No God Is Safe

Montague & Strong Detective Agency #0.5

by Orlando A. Sanchez

A Dangerous Client. An Impossible Case. An Offer He Should’ve Refused.
Children have gone missing in NYC.

Detective Simon Strong takes on what he thinks is a routine case-get proof of a spouse’s infidelity. When he digs deeper, he stumbles onto the trail of the missing children, but what he discovers shatters his concepts of reality.

Tristan Montague is a mage on the run. Hiding from his sect and banned from the magical societies, he follows a trail of missing children to NYC. Now, together with Simon, they must prevent more abductions and stop those responsible for the disappearances.

They will face an enemy unlike any other-hungry for power and willing to destroy anyone who gets in their way. Will they locate the missing children? Will they reveal the power behind the abductions and stop them?

Join Montague & Strong in their first case as they risk it all to save those who can’t save themselves!

Genres: Urban Fantasy, Fantasy, Fiction, Paranormal, Mystery, Magic, Audiobook

48 pages, Kindle Edition

First published July 16, 2017

About the author

Orlando Sanchez has been writing ever since his teens when he was immersed in creating scenarios for playing Dungeon and Dragons with his friends every weekend. An avid reader, his influences are too numerous to list here. Some of the most prominent are: J.R.R. Tolkien, Jim Butcher, Kat Richardson, Terry Brooks, Piers Anthony, Lee Child, George Lucas, Andrew Vachss, and Barry Eisler to name a few in no particular order.
The worlds of his books are urban settings with a twist of the paranormal lurking just behind the scenes and generous doses of magic, martial arts, and mayhem.
Aside from writing, he holds a 2nd and 3rd Dan in two distinct styles of Karate. If not training, he is studying some aspect of the martial arts or martial arts philosophy.
He currently resides in Queens, NY with his family and can often be found in the local Starbucks where most of his writing is done.
Please visit his site at: www.OrlandoASanchez.com for more information about his books and upcoming releases.

Reviews

[Montzalee Wittmann · Rating 4 out of 5]

No God is Safe by Orlando A. Danny and narrated by John P. London and Matt Brown appears to be the prequel to a new series. The main characters consist of a tough private investigator( or detective) and a mage. They have to deal with a squabble between Gods without getting themselves killed! Pretty clever and interesting. Definitely worth following this series.
Great narration!

[William · Rating 4 out of 5]

Entertaining mystery horror listening 🎶🎵

This kindle e-book novella is from my Kindle Unlimited account

Montague and Strong are on another case about a wife's influence. It sounds like a normal case which goes south. They are lucky to get home alive.
they
I would recommend this novella and author to readers of fantasy world 🌎 mystery novels. 2024 😎😯🎎

[Deborah · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5*

I’m so glad I broke off from Tombyards and Butterflies to read this. Here we discover how Simon and Monty first meet. And how Simon ended up being immortal.

[Kati · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars. Definitely interesting enough to get Book 2. I'm especially interested in how the friendship between Simon and Monty develops.

[Vintagebooklvr · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting to read about their first case together. I wish it was a little longer. It would be nice to see some other cases early on in their acquaintance to see how their friendship has grown.

[Cyrene Olson · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a short story that gives us a background on how Tristan and Simon met, and their first case together – and it can be read at any time within the series – and I’m actually glad I read it after I was already into the series. Even within the short amount of space, you find a great action packed storyline and the author teases you with a bit more information on this duo. It may not answer ALL of the questions surrounding these two, but it will put a few pieces of the puzzle that is Montague and Strong in place. I rarely give 5 stars to short origin stories, but this one earned it. Reviewed by Cyrene

[Msjodi777 · Rating 4 out of 5]

Kinda different but fun.

Very new to this author, but I did enjoy this book, so not only will I continue the series, but I recommended it to friends. <><

[Katie Seehusen · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars.

The reason I picked this book up is because I wanted to read the first book in the Montague and Strong Detective Agency series, and I had read some reviews saying that the first book was a little hard to get into because it was confusing. I thought if I read this first book it would help me out. It wasn't bad, and I'm sure this little bit of backstory will help, but it really reminded me of the Harry Dresden series. Even Strong's little quips sounded very much like Harry. I am going to go ahead and read the first full book in the series, but I really hope that it can stand on it's own and not just seem like a Harry Dresden knockoff.

[Kendra · Rating 4 out of 5]

KU

[Cheryl · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beginnings

Read this excellent story of how Simon and Monty met and how Simon became immortal! The humor is there right from the beginning and their partnership was formed!

[chucklesthescot · Rating 4 out of 5]

Simon thinks that finding out if Shiva's wife is cheating on him will be a simple enough case even if her name being Kali sets off slight alarm bells in his head. He is also asked to look into a case of missing children in the city. Tristan has been following the trail of the kidnapper around the world and tracks them down to the same building that Shiva says Kali is in. Now the two men have to reluctantly team up to save the children from a death ritual.

I liked the Hindu myth storyline for this book as I studied Hinduism at school and have always been fascinated by stories about Kali. Yes I'm also a fan of Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom too! It was interesting to see how the men link up for their first case and how Simon gets cursed. I have to say that he was pretty unlucky in getting cursed as he was actually just trying to save some kids. I also love seeing rakshasas as the chosen creatures for the book, as they fascinate me and I'd love to see them in more books I read. Simon was mildly annoying in this book, the way he kept winding up Tristan when they met and I do have concerns that he might get on my nerves as the series progresses. I do very much like Tristan and his magical skills though and I liked the first novel in the series so I will keep reading the books and novellas.

[Maryann Sims · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a short little story or a novella about how Monty and Simon met. Also how making a mistake can get you cursed with life, and how sometimes a mage feels sorry enough to stick around and make sure you live or is it how you can live?

All in all a great read, full of the humor that makes Simon so dear and near to your heart while at the same time you want to smack him upside the head.

I wouldn't say you needed to read this first before the other books, but it does put the missing pieces together.

[Michelle Casson · Rating 5 out of 5]

No one is safe once you read the first Montague & Strong book, no one. You are hooked completely. I always wondered how the boys got together. I also wondered just what Simon did to make Kali so mad that she cursed him to immortality. Now I know. Read this and you will too.

[Laura · Rating 5 out of 5]

Montague and Strong never disappoint, even when they don't even know each other yet. I'm sure that I'm not the only one who wondered how this particular odd couple met and became partners. The story is worthy of the rest of their adventures. When Shiva, yes that Shiva, comes to Simon with a case, he doesn't think he can refuse, especially when Shiva starts name dropping the name of Simon's friend Ramirez at the NYTF. But Ramirez has no idea how Shiva got Simon's name, he needs Simon to partner with a mage to rescue a group of kidnapped children. Tristan Montague meet Simon Strong. Strong meet Montague. Unsurprisingly, the two cases intersect and even though Monty and Simon appear to get along like oil and water, lives are at stake so they set aside their differences to get the job done. I won't spoil the action. Suffice it to say, we also learn how Simon earns his curse. Two huge questions answered!
Of course, the story also raises as many questions as it answers. For instance, what did Simon do to get himself retired from the NYTF? Why did Shiva pick Simon to be his fall guy? Did Simon have some sort of latent ability before he met Shiva? Why does Montague decide to stay in New York? Where do the vampires come into the mix? Hopefully, these and other questions will be answered in future works!

[Heather · Rating 3 out of 5]

A Dangerous Client. An Impossible Case. An Offer He Should’ve Refused.
Children have gone missing in NYC.
Detective Simon Strong takes on what he thinks is a routine case-get proof of a spouse’s infidelity. When he digs deeper, he stumbles onto the trail of the missing children, but what he discovers shatters his concepts of reality.
Tristan Montague is a mage on the run. Hiding from his sect and banned from the magical societies, he follows a trail of missing children to NYC. Now, together with Simon, they must prevent more abductions and stop those responsible for the disappearances.
They will face an enemy unlike any other-hungry for power and willing to destroy anyone who gets in their way. Will they locate the missing children? Will they reveal the power behind the abductions and stop them?
Join Montague & Strong in their first case as they risk it all to save those who can’t save themselves!

Heather's Notes
This was a little confusing as I didn't know who Simon was. Might have been better to read it after starting the series

[Toni · Rating 5 out of 5]

I had started Tombyards and Butterflies and for some reason, halfway through Chapter 1, it just wasn't clicking, so when I saw No God is Safe, and read the blurb and realized that, is in a way, it's a prequel, I decided to read it instead. I guess it was "the way they met" that did it, for now, I'm back with Tombyards and Butterflies, and everything makes sense.

As for No God is Safe, it's fairly rare that Asian or Eurasian dieties are featured in stories and this little run-in with Shiva and Kali, in which it's explained how Strong became immortal and met Montague, is an entertaining, interesting, and chilling story. It sets up the series perfectly and I'm glad I didn't give up and simply stop reading.

Am now immersed in Book 1 and looking forward to all...how many are there?...22?...novels.

[Ken Finlay · Rating 3 out of 5]

Magic meets mayhem in this short prequel/intro to the Montague & Strong series. Simon Strong P.I., relies on strength and determination to get the job done, British Mage Tristan Montague brings magic to the party.
They've only just met and are thrown into the deep end – tackling a couple of Gods!
Are they strong enough to take on Kali and Shiva?
And that is when it all goes to hell in a handbasket!
I've read a couple of prequels recently and mostly they didn't work, giving me no incentive to read further. “No God Is Safe”, however, gets it right and I'll be heading on to the next book straight away.
It's too short to judge just how good it is but I'm going for 3 Stars.

[Natalie Fallon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Case file to answer how it all started
Monty and Simon have already appeared in 2 books, starting with Tombyards and Butterflies and more recently Full Moon Howl, and this Case File tells us all how the British Mage and American supernatural go-to immortal met and started working together as well as answering the question of how Simon got his immortality curse. Although I read it in the order of being written I'm sure this could be read as an introduction or at any point in the series and, as with all books in the series, is sure to entertain with action and humour.

[Ryan Provstgaard · Rating 3 out of 5]

Although pretty short with not much time to get a footing this felt like a book that shouldnt be read in its true order within the series. As I am new to the series and saw that this was #0.5 I decided to try this first rather than #1. There may have been things in this that were designed for readers who read one and on. Doesnt make it bad but for an origin of sorts it seems it felt a bit quick. Not rushed, just too fast. But it was fun, funny and entertaining with a promising world to explore. Really looking forward to the rest.

[Mandy Walkden-Brown · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thoroughly entertaining!

Action and humour filled introduction to these characters and the series.

Rather enjoyed discovering how Monty and Simon met. Good to know that Simon had a knack for annoying Monty right from the first few seconds of their initial meeting!

The duo manage to find themselves right in the middle of a battle between two gods from the Hindu pantheon. Not the safest place to be, but then that never stops this pair.

Another well written, fun read from this author.

[Li Kim Min · Rating 4 out of 5]

a must read story short before starting on with Book 1: Tombyards and Butterflies otherwise you won't have enough of a feel of the characters' personalities and the reason of their close friendship otherwise. Seeing as Book 1 drops you right into the action right in the beginning and drops a ton of characters and plot lines left and right often leaving you going: "Who's that? What? Then how?"

It's definitely less confusing after you've read the shorts. XD

[John Tyson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Atleast the mystery has begun

Seems like it's been twenty years to get to this point. I would like to thank the little people who has kept up the pressure and atlast we have won. The struggle was real. It was a hard fought victory some tears some smiles some irrations, but atleast we now know how the S & M met and how the kinky began thank you little people without you well I wouldn't be writing this review.

[Carrie O’Leary · Rating 5 out of 5]

Nicely done Mr Sanchez, thoroughly enjoyed this prequel Novella to the series. I don't do recaps of the story, the author always does it best. All I will say is, if you are new to the series read at least book 1, Tombyards and Butterflies first. That way you get to fully appreciate the prequel. Stories aren't always best read chronologically. Good fun and nice quick read

[Ellen Sheffer · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you like Dresden

If you like Harry, you'll like Simon. Same kind of snarky, only he isn't the Wizard, Montague is. Sorry, mage not wizard. This was a short prequel - how Simon meet Monty - so I don't know how it's going to work over the longer run, but I thoroughly enjoyed this and will continue on with the next installment. Can't wait!

[Beverly · Rating 3 out of 5]

It is good that this was a special dual buy with the first book, Tombyards & Butterflies, because I would not have purchased a mere 42 page story for 99 cents. It is a good background story that introduces the main characters of the series, but it should have simply been the prologue of the first book and not a separate story.

[Denise King · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great addition to the magical urban fantasy genre. Love the backstory for my favorite action heroes in a gritty, and funny, urban fantasy. Who is crazy enough to take on a God, much less two? Simon and Monty of course. Nice little twist to which the bad actually is. And explains how Simon gained his unique immortality.

[Pam Bales · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great Backstory!

I'm so glad that I read on after the end of a book. I found this one mentioned in A Proper Hellhound so now I have a better understanding of the series. Homecoming had to wait while I read these shorts, so now on to it. Great characters, plot, settings, and Easter eggs!

[M · Rating 4 out of 5]

Montague & Strong Origin Story, wherein they meet Kali & Shiva.

Great prequel shows how Simon was cursed with immortality, after he (and Monty) interfere in a power war between Shiva and Kali the Destroyer. I swear Mage Monty needs to slap smart-mouth Simon upside the head to keep him in line. This is a good prequel to the M&S series.

[Drew Hayes · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting Introduction

The origin of Montague and Strong offers a few answers, but mostly leaves you with questions. Perhaps if I'd read other books in the series first I'd be able to feel less I the dark. This felt more like a nod to existing fans instead of a proper introduction to the characters.

[Dan Haller · Rating 5 out of 5]

And So It All Began. No God is Safe for sure!

I was lead back to this after reading my fifth venture "down the rabbit hole" (but don't we just love them). Surprising and origin, but the Hindu pantheon is all complex. It was an excellent time to dig up M & S agency's back story. Every encounter is a wonder filled gift.