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Thieftaker Chronicles #4
Dead Man's Reach
Boston, 1770. The city is a powder keg as tensions between would-be rebels and loyalist Tories approach a breaking point. One man is willing to light the match to ensure that he has his revenge.
The presence of the British Regulars has made thieftaking a hard business to be in. Ethan Kaille has to resort to taking jobs that he would otherwise pass up, namely protecting the shops of Tories from Patriot mobs. When one British loyalist takes things too far and accidentally kills a young boy, even Ethan reconsiders his line of work. Even more troubling is the fact that instances of violence in the city are increasing, and Ethan often finds himself at the center of the trouble.
Ethan discovers that some enemies don't stay buried… and will stop at nothing to ruin Ethan's life. Even if that means risking the lives of everyone in Boston, including the people that Ethan loves most.
The presence of the British Regulars has made thieftaking a hard business to be in. Ethan Kaille has to resort to taking jobs that he would otherwise pass up, namely protecting the shops of Tories from Patriot mobs. When one British loyalist takes things too far and accidentally kills a young boy, even Ethan reconsiders his line of work. Even more troubling is the fact that instances of violence in the city are increasing, and Ethan often finds himself at the center of the trouble.
Ethan discovers that some enemies don't stay buried… and will stop at nothing to ruin Ethan's life. Even if that means risking the lives of everyone in Boston, including the people that Ethan loves most.
368 pages, Kindle Edition
First published July 21, 2015
About the author
D.B. Jackson
26 books301 followers
D.B. Jackson has been writing fantasy and science fiction under a different pen name for over fifteen years. He has published novels, short stories, and media tie-ins in more than a dozen languages. He also has a Ph.D. in American History, and now, for the first time in his career, he is combining his love of fantasy with his passion for history. His first historical fantasy series, The Thieftaker Chronicles, includes Thieftaker, Thieves' Quarry, A Plunder of Souls (to be released in July 2014), and Dead Man's Reach (due out in 2015). The Thieftaker novels, which combine elements of fantasy, mystery, and historical fiction, are published by Tor Books. He is also at work on a new contemporary urban fantasy series, The Weremyste Cycle (written under the name David B. Coe), which will be published by Baen books. The first book, Spell Blind, will be out in January 2015.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 74 reviews
January 22, 2020
1770, Pre-Revolutionary Boston. Thieftaker and conjurer Ethan Kaille has sufficiently recovered from the events of the last book, (A Plunder of Souls) and has tried to resume his career of investigating crimes and catching criminals. However, times are tough with the British occupation of the city so he resorts to working as a sort of security service to the unpopular citizens, notably those Tory merchants that continue to trade with England. These are contentious times in Boston and mob rule is more often the rule than not. But when individuals suddenly turn violent whenever Ethan is nearby, he comes to suspect foul magic is at play. Somehow, a powerful conjurer seems to be able to cast spells from a distance, using Ethan’s own power without his knowing it, and setting him up as the instigator of the violence. Worse, this has all the hallmarks of Captain Ramsey, a powerful enemy from his past that Ethan thought dead and gone.
This final novel in the 4-volume “Thieftaker” series was every bit as good as the rest. No doubt the combination of some of my favorite genres (historical fiction, fantasy, and whodunnit mysteries) contribute to my appreciation but beyond that, these are simply good ol’ fashioned adventures. This final volume depicts greater-than-ever stakes for Ethan and his friends and the danger hits home this time around causing Ethan to rethink his chosen profession. The fantasy aspects of the novel (conjurers battling it out in a world that doesn’t know about them and is wary of witches) combine with the real history of Boston in 1770, culminating in the Boston Massacre on March 5th. Who knew this tragic event was actually caused by magical misadventure?
The story arc over all four volumes wraps up with this one in a very satisfying way. I wish there were more in the series (and the author does leave a small window open should he chose to write more) but it appears that at this time the series is complete. I must be content with several short stories that I have yet to read and which accompany the main series. That, and of course, other works to explore by DB Jackson (David B. Coe).
This final novel in the 4-volume “Thieftaker” series was every bit as good as the rest. No doubt the combination of some of my favorite genres (historical fiction, fantasy, and whodunnit mysteries) contribute to my appreciation but beyond that, these are simply good ol’ fashioned adventures. This final volume depicts greater-than-ever stakes for Ethan and his friends and the danger hits home this time around causing Ethan to rethink his chosen profession. The fantasy aspects of the novel (conjurers battling it out in a world that doesn’t know about them and is wary of witches) combine with the real history of Boston in 1770, culminating in the Boston Massacre on March 5th. Who knew this tragic event was actually caused by magical misadventure?
The story arc over all four volumes wraps up with this one in a very satisfying way. I wish there were more in the series (and the author does leave a small window open should he chose to write more) but it appears that at this time the series is complete. I must be content with several short stories that I have yet to read and which accompany the main series. That, and of course, other works to explore by DB Jackson (David B. Coe).
August 30, 2015
3.5 to 4 stars
Interesting mash-up of fantasy with the events leading up to the Boston Massacre in 1770. I had hoped the title didn't dredge up a previous villain, but I was doomed to that small disappointment.
Interesting mash-up of fantasy with the events leading up to the Boston Massacre in 1770. I had hoped the title didn't dredge up a previous villain, but I was doomed to that small disappointment.
December 12, 2017
The British troops garrisoned in Boston grow bored and tired and the Colonials, dissatisfied with their presence, toss barbs and snowballs. It's a situation that is destined to worsen. All it takes is a little push, and it appears that an unknown conjurer is more than willing to provide it. Spells that overtake a man's will, leaving them moved to violence, are happening wherever Kaille goes.
And then Ethan realizes it's his fault. His magic that is being used without his permission. Seems the mortals of Boston aren't the only ones being spell worked.
I admit to thinking Ethan's initial suspicion regarding the man at fault to be a red herring but no, an old nemesis returns. The ending marks a shift in Ethan's life. Wonder where the series will go from here?
And then Ethan realizes it's his fault. His magic that is being used without his permission. Seems the mortals of Boston aren't the only ones being spell worked.
I admit to thinking Ethan's initial suspicion regarding the man at fault to be a red herring but no, an old nemesis returns. The ending marks a shift in Ethan's life. Wonder where the series will go from here?
May 31, 2017
Some books can just take you away from the world, and this series is one of them. At every page in all four of these works of art, I imagined myself in Kaille's shoes. Now, I concede, books are intended to incite this feeling, but this was more than that. It's one of those ones I'll read again and again, smiling from the beginning to the end. The writing style was perfect. The storytelling was far from boring. The history was not only accurate, but magic and thieftaking just FIT. This series is like a perfectly wrapped package. Read it. DO IT.
January 6, 2025
The best in the series! Really brought all of the characters together well and brought back an antagonist to finish that story line for a great finale to the series
August 1, 2015
Dead Man's Reach (fourth book in the Thieftaker series) picks up some months after the previous book, Ethan Kaile is still feeling unsettled about his confrontation with Nate Ramsey and certain that the malevolent conjurer is still alive somewhere, plotting his vengeance. Meanwhile, the British occupation of Boston hasn't gone at all well, the soldiers are disliked and unhappy (and an embarrassing source of a rise in petty crime), the citizenry feels put upon and Samuel Adams is in his element organizing protests and harassing those merchants complying with the "intolerable acts". For his part, Kaile's exposure to the occupation has caused his Tory sentiments to fade but work is short so he finds himself acting as a guard for one of the compliant merchants. Things begin to spiral out of control when Ethan feels a spell being cast that causes a man to go berserk, but can't find any traces of a conjurer behind the spell.
I checked this book out from the library 4-6 months ago and it sat on my shelf and sat and sat and sat. Why? Well, the previous book (Plunder of Souls) was a disappointment, and I dithered back and forth about whether I wanted to continue with the series. Don't get me wrong, the first two Thieftaker books were pretty great with a well-researched pre-Revolutionary War Boston, a cast of interesting and authentic-feeling (to the era) characters and a suitable (if not terribly innovative) magic system. However, book 3 had a lot of sequelitis problems, particularly repetitive plot elements and an over-powered villain who toys with the protagonist for no good reason. Fortunately, Dead Man's Reach is a much better book. Partly, this is thanks to its setting, as it takes place during the events leading up to (and including) the infamous Boston Massacre, and as in the previous books, it provides an interesting ground-level view of the tensions. Partly, it's because our protagonist actually develops as a person in this installment, whereas in book 3 he kept dithering. Partly, it's because Jackson had the good sense to conclude the lingering plot elements from the previous book. Mostly, it's just because the book tells a complete and interesting story with escalating stakes (both personal and political) though sadly there's never much mystery as to who's responsible for the foul deeds afoot. Also, I'm slightly disappointed that Ethan's parson friend doesn't show up at all (or is even mentioned, which is weird) in this book as he was an atypical character for a book like this (a likable religious figure in a book about magic users in colonial era New England? UNHEARD OF).
I checked this book out from the library 4-6 months ago and it sat on my shelf and sat and sat and sat. Why? Well, the previous book (Plunder of Souls) was a disappointment, and I dithered back and forth about whether I wanted to continue with the series. Don't get me wrong, the first two Thieftaker books were pretty great with a well-researched pre-Revolutionary War Boston, a cast of interesting and authentic-feeling (to the era) characters and a suitable (if not terribly innovative) magic system. However, book 3 had a lot of sequelitis problems, particularly repetitive plot elements and an over-powered villain who toys with the protagonist for no good reason. Fortunately, Dead Man's Reach is a much better book. Partly, this is thanks to its setting, as it takes place during the events leading up to (and including) the infamous Boston Massacre, and as in the previous books, it provides an interesting ground-level view of the tensions. Partly, it's because our protagonist actually develops as a person in this installment, whereas in book 3 he kept dithering. Partly, it's because Jackson had the good sense to conclude the lingering plot elements from the previous book. Mostly, it's just because the book tells a complete and interesting story with escalating stakes (both personal and political) though sadly there's never much mystery as to who's responsible for the foul deeds afoot. Also, I'm slightly disappointed that Ethan's parson friend doesn't show up at all (or is even mentioned, which is weird) in this book as he was an atypical character for a book like this (a likable religious figure in a book about magic users in colonial era New England? UNHEARD OF).
September 2, 2015
3.5/5
Satisfying...mostly.
Too many battles, too many explanations of exactly what he's doing magically. Still, Ethan's interactions with his best friends and his lover and even his enemies (except one) are pretty great.
Satisfying...mostly.
Too many battles, too many explanations of exactly what he's doing magically. Still, Ethan's interactions with his best friends and his lover and even his enemies (except one) are pretty great.
May 21, 2015
An excellent read. Seemed like the author was tying up loose ends to wrap up the series but he also left some wiggle room in order to go back and continue the series.
August 26, 2026
I continued with “Thieftaker”, and now we’re here at “Dead Man’s Reach”, where it covers a historical event I’ve actually heard of. Which for whatever reason, I thought took place two years later? I don’t know why I thought that…
So! It’s Boston, in a particularly harsh winter of the year 1770. It’s hard to find decent work as a thieftaker, so Ethan’s been taking guard jobs. Things are tense in Boston! With discontent over the actions of the British Empire, the people are rowdy, so the British authorities have posted more soldiers in the city. Surprisingly, this has not cooled the situation down any! And with riots in the streets by groups like the Sons of Liberty have started targeting Loyalist businesses. Ethan’s become disillusioned with the British Empire, but he needs work so he’s started guarding Loyalist shops and warehouses to make some coin.
And then someone starts using magic to raise tensions even HIGHER between the Sons of Liberty and Loyalists. Ethan strongly suspects that his old enemy, Nate Ramsey, has returned after their last clash (the previous book), but using magic in a way that neither he nor his allies have ever seen before.
So I was pretty sure Nate Ramsay was dead? Then again, so were a lot of characters in the book, so I suppose it wasn’t unreasonable for me to think that.
Anyhow, this book feels like a sort of finale. It’s not the end of the series, per se–there are a couple more novellas, and I don’t know if Jackson is planning on writing more of them. It ends with things wrapped up mostly fairly neat, which is kind of nice? Though we also know that the Revolution is right around the corner, so I’m left wondering precisely what Ethan is doing during that. ‘Cause, uh… Boston isn’t exactly safe from the war.
I appreciate, especially after visiting the Museum of the American Revolution, that the Sons of Liberty, and the general rebellion, are not presented as always heroic. Yeah, British oppression is bad and all, but there are a ton of things done in the name of revolting against them that are pretty sketch. Ethan is uncomfortable working for Loyalists, yet he also recognizes that people should be able to live in peace even if he thinks their politics are scummy–though he draws a line when one advocates for violence against the mobs, because that’s not going to help.
Also–John Adams?? Briefly appears??? And the description we get is not precisely a flattering one, at least of how he looks–even if he acts fair enough. It makes sense that he would finally show up, considering that Samuel Adams is a recurring character in the series.
There’s also a lot of detail about the events depicted in the novel. The Author’s Note even mentions that the blizzard in the story is part of the historical record.
I kind of wish that the story extended beyond Boston, or did a lot more heavy worldbuilding, and now that it’s mostly wrapped up, I don’t think we’ll get that. It’s cool to have a historical fantasy that’s so closely-aligned with historical events, and isn’t so much an epic as a personal story about a guy struggling against other conjurors. That’s really neat! He’s able to dig into the details of things that a story like “Traitor to the Crown” can’t because it’s covering the big events! Still, I can’t help but wondering, “Okay, but what happens after this? Because we have a massive set of historical events coming up and I don’t believe Ethan’s sitting on the sidelines.” And at this point I don’t think we’re getting that.
So! It’s Boston, in a particularly harsh winter of the year 1770. It’s hard to find decent work as a thieftaker, so Ethan’s been taking guard jobs. Things are tense in Boston! With discontent over the actions of the British Empire, the people are rowdy, so the British authorities have posted more soldiers in the city. Surprisingly, this has not cooled the situation down any! And with riots in the streets by groups like the Sons of Liberty have started targeting Loyalist businesses. Ethan’s become disillusioned with the British Empire, but he needs work so he’s started guarding Loyalist shops and warehouses to make some coin.
And then someone starts using magic to raise tensions even HIGHER between the Sons of Liberty and Loyalists. Ethan strongly suspects that his old enemy, Nate Ramsey, has returned after their last clash (the previous book), but using magic in a way that neither he nor his allies have ever seen before.
So I was pretty sure Nate Ramsay was dead? Then again, so were a lot of characters in the book, so I suppose it wasn’t unreasonable for me to think that.
Anyhow, this book feels like a sort of finale. It’s not the end of the series, per se–there are a couple more novellas, and I don’t know if Jackson is planning on writing more of them. It ends with things wrapped up mostly fairly neat, which is kind of nice? Though we also know that the Revolution is right around the corner, so I’m left wondering precisely what Ethan is doing during that. ‘Cause, uh… Boston isn’t exactly safe from the war.
I appreciate, especially after visiting the Museum of the American Revolution, that the Sons of Liberty, and the general rebellion, are not presented as always heroic. Yeah, British oppression is bad and all, but there are a ton of things done in the name of revolting against them that are pretty sketch. Ethan is uncomfortable working for Loyalists, yet he also recognizes that people should be able to live in peace even if he thinks their politics are scummy–though he draws a line when one advocates for violence against the mobs, because that’s not going to help.
Also–John Adams?? Briefly appears??? And the description we get is not precisely a flattering one, at least of how he looks–even if he acts fair enough. It makes sense that he would finally show up, considering that Samuel Adams is a recurring character in the series.
There’s also a lot of detail about the events depicted in the novel. The Author’s Note even mentions that the blizzard in the story is part of the historical record.
I kind of wish that the story extended beyond Boston, or did a lot more heavy worldbuilding, and now that it’s mostly wrapped up, I don’t think we’ll get that. It’s cool to have a historical fantasy that’s so closely-aligned with historical events, and isn’t so much an epic as a personal story about a guy struggling against other conjurors. That’s really neat! He’s able to dig into the details of things that a story like “Traitor to the Crown” can’t because it’s covering the big events! Still, I can’t help but wondering, “Okay, but what happens after this? Because we have a massive set of historical events coming up and I don’t believe Ethan’s sitting on the sidelines.” And at this point I don’t think we’re getting that.
September 1, 2017
While in general I enjoyed this sort-of conclusion to the Thieftaker Chronicles (most arcs from the 4 books are concluded but things are left open enough that we could get another Ethan Kaille adventure if the author and publisher feel so inclined), I did have a few issues with it.
I'd actually be interested in more stories set in this universe but not necessarily centered around Ethan--there are lots of possibilities as the Revolutionary War looms to see what kind of help or mess conjurers can create, and not just in New England.
Speaking of which, this book covers the lead-up to the Boston Massacre in 1770. Tensions between the British soldiers and the citizens of Boston are ratcheting up. Ethan has been taking jobs helping Loyalists protect their businesses since in his mind no one deserves to be beaten by a mob or have their livelihoods stolen by looters, but he is increasingly coming down on the side of Samuel Adams' calls for liberty from the King. Everyone is starting to take sides, even those who would rather stay neutral.
Into this mess appears the work of a mysterious conjurer, one Ethan fears he knows only too well. The conjurer seems to be stealing Ethan's power without his consent to stir up more violence. Ethan vows to track him down and put a stop to it before things get so out of control the powderkeg that is Boston ignites into revolution.
I'm actually not sure how respectful it is to blame the increasing violence in Boston in the early days of 1770 on a conjurer forcing people to get into fights and act in a way they wouldn't have normally. The events described in this book (except those to do with Ethan and his immediate associates, since they are all fictional) did actually happen, including the killings and the fights between civilians and soldiers. I'm not sure it's fair to blame it all on magic when the real people had actual reasons for doing what they did and weren't enticed into mindless violence as if it weren't something they were going to do anyway. As a result, a major plot point in the book made me increasingly uncomfortable the more times it happened.
The pacing in this book is a little slow as the violence escalates and Ethan investigates, fruitlessly for much of the story. Everything he tries ends in failure until the climax is ready to begin. But if you're willing to push through the climax is worth it. And we finally don't have a villain fall for the "you're going to kill me anyway so tell me all the details of your dastardly plan while I figure out how to defeat you!" line. Thanks goodness for small favors.
Overall I appreciated the place we left Ethan and his friends/enemies. As a conclusion to the quartet, it works well.
I'd actually be interested in more stories set in this universe but not necessarily centered around Ethan--there are lots of possibilities as the Revolutionary War looms to see what kind of help or mess conjurers can create, and not just in New England.
Speaking of which, this book covers the lead-up to the Boston Massacre in 1770. Tensions between the British soldiers and the citizens of Boston are ratcheting up. Ethan has been taking jobs helping Loyalists protect their businesses since in his mind no one deserves to be beaten by a mob or have their livelihoods stolen by looters, but he is increasingly coming down on the side of Samuel Adams' calls for liberty from the King. Everyone is starting to take sides, even those who would rather stay neutral.
Into this mess appears the work of a mysterious conjurer, one Ethan fears he knows only too well. The conjurer seems to be stealing Ethan's power without his consent to stir up more violence. Ethan vows to track him down and put a stop to it before things get so out of control the powderkeg that is Boston ignites into revolution.
I'm actually not sure how respectful it is to blame the increasing violence in Boston in the early days of 1770 on a conjurer forcing people to get into fights and act in a way they wouldn't have normally. The events described in this book (except those to do with Ethan and his immediate associates, since they are all fictional) did actually happen, including the killings and the fights between civilians and soldiers. I'm not sure it's fair to blame it all on magic when the real people had actual reasons for doing what they did and weren't enticed into mindless violence as if it weren't something they were going to do anyway. As a result, a major plot point in the book made me increasingly uncomfortable the more times it happened.
The pacing in this book is a little slow as the violence escalates and Ethan investigates, fruitlessly for much of the story. Everything he tries ends in failure until the climax is ready to begin. But if you're willing to push through the climax is worth it. And we finally don't have a villain fall for the "you're going to kill me anyway so tell me all the details of your dastardly plan while I figure out how to defeat you!" line. Thanks goodness for small favors.
Overall I appreciated the place we left Ethan and his friends/enemies. As a conclusion to the quartet, it works well.
July 7, 2015
originally posted at: http://thebookplank.blogspot.com/2015...
And thus we are presented, sadly, with the so far to be last volume in D.B. Jackson's Thieftaker series. If you have been following the review of D.B. Jackson his other books in the series, you know that I am a big fan of his work, as well as the book that he wrote under the name of David B. Coe. Over the last four years, D.B. Jackson has delivered one stunning story of the other with this series, every time stepping up his game more and more. Perhaps the hardest part of each series is writing a satisfying ending, in Dead Man's Reach, D.B. Jackson delivers an outstanding grande finale, but i am still hoping that this isn't the last that we have seen from Ethan Kaille.
In the previous book, Ethan had his work cut out for him, it was a tough job but in the end he managed to defeat the bad guy, but Ethan didn't get out unscathed. And with this D.B. Jackson kicks of the story in Dead Man's Reach, Ethan is still recovering from those events. Not necessarily from the physical injuries. Since the events in A Plunder of Souls, getting jobs as a thieftaker has gotten a lot harder and with a lot of competition in Boston Ethan finds it harder and harder to get the right jobs and of course get some pay, added to this comes that one thieftaker in town, Sephira Pryce still is looking for ways to destroy Ethan well not kill him per se but to get him out of the thieftaking business. As with the other books, in the first scenes in of the story, D.B. Jackson sketches a "normal" situation, well yes Ethan is still a speller, but soon the situation turns more and more towards the supernatural. Ethan, out of desperation has taken a job that he will regret. He has been protecting the stores of several British merchants in Boston. Since there is a lot of friction between factions, mobs have run amok and damaged goods and wares of several of the British merchants. Lately it has really gone to far and during one such an encounter one British soldier takes it to far and shoots a young boy. This only inflames the situation more and more. After this event Ethan receives more and more criticism and considers giving up his job permanently. However, if it were just that easy. Violence is starting to get the upperhand in many of the inhabitants of Boston and there is one peculiar thing about it all. Because every time a spell of violence erupts, Ethan finds himself in the middle of it all. Could it be a coincidence or could Ethan be the instigator? With everything that has happened and that is going on, Ethan starts to doubt his own powers and whether he is able to control them any longer. Is he casting spells unconsciously? Mariz, Sephira's speller, mentioned that he saw Ethan's ghost Reg appear briefly and this only happens when Ethan himself is casting a spell, what contradict this all is the fact that a "reveal magic" spell does not reveal Ethan's color of magic on the person, actually no magical aura is detected. As you can imagine, Ethan won't go on an early retirement with this on the loose. And soon he starts to pick up clues and is convinced that one person is behind it all. A person who should have been dead. As everyone around Ethan is in danger, the inhabitants of Boston and Ethan's closest friends he has to get to this person fast. Before everything that Ethan holds dear is destroyed by this mad man. But it is all easier sad and done, Ethan has to face one of the most powerful spellers that existed.
If you read the synopsis or my brief summary it might not sound as a grande finale but trust me it is. I cannot tell who the bad guy is and such because that would spoil everything. The grande finale feeling is readily achieve by all that D.B. Jackson involves in his story, the alternate history part that really inspires and build a great atmosphere around the story. The way that he set up the story is what made it so addictive, Ethan is convinced that a certain someone is framing him or using him, but the others aren't convinced that Ethan is right, the effort he puts into proving his theory is what makes gives the story an intense feeling added tot his comes the fact that the bad guy can strike any where and any time he sees fit, this gives a dangerous feeling, an unpredictable feeling as to what might happen when. No one is safe.
As for character development, we have seen Ethan is many different waters from happy to well not say happy, he has grown a lot in the previous book but here in Dead Man's Reach D.B. Jackson shows a great product of the transformation Ethan has gone through. Due to all the terrible things he had to deal with Ethan doesn't see his future that bright anymore in the thieftaking business. He is looking for new carriers and in the past there has been this flirting thing going on between Ethan and Kannice but never that serious, no one gave in... Also I think I have mentioned in a review of another book that Ethan and Sephira also had some love-hate relationship going on, well these intricacies play heavily on his character, and further build him personally. As for the other recurring characters, Kannice, Mariz, Greenleaf, Janna, Sephira and the other of Sephira's gang, they all lay a crucial role to support Ethan's character when he needs them the most, either for discussing matters, a helping hand or a shoulder to cry on.
With every book in the Thieftaker Chronicles I have said something about the magic system and thus I find myself repeating it again. IT IS AWESOME. Alright, why is it awesome? Because it matures and transforms in the same way that Ethan does. Ethan keeps on discovering, by himself and out of necessity new spells to use and understanding what his opponents do. This is what makes this magic system so attractive to me, it is straightforward but the uses are unlimited, it's all about spelling. Even the most powerful and accomplished spellers aren't invulnerable, there is a weakness somewhere you just have to look carefully and phrase you spell correctly!
With Dead Man's Reach D.B. Jackson deliverers a spectacular ending to the Thieftaker Chronicles. The whole build up of this story D.B. Jackson leaves you wondering who is messing with Ethan and to what purpose, you are actually thinking could it really, really be that guy or is Ethan just mistaking? But well once you find out the horrible truth, you will be suprised. The story already had a great pacing, but once the truth is out the pacing is ramped up even more. A great race to the finish. Though this is said to be the final volume in the Thieftaker Chronicles I surely hope that this isn't the last thing we have seen from Ethan Kaille!
And thus we are presented, sadly, with the so far to be last volume in D.B. Jackson's Thieftaker series. If you have been following the review of D.B. Jackson his other books in the series, you know that I am a big fan of his work, as well as the book that he wrote under the name of David B. Coe. Over the last four years, D.B. Jackson has delivered one stunning story of the other with this series, every time stepping up his game more and more. Perhaps the hardest part of each series is writing a satisfying ending, in Dead Man's Reach, D.B. Jackson delivers an outstanding grande finale, but i am still hoping that this isn't the last that we have seen from Ethan Kaille.
In the previous book, Ethan had his work cut out for him, it was a tough job but in the end he managed to defeat the bad guy, but Ethan didn't get out unscathed. And with this D.B. Jackson kicks of the story in Dead Man's Reach, Ethan is still recovering from those events. Not necessarily from the physical injuries. Since the events in A Plunder of Souls, getting jobs as a thieftaker has gotten a lot harder and with a lot of competition in Boston Ethan finds it harder and harder to get the right jobs and of course get some pay, added to this comes that one thieftaker in town, Sephira Pryce still is looking for ways to destroy Ethan well not kill him per se but to get him out of the thieftaking business. As with the other books, in the first scenes in of the story, D.B. Jackson sketches a "normal" situation, well yes Ethan is still a speller, but soon the situation turns more and more towards the supernatural. Ethan, out of desperation has taken a job that he will regret. He has been protecting the stores of several British merchants in Boston. Since there is a lot of friction between factions, mobs have run amok and damaged goods and wares of several of the British merchants. Lately it has really gone to far and during one such an encounter one British soldier takes it to far and shoots a young boy. This only inflames the situation more and more. After this event Ethan receives more and more criticism and considers giving up his job permanently. However, if it were just that easy. Violence is starting to get the upperhand in many of the inhabitants of Boston and there is one peculiar thing about it all. Because every time a spell of violence erupts, Ethan finds himself in the middle of it all. Could it be a coincidence or could Ethan be the instigator? With everything that has happened and that is going on, Ethan starts to doubt his own powers and whether he is able to control them any longer. Is he casting spells unconsciously? Mariz, Sephira's speller, mentioned that he saw Ethan's ghost Reg appear briefly and this only happens when Ethan himself is casting a spell, what contradict this all is the fact that a "reveal magic" spell does not reveal Ethan's color of magic on the person, actually no magical aura is detected. As you can imagine, Ethan won't go on an early retirement with this on the loose. And soon he starts to pick up clues and is convinced that one person is behind it all. A person who should have been dead. As everyone around Ethan is in danger, the inhabitants of Boston and Ethan's closest friends he has to get to this person fast. Before everything that Ethan holds dear is destroyed by this mad man. But it is all easier sad and done, Ethan has to face one of the most powerful spellers that existed.
If you read the synopsis or my brief summary it might not sound as a grande finale but trust me it is. I cannot tell who the bad guy is and such because that would spoil everything. The grande finale feeling is readily achieve by all that D.B. Jackson involves in his story, the alternate history part that really inspires and build a great atmosphere around the story. The way that he set up the story is what made it so addictive, Ethan is convinced that a certain someone is framing him or using him, but the others aren't convinced that Ethan is right, the effort he puts into proving his theory is what makes gives the story an intense feeling added tot his comes the fact that the bad guy can strike any where and any time he sees fit, this gives a dangerous feeling, an unpredictable feeling as to what might happen when. No one is safe.
As for character development, we have seen Ethan is many different waters from happy to well not say happy, he has grown a lot in the previous book but here in Dead Man's Reach D.B. Jackson shows a great product of the transformation Ethan has gone through. Due to all the terrible things he had to deal with Ethan doesn't see his future that bright anymore in the thieftaking business. He is looking for new carriers and in the past there has been this flirting thing going on between Ethan and Kannice but never that serious, no one gave in... Also I think I have mentioned in a review of another book that Ethan and Sephira also had some love-hate relationship going on, well these intricacies play heavily on his character, and further build him personally. As for the other recurring characters, Kannice, Mariz, Greenleaf, Janna, Sephira and the other of Sephira's gang, they all lay a crucial role to support Ethan's character when he needs them the most, either for discussing matters, a helping hand or a shoulder to cry on.
With every book in the Thieftaker Chronicles I have said something about the magic system and thus I find myself repeating it again. IT IS AWESOME. Alright, why is it awesome? Because it matures and transforms in the same way that Ethan does. Ethan keeps on discovering, by himself and out of necessity new spells to use and understanding what his opponents do. This is what makes this magic system so attractive to me, it is straightforward but the uses are unlimited, it's all about spelling. Even the most powerful and accomplished spellers aren't invulnerable, there is a weakness somewhere you just have to look carefully and phrase you spell correctly!
With Dead Man's Reach D.B. Jackson deliverers a spectacular ending to the Thieftaker Chronicles. The whole build up of this story D.B. Jackson leaves you wondering who is messing with Ethan and to what purpose, you are actually thinking could it really, really be that guy or is Ethan just mistaking? But well once you find out the horrible truth, you will be suprised. The story already had a great pacing, but once the truth is out the pacing is ramped up even more. A great race to the finish. Though this is said to be the final volume in the Thieftaker Chronicles I surely hope that this isn't the last thing we have seen from Ethan Kaille!
October 16, 2023
A fair ending to the Thieftaker series as Boston is on the verge of exploding into violence…
Dead Man's Reach by D. B. Jackson and David B. Coe is the last Thieftaker book so far…as the direction towards revolution continues…
1770 Boston…the British occupation continues and protests against those violating the intolerable acts continue…but something is inflaming the passions of those involved…
The Thieftaker witnesses plenty of overly violent activity around town. While he suspects a fellow speller…no evidence is found to prove it…
As the sons of liberty continue to rule up the populace in the lead up to the Boston massacre, Ethan Kaille has to fend off his rivals, Allie’s, political leaders, and law enforcement as he tries to find a source of supernatural influence….
This fourth book sees appearances by a number of characters from the first three (though there are some notable absences)…as the writer continues to expand this supernatural revolutionary setting…
Dead Man's Reach by D. B. Jackson and David B. Coe is the last Thieftaker book so far…as the direction towards revolution continues…
1770 Boston…the British occupation continues and protests against those violating the intolerable acts continue…but something is inflaming the passions of those involved…
The Thieftaker witnesses plenty of overly violent activity around town. While he suspects a fellow speller…no evidence is found to prove it…
As the sons of liberty continue to rule up the populace in the lead up to the Boston massacre, Ethan Kaille has to fend off his rivals, Allie’s, political leaders, and law enforcement as he tries to find a source of supernatural influence….
This fourth book sees appearances by a number of characters from the first three (though there are some notable absences)…as the writer continues to expand this supernatural revolutionary setting…
November 12, 2023
I am new to this series, and stumbled on this book at a used bookstore. I do love my history infused with a bit of magic, and the cover drew me in.
The story line was intriguing, and Jackson weaved the fantasy in so well with the history that the story seemed to flow fairly effortlessly.
So why only 3 stars, you ask? While the story was interesting, and I grew fond of the characters, I never truly got sucked in. I didn't fall in love with the story; there wasn't enough depth to the characters and their interactions for me.
Now would I feel differently if I had started with book 1? Perhaps. While Dead Man's Reach was readable on its own, I would recommend starting at the beginning if you are thinking about this series.
Overall, a decent read.
The story line was intriguing, and Jackson weaved the fantasy in so well with the history that the story seemed to flow fairly effortlessly.
So why only 3 stars, you ask? While the story was interesting, and I grew fond of the characters, I never truly got sucked in. I didn't fall in love with the story; there wasn't enough depth to the characters and their interactions for me.
Now would I feel differently if I had started with book 1? Perhaps. While Dead Man's Reach was readable on its own, I would recommend starting at the beginning if you are thinking about this series.
Overall, a decent read.
February 12, 2024
Good blending of the fictional story with the actual historical events. Much of the plot and Ethan's activities are very similar to the earlier Thieftaker books. There is too much book space devoted to time spent with Kelf and Diver. If Ethan is going to spend a lot of the book in Kannice's bar (which is fine) at least let him interact with some different characters. Sephira's character is unrealistic.
She is a thieftaker but she is apparently as rich as John Hancock given her mansion and the number of full-time men she employs.
She is a thieftaker but she is apparently as rich as John Hancock given her mansion and the number of full-time men she employs.
September 5, 2017
Another fantastic entry in the Ethan Kaille series. I love how Jackson weaves historical events in with the storyline of these books. This one was particularly gripping as the timeline dovetails nicely with the events in 1770s Boston. Readers get to meet men who fought against the British crown: Samuel Adams, James Otis, John Hancock, and even some who were representatives of the British like Thomas Hutchinson.
Kaille is always resourceful and surprising. Truly, never a dull moment.
Kaille is always resourceful and surprising. Truly, never a dull moment.
April 9, 2021
Book 4 of the Thieftaker Chronicles picks up several months after book 3, A Plunder of Souls. We again follow Ethan as he continues his vocation as Thieftaker in Boston. Think Private investigator, but he is different in that he knows witchery - the ability to cast spells. D.B. Jackson's magic system is superb and believable. After three previous novels, it feels comfortable, and understandable... so when it starts working incorrectly, we feel it as readers just as much as Ethan does as a character.
In fact, his presence is triggering anger and conflict wherever he goes... and he finally discovers his own spells...spells he isn't casting...is causing folks to fly into a blind rage, attacking others with whatever tools they have nearby...including guns.
As people start getting hurt, the tensions begin rising between the Redcoats/Tories and Sam Adams followers. Indeed, the Author has done a great job intermingling his fantastical story into the known events of the day, down to names and places and deaths. Its an intriguing mash up of historical fiction and historical fantasy if you will that I very much enjoyed.
Through all of this, all the major ancillary characters have a role to play, some dangerously so. The ending is very satisfactory, especially to this softy at heart but I do wonder, could there be another someday? I hope so, but if not, I'm well satisfied.
In fact, his presence is triggering anger and conflict wherever he goes... and he finally discovers his own spells...spells he isn't casting...is causing folks to fly into a blind rage, attacking others with whatever tools they have nearby...including guns.
As people start getting hurt, the tensions begin rising between the Redcoats/Tories and Sam Adams followers. Indeed, the Author has done a great job intermingling his fantastical story into the known events of the day, down to names and places and deaths. Its an intriguing mash up of historical fiction and historical fantasy if you will that I very much enjoyed.
Through all of this, all the major ancillary characters have a role to play, some dangerously so. The ending is very satisfactory, especially to this softy at heart but I do wonder, could there be another someday? I hope so, but if not, I'm well satisfied.
December 2, 2025
Was this the perfect finale? No. Did I like it? Yeah.
Dead Man's Reach suffers a little from a shallow plot, but I'm too big a fan of Ethan Kaille to mind. I loved how the historical elements fit into the story and I liked that Ethan had to pay a real cost for his actions here. The story did a good job of tying up lose ends and left me wishing that there D.B. Jackson would continue the series! Fortunately, there's still a few novellas left that I can read.
Dead Man's Reach suffers a little from a shallow plot, but I'm too big a fan of Ethan Kaille to mind. I loved how the historical elements fit into the story and I liked that Ethan had to pay a real cost for his actions here. The story did a good job of tying up lose ends and left me wishing that there D.B. Jackson would continue the series! Fortunately, there's still a few novellas left that I can read.
January 23, 2017
I enjoyed this series very much. I liked the history and the way the magic was woven into it. The first book had a very strong "noir" feel wasn't sustained over the series but that's okay. I did think the pacing of this book could have been tighter, but story was great and it wrapped up everything all the while leaving an opening for these characters to return in the future.
June 22, 2017
The cover art and concept, unfortunately, are the best parts of Dead Man's Reach, and the series as a whole. While the prose was good, and the characters were interesting enough, in the end--due to a lame plot, witless protagonist, and laughable villain--the execution of this book didn't do it for me. 2.5 stars.
December 10, 2018
I was a bit disappointed going in that this is the final book of the series, which at four seems pretty short for most series these days! It was a good conclusion to Ethan Kaille's adventures with some room for sequels if the author ever decides to pick things up again, though. I liked seeing how Ethan's life was wrapped up in the events of the Boston Massacre.
April 30, 2022
This is a series of 6 so far. The last two are Novella's, a check of his page and I'm not seeing any new Theiftaker novels other than "The Loyalist Witch" this is out now.
Set during the early years of the Revolutionary war, Ethan Kaille is the main character that lives and retrieves stolen goods through magic. The history of the book is based on fact. With a bit of fantasy thrown in.
Set during the early years of the Revolutionary war, Ethan Kaille is the main character that lives and retrieves stolen goods through magic. The history of the book is based on fact. With a bit of fantasy thrown in.
October 31, 2017
these books are great, there are some really good lows that heighten the eucatastrophe. i want Ethan Kaille,to do things that are smarter, and ask more questions like a Sherlock Holmes type but that is not him, and i dig that about him he is flawed and growing. good books!
February 13, 2020
*om nom nom* NEXT BOOK, PLEASE.
Wait, what do you mean there isn't a next one yet? But I need it now. Now, I says! Wait, there's novellas and short stories, though? GIVE THEM TO ME. *runs off to binge on those as well*
Wait, what do you mean there isn't a next one yet? But I need it now. Now, I says! Wait, there's novellas and short stories, though? GIVE THEM TO ME. *runs off to binge on those as well*
January 26, 2022
DNF 61%
2.5/5
I just lost interest around here. Nothing has changed in the series beyond Diver finding a girlfriend. The new magic mystery didn't raise the stakes and conflict enough to keep me reading.
2.5/5
I just lost interest around here. Nothing has changed in the series beyond Diver finding a girlfriend. The new magic mystery didn't raise the stakes and conflict enough to keep me reading.
May 26, 2024
I truly wish that I could get more people to give this author and series a chance. A wonderful balance of mystery, historical fiction, and fantasy, this final installment in the chronicles proved to be as addictive and the characters as endearing as all the others.
October 14, 2017
Fantastic. Great end to the series, but I am hoping it won’t be the last. There’s a whole Revolution left after all.
November 18, 2017
A series that works really well. The mixture of history and fantasy is an interesting mix. Quite a bit of charm and suspense.
Read
March 1, 2021This series is so original. Wish more folks knew about it!
Read
May 15, 2026Audible ASIN: B0124SST58. Narrator: Jonathan Davis. Match source: openlibrary (confidence 0.90).
May 21, 2015
Dead Man’s Reach is D.B. Jackson’s fourth (and, sadly, for now final) book in The Thieftaker Chronicles. Boston thieftaker and “conjurer” Ethan Kaille faces a new, unexplainable magical threat during what would prove to be a very, very eventful snowy early 1770. Two years have now passed since the occupation of Boston by British Redcoats began (and since the events of Thieves’ Quarry).
“Regulars patrolled the streets night and day, and with tensions rising, everywhere they went they encountered the taunts of young men inflamed by drink or simply the folly of youth.” Those tensions begin to boil over when customs officer Ebenezer Richardson shoots into a mob in front of his house and kills a young boy named Christopher Seider (a real event). Kaille, of course, is there to see it. And, to make matters worse, he sensed a conjuring immediately before Richardson made his ill-fated decision to fire into the crowd.
I’m getting a bit ahead of myself, though. Dead Man’s Reach Starts on a more prosaic note. Kaille has once again run afoul of his thieftaking rival, Sephira Price. My patience for this sort of run-in ended with Thieves’ Quarry, or perhaps Thieftaker, but thankfully we move on quickly. And the initial run-in is our first look at the threat (and mystery) at the center of the book, as one of Price’s men suddenly and without provocation attacks the thief they are holding (the attacking is ok, it’s the failure to wait for orders that is out of character for Price’s men). When it happens again with Richardson, Kaille and the reader more than suspect a link. In between we get a lot of the reestablishing of characters, past events, and so on that I would generally prefer the writer to keep brief and let the reader catch up, but then it’s been a year since I read A Plunder of Souls and longer since I read the others, so I probably shouldn’t complain.
My biggest complaint about A Plunder of Souls was that the political turmoil in colonial Boston took a backseat. Given the timeframe, it is right back in the forefront in Dead Man’s Reach. Further, Kaille is in the center of it, as the strange conjurings precede every act of violence pushing Boston toward a tipping point. He meets with Lieutenant (and Acting) Governor Thomas Hutchinson. Both Samuel Adams and Dr. Joseph Warren play prominent roles. Future president John Adams even makes an appearance. The book climaxes shortly after a night that lives on in infamy. Jackson’s decision to give his protagonist strong initial Tory leanings again pays off, and we get the supreme payoff of seeing him finally self-identify as a patriot after four books. All of this is I think accurate (sans the conjuring) and I know skillfully woven into the narrative (or vice versa).
Jackson is a well practiced hand at this, and it shows. Kaille and the other characters have had time to firmly settle into their roles. For all my frustrations with Sephira Price, her interactions with Kaille after the initial one are often a highlight. Kaille’s relationship with Kannice, the owner of his favorite pub (I suspect an ulterior motive) plays a more important role and adds a strong romance element to the stew. Kaille has become more powerful and assertive even as the events of the book drive him to self-doubt and loathing. He also throws around more snark (what do the kids say these days? Shade? Salt?) than I remember. This chapter in the Chronicles is, as always, strongest as an urban fantasy, and the mystery at the heart of the story is a bit too predictable.
Now what’s it going to take to convince Jackson to write a fifth book?
“Regulars patrolled the streets night and day, and with tensions rising, everywhere they went they encountered the taunts of young men inflamed by drink or simply the folly of youth.” Those tensions begin to boil over when customs officer Ebenezer Richardson shoots into a mob in front of his house and kills a young boy named Christopher Seider (a real event). Kaille, of course, is there to see it. And, to make matters worse, he sensed a conjuring immediately before Richardson made his ill-fated decision to fire into the crowd.
I’m getting a bit ahead of myself, though. Dead Man’s Reach Starts on a more prosaic note. Kaille has once again run afoul of his thieftaking rival, Sephira Price. My patience for this sort of run-in ended with Thieves’ Quarry, or perhaps Thieftaker, but thankfully we move on quickly. And the initial run-in is our first look at the threat (and mystery) at the center of the book, as one of Price’s men suddenly and without provocation attacks the thief they are holding (the attacking is ok, it’s the failure to wait for orders that is out of character for Price’s men). When it happens again with Richardson, Kaille and the reader more than suspect a link. In between we get a lot of the reestablishing of characters, past events, and so on that I would generally prefer the writer to keep brief and let the reader catch up, but then it’s been a year since I read A Plunder of Souls and longer since I read the others, so I probably shouldn’t complain.
My biggest complaint about A Plunder of Souls was that the political turmoil in colonial Boston took a backseat. Given the timeframe, it is right back in the forefront in Dead Man’s Reach. Further, Kaille is in the center of it, as the strange conjurings precede every act of violence pushing Boston toward a tipping point. He meets with Lieutenant (and Acting) Governor Thomas Hutchinson. Both Samuel Adams and Dr. Joseph Warren play prominent roles. Future president John Adams even makes an appearance. The book climaxes shortly after a night that lives on in infamy. Jackson’s decision to give his protagonist strong initial Tory leanings again pays off, and we get the supreme payoff of seeing him finally self-identify as a patriot after four books. All of this is I think accurate (sans the conjuring) and I know skillfully woven into the narrative (or vice versa).
Jackson is a well practiced hand at this, and it shows. Kaille and the other characters have had time to firmly settle into their roles. For all my frustrations with Sephira Price, her interactions with Kaille after the initial one are often a highlight. Kaille’s relationship with Kannice, the owner of his favorite pub (I suspect an ulterior motive) plays a more important role and adds a strong romance element to the stew. Kaille has become more powerful and assertive even as the events of the book drive him to self-doubt and loathing. He also throws around more snark (what do the kids say these days? Shade? Salt?) than I remember. This chapter in the Chronicles is, as always, strongest as an urban fantasy, and the mystery at the heart of the story is a bit too predictable.
Now what’s it going to take to convince Jackson to write a fifth book?
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