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Matt Richter #1
Necropolis
From author Tim Waggoner comes a novel featuring a home for all of those creatures that go bump in the night.
Centuries ago, when Earth's Darkfolk -- vampires, werewolves, witches and other creatures -- were threatened by humanity, they departed our planet's dimension and journeyed to a shadowy realm, where they built the great city of Necropolis. Matthew Adrion is an Earth cop who came through a portal to Necropolis on a case, died, and was resurrected as a zombie. Unable to return home, he works as a private investigator on the very mean streets of this shadowy, dark city.
248 pages, Paperback
First published April 15, 2004
33 people are currently reading
2965 people want to read
About the author
Tim Waggoner
282 books755 followersTim Waggoner's first novel came out in 2001, and since then, he's published over sixty novels and eight collections of short stories. He writes original dark fantasy and horror, as well as media tie-ins. He's written tie-in fiction based on Supernatural, The X-Files, Alien, Doctor Who, Conan the Barbarian, A Nightmare on Elm Street, Grimm, and Transformers, among others, and he's written novelizations for films such as Ti West’s X-Trilogy, Halloween Kills, Terrifier 2 and 3, and Resident Evil: The Final Chapter. He’s also the author of the award-winning guide to horror Writing in the Dark. He’s a four-time winner of the Bram Stoker Award, a one-time winner of the Scribe Award, and he’s been a two-time finalist for the Shirley Jackson Award and a one-time finalist for the Splatterpunk Award. He’s also a full-time tenured professor who teaches creative writing and composition at Sinclair College in Dayton, Ohio.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 173 reviews
April 3, 2017
Mostly, I have only Past Carol. to blame. You see, I realized my TBR list had over 600 books, over four years of reading if I ever tried to get through it. As I try to actually make these things functional, I was going through removing books that no longer appealed. I don't know what I was up to in 2011, but I sure was frivolous about adding books. Necropolis was one of those 2011 reads, and one I could have done without. While I'm often looking for a new take on urban fantasy, this was MadLibs: Magickal Private Eye edition. You want regular edition, use noir private eye words (Mafia, mansion, gun, doll, etc). Magic edition, use supernatural ones (Lord, castle, holy water, vampire, etc).
_____ (Plain name) Richter has just finished his latest case successfully but with some damage to his _____(body part). ___ (name) stops by his _____ (health practitioner) for repairs and discovers he has limited time remaining. As he's dragging himself home, a beautiful and sheltered ____(description) woman requests his help recovering _____(lost object). The woman's father is a powerful member of the _____ (social group) and she wants to return the ____(lost object) without him being any the wiser. Initially skeptical, ___ (plain name) agrees, hoping he can use her connections to repair his own situation. Together they sneak into her father's _____ (opulent dwelling) to investigate where the _____(lost object) was stored. There is no sign of forced entry, leading ___ (plain name) to suspect that someone related to the family is responsible. There are also some fine grains of white crystal left at the scene, leading them to suspect a ____(illegal drug) user. They head to a ____(occupation) informant, then a nightclub the user is known to frequent, only to be violently accosted by ____(group of people) en route. At the nightclub, they conveniently get information from a friend, who just happens to ___ (activity) at that club. They will also have to go to a ___ (drinking establishment) and a ___ (place for sex acts) in order to further their search.
The plot was boilerplate noir with more deus ex machina than a game of Sims. At virtually every point, there is a device/conversation/person that provides the couple with the next step. Most frequently, it is people who Matt has helped before, who decided to provide extra assistance strictly because they all appreciate what a great ol' guy Matt is (this is used at least four times--generalized spoilers--There's an arbitrary attack on Matt and Devona that serves as a neon 'bad-guy-HERE' sign.
What makes this 'original' is the setting of an alternate-dimension world where Earth-dwelling 'Darkfolk' decided to make their home. Necropolis as a city is hazily imagined, more along political lines than anything else. The most detail is lavished on our zombie P.I.'s undead state (but not how it happened), followed by vampire habits. Otherwise there are shifters, known as 'lycs,' and a variety of beings that may or may not have four limbs and involve gene manipulation. While sentient bugs, a bartender with only a skull on a corpulent human body, and a preying-mantis type bug that can't wait to have sex with a human-looking female sound potentially interesting, mostly it isn't. They all act like normal people in monstrous avatar forms. It's all very weird, especially when these various beings are oogling and pinching Devona's butt. It really does have a Mad-Libs sensibility of using one noun in place of another without much world-building or integration behind it.
Add a somewhat sophomoric writing style, and it just wasn't enough to sustain my interest. Note that for some odd reason an area library decided to shelve this as 'horror.' Most empathetically not. Straight up private-eye fantasy. It most reminded me of Simon R. Green's Nightside series and Glen Cook's Garrett P.I. series; if you enjoy those works, this may work for you. I honestly have no idea what 2011 Carol. was thinking, but I wish she'd stop wasting my time.
_____ (Plain name) Richter has just finished his latest case successfully but with some damage to his _____(body part). ___ (name) stops by his _____ (health practitioner) for repairs and discovers he has limited time remaining. As he's dragging himself home, a beautiful and sheltered ____(description) woman requests his help recovering _____(lost object). The woman's father is a powerful member of the _____ (social group) and she wants to return the ____(lost object) without him being any the wiser. Initially skeptical, ___ (plain name) agrees, hoping he can use her connections to repair his own situation. Together they sneak into her father's _____ (opulent dwelling) to investigate where the _____(lost object) was stored. There is no sign of forced entry, leading ___ (plain name) to suspect that someone related to the family is responsible. There are also some fine grains of white crystal left at the scene, leading them to suspect a ____(illegal drug) user. They head to a ____(occupation) informant, then a nightclub the user is known to frequent, only to be violently accosted by ____(group of people) en route. At the nightclub, they conveniently get information from a friend, who just happens to ___ (activity) at that club. They will also have to go to a ___ (drinking establishment) and a ___ (place for sex acts) in order to further their search.
The plot was boilerplate noir with more deus ex machina than a game of Sims. At virtually every point, there is a device/conversation/person that provides the couple with the next step. Most frequently, it is people who Matt has helped before, who decided to provide extra assistance strictly because they all appreciate what a great ol' guy Matt is (this is used at least four times--generalized spoilers--There's an arbitrary attack on Matt and Devona that serves as a neon 'bad-guy-HERE' sign.
What makes this 'original' is the setting of an alternate-dimension world where Earth-dwelling 'Darkfolk' decided to make their home. Necropolis as a city is hazily imagined, more along political lines than anything else. The most detail is lavished on our zombie P.I.'s undead state (but not how it happened), followed by vampire habits. Otherwise there are shifters, known as 'lycs,' and a variety of beings that may or may not have four limbs and involve gene manipulation. While sentient bugs, a bartender with only a skull on a corpulent human body, and a preying-mantis type bug that can't wait to have sex with a human-looking female sound potentially interesting, mostly it isn't. They all act like normal people in monstrous avatar forms. It's all very weird, especially when these various beings are oogling and pinching Devona's butt. It really does have a Mad-Libs sensibility of using one noun in place of another without much world-building or integration behind it.
Add a somewhat sophomoric writing style, and it just wasn't enough to sustain my interest. Note that for some odd reason an area library decided to shelve this as 'horror.' Most empathetically not. Straight up private-eye fantasy. It most reminded me of Simon R. Green's Nightside series and Glen Cook's Garrett P.I. series; if you enjoy those works, this may work for you. I honestly have no idea what 2011 Carol. was thinking, but I wish she'd stop wasting my time.
April 7, 2014
4.5 Stars
I was skeptical about this book from the moment I laid eyes on it. I was conflicted because I really enjoy Urban Fantasy, but I really hate bad Urban Fantasy. A lot of Urban Fantasy really isn't Urban Fantasy at all, but Paranormal Romance disguised at Urban Fantasy for marketing purposes. It’s not that I dislike all Paranormal Romance; I just really dislike a story that uses the supernatural as a plot device to get people reading about faux romance that’s really just questionable bow chicka bowwow that the reader’s carefully constructed morals would not allow them to enjoy otherwise. (jeesh, I should tell you how I really feel huh?) Yet, the Angry Robots imprint on the spine and the intriguing concept made me much too curious to pass this up. And I am really happy I dead. Matthew Richter is the cheese, as my four year old would say.
The Plot:
Matt Richter was a cop who chased a bad guy through a portal and ended up in another world. Then, he was murdered and came back a zombie. But not some drooling brain eating machine or ravenous ghoul fueled only by a desire to consume more flesh, but as a sentient zombie. He’s pretty much the same Matt he was alive, only slower, smelly, and without pesky things like the need to eat and blood flow. Matt’s a P.I. now in the other world he was resurrected in, called Nekropolis, where pretty much every creature, myth and monster that ever went bump in the night resides. Matt takes on cases to save monsters and people who have been wronged or mostly who are looking for something. That’s when half-vampire and curator for the Lord of the Vampires in Nekropolis, Devona, walks into his life. In the typical Noir fashion Matt cannot resist the damsel in distress and hilarity coupled with real tension, and adventurous antics ensue. Because Devona’s problem is much bigger than either she or Matt realizes, and the fate of Matt’s second life and the city he lives in is at stake.
What Worked:
A lot! First this novel is awesome because it would work even if Matt weren't a zombie and the inhabitants were all people. If there were no supernatural elements to this story it would still be a great mystery/adventure. The Noir aspect of his detective style, the witty dialogue and hero with a cause mythos that Matt embodies are very well done. He’s a great character and really makes the reader root for him early, and he’s a ZOMBIE! That’s right you’re going to root for the zombie in this.
And that’s the second point that works. Matt is a zombie. It’s the allure, the problem and the solution all at once. I wanted to read this more than anything just to see how the author could make a zombie a believable hero. Matt’s immune to a lot of things that are strengths of the other supernatural, even though he has no special abilities or enhancements, like strength, himself. Matt can’t feel pain though. So go ahead, rip his arm off, it’ll get sewn back on.
Matt is tenacious as only the undead can be, which helps in cases, because he doesn't need to stop following a lead to sleep or seek healing. (Mostly)Now Matt does need to preserve his body from real decay by getting a regular dose of preservative spells, and too much damage to his body can put him out of commission if he isn't tended to quickly. This, aspect allows for the fights and danger to still be a real threat to Matt, without truly hampering his best ability.
Matt’s a thinker. This makes being slower than humans and underpowered against the supernatural not that big of a problem. He out thinks his opponents, and uses an array of Batman/Dick Tracy like gadgets combined with the help of friends and informants to solve his problems. He don’t need no stinking abilities, he’s the Bruce Wayne of zombies.
The world building is Deific! I mean Mr. Waggoner has created a wonderful alt reality. He created technology in the world that’s ramped up by the supernatural. So you get a little sci-fi with your fantasy fix. The cars are even sentient creatures.
Nekropolis has great references to pop culture and mythology. The city was founded by Dispater, from Roman mythology, and is divided among five lords, each ruling a different section although the inhabitants still intermingle. You have a vampire section, demonic section, spellcaster section, the undead, and on and on. The places and cultures fit the various factions, and the rulers do not get along at all. Each character presented seems unique and flushed out, and while there are famous monsters like Frankenstein living in the city, his myth is quite different from the usual take on him. The supernatural overall is far from the run of the mill creatures that are found in most Urban Fantasy.
What Didn't Work:
The book was solid the whole way through. I cannot remember having a single complaint. If I had to say anything I would have liked to see differently, it would be more information on the ruling lords or history of the founders.
Which I have done already! Matt just gets better and better. I highly recommend this book. Mr. Waggoner’s writing was great; the story was intriguing from beginning to end. The characters were a delight, with a friggin’ Zombie leading the way. Pick up this book!
I was skeptical about this book from the moment I laid eyes on it. I was conflicted because I really enjoy Urban Fantasy, but I really hate bad Urban Fantasy. A lot of Urban Fantasy really isn't Urban Fantasy at all, but Paranormal Romance disguised at Urban Fantasy for marketing purposes. It’s not that I dislike all Paranormal Romance; I just really dislike a story that uses the supernatural as a plot device to get people reading about faux romance that’s really just questionable bow chicka bowwow that the reader’s carefully constructed morals would not allow them to enjoy otherwise. (jeesh, I should tell you how I really feel huh?) Yet, the Angry Robots imprint on the spine and the intriguing concept made me much too curious to pass this up. And I am really happy I dead. Matthew Richter is the cheese, as my four year old would say.
The Plot:
Matt Richter was a cop who chased a bad guy through a portal and ended up in another world. Then, he was murdered and came back a zombie. But not some drooling brain eating machine or ravenous ghoul fueled only by a desire to consume more flesh, but as a sentient zombie. He’s pretty much the same Matt he was alive, only slower, smelly, and without pesky things like the need to eat and blood flow. Matt’s a P.I. now in the other world he was resurrected in, called Nekropolis, where pretty much every creature, myth and monster that ever went bump in the night resides. Matt takes on cases to save monsters and people who have been wronged or mostly who are looking for something. That’s when half-vampire and curator for the Lord of the Vampires in Nekropolis, Devona, walks into his life. In the typical Noir fashion Matt cannot resist the damsel in distress and hilarity coupled with real tension, and adventurous antics ensue. Because Devona’s problem is much bigger than either she or Matt realizes, and the fate of Matt’s second life and the city he lives in is at stake.
What Worked:
A lot! First this novel is awesome because it would work even if Matt weren't a zombie and the inhabitants were all people. If there were no supernatural elements to this story it would still be a great mystery/adventure. The Noir aspect of his detective style, the witty dialogue and hero with a cause mythos that Matt embodies are very well done. He’s a great character and really makes the reader root for him early, and he’s a ZOMBIE! That’s right you’re going to root for the zombie in this.
And that’s the second point that works. Matt is a zombie. It’s the allure, the problem and the solution all at once. I wanted to read this more than anything just to see how the author could make a zombie a believable hero. Matt’s immune to a lot of things that are strengths of the other supernatural, even though he has no special abilities or enhancements, like strength, himself. Matt can’t feel pain though. So go ahead, rip his arm off, it’ll get sewn back on.
Matt is tenacious as only the undead can be, which helps in cases, because he doesn't need to stop following a lead to sleep or seek healing. (Mostly)Now Matt does need to preserve his body from real decay by getting a regular dose of preservative spells, and too much damage to his body can put him out of commission if he isn't tended to quickly. This, aspect allows for the fights and danger to still be a real threat to Matt, without truly hampering his best ability.
Matt’s a thinker. This makes being slower than humans and underpowered against the supernatural not that big of a problem. He out thinks his opponents, and uses an array of Batman/Dick Tracy like gadgets combined with the help of friends and informants to solve his problems. He don’t need no stinking abilities, he’s the Bruce Wayne of zombies.
The world building is Deific! I mean Mr. Waggoner has created a wonderful alt reality. He created technology in the world that’s ramped up by the supernatural. So you get a little sci-fi with your fantasy fix. The cars are even sentient creatures.
Nekropolis has great references to pop culture and mythology. The city was founded by Dispater, from Roman mythology, and is divided among five lords, each ruling a different section although the inhabitants still intermingle. You have a vampire section, demonic section, spellcaster section, the undead, and on and on. The places and cultures fit the various factions, and the rulers do not get along at all. Each character presented seems unique and flushed out, and while there are famous monsters like Frankenstein living in the city, his myth is quite different from the usual take on him. The supernatural overall is far from the run of the mill creatures that are found in most Urban Fantasy.
What Didn't Work:
The book was solid the whole way through. I cannot remember having a single complaint. If I had to say anything I would have liked to see differently, it would be more information on the ruling lords or history of the founders.
Which I have done already! Matt just gets better and better. I highly recommend this book. Mr. Waggoner’s writing was great; the story was intriguing from beginning to end. The characters were a delight, with a friggin’ Zombie leading the way. Pick up this book!
February 16, 2017
I can understand why some wouldn't like this book. There are quite a few things to justify it. But it is so weird that I liked it.
The world's origin:
"Over three hundred years ago, the Darkfolk, rather than deal with an increasingly populous, aggressive, and technologically advanced mankind, decided to leave Earth. Led by Father Dis and the five lesser Lords, they travelled to a distant dark dimension where Nekropolis was born. This leave-taking, which the Darkfolk call the Descension, is Nekropolis's most sacred holiday."
The borders of Necropolis form a pentagram. Beyond these borders one can see Null plains and its moving darkness.The opening scene is in the Skully's bar, Necropolis version of Mos Eisley cantina (you even get a scene with a chopped off arm). The world is so crazy you will have to like this book (if you like craziness, that is). There are jukeboxes with three heads bolted to the top of the machine whose job is to perform, organic computers and, like in Nightside series there are things only pretending to be cars, and these are just some of the crazy things which exist in Necropolis. The city is divided in five Dominions each ruled by a Darklord.
Some vampires have eye-implants which enable them to project holographic images, all shapeshifters have eyebrows connected in the middle and they hate genetically enhanced lykes. Next, there are various types of demons, magic users and other weird forms of what passes for life form in Necropolis. Actually, it would probably be true to say if you can think of it, it exists in Necropolis. Then we have Skully, the bar owner. He has an ordinary, a bit larger, body of a man, but instead of a normal human head, he has a skull. They all live in a world where you can catch or collect someone's soul in a jar, among other things.
Matt Richter is unlike any other hero I've come across. He is an ex-cop and a zombie.
It'd been a while since my last application of preservative spells, and I wasn't too fresh-skin gray, dry, and beginning to flake. I probably didn't taste too good either.
This is the reason he accepts Devona's job offer to find a stolen item.Matt Richter has a dry sense of humour. You tend to forget that he is falling apart and rotting. At least, that is one of his problems in this book. Other than an occasional humorous character and situation, Necropolis is full of establishments with really disturbing menus and entertainment.
There are a lot of mythology, folklore, literary, cultural references and whatnot used in this book, some successfully used, some less so.
"A few seconds later the leaves parted and I tightened my finger on the trigger. But then I paused as a six-foot white rabbit with yellow eyes stepped out of the underbrush.
“Don’t tell me,” I said. “You’re late for a very important date.”
I like how the author doesn't conveniently forget his main character is a zombie. The creatures Matt fights are powerful and fast and often they have the upper hand. He is too slow, but he is more than clever and his pockets are full of surprises so he still manages to fight them off.
One of the best things in this book are the side characters: for every monster who wants to kill or just hurt Matt, there are those who are grateful to him for one thing or another he did in the past. They mostly show that gratitude in a weird way. It is touching and hilarious at the same time when you remember that even those are scary monsters in their own right:
"“Idiots,” Lazlo said. “Why are they always obsessed with brains? Don’t they know how hard it is to bite through a skull?”“I do not want to know how you came by that knowledge,” I said."
It was a challenge to read a paranormal story with a male character who is literally falling apart. The way he thinks and acts makes it up to us. He is more than interesting. This would be a great RPG.
If all this sounds a bit weird, blame this book. It is that crazy.
August 20, 2015
If you love monsters and adventure, look no further! Who knew a tale of a wisecracking zombie private eye could be so damn funny and creepy and just plain fun? This is the first in a series that I will be devouring.
September 4, 2016
4 Stars
Nekropolis by Tim Waggoner is the first novel in the Matt Ritcher series. What could be better than a mystery series led by a detective named Matt Ritcher? How about a story that also includes pretty much every urban fantasy supernatural creature imagined? Hey, why not have the protagonist be an undead...zombie? Make it all fit together by taking place in a world adjacent to our own... This is the making of fun stuff.
This really is a dream series for urban fantasy lovers that enjoy a bit more satire and current culture references in their books. Matt is a private investigator who happens to be undead, and who also happens to be the only self aware zombie ever known, and also is an excellent cop, and finally is a man with a hot half vampire girlfriend who isn't afraid to be a monster.
""That's odd," she said. I laughed. "You're a half-human vampire who's asked a zombie ex-cop to help you track down a stolen magic crystal and you think Lazlo's odd?" She smiled. "You've got a point."
" "What I find so amusing about our friend here is that he is a champion of order in one of the most chaotic places in the Omniverse –an undead Don Quixote, tilting at Nekropolis's windmills on what may very well be an ultimately futile quest to make this a better place." She smiled. "Besides, he makes me laugh.""
This is an easy read that I enjoyed a great deal.
Nekropolis by Tim Waggoner is the first novel in the Matt Ritcher series. What could be better than a mystery series led by a detective named Matt Ritcher? How about a story that also includes pretty much every urban fantasy supernatural creature imagined? Hey, why not have the protagonist be an undead...zombie? Make it all fit together by taking place in a world adjacent to our own... This is the making of fun stuff.
This really is a dream series for urban fantasy lovers that enjoy a bit more satire and current culture references in their books. Matt is a private investigator who happens to be undead, and who also happens to be the only self aware zombie ever known, and also is an excellent cop, and finally is a man with a hot half vampire girlfriend who isn't afraid to be a monster.
""That's odd," she said. I laughed. "You're a half-human vampire who's asked a zombie ex-cop to help you track down a stolen magic crystal and you think Lazlo's odd?" She smiled. "You've got a point."
" "What I find so amusing about our friend here is that he is a champion of order in one of the most chaotic places in the Omniverse –an undead Don Quixote, tilting at Nekropolis's windmills on what may very well be an ultimately futile quest to make this a better place." She smiled. "Besides, he makes me laugh.""
This is an easy read that I enjoyed a great deal.
December 3, 2025
Necropolis is the first of three very enjoyable novels that blend horror and humor with urban fantasy and private-eye tropes. (This one was originally published in trade format by Five Star as Necropolis, and a few years later Angry Robot re-released it as Nekropolis in a mass market pocket edition, as well as the other two. The Angry Robot edition is expanded, but I've only read the original. Not to be confused with novels by Maureen McHugh or Dan Abnett.) It's about Matt Richter, a wise-cracking zombie detective in a world of the supernatural, a little edgier and darker than Green's Nightside or Resnick's Mallory stories. Lots of fun!
October 8, 2010
“This place has always been ruled by the vampire lords. Now they are plotting to destroy the city. Over my dead body”.
For the second entry in Zombie Appreciation Month we move away from the end of the world toward a detective novel with a twist. I’m sure you can guess the nature of the twist? Nekropolis: The Matt Richter Series, Book I by Tim Waggoner is the first outing for the zombie detective.
Hundreds of years ago, Father Dis and the five lesser Dark Lords brought all of the Darkfolk together. To avoid continued persecution by humans they left Earth and travelled to an alternate dimension where Father Dis created Nekropolis. The city is split into five different dominions with one of the lords in charge of each. In Nekropolis you’ll find vampires, lykes (shapeshifters), demons, witches and warlocks, the undead and everything in-between.
Matt Richter is an ex-cop from Cleveland who stumbled into Nekropolis during the course of an investigation. While there he died but has since been reanimated as the city’s only self-willed zombie. Unable to return to Earth due to his undead state, he does favours for people in return for dark gems. He uses the dark gems to pay for the preservative spells he needs to stay in one piece. Unlike a Romero flavoured brain eating zombie, Matt is a creature of voodoo and magic.
I loved the idea that, unlike all the other supernatural denizens of the city, zombies haven’t got very many inherent powers. They are no stronger than when they were human and though they don’t feel pain they can be quite easily damaged. What they do have however, is incredible powers of concentration and patience, which if you are a detective can only be a good thing. Thinking about other zombie novels they do seem to very single minded and determined so this seems like a nice reworking of that aspect of their nature.
The story that unfolds is, at its core, quite simple. A powerful artefact called the Dawnstone has been stolen from Galm, the Lord of the vampires. Matt is hired by Devona, the vampire Lord’s daughter, to return it. Take away the zombies and vampires and it probably does not differ greatly from many other detective novels. Where Nekropolis stands out is that the author has obviously spent a great deal of time creating a fully fleshed out universe.
The city seems very real and vibrant. Some fantastic sounding characters are mentioned in passing. Hopefully we’ll see more of these in the future. The Suicide King, the Jade Enigma, Antwerp the Psychotic Clown, Slitheria the Serpent Goddess. All very evocative sounding and suggesting further mystery that requires investigation.
Nekropolis reminds me in some ways of the the Nightside novels by Simon R Green. Like Nightside, the city of Nekropolis is itself as much a character as anyone else in the novel. There are some great touches. In a place where anything is possible it seems only logical there would be a vampire cowboy bar, a French restaurant run by giant snails and a brothel whose Madam is also a Mister. I can die happy knowing that someone has created a chihuahua/piranha cross – the chiranaha.
Nekropolis has been out in the UK since 2009 so the good news is that there is already a sequel available, Dead Streets: The Matt Richter Series - Book II (Nekropolis 2). Based on how much I enjoyed Nekropolis I’ll be checking it out.
I’m sure that there are zombie purists out there who would dismiss the idea of self willed and highly sentient undead, but if zombie detective fiction sounds like your kind of thing there are some other fine examples.Tomes of the Dead: I, Zombie by Al Ewing and Dead America by Keioskie are also currently available and worthy of your attention.
For the second entry in Zombie Appreciation Month we move away from the end of the world toward a detective novel with a twist. I’m sure you can guess the nature of the twist? Nekropolis: The Matt Richter Series, Book I by Tim Waggoner is the first outing for the zombie detective.
Hundreds of years ago, Father Dis and the five lesser Dark Lords brought all of the Darkfolk together. To avoid continued persecution by humans they left Earth and travelled to an alternate dimension where Father Dis created Nekropolis. The city is split into five different dominions with one of the lords in charge of each. In Nekropolis you’ll find vampires, lykes (shapeshifters), demons, witches and warlocks, the undead and everything in-between.
Matt Richter is an ex-cop from Cleveland who stumbled into Nekropolis during the course of an investigation. While there he died but has since been reanimated as the city’s only self-willed zombie. Unable to return to Earth due to his undead state, he does favours for people in return for dark gems. He uses the dark gems to pay for the preservative spells he needs to stay in one piece. Unlike a Romero flavoured brain eating zombie, Matt is a creature of voodoo and magic.
I loved the idea that, unlike all the other supernatural denizens of the city, zombies haven’t got very many inherent powers. They are no stronger than when they were human and though they don’t feel pain they can be quite easily damaged. What they do have however, is incredible powers of concentration and patience, which if you are a detective can only be a good thing. Thinking about other zombie novels they do seem to very single minded and determined so this seems like a nice reworking of that aspect of their nature.
The story that unfolds is, at its core, quite simple. A powerful artefact called the Dawnstone has been stolen from Galm, the Lord of the vampires. Matt is hired by Devona, the vampire Lord’s daughter, to return it. Take away the zombies and vampires and it probably does not differ greatly from many other detective novels. Where Nekropolis stands out is that the author has obviously spent a great deal of time creating a fully fleshed out universe.
The city seems very real and vibrant. Some fantastic sounding characters are mentioned in passing. Hopefully we’ll see more of these in the future. The Suicide King, the Jade Enigma, Antwerp the Psychotic Clown, Slitheria the Serpent Goddess. All very evocative sounding and suggesting further mystery that requires investigation.
Nekropolis reminds me in some ways of the the Nightside novels by Simon R Green. Like Nightside, the city of Nekropolis is itself as much a character as anyone else in the novel. There are some great touches. In a place where anything is possible it seems only logical there would be a vampire cowboy bar, a French restaurant run by giant snails and a brothel whose Madam is also a Mister. I can die happy knowing that someone has created a chihuahua/piranha cross – the chiranaha.
Nekropolis has been out in the UK since 2009 so the good news is that there is already a sequel available, Dead Streets: The Matt Richter Series - Book II (Nekropolis 2). Based on how much I enjoyed Nekropolis I’ll be checking it out.
I’m sure that there are zombie purists out there who would dismiss the idea of self willed and highly sentient undead, but if zombie detective fiction sounds like your kind of thing there are some other fine examples.Tomes of the Dead: I, Zombie by Al Ewing and Dead America by Keioskie are also currently available and worthy of your attention.
June 14, 2015
I have wanted to read this book since August last year when I bought it because of the awesome cover. But as we all know, we shouldn't judge a book by its cover (although we all do) but we hope that the story is as good as it's visual counterpart. Unfortunately this wasn't the case with Nekropolis.
I'm so disappointed to say that Nekropolis didn't live up to it's awesome cover or premise. I expected a hard-boiled detective with an intriguing mystery to solve. Instead It was a very light, very long read. Too light for the urban fantasy I enjoy reading and just too long to keep me consistently engaged. It took me fifteen days to finish. The writing is good enough and flows well, and it's very easy reading, but sadly it just didn't contain enough edge for me.
The main character, Matt Ritcher, is a self-willed zombie private eye who lives in Nekropolis, a city on a planet far away from Earth, which can only be accessed by an enchanted mirror. I was expecting him to be dark and tortured (he is a zombie after all), instead I got the most nicest zombie ever written.
Ritcher is just too nice! He doesn't swear, he's very polite and he never loses his rag - I'm not saying that there has to be lots of profanity or violence in my books because that's not the case at all, but I do like my protagonists in urban fantasy to have some grit, a back story that I want to delve into to find out more about that character. I want them to have charisma. With Ritcher there was nothing, other than he used to be a cop and used to be married. Maybe I just like my boys bad.
Devona, Ritcher's half-human, half-vampire sidekick/love interest wasn't really that much better. She was either cowering behind Ritcher like a weakling or ripping the throat out of a humungous beast. This woman didn't know whether she was kick-arse or totally pathetic. I didn't warm to her at all and the relationship between the two wasn't electric enough. It was all rather bland.
In their quest to find who stole the Dawnstone there was a lot of running from one person to ask a few questions before running on to the next, but there wasn't really any action. There were too many characters to contend with to get a sense of who they were and I was saturated by too many descriptions of weird and wacky creatures that inhabited Nekropolis.
The creatures were fun to a point but I felt they were just thrown together to create a world different from Earth but without too much effort: 'Chiranha', a hybrid of the dog breed chihuahua and piranha fish and 'Patchwork', a man made out of cloth with buttons for eyes (??) and although they were certainly wacky combinations they weren't really out-of-this world in terms of imagination.
Verdict:
I am so disappointed as I only wanted positive reviews for my 'Men of Urban Fantasy' week, but unfortunately this book just didn't work for me. I honestly thought I would love it: urban fantasy, zombies, a mystery to solve, vampires - it sounded just like my kind of read, but I didn't connect with the characters or their story.
I'm so disappointed to say that Nekropolis didn't live up to it's awesome cover or premise. I expected a hard-boiled detective with an intriguing mystery to solve. Instead It was a very light, very long read. Too light for the urban fantasy I enjoy reading and just too long to keep me consistently engaged. It took me fifteen days to finish. The writing is good enough and flows well, and it's very easy reading, but sadly it just didn't contain enough edge for me.
The main character, Matt Ritcher, is a self-willed zombie private eye who lives in Nekropolis, a city on a planet far away from Earth, which can only be accessed by an enchanted mirror. I was expecting him to be dark and tortured (he is a zombie after all), instead I got the most nicest zombie ever written.
Ritcher is just too nice! He doesn't swear, he's very polite and he never loses his rag - I'm not saying that there has to be lots of profanity or violence in my books because that's not the case at all, but I do like my protagonists in urban fantasy to have some grit, a back story that I want to delve into to find out more about that character. I want them to have charisma. With Ritcher there was nothing, other than he used to be a cop and used to be married. Maybe I just like my boys bad.
Devona, Ritcher's half-human, half-vampire sidekick/love interest wasn't really that much better. She was either cowering behind Ritcher like a weakling or ripping the throat out of a humungous beast. This woman didn't know whether she was kick-arse or totally pathetic. I didn't warm to her at all and the relationship between the two wasn't electric enough. It was all rather bland.
In their quest to find who stole the Dawnstone there was a lot of running from one person to ask a few questions before running on to the next, but there wasn't really any action. There were too many characters to contend with to get a sense of who they were and I was saturated by too many descriptions of weird and wacky creatures that inhabited Nekropolis.
The creatures were fun to a point but I felt they were just thrown together to create a world different from Earth but without too much effort: 'Chiranha', a hybrid of the dog breed chihuahua and piranha fish and 'Patchwork', a man made out of cloth with buttons for eyes (??) and although they were certainly wacky combinations they weren't really out-of-this world in terms of imagination.
Verdict:
I am so disappointed as I only wanted positive reviews for my 'Men of Urban Fantasy' week, but unfortunately this book just didn't work for me. I honestly thought I would love it: urban fantasy, zombies, a mystery to solve, vampires - it sounded just like my kind of read, but I didn't connect with the characters or their story.
October 1, 2020
Let's say ... 2.5 dead stars.
I DNF-ed this at about 45%, because I didn't care about the plot anymore.
Starts reasonably strong - a zombie detective, living in Nekropolis -a city of undead and magical things in another dimension - and he comes upon a case, guess, hint, cliche, a half-zombie damsel in mistress, who also happens to be really, really, really, ridiculously good-looking.
Reminds you of someone, something, somewhere? Yes. Harry Dresden!
There are tons of similarities, including the first-person narrative and the loads of supernatural. Tim does a pretty decent job of portraying Nekropolis, although the descriptions in first-person can be tedious and slow down the plot quite some.
In fact, at some point, he seemed to have started adding concepts and ideas just so he could talk about them, even though they are not essential plot devices and do not add to the narrative - like various monstrosities or goth-punk-techno-cyber-vampire nightclubs in Nekropolis that our dead protagonist "needs" to visit to help his client solve the case - a most powerful magic artifact gone missing.
Harry Dresden aside, I didn't mind the odd blob of gore and organic technology, and this was quite cute at first, but the the even seemingly slightly somber vibe disappeared, and it became a horny-teen werewolf adventure. The world of undead became cheerful and corny and I decided to stop reading.
If you want a super-lighthearted and semi-original zombies book, this might just be what you're looking for. Some good-looking humans, some detective work, some magic, the stuff. But if you want character development, suspense or a sense of a deeper, more sinister world, then this isn't for you. While reading, the images that ran through my mind were of Adams Family, Snake Plisken in LA, and Doom 2 first-person shooter. I don't like when the book becomes a collage of allegories and mimicry, even if it's innocent and unintentional.
So, alas, this ain't a book for me. Soz.
Igor
I DNF-ed this at about 45%, because I didn't care about the plot anymore.
Starts reasonably strong - a zombie detective, living in Nekropolis -a city of undead and magical things in another dimension - and he comes upon a case, guess, hint, cliche, a half-zombie damsel in mistress, who also happens to be really, really, really, ridiculously good-looking.
Reminds you of someone, something, somewhere? Yes. Harry Dresden!
There are tons of similarities, including the first-person narrative and the loads of supernatural. Tim does a pretty decent job of portraying Nekropolis, although the descriptions in first-person can be tedious and slow down the plot quite some.
In fact, at some point, he seemed to have started adding concepts and ideas just so he could talk about them, even though they are not essential plot devices and do not add to the narrative - like various monstrosities or goth-punk-techno-cyber-vampire nightclubs in Nekropolis that our dead protagonist "needs" to visit to help his client solve the case - a most powerful magic artifact gone missing.
Harry Dresden aside, I didn't mind the odd blob of gore and organic technology, and this was quite cute at first, but the the even seemingly slightly somber vibe disappeared, and it became a horny-teen werewolf adventure. The world of undead became cheerful and corny and I decided to stop reading.
If you want a super-lighthearted and semi-original zombies book, this might just be what you're looking for. Some good-looking humans, some detective work, some magic, the stuff. But if you want character development, suspense or a sense of a deeper, more sinister world, then this isn't for you. While reading, the images that ran through my mind were of Adams Family, Snake Plisken in LA, and Doom 2 first-person shooter. I don't like when the book becomes a collage of allegories and mimicry, even if it's innocent and unintentional.
So, alas, this ain't a book for me. Soz.
Igor
October 15, 2012
I wasn't sure if I'd really enjoy this series, but I picked up the book and devoured it in a matter of hours without even getting distracted, so, you know. I even read two of the short stories that slot into the series.
That said, I'm not so wildly enthusiastic about it that I want everyone to read it right away or anything: it was an easy read, enjoyable for that, and I liked the world of Nekropolis, but... There's not much substance there, really, somehow. I don't know how to make that make sense -- I enjoyed it, but I didn't get emotionally involved, not in the main character or in the romance.
But, for once, I'm perfectly happy with that. Apparently sometimes I can go for a plot that just rolls along.
That said, I'm not so wildly enthusiastic about it that I want everyone to read it right away or anything: it was an easy read, enjoyable for that, and I liked the world of Nekropolis, but... There's not much substance there, really, somehow. I don't know how to make that make sense -- I enjoyed it, but I didn't get emotionally involved, not in the main character or in the romance.
But, for once, I'm perfectly happy with that. Apparently sometimes I can go for a plot that just rolls along.
November 20, 2012
love it!
January 13, 2011
was a little surprised to see that readerson WeRead had only given this book 2 stars, not because it's a wonderful piece of literature ( I don't think you'd see this on the shortlist for the man booker prize) but because by reading the back it's very easy to tell if it's the kind of book you'd enjoy.
File Under:
*Zombie Detective
*Undead City
*Crime Overlord
*Sexy Vampires
If you read this and don't enjoy it you don't really have anyone to blame but yourself.
On GoodReads it's got a higher rating so obviously readers here are much more sensible :)
It's a good story and if you enjoyed "The Book With No Name" then you will probably find this right up your street. The only complaint I have is the number of typos, normally I quite like the smug satisfaction you get spotting a typo that's made it past editors and proofreaders but when there are this many it does make it feel less of a challenge.
File Under:
*Zombie Detective
*Undead City
*Crime Overlord
*Sexy Vampires
If you read this and don't enjoy it you don't really have anyone to blame but yourself.
On GoodReads it's got a higher rating so obviously readers here are much more sensible :)
It's a good story and if you enjoyed "The Book With No Name" then you will probably find this right up your street. The only complaint I have is the number of typos, normally I quite like the smug satisfaction you get spotting a typo that's made it past editors and proofreaders but when there are this many it does make it feel less of a challenge.
July 2, 2011
Maybe it's because as a kid I spent my Saturday nights watching Stacy Keach play Mike Hammer on CBS, but I love private detectives. They're my favorite form of literary heroes. They dish out and endure all sorts of punishment in their quest for the truth. The cover for Tim Waggoner's novel "Nekropolis" hinted that readers would meet a private eye capable of enduring a lot of punishment. That's because he was a zombie, but unlike your typical zombie he had his full cognitive capablities and didn't possess a craving for brains.
Waggoner's protagonist is a fairly likeable guy named Matt Richter, a former cop from Cleveland. One night Matt and his partner followed a strange killer through a mysterious portal and became trapped in the other dimensional city of Nekropolis. In their final confrontation with the killer, Matt's partner was murdered and accident happened that transformed him into an intelligent zombie. He decided to use his skills to become a sort of unofficial P.I. Instead of doing jobs. He does "favors" His cunning mind, undead physical form, and the numerous mystical tools he keeps in the pockets of his trench coat make him pretty good at his job. Matt's first two traits are quite interesting. The second one though just felt a little too convenient and super hero like. Matt's trenchcoat is pretty much just like Batman's utility belt.
Matt's abilities and tools help him with his job, but what really makes him an interesting character is his genuine desire to do good. In spite of all he's seen in the monstrous city of "Nekropolis" he's not a cynical character. He doesn't believe what he's doing is futile and continues to try regardless of the odds. That makes him a refreshing and interesting character. He broods a little bit, but doesn't really wine or complain.
In "Nekropolis" Matt is approached by Devona, the daughter of the city's vampire overlord. She needs him to do the favor of finding a stolen mystical artifact before her temperamental father finds out. Matt takes the case and he Devona's investigation takes them across the entire city of Nekropolis, which is a pretty interesting town.
Imagine one city that's a combination of the different horror theme realms of Ravenloft from "Dungeons and Dragons," Halloweentown from the "Nightmare Before Christmas," and the crazy afterlife of "Beetlejuice." That's Nekropolis. It's populated by horrific technology that's a mirror reflection of our own. It is also home to monsters, demons, magicians, and all around strange characters. The city itself is broken down into boroughs each controlled by a particularly powerful dark lord. For example, a shapeshifting darklord rules over a borough populated by were beasts, and a vampirc dark lord rules a neighborhood of blood suckers. These dark lords commit all sorts of intrigues against each other, but every year the must cooperate in a ceremony that keeps the city from being destroyed.
So the setting of "Nekropolis" was pretty damn interesting, but for some reason the book just didn't click with me. I don't know if the setting was too weird or alien, the pacing was off or if the book just wasn't what I wanted it to be. There were times when I felt my patience and attention wearing thin.
I stuck with "Nekropolis" though and I'm glad I did. By the end of the book Waggoner ultimately won me back over. What did it were his two main characters of Matt and Devona. In many thrillers with a male and female character they often fall in love and fall in bed together. It's usually a very contrived plot development. In "Nekropolis" Matt and Devona do develop feelings for each other, but in a unique and organic way. I bought it. It felt sweet and true, and it kept me reading.
So I found "Nekropolis" to be a bumpy, but ultimately satisfying journey. It had a solid and likeable main character who developed a relationship with another character that felt interesting, poignant, and very real. So because of that I'm definitely interested in seeing what Waggoner does with his second Matt Richter novel, "Dead Streets."
February 28, 2017
Tim Waggoner is a pretty talented horror writer. I've enjoyed some of his past titles and so when I read the blurb for Necropolis and it described a zombie private detective who plies his trade in a hell-like world filled with witches, vampires, and other ghoulish fiends, I was sold. Sadly, the idea was a lot better in theory than in execution. I enjoyed seeing the different cities in the world, but I thought that Waggoner used his story as simply a vehicle to describe the world-building rather than the other way around, which is the way it should be. The story should never take a backseat, and in Necropolis, there wasn't much of a story. I felt like we just traveled from place to place reading about really cool things and creatures, but there wasn't much to connect anything. I so wanted to like this book and there were times when I did find myself enjoying it, but in the end I need some kind of plot to be advanced or story to be told. Too much tell and not enough show for me.
May 4, 2017
I'll let you guys guess which attracted me to the book first--whether it was the Zombie part or the Private Detective noir part. It was both honestly, but to be fair the Zombie part won me over first. Love me my Zombies!
In a literary world saturated with urban fantasy worlds another one may not seem like such a great thing. Been there, seen that, didn't that just get a movie made from it? Nekropolis though comes off less like its trying to be a fresh new urban fantasy and more like a noir that hey just so happens has supernatural elements! The main character, Matthew (and to be clear I don't often enjoy books with a male first person narrative) is a zombie but that doesn't give him super-advantages (other then immunity to pain and if a limb gets torn off he can probably have his friend Papa Chatha patch him up. Maybe. If something doesn't go horribly wrong) and he still has to do things the old fashioned way. Network. Talk to sources. Trail folks and look into the dirty laundry and garbage.
Nekropolis, as a city and book, is dark, dirty and teeming with every nightmare you can imagine and probably a few you haven't dare to. Honani, a genetically modified lyke (shapeshifter more or less), is a massive hulking monstrosity cobbled together from various animals (almost like a Chimera I suppose). Despite this, or maybe in spite of this?, Matthew is a good guy in the classic sense. Helps the down trodden, sets out for justice and doesn't use evil manipulations to get his way (underhanded or sneaky, possibly, but not evil).
As expected in a Noir-esque book there is a femme fatale, but some of her charm is tarnished since though Matthew admits had he been alive she would be a tempting handful, as a dead man...well he can only admire. And admiration isn't as easy to manipulate.
I liked that Waggoner (who I've read previously only once, a short story in Zombie Raccoons and Killer Bunnies called 'Bone Whispers', which creeps me out still) didn't try to make this 'the most unique world ever', but instead tried to add layers to the worlds and creatures that exist already(vampires with holographic eyes playing a twisted board game...).
This was a surprising delight for me that made me glad I took the step to read it. Horror, as a genre, doesn't appeal to me that often, but I don't believe this is really a 'horror' book. It doesn't convey a sense that what Waggoner is writing is meant to give you nightmares and scared of the shadows. Chills perhaps, for a world similar to our own but obviously not our own, but not nightmares. Waggoner uses wit and irony to draw the reader in and engage their attention. Matthew didn't claim to be the smartest, or fastest, or best detective in the world, but he did get the job done and he cared, that's a win in my book.
From what I gathered this was once a novella length story (back in 2004 or so), then it got expanded to the current book it is and is the first in a planned trio of urban fantasy novels.
Once you finish the book, and before you start Dead Streets, check out this short story set between the two books "The Midnight Watch"
In a literary world saturated with urban fantasy worlds another one may not seem like such a great thing. Been there, seen that, didn't that just get a movie made from it? Nekropolis though comes off less like its trying to be a fresh new urban fantasy and more like a noir that hey just so happens has supernatural elements! The main character, Matthew (and to be clear I don't often enjoy books with a male first person narrative) is a zombie but that doesn't give him super-advantages (other then immunity to pain and if a limb gets torn off he can probably have his friend Papa Chatha patch him up. Maybe. If something doesn't go horribly wrong) and he still has to do things the old fashioned way. Network. Talk to sources. Trail folks and look into the dirty laundry and garbage.
Nekropolis, as a city and book, is dark, dirty and teeming with every nightmare you can imagine and probably a few you haven't dare to. Honani, a genetically modified lyke (shapeshifter more or less), is a massive hulking monstrosity cobbled together from various animals (almost like a Chimera I suppose). Despite this, or maybe in spite of this?, Matthew is a good guy in the classic sense. Helps the down trodden, sets out for justice and doesn't use evil manipulations to get his way (underhanded or sneaky, possibly, but not evil).
As expected in a Noir-esque book there is a femme fatale, but some of her charm is tarnished since though Matthew admits had he been alive she would be a tempting handful, as a dead man...well he can only admire. And admiration isn't as easy to manipulate.
I liked that Waggoner (who I've read previously only once, a short story in Zombie Raccoons and Killer Bunnies called 'Bone Whispers', which creeps me out still) didn't try to make this 'the most unique world ever', but instead tried to add layers to the worlds and creatures that exist already(vampires with holographic eyes playing a twisted board game...).
This was a surprising delight for me that made me glad I took the step to read it. Horror, as a genre, doesn't appeal to me that often, but I don't believe this is really a 'horror' book. It doesn't convey a sense that what Waggoner is writing is meant to give you nightmares and scared of the shadows. Chills perhaps, for a world similar to our own but obviously not our own, but not nightmares. Waggoner uses wit and irony to draw the reader in and engage their attention. Matthew didn't claim to be the smartest, or fastest, or best detective in the world, but he did get the job done and he cared, that's a win in my book.
From what I gathered this was once a novella length story (back in 2004 or so), then it got expanded to the current book it is and is the first in a planned trio of urban fantasy novels.
Once you finish the book, and before you start Dead Streets, check out this short story set between the two books "The Midnight Watch"
February 11, 2008
How can you not love a zombie detective story?
October 12, 2010
Ahhh~ It had hints of Simon Green's world and mannerism.
November 4, 2016
3.5 stars; 4 for enjoyment.
March 27, 2018
Holy crap, this book was awesome! It's like a mixture of Halloween Town for adults that takes place in a hellsphere, with a 'detective', and some MIB stuff thrown in just for funsies. Now that may all sound crazy, and like it might not make for a good book, but it does!
I have never read a Tim Waggoner novel before, but I am very impressed with his writing. He was able to take the above elements and mix them into an entertaining and engaging story. This book is only 248 pages long, so it's not terribly long, but that is okay!
This book is not full of angst and unnecessary page filler. This story gets right down to business from the very first page. The action keeps on going and going until the very end. There is just enough depth and character building for the plot to grip the reader, and for them to become attached to the characters.
So it begins in the town of Necropolis, or a hellish dimension. There is an ex-cop turned zombie named Matt Richter, who gets offered a job from a half human/vamp woman. She needs help finding a missing artifact from her ancient fathers stash. So what's the catch? The woman's father is one of the five Darklords that rule the realm, Lord Galm.
The half human/vamp, Devona Kanti, is stuck between a rock and a hard place. Since she is only half Bloodborn, she doesn't carry much favor with her father. The Bloodborn who are purposely changed are higher up in recognition than she is. To ensure that her little favor isn't diminished, and that she doesn't lose her high class job as the artifact guard to her fathers treasures, she badly needs Matt's help.
To tell her father that something on her watch was stolen would end quickly, and perhaps act as final judgment for Devona. Matt initially doesn't want to get involved, but since he is the only known zombie to still have his mind remain intact after death, he needs money, and fast. His body has started to fall apart and he needs to be able to pay for his preservation spells.
Things aren't looking good for him, but perhaps if Matt can help Devona find the Dawnstone she seeks, then maybe she can ask a favor of her father. Darklords carry a lot of juice and are far stronger than just a basic spell caster. Maybe he could be made whole again. Or as whole as a zombie can be, anyway. With that thought in mind Matt reluctantly accepts.
It is shortly after all this happens when the plot really takes off. It is not boring for even a moment! I really liked how everything played out. I couldn't predict all of what was to come, which was just awesome! Because I have read a lot of Urban Fantasy novels. It's my favorite genre.
I am a bit biased when it comes to reading UF books and tend to stick with female authors. I have just found that I enjoy reading from the PoV of a woman more than that of a man. With that being said, female authors all kind of have that same format. Sharp mouthed lady who kicks butt, saves the world, and gets the hunk at the end.
So I guess it's not really all that different from a male PoV in a story, other than the fact that I don't have to read about the MC's fascination with boobs and how it's fun to stare at them. That gets old. But then again so does the ridiculous amount of romantic moments in books written by women.
The last book I read was chalk full of unnecessary sex scenes that didn't add anything to the book. 'Necropolis', on the other hand, is written by a man, and has no sex scenes in it. Not too many curse words either. And it is fantastic! There's no gratuitous lovemaking that last on and on and on. Or over dramatics of any kind.
Matt acknowledges that he finds Devona attractive and likes her, but the books doesn't jump down that lusty rabbit hole that many others do. It was so refreshing! Anyone who reads a lot of Urban Fantasy books knows exactly what I'm talking about. The predictability for how this novel is going to end goes right out the window. It doesn't follow the basic UF form! It doesn't end the way you think it will.
I am so glad I decided to read 'Necropolis.' I had thought the summary sounded interesting and hoped that the book would be just as good. I was not disappointed! This was a great surprise! This unassuming, small novel, absolutely rocked. I can't wait to read the next installment.
I am really curious to see where Waggoner will take our dear zombie. Matt has all kinds of notoriety now so I wonder what trouble he'll get into. Considering how many Darklords, Dominari(mafia), and Watcher's are gunning for the ex-cop, I am sure that the second book will be quite the wild ride!
I have never read a Tim Waggoner novel before, but I am very impressed with his writing. He was able to take the above elements and mix them into an entertaining and engaging story. This book is only 248 pages long, so it's not terribly long, but that is okay!
This book is not full of angst and unnecessary page filler. This story gets right down to business from the very first page. The action keeps on going and going until the very end. There is just enough depth and character building for the plot to grip the reader, and for them to become attached to the characters.
So it begins in the town of Necropolis, or a hellish dimension. There is an ex-cop turned zombie named Matt Richter, who gets offered a job from a half human/vamp woman. She needs help finding a missing artifact from her ancient fathers stash. So what's the catch? The woman's father is one of the five Darklords that rule the realm, Lord Galm.
The half human/vamp, Devona Kanti, is stuck between a rock and a hard place. Since she is only half Bloodborn, she doesn't carry much favor with her father. The Bloodborn who are purposely changed are higher up in recognition than she is. To ensure that her little favor isn't diminished, and that she doesn't lose her high class job as the artifact guard to her fathers treasures, she badly needs Matt's help.
To tell her father that something on her watch was stolen would end quickly, and perhaps act as final judgment for Devona. Matt initially doesn't want to get involved, but since he is the only known zombie to still have his mind remain intact after death, he needs money, and fast. His body has started to fall apart and he needs to be able to pay for his preservation spells.
Things aren't looking good for him, but perhaps if Matt can help Devona find the Dawnstone she seeks, then maybe she can ask a favor of her father. Darklords carry a lot of juice and are far stronger than just a basic spell caster. Maybe he could be made whole again. Or as whole as a zombie can be, anyway. With that thought in mind Matt reluctantly accepts.
It is shortly after all this happens when the plot really takes off. It is not boring for even a moment! I really liked how everything played out. I couldn't predict all of what was to come, which was just awesome! Because I have read a lot of Urban Fantasy novels. It's my favorite genre.
I am a bit biased when it comes to reading UF books and tend to stick with female authors. I have just found that I enjoy reading from the PoV of a woman more than that of a man. With that being said, female authors all kind of have that same format. Sharp mouthed lady who kicks butt, saves the world, and gets the hunk at the end.
So I guess it's not really all that different from a male PoV in a story, other than the fact that I don't have to read about the MC's fascination with boobs and how it's fun to stare at them. That gets old. But then again so does the ridiculous amount of romantic moments in books written by women.
The last book I read was chalk full of unnecessary sex scenes that didn't add anything to the book. 'Necropolis', on the other hand, is written by a man, and has no sex scenes in it. Not too many curse words either. And it is fantastic! There's no gratuitous lovemaking that last on and on and on. Or over dramatics of any kind.
Matt acknowledges that he finds Devona attractive and likes her, but the books doesn't jump down that lusty rabbit hole that many others do. It was so refreshing! Anyone who reads a lot of Urban Fantasy books knows exactly what I'm talking about. The predictability for how this novel is going to end goes right out the window. It doesn't follow the basic UF form! It doesn't end the way you think it will.
I am so glad I decided to read 'Necropolis.' I had thought the summary sounded interesting and hoped that the book would be just as good. I was not disappointed! This was a great surprise! This unassuming, small novel, absolutely rocked. I can't wait to read the next installment.
I am really curious to see where Waggoner will take our dear zombie. Matt has all kinds of notoriety now so I wonder what trouble he'll get into. Considering how many Darklords, Dominari(mafia), and Watcher's are gunning for the ex-cop, I am sure that the second book will be quite the wild ride!
May 4, 2018
4.5 sentinels.
there's a lot of strange, bizarre, but still intriguing creatures that we are going to find here. to me, goldang, it's like another Christmas present unwrapping and dancing itself. I develop the fondness of learning and knowing extraordinary creatures nowadays--wait no, since I read A Conspiracy of Stars actually. thank you, Tim, for creating such creatures for me!
besides the variety of creatures, I, somewhat enjoy the world building so so so much. it is real atmospheric for me, and I don't have much problems in imagining them from Mr. Waggoner's explanation. it feels real to me. Nekropolis may not be a safe place, but damn it can put Las Vegas to shame, lol.
Lazlo and his somewhat living cab, and not to forget Shrike and his curse words (LOL! I wish you can meet Shrike already and amused him to the point of he curses and see what happens!); they are my favourite characters even though well they have not had a lot of appearances in this book. still they catch my interest!
Nekropolis, being the city of wonder, presents action-dosed and mystery-boost themed in here, but before I reached half of the book I feel bored since I personally think the actions are somewhat lacking adrenaline. the fights Matthew and Devona encounter are ordinary, yes they are good and no they are not that good.
nevertheless, I enjoy the story and looking forward to the second book of the series!
p. s. this series deserve a whole new level of fancy covers than what they have now. these covers don't do them justice.
there's a lot of strange, bizarre, but still intriguing creatures that we are going to find here. to me, goldang, it's like another Christmas present unwrapping and dancing itself. I develop the fondness of learning and knowing extraordinary creatures nowadays--wait no, since I read A Conspiracy of Stars actually. thank you, Tim, for creating such creatures for me!
besides the variety of creatures, I, somewhat enjoy the world building so so so much. it is real atmospheric for me, and I don't have much problems in imagining them from Mr. Waggoner's explanation. it feels real to me. Nekropolis may not be a safe place, but damn it can put Las Vegas to shame, lol.
Lazlo and his somewhat living cab, and not to forget Shrike and his curse words (LOL! I wish you can meet Shrike already and amused him to the point of he curses and see what happens!); they are my favourite characters even though well they have not had a lot of appearances in this book. still they catch my interest!
Nekropolis, being the city of wonder, presents action-dosed and mystery-boost themed in here, but before I reached half of the book I feel bored since I personally think the actions are somewhat lacking adrenaline. the fights Matthew and Devona encounter are ordinary, yes they are good and no they are not that good.
nevertheless, I enjoy the story and looking forward to the second book of the series!
p. s. this series deserve a whole new level of fancy covers than what they have now. these covers don't do them justice.
August 1, 2025
I'm a big fan of Dan Shamble, Zombie PI series so this new to me series sounded pretty cool. Obviously, this is different but it was still great. This more reminds me of Dan Shamble meets Eric Carter which really worked for me. I'll definitely be checking out the rest of the series.
October 29, 2016
Time taken to read - 2 days
Pages - 401
Publisher - Angry Robot
Blurb from Goodreads
MATT RICHTER MAY BE DEAD, BUT HE'LL STILL CRACK THIS CASE.
Meet Matt Richter. Private Eye. Zombie. His mean streets are the city of the dead, the shadowy realm known as Nekropolis.
This place has always been ruled by the vampire overlords.
Now they're plotting to destroy the city.
... over his dead body.
More pulp than Pulp Fiction, more butt-kicking than Buffy, Nekropolis is the first in a deathly new series.
My Review
An alternate dimension ruled by vampire overlords in order to escape any punishment by humans. Ruled by vampires, inhabited by many mystical creatures, werewolves with a difference, vampires, hybrid creatures such as a piranha type dogs and many more. PI Matthew Richter used to be a cop back on earth, now he is a PI zombie, a zombie with free will and a conscience, an all round good guy. When a vampire Lord's daughter, Devona, hires him to reclaim a stolen powerful artifact the two come together and face many dangers. Devona can't tell her father, her blood brother may be involved, Mike is trying to keep his body from falling apart whilst keeping the foes from killing them before they can get the job done!
I didn't think I was going to like this story, I don't mind one or two creatures in my story but when there are so many different ones and you don't get a how they came to be that irritates me. Anyways, a whole new world for the unnaturals, Mike is a go to kind of guy who helps out everyone on Nekropolis and doesn't seem to have a bad bone in his undead body. Devona and him soon build up a mutual attraction whilst investigating who would want the Dawnstone and why. With much at risk, the investigation turns deadly and time is running out.
I liked we eventually get Mike's back story, I like his character he is such a nice guy and has made many friends in Nekropolis whereas normally with detectives they are a bit dodgy. Devona was a harder character to like, it was as if Waggoner couldn't make up his mind to make her a hardcore strong female character or a shrinking violet which she flipped between pending the situation. It was a good introduction to that world and the characters, I would definitely read more of this series, 3/5 for me this time.
Pages - 401
Publisher - Angry Robot
Blurb from Goodreads
MATT RICHTER MAY BE DEAD, BUT HE'LL STILL CRACK THIS CASE.
Meet Matt Richter. Private Eye. Zombie. His mean streets are the city of the dead, the shadowy realm known as Nekropolis.
This place has always been ruled by the vampire overlords.
Now they're plotting to destroy the city.
... over his dead body.
More pulp than Pulp Fiction, more butt-kicking than Buffy, Nekropolis is the first in a deathly new series.
My Review
An alternate dimension ruled by vampire overlords in order to escape any punishment by humans. Ruled by vampires, inhabited by many mystical creatures, werewolves with a difference, vampires, hybrid creatures such as a piranha type dogs and many more. PI Matthew Richter used to be a cop back on earth, now he is a PI zombie, a zombie with free will and a conscience, an all round good guy. When a vampire Lord's daughter, Devona, hires him to reclaim a stolen powerful artifact the two come together and face many dangers. Devona can't tell her father, her blood brother may be involved, Mike is trying to keep his body from falling apart whilst keeping the foes from killing them before they can get the job done!
I didn't think I was going to like this story, I don't mind one or two creatures in my story but when there are so many different ones and you don't get a how they came to be that irritates me. Anyways, a whole new world for the unnaturals, Mike is a go to kind of guy who helps out everyone on Nekropolis and doesn't seem to have a bad bone in his undead body. Devona and him soon build up a mutual attraction whilst investigating who would want the Dawnstone and why. With much at risk, the investigation turns deadly and time is running out.
I liked we eventually get Mike's back story, I like his character he is such a nice guy and has made many friends in Nekropolis whereas normally with detectives they are a bit dodgy. Devona was a harder character to like, it was as if Waggoner couldn't make up his mind to make her a hardcore strong female character or a shrinking violet which she flipped between pending the situation. It was a good introduction to that world and the characters, I would definitely read more of this series, 3/5 for me this time.
March 18, 2012
The first Matt Richter's -- zombie private investigator at Nekropolis, an otherworldly city, populated with the Darkfolks -- is quite enjoyable. Matt is the only zombie without a master, he's was a cop back on Earth, when he was alive. Nowadays, in Nekropolis, he does favors from time to time. When Davona Kanti, a half-Bloodborn's daughter of Lord Glam (one of the five Lords that rule five regions of Nekropolis) asks for his help to get back a missing Collection, called the Dawnstone, Matt figures it will be a job that can help him to save his "life" ...
The story only covers the span of two days but there are A LOT of things going on. I admit, it starts a bit slow for me. I keep putting down my Kindle, and get distracted with other short stories. But somehow, I get back to it, because I wonder what will happen to the very likeable zombie detective.
Yep, Matt is very likeable protagonist. Very, very nice. He doesn't have that sarcastic tone or hard-boiled sinister that sometimes appear in noir-detective stories. While it also makes him a bit dull at times, but because of that characteristic, Matt seems to gain a lot of friends to help him. Which of course, works for his business, since he sure needs help every now and then (my favorite 'friend' of Matt, will be Lazlo the crazy demon/cab driver).
The romance is, well, not inspiring. I don't believe much on their supposed-to-be love after only two days. Maybe it will get better in the next book? Apart from that, the story is quite easy to follow. It is not overflown with technical jargons that I commonly find in this genre. There's still quite a link to present Earth to the story, somehow. So I guess I will be tuning to Matt Richter's next adventure.
The story only covers the span of two days but there are A LOT of things going on. I admit, it starts a bit slow for me. I keep putting down my Kindle, and get distracted with other short stories. But somehow, I get back to it, because I wonder what will happen to the very likeable zombie detective.
Yep, Matt is very likeable protagonist. Very, very nice. He doesn't have that sarcastic tone or hard-boiled sinister that sometimes appear in noir-detective stories. While it also makes him a bit dull at times, but because of that characteristic, Matt seems to gain a lot of friends to help him. Which of course, works for his business, since he sure needs help every now and then (my favorite 'friend' of Matt, will be Lazlo the crazy demon/cab driver).
The romance is, well, not inspiring. I don't believe much on their supposed-to-be love after only two days. Maybe it will get better in the next book? Apart from that, the story is quite easy to follow. It is not overflown with technical jargons that I commonly find in this genre. There's still quite a link to present Earth to the story, somehow. So I guess I will be tuning to Matt Richter's next adventure.
November 27, 2016
Wow, author Tim Waggoner certainly pulled out all the stops in Nekropolis, the debut novel in the Matt Richter series. Not only does he introduce the title character - a down and out private detective who also happens to be a zombie - but he sets his story in a bizarre city in an alternate dimension that's literally teeming with ghosts, ghouls and every other kind of monster imaginable.
Ostensibly this story is about Richter's latest case, recovering a stolen artifact for the daughter of a powerful vampire lord. That almost seems like a minor detail in this guided tour of Nekropolis. Waggoner quickly gives readers the lay of the land, introducing the monster city's power players, common lowlifes and every manner of creature in between. It's a fascinating place to behold, and is obviously the work of some major role-playing and world-building. It helps that the main character is a guy you can't help but like. Richter has a Harry Dresden vibe, if, you know, Dresden was literally falling apart after each fight.
The book is wall to wall monsters, fights, chase scenes, sharp dialogue and amazingly vivid imagery. I didn't love the romantic elements, and there was a sense that Waggoner revealed a bit too much about the workings of Nekropolis in this initial volume, but for the most part this was a fun ride and a great introduction to a series I'll definitely be coming back to.
Ostensibly this story is about Richter's latest case, recovering a stolen artifact for the daughter of a powerful vampire lord. That almost seems like a minor detail in this guided tour of Nekropolis. Waggoner quickly gives readers the lay of the land, introducing the monster city's power players, common lowlifes and every manner of creature in between. It's a fascinating place to behold, and is obviously the work of some major role-playing and world-building. It helps that the main character is a guy you can't help but like. Richter has a Harry Dresden vibe, if, you know, Dresden was literally falling apart after each fight.
The book is wall to wall monsters, fights, chase scenes, sharp dialogue and amazingly vivid imagery. I didn't love the romantic elements, and there was a sense that Waggoner revealed a bit too much about the workings of Nekropolis in this initial volume, but for the most part this was a fun ride and a great introduction to a series I'll definitely be coming back to.
July 25, 2011
3 1/2 stars
Pulp, hard-boiled detective, horror genre wrapped up in one, not-always-so-neatly written yet entertaining novel.
This has the flavor of many of the older pulp novels put out in the 1950's which featured a hard-boiled detective getting mixed up with a femme fatale who would drag him to hell and back before the case is solved. These novels tended to have some awkward writing, as did this one, (maybe done on purpose in this case?). The characters in this novel were likable in spite of and because of their imperfections. Most of the other background characters were little more than mere vehicles to help the main characters get from one scene to another, though enough 'character' was given to each to make them feel like different characters.
The world-building was well-done and very interesting, causing me to want to continue reading just to find out how the writer was going to paint the next scene for us.
The only issue I had was, at times the writing felt rough....and there was a theme which kept getting repeated and repeated so often that it became annoying.
Even so, I'm glad I continued reading as the ending was satisfactory and I enjoyed the relationship that grew between the two main characters.
Pulp, hard-boiled detective, horror genre wrapped up in one, not-always-so-neatly written yet entertaining novel.
This has the flavor of many of the older pulp novels put out in the 1950's which featured a hard-boiled detective getting mixed up with a femme fatale who would drag him to hell and back before the case is solved. These novels tended to have some awkward writing, as did this one, (maybe done on purpose in this case?). The characters in this novel were likable in spite of and because of their imperfections. Most of the other background characters were little more than mere vehicles to help the main characters get from one scene to another, though enough 'character' was given to each to make them feel like different characters.
The world-building was well-done and very interesting, causing me to want to continue reading just to find out how the writer was going to paint the next scene for us.
The only issue I had was, at times the writing felt rough....and there was a theme which kept getting repeated and repeated so often that it became annoying.
Even so, I'm glad I continued reading as the ending was satisfactory and I enjoyed the relationship that grew between the two main characters.
February 1, 2011
This truly is an original story. It was very well executed with the dark humour and the horror mingling perfectly. I have only two gripes with the story:
1. It needed better editing. In some places there are often sentences where a word is missing or it is repeated twice and there are some fairly obvious spelling errors. Example: something is named the 'Plain' and a few lines later it is referred to as the 'Plan'.
2. Too much exposition from the antagonists. Some of them, the ones that are clearly the bad guys, just seem to tell the hero every minute detail of their nefarious plans every time they meet him. I cann this the 'James Bond cop out' where, rather than putting some effort in to reveal things slowly, the author gets their baddy to spill the beans in one big dialogue splurge.
Despite this, I am looking forward to reading our zombie hero's next adventures.
1. It needed better editing. In some places there are often sentences where a word is missing or it is repeated twice and there are some fairly obvious spelling errors. Example: something is named the 'Plain' and a few lines later it is referred to as the 'Plan'.
2. Too much exposition from the antagonists. Some of them, the ones that are clearly the bad guys, just seem to tell the hero every minute detail of their nefarious plans every time they meet him. I cann this the 'James Bond cop out' where, rather than putting some effort in to reveal things slowly, the author gets their baddy to spill the beans in one big dialogue splurge.
Despite this, I am looking forward to reading our zombie hero's next adventures.
July 26, 2011
I found this book purely by fluke and decided to give it a shot. Despite Waggoner being a creative writing instructor and not understanding the concept of a run on sentence, (which he does a LOT, just look at the first sentence of the book) it's a good read. His world is rich, complex, and beautiful. I love monsters. I mean LOVE monsters. And this world has a LOT of them, and they are well thought out and described with just the right amount of detail. The love story is a bit weak though, with the characters slowly building, and then suddenly falling in love in a flash. Personally, I would have liked to see more development in that department. That said, the ending was a heartwarmer as far as romances go.
A good read, I recommend finding this book if you like the Paranormal genre.
A good read, I recommend finding this book if you like the Paranormal genre.
July 28, 2011
Wow, did I read the same book as these other reviewers? I gave up on this novel halfway through. The concept of Nekropolis is interesting but the novel is dry reading and bloated with world-building details that lose focus on the main story. Not to mention, Devona's naivite is not believable in a world comprised entirely by horror creatures. My copy of the book features a different cover than this one, PI Matt Richter as a zombie in a fedora. I'm guessing they changed spelling of the title in the reprint. I really wanted to like this novel when I purchased it and I'm stunned by how many 5-star reviews I see here.
February 9, 2014
Y'know, it's not the most deftly written book I've come across, but every page of this novel is consistently enjoyable. It's funny and inventive, the characters and their relationship is easy to buy into, and the pacing is generally pretty good.
I found the first ten pages or so mildly slow, but that was perhaps due to the world-building that had to be done. I also thought some of the plot developments were a bit too pat, but overall, this was quite a fun book, and I think I'd be perfectly willing to read more from this author.
This is being touted as the first book in a series, so it might be the start of something worth getting into.
I found the first ten pages or so mildly slow, but that was perhaps due to the world-building that had to be done. I also thought some of the plot developments were a bit too pat, but overall, this was quite a fun book, and I think I'd be perfectly willing to read more from this author.
This is being touted as the first book in a series, so it might be the start of something worth getting into.
November 17, 2014
This was a hard book for me to rate. On one hand I did enjoy the story. That being said my normal rating would be 5 stars. On the other hand, a few chapters in I felt like Simon R. Green's Nightside
and Kevin J. Anderson's Dan Shamble Zombie P.I. had a baby, and somehow some Dresden files bled in too for good measure. Yes, I know two series came before this and one after but I couldn't help but compare all the similarities. So for lack of originality I would have gone with 2 stars.
I'm compromising with 4 stars I think this series has potential, but I would love to see new and original ideas in the next books.
and Kevin J. Anderson's Dan Shamble Zombie P.I. had a baby, and somehow some Dresden files bled in too for good measure. Yes, I know two series came before this and one after but I couldn't help but compare all the similarities. So for lack of originality I would have gone with 2 stars.
I'm compromising with 4 stars I think this series has potential, but I would love to see new and original ideas in the next books.
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