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Daggers & Steele #1–3
Daggers & Steele, Books 1-3
This boxed set features the first three novels in the Daggers & Steele fantasy mystery series, collected together for the first time in one low-priced volume. For fans of Garrett P.I., Nikki Heat, and The Dresden Files.
RED HOT STEELE (Daggers & Steele #1): Detective Jake Daggers likes his murder investigations the way he likes his women--straightforward, easy, and with a killer body.
So when his older-than-dust partner throws his back out on a goblin raid, his captain assigns him a new running mate--a sexy young half-elf by the name of Shay Steele.
It seems like a match made in Daggers' imagination, but Steele's no pushover. She's a powerful forensic psychic, and she's got sass oozing out of her boots.
In a debut case teeming with fire mages, foundries, and a dead guy who's crispier than bacon, it's pretty clear Daggers isn't the only one getting a heaping helping of RED HOT STEELE.
COLD HARD STEELE (Daggers & Steele #2): Detective Jake Daggers hates three things--mornings, walking, and naked guys. So when he and his sexy half-elf partner, Shay Steele, get called to a murder scene featuring a bare-bottomed doughy dude with an icy dagger sticking out of his chest, he's not amused.
Even less happy? The Captain, when the lone murder turns into a frosty-bladed epidemic.
In a case featuring frost mages, enchanted weaponry, and a jaded mystery writer, Daggers and Steele must race against the clock to discover who's delivering deadly doses of COLD HARD STEELE.
TIME TO STEELE (Daggers & Steele #3): Detective Jake Daggers doesn't care for the unexpected, so he's perfectly content when he and his half-elf partner Shay Steele's next case seems to involve nothing more than a madman with a hammer.
That's when a dude in a purple bathrobe shows up claiming to be from the future.
Now the body count's rising, and Daggers is forced to enlist the self-professed time traveler's help in navigating uncharted waters rife with elven prostitutes, bratty gnomes, and undiscovered magics.
Can Daggers and Steele catch the killer in time, or will they have to find TIME TO STEELE?
RED HOT STEELE (Daggers & Steele #1): Detective Jake Daggers likes his murder investigations the way he likes his women--straightforward, easy, and with a killer body.
So when his older-than-dust partner throws his back out on a goblin raid, his captain assigns him a new running mate--a sexy young half-elf by the name of Shay Steele.
It seems like a match made in Daggers' imagination, but Steele's no pushover. She's a powerful forensic psychic, and she's got sass oozing out of her boots.
In a debut case teeming with fire mages, foundries, and a dead guy who's crispier than bacon, it's pretty clear Daggers isn't the only one getting a heaping helping of RED HOT STEELE.
COLD HARD STEELE (Daggers & Steele #2): Detective Jake Daggers hates three things--mornings, walking, and naked guys. So when he and his sexy half-elf partner, Shay Steele, get called to a murder scene featuring a bare-bottomed doughy dude with an icy dagger sticking out of his chest, he's not amused.
Even less happy? The Captain, when the lone murder turns into a frosty-bladed epidemic.
In a case featuring frost mages, enchanted weaponry, and a jaded mystery writer, Daggers and Steele must race against the clock to discover who's delivering deadly doses of COLD HARD STEELE.
TIME TO STEELE (Daggers & Steele #3): Detective Jake Daggers doesn't care for the unexpected, so he's perfectly content when he and his half-elf partner Shay Steele's next case seems to involve nothing more than a madman with a hammer.
That's when a dude in a purple bathrobe shows up claiming to be from the future.
Now the body count's rising, and Daggers is forced to enlist the self-professed time traveler's help in navigating uncharted waters rife with elven prostitutes, bratty gnomes, and undiscovered magics.
Can Daggers and Steele catch the killer in time, or will they have to find TIME TO STEELE?
764 pages, Kindle Edition
First published August 3, 2015
368 people are currently reading
339 people want to read
About the author
Alex P. Berg
32 books99 followersHi! I'm mystery, fantasy, and science fiction author Alex P. Berg. Be sure to check out my bestselling Daggers & Steele series, a fun, fast-paced fantasy/noir mystery hybrid! I've also written urban fantasy, epic sci-fi, and more.
My review rating system is as follows:
5 = Amazing, I absolutely loved it! (Fantastic!)
4 = A very good book, although I had a few quibbles with it. (Great!)
3 = A book I liked, but either it had a few more serious problems or I didn't connect well with it. (Good!)
2 = I had major issues with this book. (Not good...)
1 = I hated or DNF'ed this book. (Real bad!)
Connect with me at: www.alexpberg.com
My review rating system is as follows:
5 = Amazing, I absolutely loved it! (Fantastic!)
4 = A very good book, although I had a few quibbles with it. (Great!)
3 = A book I liked, but either it had a few more serious problems or I didn't connect well with it. (Good!)
2 = I had major issues with this book. (Not good...)
1 = I hated or DNF'ed this book. (Real bad!)
Connect with me at: www.alexpberg.com
Ratings & Reviews
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Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews
May 7, 2018
Nice!
This trilogy was a cute play on the old noir style of detective stories but in a different world than ours where dwarves, elves, orcs, and others live somewhat in harmony. It's a world without technology or maybe just a lower level of technology than ours but they are beginning to make strides in that direction. It's also a sort of romance between two partners - crude, rude, and tough Daggers and his new partner, the half-life Steele. They say opposites attract and this is a great example. It was a fun read.
This trilogy was a cute play on the old noir style of detective stories but in a different world than ours where dwarves, elves, orcs, and others live somewhat in harmony. It's a world without technology or maybe just a lower level of technology than ours but they are beginning to make strides in that direction. It's also a sort of romance between two partners - crude, rude, and tough Daggers and his new partner, the half-life Steele. They say opposites attract and this is a great example. It was a fun read.
June 7, 2018
Really Enjoyed
I had the 3 book set on my Kindle and finally got around to reading them. I subsequently bought the next few in the series bc I enjoyed them so much. They remind me of the Butcher series which I adore, so i really recommend these books to others if you enjoyed those.
The main characters are hilarious and their interactions made me smile. I’d love to see a spin off of the favorite soft hearted giant and his little elf to know more about their relationship
I had the 3 book set on my Kindle and finally got around to reading them. I subsequently bought the next few in the series bc I enjoyed them so much. They remind me of the Butcher series which I adore, so i really recommend these books to others if you enjoyed those.
The main characters are hilarious and their interactions made me smile. I’d love to see a spin off of the favorite soft hearted giant and his little elf to know more about their relationship
December 31, 2017
I liked them
Detective Daggers is a little over the top with lots of detective cliches. Over the course of the three books the relationship between Detective Daggers and his partner really blossoms and becomes interesting to see it transform the gruff, wisecracking, middle aged and divorced guy into a nicer gruff, wisecracking , middle aged...
Detective Daggers is a little over the top with lots of detective cliches. Over the course of the three books the relationship between Detective Daggers and his partner really blossoms and becomes interesting to see it transform the gruff, wisecracking, middle aged and divorced guy into a nicer gruff, wisecracking , middle aged...
December 12, 2018
They made a great partnership do They want more?
Daggers &Streel three storys non-stop banter and strange names Steel was the rookie that became Daggers partner he worked each case like a jigsaw puzzle she used her logic. Fun storys with this crime fighting pair there is never time to ponder what next. I'm recommend ing these books as something a little different
Daggers &Streel three storys non-stop banter and strange names Steel was the rookie that became Daggers partner he worked each case like a jigsaw puzzle she used her logic. Fun storys with this crime fighting pair there is never time to ponder what next. I'm recommend ing these books as something a little different
January 15, 2019
A new outlook on the old gumshoe genre
A good mix of personalities realistiCally portrayed but in a new backdrop of life. The third book especially introduced a whole twist with really good believable maturity of the characters. A series I would certainly look out for future books.
A good mix of personalities realistiCally portrayed but in a new backdrop of life. The third book especially introduced a whole twist with really good believable maturity of the characters. A series I would certainly look out for future books.
February 20, 2017
Decent
I like the stories and most of the characters. Daggers in the first book is really annoying but mellows as each book progresses. I like the main group of characters and their interactions.
I like the stories and most of the characters. Daggers in the first book is really annoying but mellows as each book progresses. I like the main group of characters and their interactions.
May 28, 2018
Differently entertaining
A different blend of old time gumshoes snark, an odd world without technology or electricity or cars - they use rickshaws - and various species... Elves, trolls, gnomes, dwarves, humans... The characters keep developing and the mysteries are fun.
A different blend of old time gumshoes snark, an odd world without technology or electricity or cars - they use rickshaws - and various species... Elves, trolls, gnomes, dwarves, humans... The characters keep developing and the mysteries are fun.
June 7, 2018
Alternate universe light noire detective series. So light I would call it gris. Pleasant but really easy to put down and not always easy to pick back up. Interesting mixed reality world in what I guess was a pre-steam punk state. It was good but I could leave it.
June 17, 2018
Great Characters!
I just finished reading the three novel set of this series. The characters and plot were still fresh and interesting at the end of the 3rd book. I also like the clever mix of various species. The series is a bit like a cross between Starwars and Bones.
I just finished reading the three novel set of this series. The characters and plot were still fresh and interesting at the end of the 3rd book. I also like the clever mix of various species. The series is a bit like a cross between Starwars and Bones.
July 8, 2018
Daggers and Steele are great partners
Great three book bundle. I loved all the characters in this bundle and I can't wait to read more. Highly amusing and very well written. Definitely recommend.
Great three book bundle. I loved all the characters in this bundle and I can't wait to read more. Highly amusing and very well written. Definitely recommend.
July 24, 2018
Why oh why?
Okay, I really did enjoy the books, the seamless way the different species coexist, but why oh why did you have to drag on a budding romance between Daggers and Steele? Totally unecessa
Okay, I really did enjoy the books, the seamless way the different species coexist, but why oh why did you have to drag on a budding romance between Daggers and Steele? Totally unecessa
December 21, 2018
Hardnosed detective meets his match!
Classic workaholic buried his sorrows in his work til she walks in and magic begins. A snappy comeback will get you by, but when your work partner calls your bluff, watch out buddy!
Classic workaholic buried his sorrows in his work til she walks in and magic begins. A snappy comeback will get you by, but when your work partner calls your bluff, watch out buddy!
December 27, 2018
Fun read
I found these fun and quirky. The setting for the series is a combination of industrial revolution (the foundries) and pre-industrial with the bonus of a little magic and fairy tale characters (elves, trolls, dwarves, etc). The books are internally consistent.
I found these fun and quirky. The setting for the series is a combination of industrial revolution (the foundries) and pre-industrial with the bonus of a little magic and fairy tale characters (elves, trolls, dwarves, etc). The books are internally consistent.
December 30, 2018
Liked it
We're good books except for him trying to decide whether or not his partner was into him. I just skip that part. Liked the books overall except at the end of book three but did not buy four yet to see if the case gets solved.
We're good books except for him trying to decide whether or not his partner was into him. I just skip that part. Liked the books overall except at the end of book three but did not buy four yet to see if the case gets solved.
February 23, 2020
Brilliant
This series kept me doggedly coming back for more. I love the slight twists and turns. The fantasy / murder mystery was a nice touch. Even enjoyed the character development.
This series kept me doggedly coming back for more. I love the slight twists and turns. The fantasy / murder mystery was a nice touch. Even enjoyed the character development.
May 7, 2018
I hate ridiculous fantasy.
I hate stupid characters even more. I wouldn't recommend this garbage to my worst enemy. Even if I wanted to bore them to death.
I hate stupid characters even more. I wouldn't recommend this garbage to my worst enemy. Even if I wanted to bore them to death.
May 8, 2018
Good read
Surprisingly well written; characters developed in depth and very likeable. Will continue reading. Definitely enjoyed the well crafted story lines.
Surprisingly well written; characters developed in depth and very likeable. Will continue reading. Definitely enjoyed the well crafted story lines.
May 28, 2018
Not a bad read but could have been made so much better as I got bored very quickly. Just not my thing I guess. Try it for yourself.
May 30, 2018
Fun stories
I recommend these three novels. Urban fantasy in an alternate world, similar to ours but not quite. Read it please.
I recommend these three novels. Urban fantasy in an alternate world, similar to ours but not quite. Read it please.
June 30, 2018
Engaging characters
Great series. Mysteries are clever and fun. Four major characters that work well together. Definitely will read more in this series.
Great series. Mysteries are clever and fun. Four major characters that work well together. Definitely will read more in this series.
June 10, 2018
Daggers & Steele
Got caught up in Daggers life and then Steele before I was aware I was hooked. Enjoyable witty banter and some inappropriate humour with caveats.
Got caught up in Daggers life and then Steele before I was aware I was hooked. Enjoyable witty banter and some inappropriate humour with caveats.
June 11, 2018
5 stars
Enjoyable read liked the interactions of the characters. Storylines were funny, plots well thought out and the office politics were right on.
Enjoyable read liked the interactions of the characters. Storylines were funny, plots well thought out and the office politics were right on.
October 16, 2018
I liked the storyline. I was disappointed in the lack of creativity. You created a new world without new creatures or words.
December 1, 2019
Great series, well writte. It comes across as a mixture of fantasy and Raymond Chandler
February 18, 2020
Fun stories about two detectives who, set in another world inhabited by some strange beings. Loved the interaction between the two main characters.
December 31, 2016
Daggers & Steele
This series is not quite what I was expecting it to be. I was, however, quite pleasantly surprised. These are one part steampunk, one part mystery, one part paranormal and a whole lot of good. The world is just fascinating. It's kind of 1800's Whitechapel meets Hogwarts. It's dark and gritty and very well written. The characters are really well done as well. Daggers is the kind of hard nosed cop that you would find in any police procedural and Steele is the young upstart who ends up showing the "old" man a thing or two. I love the chemistry between the two. The storylines are interesting and keep you guessing. I would highly recommend these books to anyone who likes a good murder/mystery. Even though they are very different from the norm, they are worth a read.
This series is not quite what I was expecting it to be. I was, however, quite pleasantly surprised. These are one part steampunk, one part mystery, one part paranormal and a whole lot of good. The world is just fascinating. It's kind of 1800's Whitechapel meets Hogwarts. It's dark and gritty and very well written. The characters are really well done as well. Daggers is the kind of hard nosed cop that you would find in any police procedural and Steele is the young upstart who ends up showing the "old" man a thing or two. I love the chemistry between the two. The storylines are interesting and keep you guessing. I would highly recommend these books to anyone who likes a good murder/mystery. Even though they are very different from the norm, they are worth a read.
September 19, 2016
I rate all 3 books 4 stars. The writing was good and funny. Characters were consistent and had interesting development. All cases were interesting and did not involve magic except the last one ended with an open end regarding time travel. Loved the progress of Shay and Jake's relationship from the first book even though I was doubtful about how beneficial it would be for the story. Turns out it's still subtle and didn't affect the flow of the cases that much.
The secondary characters had their time to shine as well. Rodgers, Quinto and Cairny were a good addition to the story. They were all entertaining.
The secondary characters had their time to shine as well. Rodgers, Quinto and Cairny were a good addition to the story. They were all entertaining.
July 29, 2016
Interesting plots and humorous turns
Hard to find humor in books with a good plot. Well written, with plenty of characters and lots of room for many sequels
Hard to find humor in books with a good plot. Well written, with plenty of characters and lots of room for many sequels
October 8, 2016
Gumshoes and alternate history! Give it a try!
With a generous nod to the gumshoe genre, this set of alt history/urban fantasy novels is certainly worth a read!
With a generous nod to the gumshoe genre, this set of alt history/urban fantasy novels is certainly worth a read!
September 3, 2018
Excellent series!
I got hooked on the first book. I thoroughly enjoyed the next two. Now I have to buy the next boxed set so that I can read several in a row!
I got hooked on the first book. I thoroughly enjoyed the next two. Now I have to buy the next boxed set so that I can read several in a row!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews