking to me.
Unlike many of the other books in this series that have a pretty central theme running throughout, "DMF" (look it up chemistry fans) offers a few different sections or mini-adventures. These are then divided up perfectly organically and flow with just the smoothest of transitions to the next bits before you can blink and flirt with a werewolf! And some of the climax moments (no, not like that! But yeah, kind of like that, too!). Wow, when we came to the big "Oz" reveal (think about it), I literally screamed out loud! Which considering I was right in the middle of surgery, well… oops?
I’m not saying Kevin puts the fun in fungus or anything, but you could certainly learn a thing or two from its attitude to life.
I guess it's pretty obvious I enjoyed the hell out of this book. We get to visit with and enjoy - eventually - the presence of so many players from before. And again, just in time for Halloween, we are treated to not only San Diego's finest cryptoids, critters, and borderline crustaceans, but even get to head off to parts, um, known. Where I'm led to believe they enjoy eating chiles (note splelink!) with just about everything! Kids, if you're not on the John Smith train yet, get your ticket and hop aboard. And if you just want oodles of noodles more of this great prose, be sure and check out all of the Chris Tullbane collection! Tell 'em Ziggy sent you (which may or may not be a literary or even literal alias… I'll never tell!).
The year is 2015. A few years ago (or as we call it: before 2015), a perfectly ordinary, if thoroughly likeable (meh) private investigator named John was just trying to, well, work as little as possible. Then crab people tried to kill him but a gorgeous vampire saved his life. That would ultimately come to work out very well for him. But then as these shenanigans tend ot do, things started to get weird. And so, John Smith's career as a supernatural mediator officially began. And I may or may not have plagiarized most if not all of that bit just to get things started for my own review. No matter: at the end of the day, it will be late and quite dark.
There are NO SNAKES in the vicinity. There will be VICTORY and ICE CREAM!
Wow oh wow oh wow. Now you folks do realize that "Dead Man's Favor" had everything going AGAINST it before it was launched, right? I mean, (a) it's the first new book since author Chris Tullbane released only the last in this series, "The Italian Screwjob" which in the local parlance "Aveva tutto!" (translation: look, there's a veva wearing a tutu… but try not to stare!). Seriously, if you can think of anything that THAT amazingly complex and highly entertaining book was missing, then, please, let me know! I sure as heck never found it! But not only that, um, hang on: (b) it also followed then "The Queen of Smiles", the newest book in the "Murder of Crows" universe that really has brought that series into the realm of hard-hitting, borderline grimdark grown-up books! So two absolute killer books were the lead-in to this release! Neat, huh?
Wubby-Lubby Rivers Tomlinson was Tikky-Wokka’s only son, and the reason I’d first been hired by the goblins…
And yet here we are. At very, VERY least, I really think this was my favorite of all of the John Smith books… or it will be until the next book is released and my mind is reduced to mushy viscera again. There are, after all, so many delicious mysteries and future "events" still pending by the time the final credits roll! But I mean, just to get in a few sentences that Amazon might accept: the pacing was magnificent, there were BOTH some genuinely funny as well as utterly scary moments, and the wide-range of emotions that this crowd naturally brings to the table were amazingly well-balanced! Plus, the absolute plethora (all together team: yes, we counted!) of beasties, weirdos and more were just awesome!
Generally, gay dudes only hit on me when they were too drunk to see straight.
In many ways, well, there's little I can say that hasn't already been noted in other Tullbane books. Do you think you've got a given plot deviation all sussed out? Hm, most probably not. I wish I could give ANY kind of hints to some of the bits that slap us 'side the head (slap us 'side the head, they sang) without spoiling anything, but that's a pipe bomb, oops, pipe dream at best. Just promise yourself that while you're supposedly just out for a nice drive with your business (don't call her Junior) partner that you'll pay attention. To what? Well, everything, duh!
Through the grace of the Demigod of Unexpected Romantic Pairings, (she) had for some reason taken a liking to me.
Unlike many of the other books in this series that have a pretty central theme running throughout, "DMF" (look it up chemistry fans) offers a few different sections or mini-adventures. These are then divided up perfectly organically and flow with just the smoothest of transitions to the next bits before you can blink and flirt with a werewolf! And some of the climax moments (no, not like that! But yeah, kind of like that, too!). Wow, when we came to the big "Oz" reveal (think about it), I literally screamed out loud! Which considering I was right in the middle of surgery, well… oops?
I’m not saying Kevin puts the fun in fungus or anything, but you could certainly learn a thing or two from its attitude to life.
I guess it's pretty obvious I enjoyed the hell out of this book. We get to visit with and enjoy - eventually - the presence of so many players from before. And again, just in time for Halloween, we are treated to not only San Diego's finest cryptoids, critters, and borderline crustaceans, but even get to head off to parts, um, known. Where I'm led to believe they enjoy eating chiles (note splelink!) with just about everything! Kids, if you're not on the John Smith train yet, get your ticket and hop aboard. And if you just want oodles of noodles more of this great prose, be sure and check out all of the Chris Tullbane collection! Tell 'em Ziggy sent you (which may or may not be a literary or even literal alias… I'll never tell!).
May 30, 2025
This read like 6 different short stories that got pancaked together for a novel.
1. Hostage situation
2. Werewolf kidnapping
3. Missing blood witch
4. Anastasia illness
5. Zombies
6. Cheater investigation
There was a lot happening. Interesting but didn't always feel related even with the wobbly connections given.
The community college jabs are stupid. The fact that this is done multiple times in all the books makes it annoying. There's nothing wrong with community College.
1. Hostage situation
2. Werewolf kidnapping
3. Missing blood witch
4. Anastasia illness
5. Zombies
6. Cheater investigation
There was a lot happening. Interesting but didn't always feel related even with the wobbly connections given.
The community college jabs are stupid. The fact that this is done multiple times in all the books makes it annoying. There's nothing wrong with community College.
May 1, 2025
4th book was much better. This one 3.75 stars. This one feels incomplete somehow with the end tacked on. This soft harem continues. I think the most interesting part of the series is actually the mind share with the queen. I hope he explores what it means to be two people, what is love and friendship more with complete honesty.
July 11, 2024
This one felt lighter than the last one, more like the first few. It was fun, up until Lucia showed up near the end... overall, still a good, fun urban fantasy.
August 20, 2025
Great story, tired of rewinding to make sense of terrible grammar meant to appease less than 1% of the population.
September 28, 2023
I've read every single book by Chris Tullbane and loved each and every one. I know this book isn't out, but I know the concept and the author behind the work. If you haven't read a John Smith novel, or any of the others by Mr. Tullbane, do yourself a favor and pick them up. I own the physical copies as well as the eBooks.
This is a fun series full of humor and world building. There are unique characters and Tullbane puts a great spin on various super natural entities (where else are goblin tribes named after sports teams or do you run into Bill?)
I have to say this book exceeded all my expectations. With Chris's book, thats saying something. The story continues well off of his previous entry and the new characters are all wonderful.
This is a fun series full of humor and world building. There are unique characters and Tullbane puts a great spin on various super natural entities (where else are goblin tribes named after sports teams or do you run into Bill?)
I have to say this book exceeded all my expectations. With Chris's book, thats saying something. The story continues well off of his previous entry and the new characters are all wonderful.
July 22, 2024
good middling story
Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews