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Claws of the Collector: Shade the Collector #1
CLAWS, BLADES, GUNS, AND FIRE!
Benedict Shade, a were-cat and collector of exotic and potentially lethal magical artifacts, arrives in Yerba City with his good buddy, Dwayne, to “collect” (some would say “steal”) an unusual dagger that is much more than it seems. Little does Shade realize that the dagger was involved in an assassination attempt with dire consequences. To keep the dagger, Shade will have to navigate his way through secret hit squads, a homicidal troll, a trickster god, a fire demon, a sorcerous goat, the most powerful witch in western Tolanica, and law enforcement agencies from two different realms. Not to mention a dragon or two. But success for Shade and Dwayne could lead to a devastating interrealm war!
Benedict Shade, a were-cat and collector of exotic and potentially lethal magical artifacts, arrives in Yerba City with his good buddy, Dwayne, to “collect” (some would say “steal”) an unusual dagger that is much more than it seems. Little does Shade realize that the dagger was involved in an assassination attempt with dire consequences. To keep the dagger, Shade will have to navigate his way through secret hit squads, a homicidal troll, a trickster god, a fire demon, a sorcerous goat, the most powerful witch in western Tolanica, and law enforcement agencies from two different realms. Not to mention a dragon or two. But success for Shade and Dwayne could lead to a devastating interrealm war!
- GenresFantasy
463 pages, Kindle Edition
Published October 16, 2024
11 people are currently reading
26 people want to read
About the author
Douglas Lumsden
13 books182 followersMy parents raised me right. Any mistakes I made were my own. Hopefully, I learned from them.
I earned a doctorate in medieval European history at the University of California Santa Barbara. Go Gauchos! I taught world history at a couple of colleges before settling into a private college prep high school in Monterey. After I retired, I began to write an urban fantasy series featuring hardboiled private eye Alexander Southerland as he cruises through the mean streets of Yerba City and interacts with trolls, femme fatales, shape-shifters, witches, and corrupt city officials.
I am happily married to my wife, Rita. The two of us can be found most days pounding the pavement in our running shoes. Rita listens to all of my ideas and reads all of my work. Her advice is beyond value. In return, I make her tea. It's a pretty sweet deal. We have two cats named Cinderella and Prince who are happy to stay indoors. They demand that we tell them how pretty they are.
See my blog at https://douglaslumsden.blogspot.com/
Visit my website at https://douglaslumsdenauthor.com
I earned a doctorate in medieval European history at the University of California Santa Barbara. Go Gauchos! I taught world history at a couple of colleges before settling into a private college prep high school in Monterey. After I retired, I began to write an urban fantasy series featuring hardboiled private eye Alexander Southerland as he cruises through the mean streets of Yerba City and interacts with trolls, femme fatales, shape-shifters, witches, and corrupt city officials.
I am happily married to my wife, Rita. The two of us can be found most days pounding the pavement in our running shoes. Rita listens to all of my ideas and reads all of my work. Her advice is beyond value. In return, I make her tea. It's a pretty sweet deal. We have two cats named Cinderella and Prince who are happy to stay indoors. They demand that we tell them how pretty they are.
See my blog at https://douglaslumsden.blogspot.com/
Visit my website at https://douglaslumsdenauthor.com
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
October 6, 2024
"I will miss you after you are dead. But, all things considered, not that much"
Having just finished Douglas’s Alex Southerland Series (7 book & novella) I was at risk of falling into funk with end of my one of favourite series. Thankfully I had the perfect antidote, a brand spanking new series by Douglas himself.
Claws of The Collector is an action-packed mystery with lashing of noir & fantasy. Set in the same world as the Alex Southerland Series it features a number of familiar characters as well as a whole slew of new ones. Not least of which are the charismatic Benedict Shade and his easy going but deadly companion Dwayne. Benedict (Bennie to his friends) is a shape shifter who turns into 12 cats and “collector” of exotic & often lethal magical artifacts with his own fair share of supernatural abilities.
Prior reading of the Alex Southerland books is not a prerequisite but those who have read the books will get a kick out of seeing many familiar faces but from a fresh perspective.
A more detailed review will follow but there is no shortage trolls, elves, elementals and kick arse magic in this tale. Suffice to say that this book brilliantly expands the world that Douglas has created and introduces us to a darker more morally flexible protagonist in the shape of Benedict Shade.
I can’t wait see where this new series takes us and would highly recommend Claws of the Collector to those who have read Douglas’s work as well as those yet to take the plunge
Thanks to Douglas for providing me an ARC in return for an honest review
Having just finished Douglas’s Alex Southerland Series (7 book & novella) I was at risk of falling into funk with end of my one of favourite series. Thankfully I had the perfect antidote, a brand spanking new series by Douglas himself.
Claws of The Collector is an action-packed mystery with lashing of noir & fantasy. Set in the same world as the Alex Southerland Series it features a number of familiar characters as well as a whole slew of new ones. Not least of which are the charismatic Benedict Shade and his easy going but deadly companion Dwayne. Benedict (Bennie to his friends) is a shape shifter who turns into 12 cats and “collector” of exotic & often lethal magical artifacts with his own fair share of supernatural abilities.
Prior reading of the Alex Southerland books is not a prerequisite but those who have read the books will get a kick out of seeing many familiar faces but from a fresh perspective.
A more detailed review will follow but there is no shortage trolls, elves, elementals and kick arse magic in this tale. Suffice to say that this book brilliantly expands the world that Douglas has created and introduces us to a darker more morally flexible protagonist in the shape of Benedict Shade.
I can’t wait see where this new series takes us and would highly recommend Claws of the Collector to those who have read Douglas’s work as well as those yet to take the plunge
Thanks to Douglas for providing me an ARC in return for an honest review
October 23, 2024
I had the honor of beta reading Claws of the Collector. If you like noir mixed with fantasy, you don’t want to miss this. I love trope subversive, and Douglas does so in spades. I’m not a reviewer. I just know what I like, and I like—no, love—what Douglas crafted here. So, if you like noir, and fantasy, why not give this a shot? I doubt you’ll be disappointed.
November 13, 2024
When Douglas Lumsden announced that “A Specter Raps on my Widowpane” would be the last book in the Alex Southerland series I was disappointed. Alex is a PI with a very special set of skills … in the urban fantasy genre that can mean a lot of things. Luckily, fans of Alex need not worry. Benedict Shade, the Collector in “Claws of the Collector” is well worth getting to know better. He’s as interested in antiquities as Indiana Jones (with a lot less scruples) and as nimble-fingered as Lupin. And he moves like a cat, actually like a dozen cats, pretty cuddly until he (they) is (are) determined to put an end to the shenanigans. This is a fun read that sets the scene for a lot more to come. A few of my favorite characters make an appearance – the fearsome manticore and Crawford, the man of a hundred rats. Alex Southerland is in there too, passing the baton maybe? I’ll be there for the next one.
October 23, 2024
A 4.5 starrer
Douglas Lumsden introduces Shade the Collector into his previous world of Alex Southerland series in a book that transitions seamlessly into a connected universe while fleshing out elevated stakes in a masterclass in storytelling & plotting weaving long-standing threads into a tremendously crafted series opener
Douglas Lumsden’s Alexander Southerland series has been one of my discoveries of the year. It is a fabulous noirish urban fantasy set in a world that seemingly resembles ours but has a host of other magical species. This was a highly entertaining series with some of the catchiest titles as well. It was also a series where Alex got increasingly tangled with forces way beyond his ken. A series that started rather low stakes but by book 7, the stakes had seemingly escalated beyond Alex himself. At this juncture, authors usually power up lead characters significantly to cope with the stakes. While Alex does kind of get “help” through the series, from a character perspective, it just didn’t make sense for Alex, a proper gumshoe noirish PI to become the character who would be the Vin to this world’s Lord Ruler
(Yes, I know the Sanderson-valanche is coming and I am trying to re-read the series before the drop of Wind & Truth, the 5th book of the Stormlight Archives clocking a remarkable 1344 pages on Dec 6 & each of the 4 previous books are over 1000 pages – a lot to catch up by December)
“Fuck stability. Fuck it sideways.” Shade’s smile broadened. “Where’s the fun in it? It’s chaos that makes the world go ‘round.”
In Alex’s place, we get to follow Shade, a “procurement” specialist of exotic objects (a thief basically) and a werecat (made up of 12 cats) who lands up in Yerba City to “collect” an unusual dagger headed for Alex. Little does Shade know that he isn’t the only interested party for this dagger and assassination squads following the dagger are the least of his worries. As things heat up, Shade and his buddy Dwayne realize that Yerba City is home to an assortment of powers (some whom we have seen in Alex’ series) that make this procurement mission anything but simple and what we get instead is a fascinating descent into the fragile balance of power that these events are likely to disrupt
“Alkwat’s balls, We’re sure piling up a body count”
It is difficult to “kill” your darlings and Alex is no exception for Douglas Lumsden. While this is a new book in the world, Alex looms large for the first 40% of the book. In hindsight, this is a smart move. By placing this book in Yerba City and co-existing Shade with Alex, the momentum of the book is set. There is no time wasted allowing us to get right into Shade’s mind and character. Some setting does happen along the way but the author crafts the story with such fine balance with respect to Alex, that even though it’s Shade’s book, it is Alex’s world that we are living in and that is something familiar for long-term readers of this series.
“You can’t change the past. You can only change the way you remember the past.”
Claws of the Collector is a MASTERPIECE in storytelling & plotting in the larger scheme of the series. Douglas Lumsden weaves together a lot of the threads from Alex’s story to stunning payoffs in this book. We are all aware of how a certain political figure gesticulates his rambles into what he calls a weave but he has got nothing on the author here. There are a bunch of jaw-dropping revelations and developments that make so much sense if you are tuned into this world through the Alex series of books. It’s like as Thor intones in Avengers – that the realm has signaled itself for a higher form of war. Given the forces Shade encounters/ thwarts and the alliances he is forced to broker coupled with his characteristics (that are so markedly different from Alex's), the direction this series is going to take fits in right with Shade’s point of view more than Alex
“Combat is all about dealing death and dealing with death. And if that second thing ain’t the harder of the two, then I don’t want to know you”
CotC’s biggest strength is also the chink in its armor. While technically, this is a new book and a new stepping point for readers, it is difficult to judge how big the impact of this book is in isolation. The significance of the revelations hit harder if you had read the previous series & that is possibly my only quibble with this book. Also, Alex does play an outsized role till about the midpoint of the book before we see Shade truly stand apart. I am not complaining about Alex’s role but I did feel around that point that this was Alex #7.5 than Shade #1.
“Your contingencies fall apart, too, dude. We always wind up flying by the seat of our pants.”
Shade’s moral ambiguity while still wanting to do the right thing is something that the author deals with rather well. His shapeshifting abilities and the uniqueness of each of his cats were also quite well described but I think that’s just scratching the surface. An area that I thought was very well done was the relationship with Shade and his buddy, Dwayne. While on the surface, it seemed rather easygoing and without much depth, there are a few quieter moments that truly make this relationship shine. The Indian mythology element is also something I genuinely enjoyed (even if it’s not expected to be fully faithful) – but by having Indian names and characters and mannerisms peppered through the book, I enjoyed the book even more. I truly had a blast when Shade’s hex materialized into something concrete and it made sense for that character to be named thus. All these were some of the cute touches that went a rather long way in how much I enjoyed the book
“What I really wanted to tell you is that war is shit. Anyone wanting a war has either never seen it, or they are seriously scared in the nogging. And anyone trying to start a war is evil. Evil to the fuckin’ core.”
CotC absolutely elevates the stakes of the world that Douglas Lumsden has built. The playing field is significantly stratospheric as compared to what Alex was playing in and builds a lot of anticipation for the inevitable clash and the rebellion to follow. But at the same time, he does keep the series relatively grounded. While the climatic struggle involves significant levels of power, Shade & Alex solve problems at their level rather than at the powers keeping the series relatively grounded for now. I had a lot of fun with this book and looking forward to how this particular series shapes up (& how Shade powers up).
CotC is in the running for one of the best series openers of the year for me. It builds on an already imaginative world and elevates the stakes propelling the narrative toward an inevitable conflict between reigning superpowers and long-forgotten hidden superpowers. A must-read but your enjoyment will be even higher if you pick the Alex series up first
Book Rating – 4 Werecats on 5
Series/ World Rating – 4.5 Wererats on 5
Douglas Lumsden introduces Shade the Collector into his previous world of Alex Southerland series in a book that transitions seamlessly into a connected universe while fleshing out elevated stakes in a masterclass in storytelling & plotting weaving long-standing threads into a tremendously crafted series opener
Douglas Lumsden’s Alexander Southerland series has been one of my discoveries of the year. It is a fabulous noirish urban fantasy set in a world that seemingly resembles ours but has a host of other magical species. This was a highly entertaining series with some of the catchiest titles as well. It was also a series where Alex got increasingly tangled with forces way beyond his ken. A series that started rather low stakes but by book 7, the stakes had seemingly escalated beyond Alex himself. At this juncture, authors usually power up lead characters significantly to cope with the stakes. While Alex does kind of get “help” through the series, from a character perspective, it just didn’t make sense for Alex, a proper gumshoe noirish PI to become the character who would be the Vin to this world’s Lord Ruler
(Yes, I know the Sanderson-valanche is coming and I am trying to re-read the series before the drop of Wind & Truth, the 5th book of the Stormlight Archives clocking a remarkable 1344 pages on Dec 6 & each of the 4 previous books are over 1000 pages – a lot to catch up by December)
“Fuck stability. Fuck it sideways.” Shade’s smile broadened. “Where’s the fun in it? It’s chaos that makes the world go ‘round.”
In Alex’s place, we get to follow Shade, a “procurement” specialist of exotic objects (a thief basically) and a werecat (made up of 12 cats) who lands up in Yerba City to “collect” an unusual dagger headed for Alex. Little does Shade know that he isn’t the only interested party for this dagger and assassination squads following the dagger are the least of his worries. As things heat up, Shade and his buddy Dwayne realize that Yerba City is home to an assortment of powers (some whom we have seen in Alex’ series) that make this procurement mission anything but simple and what we get instead is a fascinating descent into the fragile balance of power that these events are likely to disrupt
“Alkwat’s balls, We’re sure piling up a body count”
It is difficult to “kill” your darlings and Alex is no exception for Douglas Lumsden. While this is a new book in the world, Alex looms large for the first 40% of the book. In hindsight, this is a smart move. By placing this book in Yerba City and co-existing Shade with Alex, the momentum of the book is set. There is no time wasted allowing us to get right into Shade’s mind and character. Some setting does happen along the way but the author crafts the story with such fine balance with respect to Alex, that even though it’s Shade’s book, it is Alex’s world that we are living in and that is something familiar for long-term readers of this series.
“You can’t change the past. You can only change the way you remember the past.”
Claws of the Collector is a MASTERPIECE in storytelling & plotting in the larger scheme of the series. Douglas Lumsden weaves together a lot of the threads from Alex’s story to stunning payoffs in this book. We are all aware of how a certain political figure gesticulates his rambles into what he calls a weave but he has got nothing on the author here. There are a bunch of jaw-dropping revelations and developments that make so much sense if you are tuned into this world through the Alex series of books. It’s like as Thor intones in Avengers – that the realm has signaled itself for a higher form of war. Given the forces Shade encounters/ thwarts and the alliances he is forced to broker coupled with his characteristics (that are so markedly different from Alex's), the direction this series is going to take fits in right with Shade’s point of view more than Alex
“Combat is all about dealing death and dealing with death. And if that second thing ain’t the harder of the two, then I don’t want to know you”
CotC’s biggest strength is also the chink in its armor. While technically, this is a new book and a new stepping point for readers, it is difficult to judge how big the impact of this book is in isolation. The significance of the revelations hit harder if you had read the previous series & that is possibly my only quibble with this book. Also, Alex does play an outsized role till about the midpoint of the book before we see Shade truly stand apart. I am not complaining about Alex’s role but I did feel around that point that this was Alex #7.5 than Shade #1.
“Your contingencies fall apart, too, dude. We always wind up flying by the seat of our pants.”
Shade’s moral ambiguity while still wanting to do the right thing is something that the author deals with rather well. His shapeshifting abilities and the uniqueness of each of his cats were also quite well described but I think that’s just scratching the surface. An area that I thought was very well done was the relationship with Shade and his buddy, Dwayne. While on the surface, it seemed rather easygoing and without much depth, there are a few quieter moments that truly make this relationship shine. The Indian mythology element is also something I genuinely enjoyed (even if it’s not expected to be fully faithful) – but by having Indian names and characters and mannerisms peppered through the book, I enjoyed the book even more. I truly had a blast when Shade’s hex materialized into something concrete and it made sense for that character to be named thus. All these were some of the cute touches that went a rather long way in how much I enjoyed the book
“What I really wanted to tell you is that war is shit. Anyone wanting a war has either never seen it, or they are seriously scared in the nogging. And anyone trying to start a war is evil. Evil to the fuckin’ core.”
CotC absolutely elevates the stakes of the world that Douglas Lumsden has built. The playing field is significantly stratospheric as compared to what Alex was playing in and builds a lot of anticipation for the inevitable clash and the rebellion to follow. But at the same time, he does keep the series relatively grounded. While the climatic struggle involves significant levels of power, Shade & Alex solve problems at their level rather than at the powers keeping the series relatively grounded for now. I had a lot of fun with this book and looking forward to how this particular series shapes up (& how Shade powers up).
CotC is in the running for one of the best series openers of the year for me. It builds on an already imaginative world and elevates the stakes propelling the narrative toward an inevitable conflict between reigning superpowers and long-forgotten hidden superpowers. A must-read but your enjoyment will be even higher if you pick the Alex series up first
Book Rating – 4 Werecats on 5
Series/ World Rating – 4.5 Wererats on 5
October 1, 2024
The next few days will determine whether a devastating war will engulf this world or whether it will be averted.
"In a profound state of lamentation" would have been my answer to "how are you?" back earlier this year on or about March 6th (yes, I keep track of these things). You see, I had just finished reading the 7th and final book in Douglas Lumsden's immortal "Alexander Southerland P.I." series - which I had started the moment it was released and not put down until I was finished. Yes, I was indeed feeling most sorry for myself, as well as I'm sure were the scores of other fans out there that have had the good sense to have read that fantastically rendered 7-book and 1-novella series. Because this was supposedly the proverbial "it" for our rough and rugged P.I., even though we were being teased that other books would follow that would continue to take place in this same, dragon ruled (I first wrote "fueled" which I guess isn't wrong either) world!
I realize he’s a homicidal maniac, but there’s something likeable about that guy.
But despite feeling most forlorn in my furnace of fire filled with weeping and a great gnashing of tusklike canines, to put it somewhat biblically, Lumsden manages to ease us into his new "approach" with the skill of a master craftsperson. For not only does our favorite P.I. make almost an immediate and hard-edged appearance but we also learn that everyone's most beloved were-rat, Crawford -who has been one of my favorite characters since he first made an appearance - is involved in the grand scheme of things, too (look, if you didn't get to the novella "The Demon's Dagger" yet, don't come complaining to moi!). And before you can scream "Lord Ketz-Alkwat’s flaming pecker!", we're screeching along in the Beastmobile, guns a'blazin' and with more noir goodness coming at us than any law-abiding citizen could possibly digest. It's a good thing then that we're all anything but right? Law-abiding I mean…
I can’t believe I went into battle with a pornographic novelty knife.
And if that's not enough, Lumsden's newest leading fellah, one Benedict Shade, is more than worthy to carry on carrying on in this ever-more-complex world. Not only is Bennie (to his friends only, mind you) a were-cat, capable of splitting himself into up to 12 cats (granted his human form shrinks by 1/12th for each one that exits the collective), but he also has the ability to detect auras from those around him. So stress, lies, and more are all within his sensitivity to magical energies, with the distortions and even colors of same giving him great insight into what someone else is feeling or even getting ready to do, including say, punch someone's teeth right out of their head. That's not all he has at his disposal in terms of skills, but you've got to let me keep some secrets (let's just say his black cat powers are on point!). Still, don't be confused and/or misled by my ramblings: Shade is a very different person to "tough ticket" Southerland. I mean, for gods' sake, he prefers tea over coffee (shudders in horror) and doesn't drink alcohol (shudders in horror again albeit with somewhat more sympathy)! But the change in leading men is fun to learn about - noting Shade's partner Dwayne is a groovy hoot - and I can't wait to learn more (noting as far as I'm telling, I may already have). Even if Shade may indeed be beholden to the LIA in ways we're not totally comfortable with, he's basically a good Joe!
Curiosity is something cats and private eyes have in common.
So absolutely no worries Fantasy Noir fans, because Lumsden's signature rat-a-tat (or cat-a-tat, your call) delivery continues to deliver the mysterious and arcane goods while keeping us glued to our screens (or whatever medium you read). This is another sublimely delivered mystery that will have you guessing until the final page rolls by. Plus we get a literal score of appearances from many of our most beloved beings from the earlier books along the way! And, if you're like me, you'll find yourself shaking your head and saying all kinds of self-defacing (I know, I know!) things about your inability to suss out even the most modest aspects of what really went down. After living on the knife's edge - sorry, sorry, it's a DAGGER DAMMIT! - throughout, all I can say about trying to our investigate this crowd is be careful you don't cut yourself! Then again, a few sexy scars haven't necessarily been a huge negative for a lot of these folks!
I will miss you after you are dead. But, all things considered, not that much.
All kidding aside, Lumsden's prose continues to be so, so satisfying for the soul. His story-telling chops are as present as with any of his previous offers and the only problem I ever encounter is trying to somehow fit my "normal" responsibilities into the same period of day- or night-time that I want to use instead to just keep on reading. And as with so many of the earlier books - probably all of them if I stop and think about it - the fullness and almost immediate connection with the new characters - and even the occassional new reality - is borderline mind-boggling. I mean, getting to know a kni… um, dagger like that under the circumstances. Uncanny! Shame about the whole world getting ready to blow up though, huh?
Holy shit! The sky is falling!
That said, yes, my period of lamentation (I do look good in black, btw) has been replaced by a true Disposition of Delight and Excitation, namely for whenever the next Benedict Shade book hits the metaphorical and literal shelves. This "new" look and approach for the on-going - and we're talking thousands of years to discuss here kids - issues between elves, trolls, gnomes, dragons, gods and (gulp) humans promises to hold as much, um, promise as we've seen so far. So it's back to regretting reading the new releases from start to finish before the newly minted pixels that are crafted so masterfully have a chance to even cool down and marking the next releases in my calendar like always. This is the good stuff and we're not just talking a bracing slug of trollshine!
That cat’s pretty nimble. Excuse me, rats, I mean. Not literally ‘cats,’ you dig, but ‘cats’ as in crazy cool rats.
My thanks to the author who provided an eARC in exchange for an honest review. I mean, for that kind of deal where you slide me a free book, all I can say is negative perspiration, daddy-o!
"In a profound state of lamentation" would have been my answer to "how are you?" back earlier this year on or about March 6th (yes, I keep track of these things). You see, I had just finished reading the 7th and final book in Douglas Lumsden's immortal "Alexander Southerland P.I." series - which I had started the moment it was released and not put down until I was finished. Yes, I was indeed feeling most sorry for myself, as well as I'm sure were the scores of other fans out there that have had the good sense to have read that fantastically rendered 7-book and 1-novella series. Because this was supposedly the proverbial "it" for our rough and rugged P.I., even though we were being teased that other books would follow that would continue to take place in this same, dragon ruled (I first wrote "fueled" which I guess isn't wrong either) world!
I realize he’s a homicidal maniac, but there’s something likeable about that guy.
But despite feeling most forlorn in my furnace of fire filled with weeping and a great gnashing of tusklike canines, to put it somewhat biblically, Lumsden manages to ease us into his new "approach" with the skill of a master craftsperson. For not only does our favorite P.I. make almost an immediate and hard-edged appearance but we also learn that everyone's most beloved were-rat, Crawford -who has been one of my favorite characters since he first made an appearance - is involved in the grand scheme of things, too (look, if you didn't get to the novella "The Demon's Dagger" yet, don't come complaining to moi!). And before you can scream "Lord Ketz-Alkwat’s flaming pecker!", we're screeching along in the Beastmobile, guns a'blazin' and with more noir goodness coming at us than any law-abiding citizen could possibly digest. It's a good thing then that we're all anything but right? Law-abiding I mean…
I can’t believe I went into battle with a pornographic novelty knife.
And if that's not enough, Lumsden's newest leading fellah, one Benedict Shade, is more than worthy to carry on carrying on in this ever-more-complex world. Not only is Bennie (to his friends only, mind you) a were-cat, capable of splitting himself into up to 12 cats (granted his human form shrinks by 1/12th for each one that exits the collective), but he also has the ability to detect auras from those around him. So stress, lies, and more are all within his sensitivity to magical energies, with the distortions and even colors of same giving him great insight into what someone else is feeling or even getting ready to do, including say, punch someone's teeth right out of their head. That's not all he has at his disposal in terms of skills, but you've got to let me keep some secrets (let's just say his black cat powers are on point!). Still, don't be confused and/or misled by my ramblings: Shade is a very different person to "tough ticket" Southerland. I mean, for gods' sake, he prefers tea over coffee (shudders in horror) and doesn't drink alcohol (shudders in horror again albeit with somewhat more sympathy)! But the change in leading men is fun to learn about - noting Shade's partner Dwayne is a groovy hoot - and I can't wait to learn more (noting as far as I'm telling, I may already have). Even if Shade may indeed be beholden to the LIA in ways we're not totally comfortable with, he's basically a good Joe!
Curiosity is something cats and private eyes have in common.
So absolutely no worries Fantasy Noir fans, because Lumsden's signature rat-a-tat (or cat-a-tat, your call) delivery continues to deliver the mysterious and arcane goods while keeping us glued to our screens (or whatever medium you read). This is another sublimely delivered mystery that will have you guessing until the final page rolls by. Plus we get a literal score of appearances from many of our most beloved beings from the earlier books along the way! And, if you're like me, you'll find yourself shaking your head and saying all kinds of self-defacing (I know, I know!) things about your inability to suss out even the most modest aspects of what really went down. After living on the knife's edge - sorry, sorry, it's a DAGGER DAMMIT! - throughout, all I can say about trying to our investigate this crowd is be careful you don't cut yourself! Then again, a few sexy scars haven't necessarily been a huge negative for a lot of these folks!
I will miss you after you are dead. But, all things considered, not that much.
All kidding aside, Lumsden's prose continues to be so, so satisfying for the soul. His story-telling chops are as present as with any of his previous offers and the only problem I ever encounter is trying to somehow fit my "normal" responsibilities into the same period of day- or night-time that I want to use instead to just keep on reading. And as with so many of the earlier books - probably all of them if I stop and think about it - the fullness and almost immediate connection with the new characters - and even the occassional new reality - is borderline mind-boggling. I mean, getting to know a kni… um, dagger like that under the circumstances. Uncanny! Shame about the whole world getting ready to blow up though, huh?
Holy shit! The sky is falling!
That said, yes, my period of lamentation (I do look good in black, btw) has been replaced by a true Disposition of Delight and Excitation, namely for whenever the next Benedict Shade book hits the metaphorical and literal shelves. This "new" look and approach for the on-going - and we're talking thousands of years to discuss here kids - issues between elves, trolls, gnomes, dragons, gods and (gulp) humans promises to hold as much, um, promise as we've seen so far. So it's back to regretting reading the new releases from start to finish before the newly minted pixels that are crafted so masterfully have a chance to even cool down and marking the next releases in my calendar like always. This is the good stuff and we're not just talking a bracing slug of trollshine!
That cat’s pretty nimble. Excuse me, rats, I mean. Not literally ‘cats,’ you dig, but ‘cats’ as in crazy cool rats.
My thanks to the author who provided an eARC in exchange for an honest review. I mean, for that kind of deal where you slide me a free book, all I can say is negative perspiration, daddy-o!
October 13, 2024
If you’ve read any of Douglas Lumsden’s books in his Alexander Southland series or my reviews of those books you may see some consistencies or some of the same commentaries about his books but that’s because Lumsden is a consistent writer and that consistency is quality, and The Claws of the Collector, the first entry in his Shade the Collector series, lives up to the quality of his previous books.
Benedict Shade is a shapeshifter, he can disassemble himself into twelve cats, who considers himself a “collector” of rare antiquities and magical artifacts which he collects, or rather steals. Right from the beginning Shade finds himself trying to “collect” a dagger that turns out to have an elf embedded in it. It’s supposed to be a simple job to intercept a dagger and get it, but everything starts going awry right away. The dagger has all kinds of magical purposes, and there are several agencies, witches and dragon lords that want the dagger for their own purposes all of which threaten war. Shade gets caught up in the intrigue of not only finding the dagger but trying to discover who should get the dagger, what their purpose is in wanting the dagger and which option averts a war.
Claws of the Collector is a fantasy world filled with trolls, witches, shamans, magical objects, gods, demi-gods, spirits and sprites (to name a few) set in the same world as the Alexander Southland series but you don’t need to have read all of the Southerland series (if you have read the series you may see Southerland in a little different light) to read Claws, it is its own series and Lumsden always gives you the information to understand the characters and their motivations as they go along. Lumsden feeds the reader clues slowly, keeping the reader involved and suspense wanting to know what is going to happen next. If you’re read Lumsden’s
Some of the characters in Claws of the Collector are monsters, at least from our perspective (and the perspective of the people in the books world), but Lumsden finds the humanity in the monstrous and you may even empathize with their plight when you discover how they ended up in their monstrous form. Characterizations are also right on each character has a distinct voice. Lumsden also takes chances with the genre subverts some of the cliches and tropes of the genre. A great example is Shade himself, the flawed protagonist, a flaw, he at first doesn’t realize he has but Lumsden makes the flaw work to Shade’s advantage. This is an enjoyable book and like all of Mr. Lumsden's writing the reader can feel a real joy and excitement that is imbued in the writing.
Claws of the Collector is a great extension of his Alexander Southland series and an excellent introduction to Shade and sets up future conflicts, alliances, goals which will (I assume) conflict with each other in Shades future. Claws of the Collector is a trip to a world that shows us the monstrous and the humanity of heroes and villains and not everything is as it seems at first. It’s a trip you’ll want to take.
I received an ARC (an advanced reading copy for all you cats not hip to it) in exchange for an honest review, which I believe I have done.
Benedict Shade is a shapeshifter, he can disassemble himself into twelve cats, who considers himself a “collector” of rare antiquities and magical artifacts which he collects, or rather steals. Right from the beginning Shade finds himself trying to “collect” a dagger that turns out to have an elf embedded in it. It’s supposed to be a simple job to intercept a dagger and get it, but everything starts going awry right away. The dagger has all kinds of magical purposes, and there are several agencies, witches and dragon lords that want the dagger for their own purposes all of which threaten war. Shade gets caught up in the intrigue of not only finding the dagger but trying to discover who should get the dagger, what their purpose is in wanting the dagger and which option averts a war.
Claws of the Collector is a fantasy world filled with trolls, witches, shamans, magical objects, gods, demi-gods, spirits and sprites (to name a few) set in the same world as the Alexander Southland series but you don’t need to have read all of the Southerland series (if you have read the series you may see Southerland in a little different light) to read Claws, it is its own series and Lumsden always gives you the information to understand the characters and their motivations as they go along. Lumsden feeds the reader clues slowly, keeping the reader involved and suspense wanting to know what is going to happen next. If you’re read Lumsden’s
Some of the characters in Claws of the Collector are monsters, at least from our perspective (and the perspective of the people in the books world), but Lumsden finds the humanity in the monstrous and you may even empathize with their plight when you discover how they ended up in their monstrous form. Characterizations are also right on each character has a distinct voice. Lumsden also takes chances with the genre subverts some of the cliches and tropes of the genre. A great example is Shade himself, the flawed protagonist, a flaw, he at first doesn’t realize he has but Lumsden makes the flaw work to Shade’s advantage. This is an enjoyable book and like all of Mr. Lumsden's writing the reader can feel a real joy and excitement that is imbued in the writing.
Claws of the Collector is a great extension of his Alexander Southland series and an excellent introduction to Shade and sets up future conflicts, alliances, goals which will (I assume) conflict with each other in Shades future. Claws of the Collector is a trip to a world that shows us the monstrous and the humanity of heroes and villains and not everything is as it seems at first. It’s a trip you’ll want to take.
I received an ARC (an advanced reading copy for all you cats not hip to it) in exchange for an honest review, which I believe I have done.
October 16, 2024
I had the pleasure of reading an advance copy of this novel, something I looked forward to with glee considering how much I loved Lumsden's previous series.
What to Expect
A new protagonist in the same world as Alexander Southerland. Shade is after the Demon's Dagger (first mentioned in the similarly named novella) -- but so are a lot of other people. What should have been an easy snatch and run job turns complicated, and Shade finds himself embroiled in explosive international politics. Add some new (or very old) kinds of magic, visits from Alex and other characters of the previous cast, and a cool noir atmosphere, and you've got a gripping tale.
What I liked
Lumsden has the most original concept of shapeshifters I've seen in a long while. It's refreshing to see this take on the subject, and all the variations Lumsden explores. Lumsden has written an article on his Substack blog about shapeshifters, which I'd recommend if you want to explore his fascinating take on the topic (and the mind of the author) a bit further.
All this is in addition to top-notch world-building, with rich alternate history drawing on Meso-American and Indian myths.
Lumsden is certainly in his element writing a blend of noir fantasy fiction. This story is in third-person POV (unlike the Alex Southerland series, which is in first), but the characters and the vibe are just as engaging.
What to be aware of
This is the first book in a new series. Alex takes a significant part in the story, but this isn't about him. It's more of a handing of the torch. The way Lumsden has written it, though, you don't need any prior knowledge - you can just right in this wonderful world starting here.
Felix's Review
Felix enjoyed this new series just as much. He misses Alex (with whom he shared some drinks), and not yet sure about Shade -- but the potential is certainly there. Besides, he identifies all too well with those who have looser morals and plans that never seem to work as intended. He's eagerly awaiting to see what sort of trouble will Shade get himself into next -- Felix is sure it will be of the earth shattering kind.
Summary
Highly, highly recommended if you want original urban fantasy.
Enjoying the reviews, but wondering who the heck is that Felix fellow? Glad you asked! He's the protagonist of the Togas, Daggers, and Magic series, an historical-fantasy blend of a paranormal detective on the background of ancient Rome.
Assaph Mehr, author of Murder In Absentia: A story of Togas, Daggers, and Magic - for lovers of Ancient Rome, Murder Mysteries, and Urban Fantasy.
What to Expect
A new protagonist in the same world as Alexander Southerland. Shade is after the Demon's Dagger (first mentioned in the similarly named novella) -- but so are a lot of other people. What should have been an easy snatch and run job turns complicated, and Shade finds himself embroiled in explosive international politics. Add some new (or very old) kinds of magic, visits from Alex and other characters of the previous cast, and a cool noir atmosphere, and you've got a gripping tale.
What I liked
Lumsden has the most original concept of shapeshifters I've seen in a long while. It's refreshing to see this take on the subject, and all the variations Lumsden explores. Lumsden has written an article on his Substack blog about shapeshifters, which I'd recommend if you want to explore his fascinating take on the topic (and the mind of the author) a bit further.
All this is in addition to top-notch world-building, with rich alternate history drawing on Meso-American and Indian myths.
Lumsden is certainly in his element writing a blend of noir fantasy fiction. This story is in third-person POV (unlike the Alex Southerland series, which is in first), but the characters and the vibe are just as engaging.
What to be aware of
This is the first book in a new series. Alex takes a significant part in the story, but this isn't about him. It's more of a handing of the torch. The way Lumsden has written it, though, you don't need any prior knowledge - you can just right in this wonderful world starting here.
Felix's Review
Felix enjoyed this new series just as much. He misses Alex (with whom he shared some drinks), and not yet sure about Shade -- but the potential is certainly there. Besides, he identifies all too well with those who have looser morals and plans that never seem to work as intended. He's eagerly awaiting to see what sort of trouble will Shade get himself into next -- Felix is sure it will be of the earth shattering kind.
Summary
Highly, highly recommended if you want original urban fantasy.
--
Enjoying the reviews, but wondering who the heck is that Felix fellow? Glad you asked! He's the protagonist of the Togas, Daggers, and Magic series, an historical-fantasy blend of a paranormal detective on the background of ancient Rome.
Assaph Mehr, author of Murder In Absentia: A story of Togas, Daggers, and Magic - for lovers of Ancient Rome, Murder Mysteries, and Urban Fantasy.
November 4, 2024
A great start to a new series!
I recently discovered the Alexander Southerland, PI series and quickly flew through the books. They’re a highly enjoyable mix of noir and fantasy, set in a fascinating world with a large cast of memorable characters. With Claws of the Collector, this world expands even further.
Benedict Shade, a shape-shifting cat burglar who actually turns into cats, and Dwayne, a hippie-like war veteran, make a fantastic leading pair for this new novel. It was great fun seeing Alexander from an outside perspective and also meet up with other old acquaintances.
The story continues from the Southerland series and the novella Demon Dagger, and is centred around a powerful well-endowed dagger and the power struggles between the Dragon Lords. However, you don’t need to have read the other books to enjoy this one, though it does add to your appreciation.
There’s intrigue, murder, crime, and spies. You’ll encounter powerful magical beings, politics, cigar-smoking, gun-toting trolls, powerful witches, gods, pet manticores, an ancient wizard-goat creature, fire spirits, and the possible threat of war.
The world feels like it’s in capable hands—or claws—with Benedict as the protagonist of this new series. While I hope we get more Alexander books, Shade the Collector takes this fascinating world in an exciting new direction and expands it.
I recently discovered the Alexander Southerland, PI series and quickly flew through the books. They’re a highly enjoyable mix of noir and fantasy, set in a fascinating world with a large cast of memorable characters. With Claws of the Collector, this world expands even further.
Benedict Shade, a shape-shifting cat burglar who actually turns into cats, and Dwayne, a hippie-like war veteran, make a fantastic leading pair for this new novel. It was great fun seeing Alexander from an outside perspective and also meet up with other old acquaintances.
The story continues from the Southerland series and the novella Demon Dagger, and is centred around a powerful well-endowed dagger and the power struggles between the Dragon Lords. However, you don’t need to have read the other books to enjoy this one, though it does add to your appreciation.
There’s intrigue, murder, crime, and spies. You’ll encounter powerful magical beings, politics, cigar-smoking, gun-toting trolls, powerful witches, gods, pet manticores, an ancient wizard-goat creature, fire spirits, and the possible threat of war.
The world feels like it’s in capable hands—or claws—with Benedict as the protagonist of this new series. While I hope we get more Alexander books, Shade the Collector takes this fascinating world in an exciting new direction and expands it.
November 18, 2024
Caught in the Claws of the Collector!!
I just finished my second reading of Claws of the Collector: Shade the Collector #1, and I am absolutely over the moon with delight. The crepe hanging on my windows for Alexander Southerland has been ceremoniously removed in light of the news that his arc has concluded—what a delightful and delicious surprise Alex turned out to be, weaving seamlessly through this new adventure in the ever-expanding world of Tolanica.
From the very first page, I was utterly hooked, and my enjoyment was so profound that I immediately went back to read it again in its entirety. Having been tantalized by The Demon’s Dagger, Claws of the Collector masterfully weaves together all the books set in Tolanica into a vibrant, multi-faceted tapestry. Each thread is rich with intrigue, magic, and heart, leaving me impatiently yearning for more, more, more!
There is so much still to discover, so many untold stories waiting to unfold, and I cannot wait to journey deeper into this mesmerizing world. Bravo to the author for creating a universe that feels both expansive and intimate—another triumph from Douglas Lumsden!
I just finished my second reading of Claws of the Collector: Shade the Collector #1, and I am absolutely over the moon with delight. The crepe hanging on my windows for Alexander Southerland has been ceremoniously removed in light of the news that his arc has concluded—what a delightful and delicious surprise Alex turned out to be, weaving seamlessly through this new adventure in the ever-expanding world of Tolanica.
From the very first page, I was utterly hooked, and my enjoyment was so profound that I immediately went back to read it again in its entirety. Having been tantalized by The Demon’s Dagger, Claws of the Collector masterfully weaves together all the books set in Tolanica into a vibrant, multi-faceted tapestry. Each thread is rich with intrigue, magic, and heart, leaving me impatiently yearning for more, more, more!
There is so much still to discover, so many untold stories waiting to unfold, and I cannot wait to journey deeper into this mesmerizing world. Bravo to the author for creating a universe that feels both expansive and intimate—another triumph from Douglas Lumsden!
February 22, 2025
Fans of Jim Butcher's Dresden Files and Tom Doyle's American Craftsmen are sure to enjoy this mashup of hardboiled detective and dark ops elements, taking place in a urban fantasy thriller setting and featuring a unique take on shapeshifters. High-octane action plays out amongst a backdrop of rich and immersive locales, each seemingly familiar yet decidedly unfamiliar given the awesome worldbuilding. Engaging characters of several competing factions cross and double-cross each other, all vying to claim a cursed artifact for themselves before its original owners show up to kill them all. Mad phat chemistry between characters is the highlight of the book, like the buddy cop vibe between Shade and Dwayne or Flamebreaker's loudmouthed bravado (yeah, typical troll.) With nothing less than a world war at stake and more twists than a pretzel, this reader found the breakneck conclusion fast paced yet draining, stretching out over several chapters with each one trippier than the one before. Well worth it nonetheless, leaving this motley assortment of endearing characters queued up for a new adventure.
July 29, 2025
Just when we were coming to grips with the reality that Douglas Lumsden had decided to end his incredible Alexander Southerland series, we find that he’s following it up with a new series set in the same world. And, to ease us along, it turns out that Alexander Southerland himself as well as many favorite and beloved characters from the previous series appear in Claws of the Collector. But make no mistake, our new protagonist, Benedict Shade, a shape-shifting were-cat, and his sidekick, the eminently likeable and quotable Dwayne are front and center. I'm anxious to see the pair develop as they continue to establish themselves as the central characters in this new series.
As with most of Douglas Lumsden’s books, I listened to the audio book for this one, mainly so that I can enjoy the immense voicing talents of Duffy Webber. Shade the Collector 2 is coming up soon and rest assured that audio book will jump right to the top of my TBR (or should that be TBL?) list as soon as it is available.
As with most of Douglas Lumsden’s books, I listened to the audio book for this one, mainly so that I can enjoy the immense voicing talents of Duffy Webber. Shade the Collector 2 is coming up soon and rest assured that audio book will jump right to the top of my TBR (or should that be TBL?) list as soon as it is available.
February 9, 2025
Full disclosure: I narrated the audiobook version (which doesn't mean I'm obligated to review it. I narrate books I DON'T review all the time.)
That said, This book was enjoyable from start to finish. It's set in Doug's noir fantasy universe and this time follows Shade, instead of Alex (though our favorite detective makes an appearance, as does the lovable Crawford.)
It's a fresh take on a familiar setting, and I thoroughly enjoyed every minute. Shade cuts a personable if mysterious figure, and you find out more about his hep-cat buddy Dwayne's past than his - apparently Shade plays his cards close to his chest. Our boys are laid back, but they don't shy away from action either. I'm looking forward to the next one!
If you like Doug's other books? This one's a must-read.
P.S.: Doug, if you're reading this? I love everything about Dallin, and I hope she returns. ; )
That said, This book was enjoyable from start to finish. It's set in Doug's noir fantasy universe and this time follows Shade, instead of Alex (though our favorite detective makes an appearance, as does the lovable Crawford.)
It's a fresh take on a familiar setting, and I thoroughly enjoyed every minute. Shade cuts a personable if mysterious figure, and you find out more about his hep-cat buddy Dwayne's past than his - apparently Shade plays his cards close to his chest. Our boys are laid back, but they don't shy away from action either. I'm looking forward to the next one!
If you like Doug's other books? This one's a must-read.
P.S.: Doug, if you're reading this? I love everything about Dallin, and I hope she returns. ; )
April 23, 2025
More on the noir side than Alex Sutherland.
Alex is a good guy, even if bad things happen around him...
Shade now... Very interesting man. Sorry, cat shifter. Cats shifter.
I love the idea of someone splitting into several someones. I love that the cats have different personalities.
(A psychiatrist would have something to say about that...)
I (we) impatiently await the sequel.
Well done, Douglas!
Alex is a good guy, even if bad things happen around him...
Shade now... Very interesting man. Sorry, cat shifter. Cats shifter.
I love the idea of someone splitting into several someones. I love that the cats have different personalities.
(A psychiatrist would have something to say about that...)
I (we) impatiently await the sequel.
Well done, Douglas!
August 17, 2025
Realistically a 3.5
I have enjoyed Lumsden’s series thus far. While a good read, at the end of this book I felt that the MC remains ill defined. Perhaps that that is because the book starts in the middle of an ongoing story that never really fills in all the holes. Also for the start of a new series there was too much of Alex Sutherland in there. The inclusion of the detective tended to overshadow the development of the two new main characters.
I have enjoyed Lumsden’s series thus far. While a good read, at the end of this book I felt that the MC remains ill defined. Perhaps that that is because the book starts in the middle of an ongoing story that never really fills in all the holes. Also for the start of a new series there was too much of Alex Sutherland in there. The inclusion of the detective tended to overshadow the development of the two new main characters.
November 4, 2025
Worth the Read - and entertaining enough to keep and read again
A full magical word only getting deeper and more character filled. Planning to buy all the hard copies for a place in my real library.
Beats the vast majority of cheap magic detective tales.
It’s not William Hope Hodgson.
But nothing else is either.
A full magical word only getting deeper and more character filled. Planning to buy all the hard copies for a place in my real library.
Beats the vast majority of cheap magic detective tales.
It’s not William Hope Hodgson.
But nothing else is either.
October 20, 2024
really enjoyed this like i have enjoyed all the books in this series, will write a detailed review later
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