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The Centaur on the Stairs: The Case of the Four-Legged Client
Buck Hawthorne has an uncanny talent for finding things. So much so, the police along South Carolina’s Grand Strand call him the Wizard of Ocean Boulevard.
A beautiful client appears at Buck’s door in the midst of a tropical storm. Sent by the mother he thought long dead, Meadow wants him to save a twin brother he never knew—and the fate of another world hinges on his success. Delusional ravings? Her four legs and equine lower body lend her tale a certain credibility.
A beautiful client appears at Buck’s door in the midst of a tropical storm. Sent by the mother he thought long dead, Meadow wants him to save a twin brother he never knew—and the fate of another world hinges on his success. Delusional ravings? Her four legs and equine lower body lend her tale a certain credibility.
347 pages, Paperback
First published December 9, 2014
1 person is currently reading
452 people want to read
About the author
Steve Vassey
23 books15 followersFantasy and science fiction with a Southern twist.
Steve Vassey is the author of the Buck Hawthorne mystery/fantasy series, as well as other fantasy/sci-fi novels and children’s stories. He served multiple terms as president of the South Carolina Writers Workshop, and as editor for the organization’s annual anthology. Retired from careers in environmental science and information technology, he currently lives with his wife and an oversized lapdog in Cayce, SC.
Steve Vassey is the author of the Buck Hawthorne mystery/fantasy series, as well as other fantasy/sci-fi novels and children’s stories. He served multiple terms as president of the South Carolina Writers Workshop, and as editor for the organization’s annual anthology. Retired from careers in environmental science and information technology, he currently lives with his wife and an oversized lapdog in Cayce, SC.
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
July 26, 2015
Non-fantasy reader? Pause here.
Buck Hawthorne is a modern, private investigator with some weird shaped "family skeletons" in his own closet...
Buck has a twin brother, (Skip) who has been shoved through a portal from another world - having absconded with a powerful, magic-wielding object.
Alexander, a real bad "A," wants that object - a treasured talisman- and is in pursuit.
Skip WANTS to get back home. Lost & confused, he NEEDS to locate Buck.
The characters! Oh, my!
There is a crossbow wielding, coarse, but dedicated dwarf. (Iggy)
Hummer is a green clad, 12" fay with wings. She is armed with a supply of needle like barbs which can be used to numb enemies. She is also willing to numb anyone ELSE that gets in her way! That fay has ATTITUDE!
Meadow is a female centaur; pretty, and, - yep- breasts. (distracting ones)
The author writes with such clarity that I did not need to learn to "speak Klingon" to follow the story.
There is warring, unique weapons and action. There is also family, loyalty and bravery.
Most of this lively adventure takes place beyond that dang portal - so this spellbound reader never knew what would, or even could, happen next. Should I mention a hungry dragon?
Centaur is NOT a sloppily thrown together 240 page fantasy.It is a well crafted 341 pages of multi-layered adventures and characters you will surely love.
I would say that "Centaur on the Stairs" will spoil you from ever reading another fantasy, but there is another Buck Hawthorne title available now: "Kindred Spirits: The Case of the Incarnate Creator," also by Steve Vassey.
Buck Hawthorne is a modern, private investigator with some weird shaped "family skeletons" in his own closet...
Buck has a twin brother, (Skip) who has been shoved through a portal from another world - having absconded with a powerful, magic-wielding object.
Alexander, a real bad "A," wants that object - a treasured talisman- and is in pursuit.
Skip WANTS to get back home. Lost & confused, he NEEDS to locate Buck.
The characters! Oh, my!
There is a crossbow wielding, coarse, but dedicated dwarf. (Iggy)
Hummer is a green clad, 12" fay with wings. She is armed with a supply of needle like barbs which can be used to numb enemies. She is also willing to numb anyone ELSE that gets in her way! That fay has ATTITUDE!
Meadow is a female centaur; pretty, and, - yep- breasts. (distracting ones)
The author writes with such clarity that I did not need to learn to "speak Klingon" to follow the story.
There is warring, unique weapons and action. There is also family, loyalty and bravery.
Most of this lively adventure takes place beyond that dang portal - so this spellbound reader never knew what would, or even could, happen next. Should I mention a hungry dragon?
Centaur is NOT a sloppily thrown together 240 page fantasy.It is a well crafted 341 pages of multi-layered adventures and characters you will surely love.
I would say that "Centaur on the Stairs" will spoil you from ever reading another fantasy, but there is another Buck Hawthorne title available now: "Kindred Spirits: The Case of the Incarnate Creator," also by Steve Vassey.
June 24, 2015
For lovers of Tolkien fantasies and detective tales alike, Vassey's debut novel excites the senses and captures attention from the start. With a groundbreaking premise and creative, captivating world-building, Buck Hawthorne's story takes readers along on a roller coaster of a ride between two parallel worlds. The Douglas Adams-like wit that fills the entirety of the novel brings a definitive uniqueness to the telling of the tale, which contains brilliant twists and characters that seem as if they could come to life right off the page. Vassey combines two vastly different worlds expertly, as if he has lived in them both, then conveys their condition through the eyes of immensely dimensional characters. Action, romance, magic, and fantasy abound in the pages of the novel from the very start. The Centaur on the Stairs: The Case of the Four-Legged Client was a wonderful whirlwind of a tale that I read in one sitting, absorbed in unlikely hero Buck Hawthorne's story from the start. The sequel cannot come soon enough.
January 9, 2019
An Easy Read for a Wider Audience
In most fantasy tales of discovery, a human from today’s earth is thrown into a new world, often filled of magic. In The Centaur, as well, Buck Hawthorne learns early about the novel’s magic world. However, Vassey puts a spin on the formula by throwing members of that parallel magical world into our own America to acquaint the protagonist with lifestyles and abilities of races, including elves, wizards, and centaurs, just to name a few.
Rather than throw all this information at the reader through exposition, Vassey presents most of it through dialogue. Readers, then, learn of the new world more gradually than in most fantasy tales. This is a plus for those who tend to be overwhelmed by epic fantasies like Magician: Apprentice.
Even when Buck becomes fully enveloped by the new world, the protagonist’s sarcasm and wry humor keep the reader down to earth.
Meanwhile, some readers find noirs too grim. As if to remedy this, Vassey cuts the usual dose of violent deaths, drug-abuse, and sexual assault you might find throughout a Daniel Palansky novel. By cutting gore and delaying magic, Vassey finds a middle ground for an extensive audience.
Despite a scene-stealing protagonist reflective in demeanor of Sam Spade, the fantasy feels plot oriented. Oddly, Vassey writes the protagonist in first person and side POV characters in the third person, making for one more way to set his book apart from most. Notwithstanding this unique approach, the highlight of the fantasy book may be key characters’ gradual development and chemistry.
Each character is original in personality, dialect, and/or background. These distinctive characters mesh well together in every scene, often going back-and-forth in dialogue that sounds realistic due to the changing pace and contrasting personalities.
Like any intial book of a series, questions remain unanswered and a few holes remain empty. Consequently, for now, I’m giving The Centaur 4.5 stars. However, once I’ve read the series’ next book, this novel may feel complete, then I’ll go back to this review to bump it up to 5. Either way, I’m excited to read the next novel.
In most fantasy tales of discovery, a human from today’s earth is thrown into a new world, often filled of magic. In The Centaur, as well, Buck Hawthorne learns early about the novel’s magic world. However, Vassey puts a spin on the formula by throwing members of that parallel magical world into our own America to acquaint the protagonist with lifestyles and abilities of races, including elves, wizards, and centaurs, just to name a few.
Rather than throw all this information at the reader through exposition, Vassey presents most of it through dialogue. Readers, then, learn of the new world more gradually than in most fantasy tales. This is a plus for those who tend to be overwhelmed by epic fantasies like Magician: Apprentice.
Even when Buck becomes fully enveloped by the new world, the protagonist’s sarcasm and wry humor keep the reader down to earth.
Meanwhile, some readers find noirs too grim. As if to remedy this, Vassey cuts the usual dose of violent deaths, drug-abuse, and sexual assault you might find throughout a Daniel Palansky novel. By cutting gore and delaying magic, Vassey finds a middle ground for an extensive audience.
Despite a scene-stealing protagonist reflective in demeanor of Sam Spade, the fantasy feels plot oriented. Oddly, Vassey writes the protagonist in first person and side POV characters in the third person, making for one more way to set his book apart from most. Notwithstanding this unique approach, the highlight of the fantasy book may be key characters’ gradual development and chemistry.
Each character is original in personality, dialect, and/or background. These distinctive characters mesh well together in every scene, often going back-and-forth in dialogue that sounds realistic due to the changing pace and contrasting personalities.
Like any intial book of a series, questions remain unanswered and a few holes remain empty. Consequently, for now, I’m giving The Centaur 4.5 stars. However, once I’ve read the series’ next book, this novel may feel complete, then I’ll go back to this review to bump it up to 5. Either way, I’m excited to read the next novel.
August 28, 2017
Steve Vassey is an amazing storyteller. He can create a very captivating world and characters and meld them into something great. I have never read a fantasy about centaurs before. There has always been this intrigue around them in other novels where they were just sprinkled in as part of the story but never really focused on. This offers a new look on them as well as relatable characters and situations with vivid details and descriptions. If you are willing to be adventurous, I would recommend stepping into the world of Buck in The Centaur on the Stairs: The Case of the Four-Legged Client. You won't be disappointed.
September 4, 2015
I won this book in a First Reads giveaway and had little expectations as I read the first page. I was intrigued by the description and the reviews but I was also stepping outside of my comfort zone for reading. I enjoy a good fantasy book but it is not a genre I read often. The Centaur on the Stairs: The Case of the Four-Legged Client, was an extremely pleasant surprise and a reminder that I really should read more indpendently published books.
I truly enjoyed the book, from start to finish, although it didn't grab my attention as strongly early in the book. As the story begun to unfold, I was hooked and really enjoyed the ride. It is definitely one of the more unique books I've read, from the story to the characters. I really enjoyed Vassey's writing and the character development was excellent. Each of the two worlds were vivid and felt like real places. The story and characters were belivable in their settings, fitting well into the narrative crafted by Vassey.
By about mid way through the story, I was hooked. I cared about the story and had to finish it. I was invested in the characters and what would happen to them. Overall, it was an excellent story. One of my favorites in recent years and I'm really looking forward to following the rest of the series. Vassey has created a unique world filled with interesting and unique characters and quite simply, I cannot get enough of it.
Full Disclosure: I received this book in a GoodReads Giveaway contest, for free. Winners are not obligated but are encouraged to write reviews. This is an honest review and was not influenced by the giveaway.
I truly enjoyed the book, from start to finish, although it didn't grab my attention as strongly early in the book. As the story begun to unfold, I was hooked and really enjoyed the ride. It is definitely one of the more unique books I've read, from the story to the characters. I really enjoyed Vassey's writing and the character development was excellent. Each of the two worlds were vivid and felt like real places. The story and characters were belivable in their settings, fitting well into the narrative crafted by Vassey.
By about mid way through the story, I was hooked. I cared about the story and had to finish it. I was invested in the characters and what would happen to them. Overall, it was an excellent story. One of my favorites in recent years and I'm really looking forward to following the rest of the series. Vassey has created a unique world filled with interesting and unique characters and quite simply, I cannot get enough of it.
Full Disclosure: I received this book in a GoodReads Giveaway contest, for free. Winners are not obligated but are encouraged to write reviews. This is an honest review and was not influenced by the giveaway.
December 28, 2023
As a lifelong reader of fantasy, I am picky about new writers and new books. I loved Centaur on the Stairs and could not put it down. Vassey created a wondrous magical parallel universe for human Buck Hawthorne to discover as well as setting Buck’s magical twin brother, Skip, in our everyday world. As Buck struggles to understand the rules of a world of magic, Skip fumbles his way through our world of machines and technology. Following different courses in different worlds, both brothers find themselves struggling against an old family enemy. With a beautiful centaur, a prickly fay (a Barbie doll sized fairy) and an evil magician, the story contains many of the ‘usual’ elements of magic while spinning the reader thru twists and turns one would never expect, including a not-quite-human love triangle. The characters are real and believable. You want to befriend them, get to know them, or, in the case of the bad guys, cheer at their demise.
May 13, 2015
This book was engaging from the first sentence. Its starts out with the classic black-and-white private eye and ends up in a magical world that mirrors ours with the exception of centaurs, dwarfs, fae, and elves. This book would have been considered a B rated book if it wasn't for the superb writing skill. Steve Vassey definitely knows his craft with an emphasis on the excellent plot, imagery, and character development. It is the perfect mix of modern day America and a fairy tale with the hero and everything. If you like mythical creatures, The Chronicles of Narnia, or Tolkien.
April 23, 2015
Great novel! I became spell-bound from the beginning anticipating each moment for Buck and his new friends. The story is captivating and creates an imagery that allows the reader to become part of each scene. The blend of characters keeps the story exciting and interesting. I look forward to Buck's next case!
December 24, 2015
A fun read that does the fantasy genre in the best way (to my taste). Lighthearted and easy going but very descriptive.
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews