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The Redemption of Howard Marsh #6
Calling The Devil Partner: The Redemption of Howard Marsh 6
Howard Marsh is back, only this time he's on the road! Jubal County is in his rear-view mirror as he takes a trip to Mississippi for the first time in his life.
In "Mississippi Mayhem" our hero has an unfortunate run in with his father, the infamous Black tom. Drug against his will to the backwoods of Mississippi, he is caught up in the dealings of the Dixie Mafia. Just what is going on with that slot machine? Who are these folks who claim to be kin? And what the hell does a rooster have to do with it all?
In "Mississippi Goes To Hell" Marsh picks up a hitchhiker...one with some terrible plans for Jubal County's finest. How does a worn out blues musician on a desolate road in the boonies even know who Marsh is? Just what is inside that guitar case? And how does this all tie back in to Granny?
He is Howard Marsh, the Methgician.
He's a travesty...but he's the best hope Jubal County has
In "Mississippi Mayhem" our hero has an unfortunate run in with his father, the infamous Black tom. Drug against his will to the backwoods of Mississippi, he is caught up in the dealings of the Dixie Mafia. Just what is going on with that slot machine? Who are these folks who claim to be kin? And what the hell does a rooster have to do with it all?
In "Mississippi Goes To Hell" Marsh picks up a hitchhiker...one with some terrible plans for Jubal County's finest. How does a worn out blues musician on a desolate road in the boonies even know who Marsh is? Just what is inside that guitar case? And how does this all tie back in to Granny?
He is Howard Marsh, the Methgician.
He's a travesty...but he's the best hope Jubal County has
- GenresFantasy
265 pages, Kindle Edition
Published January 21, 2025
About the author
Bob McGough
12 books67 followersBorn and raised in South Alabama, Bob is an author, podcaster, tabletop game designer, and all around hot mess. His cause of death will most likely result from one of the hitchhikers with he picks up reckless abandon. A study in contrasts, he once skinny-dipped at a wedding and is also an Eagle Scout. He has two useless college degrees, has roadied for bands, and broke his wrist in a wall of death at a Divine Heresy show. He’s written for video games, designed board games, and owns a disturbing number of roleplaying games. When he was eight he give a camel a coke in Israel and got flashed in Paris. When he grew up he watched a monkey steal a man’s wallet in Costa Rica. He’s made passible podcasts, filmed terrible short horror movies, and been the producer on a trio of albums you've never heard of. Thriving on the groans of those he has punned around he spends far too much time nervously laughing. He once dug up a dead cow in a creek thinking it was a human cadaver and had a cousin that’s a water witch. In college he gave haunted ghost tours (even though he’s pretty sure ghosts aren’t real). He’s been stalked, gave a Prophet a lift, and been stagger drunk in more states than he would care to admit.
More relevant he wrote these books, some other books, and has been published by a number of other folks with questionable judgement. The fictional things he writes sometimes come weirdly true.
He lives in the middle of Alabama with his amazing LadyWife, the Kiddo, and a number of portly cats.
More relevant he wrote these books, some other books, and has been published by a number of other folks with questionable judgement. The fictional things he writes sometimes come weirdly true.
He lives in the middle of Alabama with his amazing LadyWife, the Kiddo, and a number of portly cats.
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
August 17, 2023
The sixth volume in a series I’ve been working through over the past few months. Marvellous fun to read, and yet again by another self published author I’ve found to be every bit as good as more established authors.
Following the format of previous books there are two back to back tales. In this volume Howard Marsh, the folk magician from poor rural Alabama, goes on a road trip to Mississippi and gets caught up in a ghostly, sinister, racially charged affair. We also get to meet Howard’s father for the first time, helping to explain why Howard is the mess he is now. The second story follows on with Howard’s attempt to return to Alabama where he gets sidetracked by a ‘Crossroads/Robert Thompson’ themed story, as good a version of that theme as I’ve read.
I’ve just found this series so easy to read, addictive in a pleasant way, racing through the volumes. Initially I found it hard to empathise too much with Howard, who is a dedicated drug user and heavy drinker with little desire to change. I’ve seen the damage hard drug use can do. His undoubted good side struggles to show through, but it does (sometimes), and you hanker for him to reform as he himself sometimes wishes. And this slow improvement is apparent through the series. He may even be starting to fall in love, giving him something to live for.
It’s not a dark series though, despite Howard’s tragic character and the poverty he lives in. Overall it’s generally got a witty style, observational humour, as well as a biting commentary on the society and people. Howard is sharply intelligent and prone to backchat, often to his detriment. The author’s appreciation of the Deep South rural landscape shows through, both nature’s beauty and what mankind sometimes does to it. And the prose includes the drawling style of Deep South speech which I find charming. Although the author dearly loves his home area, he hasn’t hesitated to include the poverty, rural conservatism and racial elements in this series when the story requires it.
I think you’ll find it hard to get a better quick fix of magical fantasy reading enjoyment than by working your way through this series. 5* reading pleasure for me.
More books to come it seems.
Following the format of previous books there are two back to back tales. In this volume Howard Marsh, the folk magician from poor rural Alabama, goes on a road trip to Mississippi and gets caught up in a ghostly, sinister, racially charged affair. We also get to meet Howard’s father for the first time, helping to explain why Howard is the mess he is now. The second story follows on with Howard’s attempt to return to Alabama where he gets sidetracked by a ‘Crossroads/Robert Thompson’ themed story, as good a version of that theme as I’ve read.
I’ve just found this series so easy to read, addictive in a pleasant way, racing through the volumes. Initially I found it hard to empathise too much with Howard, who is a dedicated drug user and heavy drinker with little desire to change. I’ve seen the damage hard drug use can do. His undoubted good side struggles to show through, but it does (sometimes), and you hanker for him to reform as he himself sometimes wishes. And this slow improvement is apparent through the series. He may even be starting to fall in love, giving him something to live for.
It’s not a dark series though, despite Howard’s tragic character and the poverty he lives in. Overall it’s generally got a witty style, observational humour, as well as a biting commentary on the society and people. Howard is sharply intelligent and prone to backchat, often to his detriment. The author’s appreciation of the Deep South rural landscape shows through, both nature’s beauty and what mankind sometimes does to it. And the prose includes the drawling style of Deep South speech which I find charming. Although the author dearly loves his home area, he hasn’t hesitated to include the poverty, rural conservatism and racial elements in this series when the story requires it.
I think you’ll find it hard to get a better quick fix of magical fantasy reading enjoyment than by working your way through this series. 5* reading pleasure for me.
More books to come it seems.
July 13, 2026
when is the next book coming out?
How much longer until the next book comes out? Marsh is a very interesting character. The story is very different than I usually read.
I have noticed that as I go through the books, there are more spelling mistakes and editing that needs done. I don’t know if he was just trying to write faster or what happened.
How much longer until the next book comes out? Marsh is a very interesting character. The story is very different than I usually read.
I have noticed that as I go through the books, there are more spelling mistakes and editing that needs done. I don’t know if he was just trying to write faster or what happened.
August 6, 2023
As always, Howard Marsh does not disappoint! Super fun read, and I highly recommend this series!
August 12, 2023
Howard Marsh is at it again. I truly look forward to these stories coming out. I love how the author finishes the current arc but leaves enough of the story that still needs resolution. It keeps guessing on what angle McGough will come from next with Marsh. Can't wait to see what is store for our favorite methgician.
November 12, 2024
Basically, there’s a chicken. Not only was there a chicken but my yeehaw work added to the ambiance of my reading when two people walked in holding baby chicks.
This series has, without a doubt, made it to my favorite series of all time list. I’ve been annoying the ever loving shit out of everyone in my life over how much enjoyment I’ve been getting out of this series.
Honestly though, each book in the series did such a fantastic job of encompassing one small arc, while adding onto the overall story. I think my favorite thing about each of these books was that the conflicts, or the issues or whatever the hell the “book snobs” call it were small. There was no “I can be the only one to fix this because I’m the *chosen one*” it was just one idiot getting wrapped up into shenanigans, sighing and going “well, I guess this is what I’m doing today.”
KILLED me how everything always wrapped up in the end. There were no villain monologues type deals. It was all so casual, like “ok salt circle, done”. Which, very funny? I don’t read fantasy because god I hate when the villains are so drawn out and blah blah blah. No everything here reminds me of that Indiana Jones scene where instead of getting into a fight he just draws the gun and shoots. Same concept.
Can I talk about the voice for a minute? I come from a prodigious family of country yeehaws (I can shotgun a beer or two and have been known to fuck up a back road, thank you very fucking much) so the voice itself smacked me in the face with just how spot on it was. There was so much character just in the story telling ALONE.
I could rant and rave on and on but I’m kinda lazy. No more notes 5000/10 stars from me. Can’t wait for more (I hope there is gonna be more I will cry if not and all my friends will call me a sad sap which isn’t really what I’m known to be)
This series has, without a doubt, made it to my favorite series of all time list. I’ve been annoying the ever loving shit out of everyone in my life over how much enjoyment I’ve been getting out of this series.
Honestly though, each book in the series did such a fantastic job of encompassing one small arc, while adding onto the overall story. I think my favorite thing about each of these books was that the conflicts, or the issues or whatever the hell the “book snobs” call it were small. There was no “I can be the only one to fix this because I’m the *chosen one*” it was just one idiot getting wrapped up into shenanigans, sighing and going “well, I guess this is what I’m doing today.”
KILLED me how everything always wrapped up in the end. There were no villain monologues type deals. It was all so casual, like “ok salt circle, done”. Which, very funny? I don’t read fantasy because god I hate when the villains are so drawn out and blah blah blah. No everything here reminds me of that Indiana Jones scene where instead of getting into a fight he just draws the gun and shoots. Same concept.
Can I talk about the voice for a minute? I come from a prodigious family of country yeehaws (I can shotgun a beer or two and have been known to fuck up a back road, thank you very fucking much) so the voice itself smacked me in the face with just how spot on it was. There was so much character just in the story telling ALONE.
I could rant and rave on and on but I’m kinda lazy. No more notes 5000/10 stars from me. Can’t wait for more (I hope there is gonna be more I will cry if not and all my friends will call me a sad sap which isn’t really what I’m known to be)
October 10, 2026
Another collection about my favourite magician (excuse me, *methmagician*) with two very accesibly short stories. This book wrapped up the first arc, in which we get to see Howard grow into his power and earn (a little) redemption. I always read these books as a short palette cleanser in-between heavier books, and they never cease to be entertaining. Would recommend.
January 16, 2025
First Arc Completed & So VERY Entertaining
Howard Marsh. If you are at all familiar with addicts, this will hit you hard &, maybe, humanize those we think of as less human? Idk. Wonderfully inventive.
Howard Marsh. If you are at all familiar with addicts, this will hit you hard &, maybe, humanize those we think of as less human? Idk. Wonderfully inventive.
May 8, 2025
This series has been pretty great. If you like southern tropes and magic with a very imperfect (but hey he’s slowly improving) main character then this is for you. I like that the main character is barely likable in the first book and now that I’ve finished the sixth I’m cheering for him.
February 2, 2024
A great continuation of a great series
This was a great next chapter in the series. This book continued to expand on the rich world and its characters.
This was a great next chapter in the series. This book continued to expand on the rich world and its characters.
June 28, 2024
Another great entry into the series!
December 7, 2024
I Can't Wait to Read More!
Ever charming, ever funny, ever relatable, Howard Marsh is an unlikely hero, but one you can't help but love. I look forward to returning to Jubal County.
Ever charming, ever funny, ever relatable, Howard Marsh is an unlikely hero, but one you can't help but love. I look forward to returning to Jubal County.
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews