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Filthy Henry: The Fairy Detective
Filthy Henry is Dublin's first and foremost fairy detective. Something of a niche job since most people do not know that fairies are even real, let alone need a detective. But when The King of the Leprechauns has his crock of gold stolen by some humans he requires the services of a detective. Lucky for him Filthy Henry is just the man he needs. The only problem is nobody in the world can stand him. Which does not really bother Filthy Henry as he is not too fond of the world either...
257 pages, Paperback
First published May 13, 2014
11 people are currently reading
23 people want to read
About the author
Derek Power
15 books10 followersDerek Power began writing in early 2001, mainly focusing on short stories. After winning the odd contest here and then he figured he would try and write something a little longer. A few false starts later he managed to complete his first novel, titled Filthy Henry: The Fairy Detective, in early 2013.
He currently live in Skerries, Co. Dublin, Ireland with his wife and young children.
When he isn't writing about Filthy Henry he can be found pretending to know stuff about computers, since that helps to pay the bills.
He also hates writing about himself in the third person, but these sort of things don't generally get written in the first person.
He currently live in Skerries, Co. Dublin, Ireland with his wife and young children.
When he isn't writing about Filthy Henry he can be found pretending to know stuff about computers, since that helps to pay the bills.
He also hates writing about himself in the third person, but these sort of things don't generally get written in the first person.
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
August 14, 2015
Loved this. It was like an irish Dresden Files. I'll never look at Moor Street the same way again and am sorely tempted to get the DART into Pearse Street just to look for Bunty Doolay's.
My one complaint is that it's made extremely obvious half way through the book who the villain is and what he's trying to do. If the end of chapter 11 was cut out, that would help.
My one complaint is that it's made extremely obvious half way through the book who the villain is and what he's trying to do. If the end of chapter 11 was cut out, that would help.
June 3, 2022
3.5 stars, I generally believe in rounding up but couldn’t convince myself it was worth it this time.
The story was okay. The world could be very interesting but it kinda fell flat. I picked this up because it was set in Dublin and faeries. But we don’t really learn much about the magical beings and didn’t get much of the city either.
Henry is an ass. And not in an endearing way like Sandman Slim. I only liked Henry slightly more than Harry Dresden - and that’s not saying much. The romance angle felt forced and was entirely unnecessary.
On the fence if I’ll give the next book a try.
The story was okay. The world could be very interesting but it kinda fell flat. I picked this up because it was set in Dublin and faeries. But we don’t really learn much about the magical beings and didn’t get much of the city either.
Henry is an ass. And not in an endearing way like Sandman Slim. I only liked Henry slightly more than Harry Dresden - and that’s not saying much. The romance angle felt forced and was entirely unnecessary.
On the fence if I’ll give the next book a try.
May 16, 2020
A wild read and thoroughly enjoyable. Fairies and detectives merging in a beautiful story in an excellent premise. The story was unputdownable.
January 8, 2025
Celtic myths, fairy magic and good-natured Irish humour
I loved this story! It was such fun to read, I had a smile on my face the whole time. The observations, the dialogue, the relationships and the situations were full of whimsical humour from beginning to end. It’s not easy to sustain humour in a novel but Derek Power manages it, very successfully.
It’s also really exciting. I read the story in a few hours. There are lots of great plot twists, you’re kept guessing what’s going to happen next. The narrative flows so easily too, it’s relaxed enough to keep you engaged without ever getting heavy and serious.
I wanted a story that lifted my mood and this one did it so successfully. These days the word ‘cosy’ gets used to describe “feel good” stories and it certainly defines this story. It leaves you smiling so what more could you ask for? I recommend it very strongly!
I loved this story! It was such fun to read, I had a smile on my face the whole time. The observations, the dialogue, the relationships and the situations were full of whimsical humour from beginning to end. It’s not easy to sustain humour in a novel but Derek Power manages it, very successfully.
It’s also really exciting. I read the story in a few hours. There are lots of great plot twists, you’re kept guessing what’s going to happen next. The narrative flows so easily too, it’s relaxed enough to keep you engaged without ever getting heavy and serious.
I wanted a story that lifted my mood and this one did it so successfully. These days the word ‘cosy’ gets used to describe “feel good” stories and it certainly defines this story. It leaves you smiling so what more could you ask for? I recommend it very strongly!
January 9, 2025
Think of Jim Butcher's Dresden Files series, set it in Ireland and give it a character who is even funnier - and there you have it! Derek Power's Filthy Henry series. I've long been a fan of the Dresden Files, I loved the laconic humour but this book had me smiling from beginning to end. That's quite some achievement, writing humour is not easy! The story flows (I read it in under a day!) and it keeps things ticking along with a string of threats. I'm a real sucker for Celtic mythology and this story is full of it!
As a result, I've just bought the next book in the series and I'll be diving into it later today.
Highly recommended if you love cosy, urban fantasy with plenty of whimsy.
As a result, I've just bought the next book in the series and I'll be diving into it later today.
Highly recommended if you love cosy, urban fantasy with plenty of whimsy.
May 27, 2025
Popcorn
I became interested in Derek's writing after reading his chapter in the Spotlight Indie collab project: Realm Raiders. His quirky style of humour seemed like my jam.
Filthy Henry
The bad: DIY cover put me off at first, the romance element felt out of place, and the writing could do with an extra proofread pass.
The good far outweighs the negatives I felt. Filthy Henry was a popcorn read and I had a great time. I'm looking forward to reading the next book in the series.
I became interested in Derek's writing after reading his chapter in the Spotlight Indie collab project: Realm Raiders. His quirky style of humour seemed like my jam.
Filthy Henry
The bad: DIY cover put me off at first, the romance element felt out of place, and the writing could do with an extra proofread pass.
The good far outweighs the negatives I felt. Filthy Henry was a popcorn read and I had a great time. I'm looking forward to reading the next book in the series.
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews