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Precinct #3
Goblin Precinct
Humans and elves, dwarves and gnomes, wizards and warriors all live and do business in the thriving, overcrowded port city of Cliff's End, to say nothing of the tourists and travelers who arrive by land and sea, passing through the metropolis on matters of business or pleasure--or on quests. The hard-working, under-appreciated officers of the Cliff's End Castle Guard work day and night to maintain law and order as best they can.
A new drug called Bliss is sweeping across the slums of Goblin Precinct. It makes people feel better--but if they take too much, they overdose and die. It doesn't truly become a concern for the Castle Guard until one of the overdoses turns out to be a former elf lord who is wanted for war crimes.
The Captain of the Guard must put his best detectives, the half-elf Danthres Tresyllione and the ex-soldier Torin ban Wyvald, on the case to find out what happened to the elf. But when the magickal examiner discovers the truth behind Bliss, it becomes a firestorm of controversy that brings the Brotherhood of Wizards into the case--and that never ends well...
An all-new adventure of the Cliff's End Castle Guard!
A new drug called Bliss is sweeping across the slums of Goblin Precinct. It makes people feel better--but if they take too much, they overdose and die. It doesn't truly become a concern for the Castle Guard until one of the overdoses turns out to be a former elf lord who is wanted for war crimes.
The Captain of the Guard must put his best detectives, the half-elf Danthres Tresyllione and the ex-soldier Torin ban Wyvald, on the case to find out what happened to the elf. But when the magickal examiner discovers the truth behind Bliss, it becomes a firestorm of controversy that brings the Brotherhood of Wizards into the case--and that never ends well...
An all-new adventure of the Cliff's End Castle Guard!
192 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 2012
5 people are currently reading
119 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
August 23, 2025
And the endings of this fascinating fantasy just continue to top each other 😎
May 14, 2023
More murder and mayhem in this fun and humorous series with the Cliff's End Castle Guards. Goblin Precinct is the third book in the Dragon Precinct series by Keith R.A. DeCandido.
If you are a fan and love Cliff's End, then you already know how good this series is with great character development, excellent storytelling where the gaurds and detectives come up against magical crimes in the upper and lower classes of the Precincts.
In the Goblin Precinct, an Elf Lord who is wanted for war crimes is found dead from an overdose. A new drug called Bliss is sweeping across the slums of Goblin Precinct.
The Captain of the Guard must put his best detectives, the half-elf Danthres Tresyllione, and the ex-soldier Torin ban Wyvald, on the case to find out what happened to the elf which leads to them to uncover who is responsible for the new wonder drug.
Short, sweet, and a fun way to get lost for a little while in a fantastic tale, helping our detectives along the way, now for Gryphon Precinct, highly recommended...😁💙🧝♂️🧙♂️🗡⚡️
If you are a fan and love Cliff's End, then you already know how good this series is with great character development, excellent storytelling where the gaurds and detectives come up against magical crimes in the upper and lower classes of the Precincts.
In the Goblin Precinct, an Elf Lord who is wanted for war crimes is found dead from an overdose. A new drug called Bliss is sweeping across the slums of Goblin Precinct.
The Captain of the Guard must put his best detectives, the half-elf Danthres Tresyllione, and the ex-soldier Torin ban Wyvald, on the case to find out what happened to the elf which leads to them to uncover who is responsible for the new wonder drug.
Short, sweet, and a fun way to get lost for a little while in a fantastic tale, helping our detectives along the way, now for Gryphon Precinct, highly recommended...😁💙🧝♂️🧙♂️🗡⚡️
January 7, 2024
Ad maiorem Dei gloriam.
The end justifies the means...
Another tale of furious fighting to keep things the same, and justyfing it by saying it justifies itself. And, on the other hand, others willing to do just about anything to achieve change. Justyfing it because change is needed. But not articulate on what the world should be like...
Neither/no side is really able to explain just why they want what they want.
"It has always been this way" is what they say, all of them.
I am unsure if Mr DeCandido realises that all his characters are really just the same, just with different, irreconcilable goals.
I cheer for Torin. I despair for his grumpy partner. I feel sorry for the poor Captain who is trying so very hard, and gets so little credit. I feel the same for the poor forensic mage, who can actually do magic with the clues. No-one ever says Thank you...
The end justifies the means...
Another tale of furious fighting to keep things the same, and justyfing it by saying it justifies itself. And, on the other hand, others willing to do just about anything to achieve change. Justyfing it because change is needed. But not articulate on what the world should be like...
Neither/no side is really able to explain just why they want what they want.
"It has always been this way" is what they say, all of them.
I am unsure if Mr DeCandido realises that all his characters are really just the same, just with different, irreconcilable goals.
I cheer for Torin. I despair for his grumpy partner. I feel sorry for the poor Captain who is trying so very hard, and gets so little credit. I feel the same for the poor forensic mage, who can actually do magic with the clues. No-one ever says Thank you...
September 27, 2025
The Precinct series by Keith R.A. DeCandido is an amazing fantasy series and Goblin Precinct is no exception. This book follows detectives Danthres and Torin as they investigate a series of overdoses caused by a new drug called Bliss, and its magical origins. As always Keith DeCandido delivers an amazing story set in a fantastical universe and I can’t wait to read the next book in the series
November 12, 2020
The only reason that I'm giving this one 3 stats is for the length of the story - not the story itself!
I wish these were longer so I could feel like I got what I paid for.
That being said, I really like the characters and the stories!
I wish these were longer so I could feel like I got what I paid for.
That being said, I really like the characters and the stories!
February 6, 2020
Another entertaining jaunt to Cliff's End. Solid story telling, good character development, and interesting case. Since it ended in a cliffhanger I've got to pick up the next one.
November 22, 2021
Audiobook, reader Michael Page; excellent.
Whimsical fun, quite enjoyable listen.
Whimsical fun, quite enjoyable listen.
November 6, 2024
8. This resembled Terry Pratchett’s Guards even more. A quick fun read.
February 19, 2013
‘Goblin Precinct’ is the third installment in the series featuring Castle Guard detectives Danthres Tresyllione and Torin ban Wyvald. An Elven representative has come to Cliff’s End to find a former elf lord and take him home to be tried for his crimes during the war. Unfortunately, this particular elf has succumbed to the draw of Bliss – a new street drug. Bliss is killing off people by the dozens and now it’s become a major issue as the M.E. has determined this isn’t just any new drug…it’s a drug created with magic. Now the stakes are higher and the search for the truth has been even more dangerous…
‘Goblin Precinct’ is a fun and fast-paced book. You don’t have to have read the first two books to enjoy it, but it certainly helps from a character standpoint. The politics and roles of women in society are a large part of this book. I enjoyed the coalescing story lines and I was very saddened by some of the tragedies which befell Cliff’s End in general and the Castle Guard in particular. At the end, the case is solved but there are a couple shocking twists. We’ll have to wait until the next book to see what the aftermath is, but hopefully the wait is not too long. I am a big fan of the mystery and fantasy elements the author has blended together so well.
Series: Dragon Precinct (1), Unicorn Precinct (2), Goblin Precinct (3)
‘Goblin Precinct’ is a fun and fast-paced book. You don’t have to have read the first two books to enjoy it, but it certainly helps from a character standpoint. The politics and roles of women in society are a large part of this book. I enjoyed the coalescing story lines and I was very saddened by some of the tragedies which befell Cliff’s End in general and the Castle Guard in particular. At the end, the case is solved but there are a couple shocking twists. We’ll have to wait until the next book to see what the aftermath is, but hopefully the wait is not too long. I am a big fan of the mystery and fantasy elements the author has blended together so well.
Series: Dragon Precinct (1), Unicorn Precinct (2), Goblin Precinct (3)
January 13, 2013
It is rare that I read books out of order, but I picked this up when it was being released at a convention.
The writer's style is fairly succinct and the characters a little shallow, but enjoyable. I think that is largely a side-effect of the book being more of a novella than a novel.
I enjoyed the story, but it was not gripping in any sense. It was one of those casual reads that you read to pass the time as opposed to becoming emotionally invested unlike say Harry Potter or the Dresden Files.
If you are a voracious reader and need something, I recommend this. It is good writing, but not again, not a serious pageturner.
The writer's style is fairly succinct and the characters a little shallow, but enjoyable. I think that is largely a side-effect of the book being more of a novella than a novel.
I enjoyed the story, but it was not gripping in any sense. It was one of those casual reads that you read to pass the time as opposed to becoming emotionally invested unlike say Harry Potter or the Dresden Files.
If you are a voracious reader and need something, I recommend this. It is good writing, but not again, not a serious pageturner.
March 29, 2015
A great continuation of the Dragon Precinct series. I didn't feel that this case pulled me in as the previous ones had, but it was still good. It expanded upon the world more, building more details about the Brotherhood of Magic and the background of some of the characters. There was a sad part of the book that just didn't seem to have the effect it should have had on me, but I won't say any more so I don't spoil it for others.
Overall I liked it. Can't wait to read more from Keith R.A. DeCandido. :)
Overall I liked it. Can't wait to read more from Keith R.A. DeCandido. :)
September 23, 2016
Ends on a cliffhanger!
Well, sort of a cliffhanger, at least. They just wrapped things up and BAM! A dooming pronouncement and then, "To be continued!"
The story, of a drug gone rampant in Cliff's End, holds together well, and the characters are quite real, again. There are unexpected twists, along with expected difficulties and problems seeming unsurmountable. There's triumph and heartache here for the characters and the reader.
Well, sort of a cliffhanger, at least. They just wrapped things up and BAM! A dooming pronouncement and then, "To be continued!"
The story, of a drug gone rampant in Cliff's End, holds together well, and the characters are quite real, again. There are unexpected twists, along with expected difficulties and problems seeming unsurmountable. There's triumph and heartache here for the characters and the reader.
August 9, 2018
This series, originally published by Ace when originally released, is an excellent example of a police procedural in a fantasy setting - sort of like Ed McBain 87th Precinct novels, but with swords and magic.
Also, I built a fan site for it!
http://medinnus.com/flingaria/index.html
Also, I built a fan site for it!
http://medinnus.com/flingaria/index.html
February 28, 2016
magic and detectives
gotta love it
gotta love it
May 13, 2019
Now that I have read the 4 books of this series, this one by and large was the most heart wrenching and emotional of his books. Keith knocked this one out of the park. Overall was a great read.
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews