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Mennik Thorn #0.5
The Dead Man
The Dead Man takes place about a month before the events of Shadow of a Dead God.
Becoming a mage-for-hire hasn't quite turned out the way Nik Thorn hoped.
Sometimes you just have to take whatever job is on offer, whether it's a missing pet, a curse to break, or tracking down a cheating husband. And sometimes it turns out to be something else altogether.
And if theft, murder, and blackmail aren't enough, there's a high mage involved.
This is not what Nik signed up for.
Meet Nik Thorn for the first time in this prequel to Shadow of a Dead God.
Becoming a mage-for-hire hasn't quite turned out the way Nik Thorn hoped.
Sometimes you just have to take whatever job is on offer, whether it's a missing pet, a curse to break, or tracking down a cheating husband. And sometimes it turns out to be something else altogether.
And if theft, murder, and blackmail aren't enough, there's a high mage involved.
This is not what Nik signed up for.
Meet Nik Thorn for the first time in this prequel to Shadow of a Dead God.
- GenresFantasy
110 pages, Kindle Edition
First published November 18, 2025
26 people want to read
About the author
Patrick Samphire
34 books189 followersPatrick Samphire is the author of the adult fantasy novels SHADOW OF A DEAD GOD, NECTAR FOR THE GOD, STRANGE CARGO, and the forthcoming LEGACY OF A HATED GOD, as well as the middle grade novels SECRETS OF THE DRAGON TOMB and THE EMPEROR OF MARS. He has published around twenty short stories and novellas.
Patrick has been writing stories since he was fourteen years old and thought it would be a good way of avoiding having to sit through English lessons at school. He was absolutely convinced that he would be famous by the time he was eighteen, but sadly, even infamy has eluded him.
He lives in Wales, surrounded by mountains, with his wife, their sons, and their cat.
When he's not writing, he designs websites and ebooks.
He will now stop talking about himself in the third person.
Patrick has been writing stories since he was fourteen years old and thought it would be a good way of avoiding having to sit through English lessons at school. He was absolutely convinced that he would be famous by the time he was eighteen, but sadly, even infamy has eluded him.
He lives in Wales, surrounded by mountains, with his wife, their sons, and their cat.
When he's not writing, he designs websites and ebooks.
He will now stop talking about himself in the third person.
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
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November 18, 2025This is the new prequel novella for the Mennik Thorn series.
It takes place a month or so before the events of Shadow of a Dead God.
The Dead Man is now out in ebook and paperback!
It takes place a month or so before the events of Shadow of a Dead God.
The Dead Man is now out in ebook and paperback!
November 24, 2025
Way too short
November 8, 2025
The Dead Man is a prequel novella for Samphire’s Mennik Thorn mage-for-hire series and ably introduces the main character, Mennik, along with his best friend Benny and Benny’s mysterious daughter Sereh. Various areas of the city are also brought into the story, building a magic-filled world which was easily recognisable from the other books I have read in this series. New readers will find this an excellent introduction to the world of Mennik Thorn.
"Magic plunged through the stone of the building like a needle through cloth. Blue and yellow strands wove into a complex knit, while tendrils reached into the street, like vines trying to grab passers-by and pull them in.”
As usual, Mennik is down on his luck, struggling to make ends meet and gets hired by a distraught woman when her husband has been missing for a few days. He takes on the case, since without it, he is unable to pay his rent. In doing so, he finds himself involved with the seamier underbelly of the town.
Mennik is a lovable character whom I enjoyed spending some more time with. He may be a little rough around the edges, but his heart is in the right place, and he does not shy away from dangerous or difficult tasks when rent is up for grabs or the lives of innocents are at stake.
The Dead Man is a great place to start with this witty and highly enjoyable magical detective series.
I was given an ARC copy of this novella by the author – thank you, Patrick! My review is honest, and my opinions are my own.
"Magic plunged through the stone of the building like a needle through cloth. Blue and yellow strands wove into a complex knit, while tendrils reached into the street, like vines trying to grab passers-by and pull them in.”
As usual, Mennik is down on his luck, struggling to make ends meet and gets hired by a distraught woman when her husband has been missing for a few days. He takes on the case, since without it, he is unable to pay his rent. In doing so, he finds himself involved with the seamier underbelly of the town.
Mennik is a lovable character whom I enjoyed spending some more time with. He may be a little rough around the edges, but his heart is in the right place, and he does not shy away from dangerous or difficult tasks when rent is up for grabs or the lives of innocents are at stake.
The Dead Man is a great place to start with this witty and highly enjoyable magical detective series.
I was given an ARC copy of this novella by the author – thank you, Patrick! My review is honest, and my opinions are my own.
November 18, 2025
Quick note: yes, I am married to the author. However, I fell for his writing even before I fell for him at the f/sf-writing workshop where we first met, and I especially adore this particular series of snarky fantasy mysteries, starring a second-rate mage with a grim sense of humor and a reluctant inability to step away when he sees people in real trouble.
This novella is a standalone prequel adventure, so it will work whether or not you've read the main books in the series. Here, Nik's still telling himself that as the only freelance mage in the bustling city of Agatos, he can certainly make a living while staying safely out of the way of dangerous high mages...ahahaha *sob*.
Well.
When he takes on what seems to be a perfectly simple case, it drags him into something really dangerous - and I loved every step of the magical adventure. I 100% recommend picking this up for a fun escape (and then reading all the books in the main series when you're finished)! :)
This novella is a standalone prequel adventure, so it will work whether or not you've read the main books in the series. Here, Nik's still telling himself that as the only freelance mage in the bustling city of Agatos, he can certainly make a living while staying safely out of the way of dangerous high mages...ahahaha *sob*.
Well.
When he takes on what seems to be a perfectly simple case, it drags him into something really dangerous - and I loved every step of the magical adventure. I 100% recommend picking this up for a fun escape (and then reading all the books in the main series when you're finished)! :)
October 25, 2025
I have thoroughly enjoyed Patricks's Mennik Thorn series in the past, and it was fun diving back into his chaotic, messy world once again.
This novella covers events before the primary series, so for readers who haven't read it yet, it would serve as a good entry point. While the plot is lighter than the full-length books, it works just as well as a standalone read.
As with his other books, the author's writing is in equal parts funny and gritty. The humor is well-woven into Mennik's rambling monologue and the nicely presented action sequences, which complement the bleak, chaotic cultural landscape of Agatos really well.
Full review in my blog
This novella covers events before the primary series, so for readers who haven't read it yet, it would serve as a good entry point. While the plot is lighter than the full-length books, it works just as well as a standalone read.
As with his other books, the author's writing is in equal parts funny and gritty. The humor is well-woven into Mennik's rambling monologue and the nicely presented action sequences, which complement the bleak, chaotic cultural landscape of Agatos really well.
Full review in my blog
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November 21, 2025RTC 25/11
November 22, 2025
wonderful to be back with Mennick Thorne! lots of action, bit of heart and some magic; what more could you want from urban fantasy?
December 5, 2025
Very good (Longer review incoming)
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews