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The Carter Archives #1
Titanshade
This noir fantasy thriller from a debut author introduces the gritty town of Titanshade, where danger lurks around every corner.
"Take a little Mickey Spillane, some Dashiell Hammet, a bit of Raymond Chandler, and mix it with Phillip K. Dick's Blade Runner; add a taste of CJ Box, and Craig Johnson, and you've got a masterpiece of a first novel." --W. Michael Gear, New York Times bestselling author
Carter's a homicide cop in Titanshade, an oil boomtown where 8-tracks are state of the art, disco rules the radio, and all the best sorcerers wear designer labels. It's also a metropolis teetering on the edge of disaster. As its oil reserves run dry, the city's future hangs on a possible investment from the reclusive amphibians known as Squibs.
But now negotiations have been derailed by the horrific murder of a Squib diplomat. The pressure's never been higher to make a quick arrest, even as Carter's investigation leads him into conflict with the city's elite. Undermined by corrupt coworkers and falsified evidence, and with a suspect list that includes power-hungry politicians, oil magnates, and mad scientists, Carter must find the killer before the investigation turns into a witch-hunt and those closest to him pay the ultimate price on the filthy streets of Titanshade.
"Take a little Mickey Spillane, some Dashiell Hammet, a bit of Raymond Chandler, and mix it with Phillip K. Dick's Blade Runner; add a taste of CJ Box, and Craig Johnson, and you've got a masterpiece of a first novel." --W. Michael Gear, New York Times bestselling author
Carter's a homicide cop in Titanshade, an oil boomtown where 8-tracks are state of the art, disco rules the radio, and all the best sorcerers wear designer labels. It's also a metropolis teetering on the edge of disaster. As its oil reserves run dry, the city's future hangs on a possible investment from the reclusive amphibians known as Squibs.
But now negotiations have been derailed by the horrific murder of a Squib diplomat. The pressure's never been higher to make a quick arrest, even as Carter's investigation leads him into conflict with the city's elite. Undermined by corrupt coworkers and falsified evidence, and with a suspect list that includes power-hungry politicians, oil magnates, and mad scientists, Carter must find the killer before the investigation turns into a witch-hunt and those closest to him pay the ultimate price on the filthy streets of Titanshade.
407 pages, Hardcover
First published March 12, 2019
87 people are currently reading
1496 people want to read
About the author
Dan Stout
22 books114 followersDan Stout lives in Columbus, Ohio, where he writes noir with a twist of magic and a disco chaser.
His tales of murder, mystery, and speculative fiction draw on travels around the world as well as an employment history spanning everything from subpoena server to assistant well driller.
Dan's work has appeared in publications such as The Saturday Evening Post, Nature, and the Stonecoast Review. He is the author of The Carter Archives, a series of noir fantasy thrillers from DAW Books.
Say hello at DanStout.com.
His tales of murder, mystery, and speculative fiction draw on travels around the world as well as an employment history spanning everything from subpoena server to assistant well driller.
Dan's work has appeared in publications such as The Saturday Evening Post, Nature, and the Stonecoast Review. He is the author of The Carter Archives, a series of noir fantasy thrillers from DAW Books.
Say hello at DanStout.com.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 163 reviews
October 15, 2018
I mean, c'mon... I wrote the thing. Did you really think I was going to give it less than five stars?
February 20, 2019
Why read this review when you could be reading Titanshade instead? Are you perhaps unsure if this book is for you? How? Look at the cover. LOOK AT THE COVER. This cover tells you exactly what you're getting into. It's noir. It's pulp. It's a gritty cop drama where the lead detective's doing his best to stay sane in a dirty city hell-bent on eating itself alive. Oh and his partner has FACE MANDIBLES because it's also sci-fi - but not squeaky clean future scifi, no this is retro lowtech scifi. This is the glorious lovechild of Dragnet and Alien Nation and LA Confidential and Sin City all at once. The world is simultaneously so familiar that you forget it's scifi, and also so unique that it opens up brilliant new possibilities in the main murder mystery. It is an absolutely unapologetic crime novel that doesn't owe you any of the things you think scifi is supposed to do. Every chapter will leave a taste of smoky whiskey in your mouth. I tore through my advance copy in four days and want another bottle of it.
December 27, 2018
[Okay, so, I'm basically a ray of sunshine, but every now and then I indulge in some good old fashioned violent noir, and it was about that time.]
I loved this book. Admittedly, it's just the sort of thing that I'm into, kind of a sci-fi/fantasy/noir kind of novel set in a world technologically similar to our own, but with some magic and a few other intelligent species in addition to humans.
It was the first chapter that really hooked me.
Carter, a seasoned detective with a sharp mind and bad history, has been called to the scene of a horrific murder. The room is red with viscera. It is a horrible display of tragedy and savagery. And for some reason, to Carter, it is smelling more and more delicious.
...huh?
Turns out that the victim was a member of a species of frog people, and their blood smells delicious to homo sapiens. (Explains why they keep to themselves so much and refuse to go to hospitals.) We struggle with poor Carter, who is standing in the middle of this room full of pain and suffering, as his mind is processing the horror around him and his mouth is watering with a mix of arousal and nausea.
The horror and dread of that chapter reminded me of Stephen King, and I was in for the long haul.
The simple murder case becomes more complicated when they discover that the victim was part of a visiting ambassador's envoy and was in town for political bargaining. No one seems to benefit from his death, but everyone seems to be hiding something. Is it a corrupt politician? Corrupt businessman? Dirty cop? All or none of the above?
Will someone else please read this so we can talk about it?!?!
arc received from the publisher
I loved this book. Admittedly, it's just the sort of thing that I'm into, kind of a sci-fi/fantasy/noir kind of novel set in a world technologically similar to our own, but with some magic and a few other intelligent species in addition to humans.
It was the first chapter that really hooked me.
Carter, a seasoned detective with a sharp mind and bad history, has been called to the scene of a horrific murder. The room is red with viscera. It is a horrible display of tragedy and savagery. And for some reason, to Carter, it is smelling more and more delicious.
...huh?
Turns out that the victim was a member of a species of frog people, and their blood smells delicious to homo sapiens. (Explains why they keep to themselves so much and refuse to go to hospitals.) We struggle with poor Carter, who is standing in the middle of this room full of pain and suffering, as his mind is processing the horror around him and his mouth is watering with a mix of arousal and nausea.
The horror and dread of that chapter reminded me of Stephen King, and I was in for the long haul.
The simple murder case becomes more complicated when they discover that the victim was part of a visiting ambassador's envoy and was in town for political bargaining. No one seems to benefit from his death, but everyone seems to be hiding something. Is it a corrupt politician? Corrupt businessman? Dirty cop? All or none of the above?
Will someone else please read this so we can talk about it?!?!
arc received from the publisher
April 7, 2020
Titanshade has the right twists and turns that makes for a great thriller.
March 12, 2019
I received an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Carter's a homicide cop in Titanshade, an oil boomtown where 8-tracks are state of the art, disco rules the radio, and all the best sorcerers wear designer labels. It's also a metropolis teetering on the edge of disaster. As its oil reserves run dry, the city's future hangs on a possible investment from the reclusive amphibians known as Squibs. But now negotiations have been derailed by the horrific murder of a Squib diplomat. The pressure's never been higher to make a quick arrest, even as Carter's investigation leads him into conflict with the city's elite. Undermined by corrupt coworkers and falsified evidence, and with a suspect list that includes power-hungry politicians, oil magnates, and mad scientists, Carter must find the killer before the investigation turns into a witch-hunt and those closest to him pay the ultimate price on the filthy streets of Titanshade.
I can now officially say that Titanshade by Dan Stout is one of my favorite reads of 2019! The description and cover (art by the amazing Christian McGrath) totally reeled me right off the bat. Luckily for me, the novel really delivers in the best ways. It's a gritty fantasy sci-fi noir and the best way I can describe it is that it's a great combination of The Dresden Files by Jim Butcher, Dirty Harry, Dragnet, LA Confidential, and Chinatown all rolled into one. I didn't realize I needed that until now and now that I'm done I definitely need more of the genre. I've got my fingers crossed that we'll see more from this world and these characters in the future. The characters, particularly Carter, are all wonderfully complex and can practically walk right off the page. The pacing and dialogue are absolutely crackling. The author also does a fantastic job of creating the detailed world of Titanshade itself - it's practically a character in its own right. Anyway, I also loved just how original and inventive this novel is. I can't say I've every read anything quite it before, but I hope I can say I have in the future.
Overall, Dan Stout's Titanshade is one of the best debut novels I've had the chance to read in ages. I need to return to this world stat. No matter what, I know I need more of the author in my life. Thanks again for the opportunity, NetGalley!
Carter's a homicide cop in Titanshade, an oil boomtown where 8-tracks are state of the art, disco rules the radio, and all the best sorcerers wear designer labels. It's also a metropolis teetering on the edge of disaster. As its oil reserves run dry, the city's future hangs on a possible investment from the reclusive amphibians known as Squibs. But now negotiations have been derailed by the horrific murder of a Squib diplomat. The pressure's never been higher to make a quick arrest, even as Carter's investigation leads him into conflict with the city's elite. Undermined by corrupt coworkers and falsified evidence, and with a suspect list that includes power-hungry politicians, oil magnates, and mad scientists, Carter must find the killer before the investigation turns into a witch-hunt and those closest to him pay the ultimate price on the filthy streets of Titanshade.
I can now officially say that Titanshade by Dan Stout is one of my favorite reads of 2019! The description and cover (art by the amazing Christian McGrath) totally reeled me right off the bat. Luckily for me, the novel really delivers in the best ways. It's a gritty fantasy sci-fi noir and the best way I can describe it is that it's a great combination of The Dresden Files by Jim Butcher, Dirty Harry, Dragnet, LA Confidential, and Chinatown all rolled into one. I didn't realize I needed that until now and now that I'm done I definitely need more of the genre. I've got my fingers crossed that we'll see more from this world and these characters in the future. The characters, particularly Carter, are all wonderfully complex and can practically walk right off the page. The pacing and dialogue are absolutely crackling. The author also does a fantastic job of creating the detailed world of Titanshade itself - it's practically a character in its own right. Anyway, I also loved just how original and inventive this novel is. I can't say I've every read anything quite it before, but I hope I can say I have in the future.
Overall, Dan Stout's Titanshade is one of the best debut novels I've had the chance to read in ages. I need to return to this world stat. No matter what, I know I need more of the author in my life. Thanks again for the opportunity, NetGalley!
April 6, 2019
Titanshade is the most intensely imaginative detective novel I’ve ever read. Unrelenting in its pace, the plot packs a visceral wallop that keeps one reeling from the first page to the last. And yet it’s all about the voice; Stout is a master of dialogue, and his characters compel the reader ever deeper into Titanshade’s alternate universe.
April 7, 2019
I found Titanshade to be richly imaginative and superbly entertaining. The setting and the murder mystery hooked me from the beginning, but what I loved most about this novel is its very human protagonist, detective Carter, who has taken it upon himself to solve the horrific killing of a rich and influential squib (one of the several forms of humanoid amphibians that populate the rich and corrupt city of Titanshade). Carter’s desire to solve the crime is driven by his commitment to his profession and town as well as by a moral obligation to the troubled teenage girl whose deceased mother was near and dear to him. Carter’s voice is street smart and engaging and funny and the author deftly alternates action and thought so that we’re always in Carter’s head, heart, and soul no matter if he’s firing his gun or feeding his cat or recalling the woman he loved.
There’s magic in Titanshade both figuratively and literally as fantastic substances fall from the sky and people transform into other beings at will and the smell of squib blood has mood-altering properties.
This is a novel that screams to be on the big screen, its beautifully conjured world much too rich and nuanced for its pages.
There’s magic in Titanshade both figuratively and literally as fantastic substances fall from the sky and people transform into other beings at will and the smell of squib blood has mood-altering properties.
This is a novel that screams to be on the big screen, its beautifully conjured world much too rich and nuanced for its pages.
April 8, 2019
I received this book for free from the Publisher in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.The nitty-gritty: A thoroughly fresh take on urban fantasy noir, with multilayered characters, sleazy and corrupt politicians, murder, magic and mayhem aplenty. In short, this story has a little of everything in just the right amounts.
My initial impression when I saw the cover of Titanshade was that it reminded me of the 80s movie Alien Nation , about human/alien cop partners who solve crimes in a neo-noir Los Angeles. But boy, did I read the cover wrong, because this is not science fiction at all, despite what that tusked, alien-looking creature on the cover is telling you. Stout’s debut is a down-and-dirty urban fantasy about greed, survival, corruption and crime, told by savvy—but disliked—detective Carter and set against the icy backdrop of Titanshade, a city on the brink of financial ruin. And wow was this story a blast! I loved everything about it, from the unconventional world-building to the convoluted and twisty plot, to the earnest but jaded voice of Carter, a cop whose luck is just this side of bad. And did I mention the action? Titanshade is a thrilling story that slows down just enough for Carter to recover from various brutal beatings he seems to attract on a regular basis.
When the story begins, Carter has just been called to the scene of a grisly murder. A Squib—a squat, frog-like creature—has been viciously torn apart in a hotel room, and the murder scene is saturated with the Squib’s potent, cinnamon-scented blood. The Squib, a political delegate named Garson Haberdine, was deep in negotiations to fund a wind farm, an alternate energy source to replace the dwindling oil resources that Titanshade used to be known for. Carter knows his murder will set off a frenzy among the public, since the wind farm would have meant more jobs for the middle class citizens of the city. Carter is paired with a young Mollenkampi named Ajax to investigate the murder, but before they can dig in too deeply, another murder is reported, this time an entire family, brutally slayed in their home. The scene seems eerily familiar to Carter, who is convinced that the two murders are connected.
The police have turned up evidence that a “candy”—a prostitute—might have been involved, and it doesn’t take long before Carter realizes that one of the suspects is none other than his late girlfriend Jenny’s daughter, an activist named Talena Michaels who just happened to be posing as a candy the night of the murder. Carter practically raised Talena, and he will do anything to keep her safe. But there's pressure to find the killer and wrap up the case quickly, before the citizens of Titanshade lose control. Carter and Ajax are determined to solve the mystery, but getting his boss to listen to him? That's a hurdle Carter will have to overcome if he wants justice.
I want to start by talking about the world-building, because it was phenomenal! Stout has created a unique setting, a weird mix of the familiar and the unfamiliar that somehow works. It’s got a cool and gritty 70s vibe where pagers, pay phones, disco and 8-track tape players are the norm, juxtaposed against a city located in an Arctic-like setting, where underground thermal vents are the only thing keeping people warm. Humans and other creatures live side by side, including the Mollenkampi, a creature with two mouths, one for biting and eating, and one for speaking (that’s a Mollenkampi on the cover, by the way). There’s also a magic system at play, where sorcerers are able to use a whale blubber-derived substance called manna to communicate with the dead and perform other feats of magic. Some elements that might feel familiar are twisted just enough to make them seem peculiar. For example, churches are called guideposts, and the dead are placed to rest not in the ground, but are whisked away by giant condors in “sky burials.”
Stout has really thought things through and I loved all the details of his world, even though some of them aren’t thoroughly explained. The city of Titanshade grew up around oil drilling, and the business of oil made the owners of those rigs rich members of the Titanshade elite. Carter’s father worked on a rig, so he grew up around the dangers of living on the outskirts of society, further away from the comforts of the city where freezing to death is a real possibility. Stout has also developed a fascinating religion whose members are called Therreaus, which reminded me a lot of the Amish religion. Even Carter, who scoffs at the One True Path, mutters a prayer of thanks to the underground gods who produce heat (or so it’s said) every time he walks over a geovent.
Carter is a suitably misunderstood character, the kind you end up loving even though no one else in the story seems to like him even a little. There’s an incident in Carter’s past that has colored his relationships with everyone in the Titanshade Police Department, so he’s not widely trusted or liked. But I felt bad for the guy. He always seems to be in the wrong place at the wrong time, and even though he’s smart and figures everything out, no one believes him. This leads to Carter having to go rogue and break the rules in order to catch the bad guy, which in turn gets him in more trouble, and…you get the idea. In short, Carter is my favorite kind of character: lovable against all odds, always doing the wrong things for the right reasons, loyal to a fault and driven at times by his emotions. His relationships with some of the other characters give this story unexpected emotion and heart, and just wait for a certain scene at the end that involves Jenny, it might give you goosebumps!
I also loved many of the side characters, including Ajax, Carter’s partner; Simon, his confidential informant; the gruff and tough-as-nails Captain Bryyh, his boss; and even Flanagan, a fellow cop who plays a big part in that oh-so-mysterious event in Carter’s past and is a prime suspect in the Squib murder. I’m hoping to get to know these characters even more in the next book.
And boy does Carter take a beating in this story! If you love action, you won’t be disappointed. This is a cop story and there are guns and knives and plenty of hand-to-hand fighting. One of my favorite scenes takes place at a secret research facility between Carter and a security guard and they nearly kill each other! Good stuff.
Perfectly paced and tightly written, Titanshade has everything I look for in a book and more, and I can enthusiastically tell you that this is one of the happiest surprises of the year so far. Luckily Stout is hard at work on the sequel (although there’s nothing on Goodreads as of yet), and you can bet that I’ll be first in line to read it. Highly recommended!
Big thanks to the publisher for supplying a review copy.This review originally appeared on Books, Bones & Buffy
My initial impression when I saw the cover of Titanshade was that it reminded me of the 80s movie Alien Nation , about human/alien cop partners who solve crimes in a neo-noir Los Angeles. But boy, did I read the cover wrong, because this is not science fiction at all, despite what that tusked, alien-looking creature on the cover is telling you. Stout’s debut is a down-and-dirty urban fantasy about greed, survival, corruption and crime, told by savvy—but disliked—detective Carter and set against the icy backdrop of Titanshade, a city on the brink of financial ruin. And wow was this story a blast! I loved everything about it, from the unconventional world-building to the convoluted and twisty plot, to the earnest but jaded voice of Carter, a cop whose luck is just this side of bad. And did I mention the action? Titanshade is a thrilling story that slows down just enough for Carter to recover from various brutal beatings he seems to attract on a regular basis.
When the story begins, Carter has just been called to the scene of a grisly murder. A Squib—a squat, frog-like creature—has been viciously torn apart in a hotel room, and the murder scene is saturated with the Squib’s potent, cinnamon-scented blood. The Squib, a political delegate named Garson Haberdine, was deep in negotiations to fund a wind farm, an alternate energy source to replace the dwindling oil resources that Titanshade used to be known for. Carter knows his murder will set off a frenzy among the public, since the wind farm would have meant more jobs for the middle class citizens of the city. Carter is paired with a young Mollenkampi named Ajax to investigate the murder, but before they can dig in too deeply, another murder is reported, this time an entire family, brutally slayed in their home. The scene seems eerily familiar to Carter, who is convinced that the two murders are connected.
The police have turned up evidence that a “candy”—a prostitute—might have been involved, and it doesn’t take long before Carter realizes that one of the suspects is none other than his late girlfriend Jenny’s daughter, an activist named Talena Michaels who just happened to be posing as a candy the night of the murder. Carter practically raised Talena, and he will do anything to keep her safe. But there's pressure to find the killer and wrap up the case quickly, before the citizens of Titanshade lose control. Carter and Ajax are determined to solve the mystery, but getting his boss to listen to him? That's a hurdle Carter will have to overcome if he wants justice.
I want to start by talking about the world-building, because it was phenomenal! Stout has created a unique setting, a weird mix of the familiar and the unfamiliar that somehow works. It’s got a cool and gritty 70s vibe where pagers, pay phones, disco and 8-track tape players are the norm, juxtaposed against a city located in an Arctic-like setting, where underground thermal vents are the only thing keeping people warm. Humans and other creatures live side by side, including the Mollenkampi, a creature with two mouths, one for biting and eating, and one for speaking (that’s a Mollenkampi on the cover, by the way). There’s also a magic system at play, where sorcerers are able to use a whale blubber-derived substance called manna to communicate with the dead and perform other feats of magic. Some elements that might feel familiar are twisted just enough to make them seem peculiar. For example, churches are called guideposts, and the dead are placed to rest not in the ground, but are whisked away by giant condors in “sky burials.”
Stout has really thought things through and I loved all the details of his world, even though some of them aren’t thoroughly explained. The city of Titanshade grew up around oil drilling, and the business of oil made the owners of those rigs rich members of the Titanshade elite. Carter’s father worked on a rig, so he grew up around the dangers of living on the outskirts of society, further away from the comforts of the city where freezing to death is a real possibility. Stout has also developed a fascinating religion whose members are called Therreaus, which reminded me a lot of the Amish religion. Even Carter, who scoffs at the One True Path, mutters a prayer of thanks to the underground gods who produce heat (or so it’s said) every time he walks over a geovent.
Carter is a suitably misunderstood character, the kind you end up loving even though no one else in the story seems to like him even a little. There’s an incident in Carter’s past that has colored his relationships with everyone in the Titanshade Police Department, so he’s not widely trusted or liked. But I felt bad for the guy. He always seems to be in the wrong place at the wrong time, and even though he’s smart and figures everything out, no one believes him. This leads to Carter having to go rogue and break the rules in order to catch the bad guy, which in turn gets him in more trouble, and…you get the idea. In short, Carter is my favorite kind of character: lovable against all odds, always doing the wrong things for the right reasons, loyal to a fault and driven at times by his emotions. His relationships with some of the other characters give this story unexpected emotion and heart, and just wait for a certain scene at the end that involves Jenny, it might give you goosebumps!
I also loved many of the side characters, including Ajax, Carter’s partner; Simon, his confidential informant; the gruff and tough-as-nails Captain Bryyh, his boss; and even Flanagan, a fellow cop who plays a big part in that oh-so-mysterious event in Carter’s past and is a prime suspect in the Squib murder. I’m hoping to get to know these characters even more in the next book.
And boy does Carter take a beating in this story! If you love action, you won’t be disappointed. This is a cop story and there are guns and knives and plenty of hand-to-hand fighting. One of my favorite scenes takes place at a secret research facility between Carter and a security guard and they nearly kill each other! Good stuff.
Perfectly paced and tightly written, Titanshade has everything I look for in a book and more, and I can enthusiastically tell you that this is one of the happiest surprises of the year so far. Luckily Stout is hard at work on the sequel (although there’s nothing on Goodreads as of yet), and you can bet that I’ll be first in line to read it. Highly recommended!
Big thanks to the publisher for supplying a review copy.This review originally appeared on Books, Bones & Buffy
March 17, 2019
What do you get when you mix alien murder, dark world building, a retro 70’s esthetic and elements of magic and science fiction? If you are lucky, you will be reading “Titanshade”, Dan Stout’s entertaining debut novel which combines politics, murder, aliens, magic and a charging plot in a boomtown city on the edge of catastrophe. It’s a mix of cop cars and dying magic, disco music and necromancy. And a great portrait of a cop who lives for the hunt and solving crimes. Stout’s gritty hero is Carter, a homicide cop, who is always in trouble with the brass, but finds the investigation of the murder of a Squib diplomat has far reaching consequences for his city and the people who live there. Stout’s writing is spot on and the noir detective story with magic and modern technology works really well.
The Squibs are an alien amphibian race who live and work in Titanshade, a boomtown, which has been awash in a sea of greenbacks from the discovery and oil drilling. But what happens when the oil runs out. Cities try to get a new investment and reinvent themselves. Titanshade is deep in negotiations with a Squib delegation, who are interested in making a new investment in Titanshade by turning the oil fields into wind farms, when one of the members turns up dead in a sleazy hotel. This is not a novel for the squeamish, as the victim seems to have been involved heavily with human and other alien prostitutes.
Carter has been joined on the case by Ajax, a young Mollenkampi, another alien race that made its home in Titanshade. As part of the investigation, Carter calls on the services of DO Guyer, a magic user, who can, with the use of manna, examine the entrails of a dead person or even call up the dead through a type of necromancy. Manna, a magical substance used to power spells, that once was abundant in Titanshade, is also disappearing from the city, making all magical spells much more expensive. As a reader, unless you are in a world of total magic, the less magic that is used in a world the more believable the world becomes. Magic is like having a superhero run rampant through your story. So Stout’s limited use of magic in the story increases the velocity of the cop elements of the story by focusing it on investigation and not miraculous cures.
The Titanshade elites want the investigation wrapped up quickly, but Carter will not be pushed into arresting the wrong perp. And there are a lot of crimes going on. An entire family is murdered. Is it connected? The elites want it to be. And there are a lot of power players. Ambassador Paulus, a leader in the government and her assistant, the diplomatic envoy Gellica, soon reveal themselves to be involved in some way. Harlan Cedrow, the current head of one of the old oil families, who has the most to lose from the oil field devastation and then there is Flanagan, a disgraced ex-cop, who has fallen in with a religious cult. Carter takes a flame thrower approach, everyone who touches the investigation is burned.
Stout mixes all of the elements well and sets his bulldog investigator to follow the clues to the killer. It’s a complex investigation, but Carter is not going to walk away.
This is what we as readers want in a cop story set in an alien landscape peopled with interesting characters and situations.
It is a find. Go discover it.
The Squibs are an alien amphibian race who live and work in Titanshade, a boomtown, which has been awash in a sea of greenbacks from the discovery and oil drilling. But what happens when the oil runs out. Cities try to get a new investment and reinvent themselves. Titanshade is deep in negotiations with a Squib delegation, who are interested in making a new investment in Titanshade by turning the oil fields into wind farms, when one of the members turns up dead in a sleazy hotel. This is not a novel for the squeamish, as the victim seems to have been involved heavily with human and other alien prostitutes.
Carter has been joined on the case by Ajax, a young Mollenkampi, another alien race that made its home in Titanshade. As part of the investigation, Carter calls on the services of DO Guyer, a magic user, who can, with the use of manna, examine the entrails of a dead person or even call up the dead through a type of necromancy. Manna, a magical substance used to power spells, that once was abundant in Titanshade, is also disappearing from the city, making all magical spells much more expensive. As a reader, unless you are in a world of total magic, the less magic that is used in a world the more believable the world becomes. Magic is like having a superhero run rampant through your story. So Stout’s limited use of magic in the story increases the velocity of the cop elements of the story by focusing it on investigation and not miraculous cures.
The Titanshade elites want the investigation wrapped up quickly, but Carter will not be pushed into arresting the wrong perp. And there are a lot of crimes going on. An entire family is murdered. Is it connected? The elites want it to be. And there are a lot of power players. Ambassador Paulus, a leader in the government and her assistant, the diplomatic envoy Gellica, soon reveal themselves to be involved in some way. Harlan Cedrow, the current head of one of the old oil families, who has the most to lose from the oil field devastation and then there is Flanagan, a disgraced ex-cop, who has fallen in with a religious cult. Carter takes a flame thrower approach, everyone who touches the investigation is burned.
Stout mixes all of the elements well and sets his bulldog investigator to follow the clues to the killer. It’s a complex investigation, but Carter is not going to walk away.
This is what we as readers want in a cop story set in an alien landscape peopled with interesting characters and situations.
It is a find. Go discover it.
March 13, 2019
Rating: ★★★★★
Thanks to DAW Books and the author for an advanced reading copy of Titanshade (The Carter Archives Book 1) in exchange for an honest review. Receiving this ARC did not influence my thoughts or opinions on the novel.
First impressions of Titanshade: OMG, BECKY. LOOK AT THAT COVER!
Really though, in all seriousness, it resembles a classic, gritty episode of Law and Order: SVU, but instead of a straight-shooter detective like Olivia Benson, you are left with (what appears to be) Nick Sax from Happy! in a city on the brink of collapse. Not to mention that said city is full of humans and monsters alike; some with nasty, big, pointy mandibles that, every so often, need to be hankied.
But it is much more than that. Titanshade was easy to get drawn into because the city is eerily similar to some of our own metropolitan areas, though with a dose of magic and some serious mandibles (as you can tell, they are hard to get out of your mind… or from around your neck). It has the vibe of Frank Miller’s ‘Sin City’ graphic novel, a city that never sleeps with trouble around every corner.
Carter is a character I could really get behind and stand by through the thick of it. Even though his “troubled” past and drinking habits tend to get the better of him, he is out to do the right thing no matter who he pisses off. I also enjoyed the witty banter, and injected wisdom, from his rookie partner/babysitter, Ajax. I was pleasantly surprised how fleshed out Stout’s characters were, and how great the dialogue was between them, considering this was his debut. Quite impressive to say the least.
All in all, I absolutely loved Titanshade and cannot wait to be offered my next ride-along. It is sci-fi noir at its finest WITH MANDIBLES. I just hope the smell of cinnamon dissipates before I get there.
Thanks to DAW Books and the author for an advanced reading copy of Titanshade (The Carter Archives Book 1) in exchange for an honest review. Receiving this ARC did not influence my thoughts or opinions on the novel.
First impressions of Titanshade: OMG, BECKY. LOOK AT THAT COVER!
Really though, in all seriousness, it resembles a classic, gritty episode of Law and Order: SVU, but instead of a straight-shooter detective like Olivia Benson, you are left with (what appears to be) Nick Sax from Happy! in a city on the brink of collapse. Not to mention that said city is full of humans and monsters alike; some with nasty, big, pointy mandibles that, every so often, need to be hankied.
But it is much more than that. Titanshade was easy to get drawn into because the city is eerily similar to some of our own metropolitan areas, though with a dose of magic and some serious mandibles (as you can tell, they are hard to get out of your mind… or from around your neck). It has the vibe of Frank Miller’s ‘Sin City’ graphic novel, a city that never sleeps with trouble around every corner.
Carter is a character I could really get behind and stand by through the thick of it. Even though his “troubled” past and drinking habits tend to get the better of him, he is out to do the right thing no matter who he pisses off. I also enjoyed the witty banter, and injected wisdom, from his rookie partner/babysitter, Ajax. I was pleasantly surprised how fleshed out Stout’s characters were, and how great the dialogue was between them, considering this was his debut. Quite impressive to say the least.
All in all, I absolutely loved Titanshade and cannot wait to be offered my next ride-along. It is sci-fi noir at its finest WITH MANDIBLES. I just hope the smell of cinnamon dissipates before I get there.
April 12, 2021
Titanshade je izvanredan primer tvrde detektivske urbane fantastike, verne svojim krimi korenima. Štaviše, fantastika je možda 20% ovog romana - premda ta petina izvanredno začinjava ostatak. Kad smo kod fantastike, čak je izuzetno teško oceniti kom žanru, ili podukusu (ako ćemo nastaviti s kulinarskim metaforama) ovo delo pripada. Svakako jeste urbana fantastika, ali taj fantastični deo mogao bi biti naučna fantastika jednako lako kao što je deklarativno fantazija. Tuđinske, odnosno neljudske vrste zastupljene u romanu svakako više liče na vanzemaljce negoli na vilovnjake, patuljke, vukodlake i ostalu menažeriju iz fantazije i horora, koja najčešće naseljava stranice dela urbane fantastike, dok je magijska mana ne tako daleko od začina iz "Dine" ili virusa iz "Zimske kraljice" Džoan Vindž. Autor se definitivno opredelio za magijsku oblandu - ali ne bi zahtevalo previše posla da se to prebaci na polje čiste naučne fantastike, a da se ni radnja, ni zaplet ni likovi ne promene baš nimalo.
Karakterizacija je izvrsna, world building podroban i detaljan taman koliko treba; čitaocu se pruža uvid u širi svet, čak se i znatiželja golica natuknicom o postojanju više svetova - ali da ne spojlujem tu jednu rečenicu, koja je vešto gurnuta autorska noga u vrata širenja priče i mizanscena. Zaplet je klasičan kriminološki i veoma je osvežavajuća promena čitati priču iz ugla policajca, umesto privatnog detektiva, pa makar taj policajac bio svojevrstan Prljavi Hari - premda više Hari Boš nego Hari Kalahan, samo jadnija i bednija verzija. Taman dovoljan "gubitnik tranzicije" da se velika većina sredovečnih i starijih muškaraca uspešno identifikuje s njim.
Atmosfera romana hibrid je noara tridesetih i akcijaškog krimića osamdesetih, pa je u jednom trenutku sličniji "Čajnataunu" a već u sledećem "Smrtonosnom oružju". Na prvi pogled, ovo bi trebalo da predstavlja ozbiljan problem i disharmoniju koja ometa čitalačko uživanje, ali autor je uspeo da savršeno spoji ove elemente u više nego solidnu mešavinu kojoj je dao lični pečat taman dovoljno da to deluje ne samo originalno već i sveže u aktuelnoj ponudi urbane fantastike - koja poslednjih godina vrlo retko zalazi u sekundarne svetove (a da nije klasična fantazija), pa čak i u paralelne Zemlje.
Uglavnom, srdačna preporuka za prvi roman u Stautovoj trilogiji. Premda je realna ocena nekih 4,5*, zaokružiću na čistih 5* uz Nightflier's Seal of Approval.
Karakterizacija je izvrsna, world building podroban i detaljan taman koliko treba; čitaocu se pruža uvid u širi svet, čak se i znatiželja golica natuknicom o postojanju više svetova - ali da ne spojlujem tu jednu rečenicu, koja je vešto gurnuta autorska noga u vrata širenja priče i mizanscena. Zaplet je klasičan kriminološki i veoma je osvežavajuća promena čitati priču iz ugla policajca, umesto privatnog detektiva, pa makar taj policajac bio svojevrstan Prljavi Hari - premda više Hari Boš nego Hari Kalahan, samo jadnija i bednija verzija. Taman dovoljan "gubitnik tranzicije" da se velika većina sredovečnih i starijih muškaraca uspešno identifikuje s njim.
Atmosfera romana hibrid je noara tridesetih i akcijaškog krimića osamdesetih, pa je u jednom trenutku sličniji "Čajnataunu" a već u sledećem "Smrtonosnom oružju". Na prvi pogled, ovo bi trebalo da predstavlja ozbiljan problem i disharmoniju koja ometa čitalačko uživanje, ali autor je uspeo da savršeno spoji ove elemente u više nego solidnu mešavinu kojoj je dao lični pečat taman dovoljno da to deluje ne samo originalno već i sveže u aktuelnoj ponudi urbane fantastike - koja poslednjih godina vrlo retko zalazi u sekundarne svetove (a da nije klasična fantazija), pa čak i u paralelne Zemlje.
Uglavnom, srdačna preporuka za prvi roman u Stautovoj trilogiji. Premda je realna ocena nekih 4,5*, zaokružiću na čistih 5* uz Nightflier's Seal of Approval.
February 25, 2019
I knew this book was a perfect fit for me from the very first scene. Carter, our cynical narrator with a pitch-perfect noir voice, gets called to the most macabre crime scene of his career. Yes, the splattered gore of the frog-like murdered "squib" aren't exactly art gallery levels of eye-pleasing, but what really gets to Carter is the smell. Because squib blood, to certain humans, smells *delicious*. And soon Carter, already emotionally off kilter from the sickening crime, begins to have unwelcome flashes of desire related to eating cherry pie. *shudder*
That moment of vulnerability was just what I needed to get invested in this seedy crime story laced with weird low magic (and face mandibles, can't forget those!). While I enjoy a well-paced mystery as much as the next reader, I especially appreciate clever, voicey writing and a consistent emotional thread that pulls me all the way through a book. Titanshade delivers on all fronts.
Thanks to DAW and Netgalley for providing an advanced reader copy of this book.
That moment of vulnerability was just what I needed to get invested in this seedy crime story laced with weird low magic (and face mandibles, can't forget those!). While I enjoy a well-paced mystery as much as the next reader, I especially appreciate clever, voicey writing and a consistent emotional thread that pulls me all the way through a book. Titanshade delivers on all fronts.
Thanks to DAW and Netgalley for providing an advanced reader copy of this book.
February 25, 2019
This book was AMAZING. It's the fabulous unique combination of an old-school procedural noir and scifi, but not super tech-y scifi, a sort of hard-boiled, Dick Tracy-like scifi. Carter, our hero, who has the best voice, who you can hear in your head the entire time, world builds through solving a crime, the murder of a squib, a frog-like species, scientist/diplomat, and its face past and the descriptions and settings and features of the world feels so natural and make so much sense.
The mystery element is totally a page turner, but you keep wanting to know MORE, about what everyone is hiding and WHY! I just adored this so much and I recommend it wholeheartedly!
The mystery element is totally a page turner, but you keep wanting to know MORE, about what everyone is hiding and WHY! I just adored this so much and I recommend it wholeheartedly!
March 8, 2019
This book is easily the most enjoyable noir novel I've read in a long time. It perfectly combines the grit and gristle of Dick Tracy with the alternate world, magical realism and biting satirical humor of THE DRESDEN FILES. You can't help but to root for our (unwilling) main characters--detectives thrown together, solving a splashy murder. They're the underdog, they don't always play by the rules, but they want to get the job done any way it takes. Stout peppers the writing with just the right amount of setting...the fading oil town, the 8 track player in the tiny car, the greasy dive bars... you can basically taste TITANSHADE's dusty wind. An impressive debut, an enjoyable read!
April 1, 2020
The Carter Archives are made for audio from Dan Stout’s writing style to the narration delivered by Mikael Naramore. If you love the Dresden Files, Law & Order or crime mystery cases, you’ll sink right into this urban fantasy where supernaturals live and work side by side with humans.
Eric Carter is a human homicide detective. He is great at his job, but a PR nightmare for the department. When a high profile Squib diplomat is murdered in his hotel room, they assign Carter to the case. However, Ajax, a Mollenkampi, fresh from the academy, is partnered with him.
The world building was impressive and had a 70s vibe that made me smile. If you lived it… then the pagers, payphones, and disco will be a trip down memory lane. We aren’t given info dumps but learn as necessary, allowing for a steady and addictive pace. There is magic, energy shortages, twists on religion and death, and a shifting of the continents.
The case hooked me from its gruesome start to the Candies they investigated. Corruption, politics and well-plotted threads wove together for a stunning listen.
The characters made the story from our flawed hero to villains. I loved the dynamic between Carter and Ajax, his Captain and the volatile situation between him and the case lead. It allowed for humor to offset the grim case.
It blows my mind that this is a debut novel. Dan Stout’s writing is smooth, addictive and translates perfectly to audiobook like that of a seasoned writer.
As I stated, Titanshade was made for audio. Mikael Naramore did a stellar job capturing Eric Carter and secondary characters. The snark, dark humor, horror and banter were perfectly delivered from inflection to tone. This review was originally posted at Caffeinated Reviewer
Eric Carter is a human homicide detective. He is great at his job, but a PR nightmare for the department. When a high profile Squib diplomat is murdered in his hotel room, they assign Carter to the case. However, Ajax, a Mollenkampi, fresh from the academy, is partnered with him.
The world building was impressive and had a 70s vibe that made me smile. If you lived it… then the pagers, payphones, and disco will be a trip down memory lane. We aren’t given info dumps but learn as necessary, allowing for a steady and addictive pace. There is magic, energy shortages, twists on religion and death, and a shifting of the continents.
The case hooked me from its gruesome start to the Candies they investigated. Corruption, politics and well-plotted threads wove together for a stunning listen.
The characters made the story from our flawed hero to villains. I loved the dynamic between Carter and Ajax, his Captain and the volatile situation between him and the case lead. It allowed for humor to offset the grim case.
It blows my mind that this is a debut novel. Dan Stout’s writing is smooth, addictive and translates perfectly to audiobook like that of a seasoned writer.
As I stated, Titanshade was made for audio. Mikael Naramore did a stellar job capturing Eric Carter and secondary characters. The snark, dark humor, horror and banter were perfectly delivered from inflection to tone. This review was originally posted at Caffeinated Reviewer
July 7, 2019
2.5 stars. OK - but not, and far from, great. A bit awkwardly written. (For ex: “[His] nostrils were flared and his jaw set.” Such bookese .... when do you look at someone and think their nostrils are flared, or jaw set - what does that even mean?) Seems like the author had the idea of a noir private dick / police procedural / urban fantasy (but not an actual / real city) mashup (which ideally wouldn’t be so obvious to me) but isn’t (yet, at least) a talented enough writer to write that in a seamless, engrossing manner. Noticeably often telling, vs showing - e.g.: “He clearly didn’t know how to take that, and remained silent.” Admittedly, and unfortunately for Stout / this book, I read this immediately following Mick Herron’s masterpiece Joe Country, and so Titanshade in comparison seemed even more lacking.
March 12, 2019
If you're in the mood for a crime thriller with noir vibes set in a fantasy world, then Titanshade is right up your alley. Dan Stout has a way with words, creating descriptions of other-worldly characters that are so real and vivid I couldn't believe they weren't already walking around with us. The main character, Carter, is a cynical, middle-aged, human detective, and his voice is impeccable. The story is told through his perspective, and the political unraveling of the city are woven beautifully into the plot. Nicely done!
March 12, 2019
This review was originally posted on Books of My Heart
Review copy was received from NetGalley. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
3.5 hearts
Titanshade is science fiction fantasy with a lot of mystery and thriller woven through the story. Our main guy is Eric Carter, a homicide detective, a human. He's a basically good guy but he has the "annoy everyone until the bad guys try to kill you" method of investigation mastered. There were even good guys who wanted to kill him.
The world-building and character development took a lot of thought for me. The town is set in the far north, on the ice plains. The world is dependent on oil which is becoming a depleted resource. There are humans, sorcerers, Mollenkampi, Squib and some yet to be introduced species. The species characteristics were not thoroughly defined.
The politics of the police department was odd. Whichever detective was on scene first got the case. They all seemed to go to every scene. While suspicious facts are uncovered, proof is in short supply and yet horrific things are happening. The style seems a bit more wild west on the frontier than law and order in the city.
I liked the relationship forged between Carter and his new partner, Jax. They even had a little snark going. Carter grew on me because he is so obviously honest and just goes right at the problem. He gets beat up an awful lot. But he does get to the truth.
There is much yet to learn and it looks like this is first in a new Carter Archives series. I couldn't find that on Goodreads or the author's site, but it is in an interview he did at Genre Minx Book Reviews. It also says the sequel will include more on the wider world which should help me. I want more of that definition, and I like the science type aspects of the world. Also, I want more Carter and Jax.
Review copy was received from NetGalley. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
3.5 hearts
Titanshade is science fiction fantasy with a lot of mystery and thriller woven through the story. Our main guy is Eric Carter, a homicide detective, a human. He's a basically good guy but he has the "annoy everyone until the bad guys try to kill you" method of investigation mastered. There were even good guys who wanted to kill him.
The world-building and character development took a lot of thought for me. The town is set in the far north, on the ice plains. The world is dependent on oil which is becoming a depleted resource. There are humans, sorcerers, Mollenkampi, Squib and some yet to be introduced species. The species characteristics were not thoroughly defined.
The politics of the police department was odd. Whichever detective was on scene first got the case. They all seemed to go to every scene. While suspicious facts are uncovered, proof is in short supply and yet horrific things are happening. The style seems a bit more wild west on the frontier than law and order in the city.
I liked the relationship forged between Carter and his new partner, Jax. They even had a little snark going. Carter grew on me because he is so obviously honest and just goes right at the problem. He gets beat up an awful lot. But he does get to the truth.
There is much yet to learn and it looks like this is first in a new Carter Archives series. I couldn't find that on Goodreads or the author's site, but it is in an interview he did at Genre Minx Book Reviews. It also says the sequel will include more on the wider world which should help me. I want more of that definition, and I like the science type aspects of the world. Also, I want more Carter and Jax.
She already knew. I paused, uncertain how to proceed. My major conversational gambit involves annoying people into revealing more than they intended. It was a skill set that left me sorely unprepared for talks like this.
"I tried to get a hold of you, but you never responded."
"I was a little busy with people trying to kill me."
February 12, 2019
I had high expectations for this book based on the cover alone, and it delivered! White collar crime meets the gritty streets of Titanshade in this fantasy noir executed brilliantly.
Quiet social commentary, morally gray characters, and vivid descriptions make the world jump off the page, and the noir vibe is on-point.
If you like Dresden Files and other fantasy/crime overs, you'll love the super strong debut that is Titanshade!
Quiet social commentary, morally gray characters, and vivid descriptions make the world jump off the page, and the noir vibe is on-point.
If you like Dresden Files and other fantasy/crime overs, you'll love the super strong debut that is Titanshade!
April 16, 2020
I actually did a double take to see what genres Goodreads had listed for this one. Going into it I expected a lot of sci-fi and mystery, and while I got that while reading it, I also saw tropes and elements consistent with fantasy and urban fantasy. Basically, I think Titanshade encompasses all of these genres and if you like mysteries and are looking at venturing into more sci-fi, like me, then definitely look no further.
Carter is a homicide cop in Titanshade, a strange town surviving on the oil industry. Once night Carter receives information that a Squib diplomat has been killed and there are some possible compromising circumstances making the murder that much more messier. Seems the squibs were looking at a new way to stoke Titanshade's existence with a new fuel source. Carter has some dark secret in his past which seriously damaged his credibility as a cop. Because he is not supposed to be dealing with the media or politics, he is assigned a new young partner - a mollonkampi named Ajax.
Titanshade is a basically a noir tale wrapped up in political intrigue, law enforcement procedures and strange alien creatures. However, at the heart, I found it to be a tale of redemption and trust. Due to the incidents in Carter's past, he doesn't really trust anyone. He initially is leery of working with Ajax, but during the course of the book, grows to realize how important a trusting partner can be. Even though they continually ribbed each other through the book, their relationship changed and I since I know there is a second book in this series, I'm thrilled to see where it heads. It may sound cheesy but I kind of envisioned Law & Order:SUV's Stabler and Benson. Except one is an alien being. Carter also has a connection to an "candy" activist (aka prostitution) and he will do everything with his power to make sure she isn't framed for a crime she didn't commit.
I also found the mystery well developed. As it unraveled, I had some inklings what was going on but was surprised about quite a few elements at its conclusion. And did I mention how action-packed the ending is? It's perfect for people who want to excitement and high energy in their books. My only complaint is that I felt there could have been a little more detail on what happened after the mystery was solved. However, maybe that's coming in book two.
So overall I really enjoyed Titanshade. Not only was it a great read for a sci-fi newbie like me, I also found the book to have a lot of heart. If you've considered giving this one a go in the past, then I'd say go for it!
Carter is a homicide cop in Titanshade, a strange town surviving on the oil industry. Once night Carter receives information that a Squib diplomat has been killed and there are some possible compromising circumstances making the murder that much more messier. Seems the squibs were looking at a new way to stoke Titanshade's existence with a new fuel source. Carter has some dark secret in his past which seriously damaged his credibility as a cop. Because he is not supposed to be dealing with the media or politics, he is assigned a new young partner - a mollonkampi named Ajax.
Titanshade is a basically a noir tale wrapped up in political intrigue, law enforcement procedures and strange alien creatures. However, at the heart, I found it to be a tale of redemption and trust. Due to the incidents in Carter's past, he doesn't really trust anyone. He initially is leery of working with Ajax, but during the course of the book, grows to realize how important a trusting partner can be. Even though they continually ribbed each other through the book, their relationship changed and I since I know there is a second book in this series, I'm thrilled to see where it heads. It may sound cheesy but I kind of envisioned Law & Order:SUV's Stabler and Benson. Except one is an alien being. Carter also has a connection to an "candy" activist (aka prostitution) and he will do everything with his power to make sure she isn't framed for a crime she didn't commit.
I also found the mystery well developed. As it unraveled, I had some inklings what was going on but was surprised about quite a few elements at its conclusion. And did I mention how action-packed the ending is? It's perfect for people who want to excitement and high energy in their books. My only complaint is that I felt there could have been a little more detail on what happened after the mystery was solved. However, maybe that's coming in book two.
So overall I really enjoyed Titanshade. Not only was it a great read for a sci-fi newbie like me, I also found the book to have a lot of heart. If you've considered giving this one a go in the past, then I'd say go for it!
April 9, 2019
This sorta urban fantasy is more than a few degrees off from our world. Some things are like us but then there are several other races living with humans. There is disco and 8 track players and magic users that use a substance called manna to power their spells. Manna has run dry and the old in Titanshade is also running out. Wind power is coming thanks to the Squibs investment but not everyone wants to give up on the oil fields. Carter is cop that isn’t held to the highest regard in the department even if he can close cases. He is dispatched to a murder scene in a hotel that the victim is a diplomat with the Squib contingent negotiating wind power generation. Carter is partnered with a rookie detective to keep him out of trouble and the press’ eye. Ajax is a Mollenkampi who can’t be any different than Carter, he is a college graduate and doesn’t have a world weary view. The rest of the book has them working together as Cater goes to trust his new partner. The rest of the plot is a typical buddy cop mystery and I enjoyed it very much. The ending has major consequences to this story universe and I’m interested to see where it goes.
Digital review copy provided by the publisher through NetGalley
Digital review copy provided by the publisher through NetGalley
March 17, 2019
So good. Okay, get past the fact that the dapper folk have mandibles. And, seriously, forget how they eat their food. And, oh yeah, never have cinnamon again in your life. All that said, what a phenomenally incredibly well written ride. Good vs. evil in an entirely new way. Tantalizing new threads for a series. Loved it! It’s like a roller coaster. Just cover your eyes for the parts you need to!
January 2, 2021
Definitely as advertised. A blend of noir set in what appears to be a 70's era world along with some fun aliens and world building. Unfortunately, it was mostly the former and not enough of the latter. The murder mystery and the alien side of things didn't really blend well together. I would have enjoyed this more if the world and the mystery were better integrated.
November 27, 2024
An engrossing detective story set in a unique urban fantasy setting, Titan Shade entirely caught my by surprise.
Of course, I was drawn in by the cover. Alien-like dude in a suit? I mean, I’m all for that (what can I say? I have a type when it comes to books), and I also love sci-fi or fantasy worlds where humans and other sapient species have to work together and where the world-building reflects the differences in their cultures and physiology. In this case, it’s a fantasy world, as there’s magic and gods and the like, but the fantasy is so interwoven into real-life stuff that it’s almost unnoticeable at times, which is what you want. It feels natural. The issue, the reason for the mystery, is also rooted in something that is unique to worldbuilding. If not, I would be questioning why have it in this fantasy setting at all, so that was really well done. It’s also completely without info-dumps. We’re told information as we need it, and things aren’t obliquely stated, like why the town is called Titanshade. That was great.
So we have three or four species we see (the world apparently has 8) and I loved the different facets of their biology. There weren’t too many cultural differences, but that would have added a whole other layer onto this that would have made it a bit too bloated and probably confusing.
The characters themselves are great. We have our main character, Carter, who carries a sort of noir cop air, in that he’s rough around the edges, traumatized, a bit of a drunk, and has no sense of self-preservation. But he doesn’t go too far with it. He’s likable at the same time, but he has some serious flaws. You want to be like, "no, dude, don’t," but at the same time, you get why he does it. Ajax, of course, is a new book crush of mine (though I guess I’m too old for him). He’s a young, out-of-city cop on his first assignment, but he’s the smart one of the two. Where Carter is brash and flies by the seat of his pants, Ajax is cautious and well-researched but also not afraid to act. They worked really well as partners, and I enjoyed their dynamic.
We have a slew of other characters who both fit typical detective tropes and subverted them. The hard-ass police chief, who in this case is a woman; the femme fatale, who isn’t hypersexualized but still fits the bill; the specialist agent (a divination expert); the evil German-coded doctor (being German myself I’m always bemused by this); the arrogant hot shot copl the young woman in over her head who the detective wants to save (who, in this case, isn’t actually that trope at all); and sex workers (but the way sex work was handled was respectful and not vilified or used as easy plot points). I loved how all the women characters were fully fleshed out and not just victims of the crime (which is often the case in police stories. How often are young women the victims? 90% of the time?).
The action scenes are a lot of fun, with some hand-to-hand combat, chases, shootouts, and magical stuff—a great balance. I honestly could not put this book down. The mystery aspect wasn’t the most compelling in the world, but everything else around it was so much fun.
If I had any critique, it would be that the first third takes a little while to really get up to speed. I wasn’t sure how the three facets of the mystery were related, and not in an “ooh, how are these going to mesh?” kind of way, but in a “wait, why is this part of the case?” way. And there was a red herring near teh middle I wasn’t sure was needed either, but it’s not like it was terrible, just I was like, oh, okay then.
Overall, if you love detective stories and want something in a new setting with intersting characters and fun action, totally check this out. There are more in the series and I definitely plan on reading them all!
Of course, I was drawn in by the cover. Alien-like dude in a suit? I mean, I’m all for that (what can I say? I have a type when it comes to books), and I also love sci-fi or fantasy worlds where humans and other sapient species have to work together and where the world-building reflects the differences in their cultures and physiology. In this case, it’s a fantasy world, as there’s magic and gods and the like, but the fantasy is so interwoven into real-life stuff that it’s almost unnoticeable at times, which is what you want. It feels natural. The issue, the reason for the mystery, is also rooted in something that is unique to worldbuilding. If not, I would be questioning why have it in this fantasy setting at all, so that was really well done. It’s also completely without info-dumps. We’re told information as we need it, and things aren’t obliquely stated, like why the town is called Titanshade. That was great.
So we have three or four species we see (the world apparently has 8) and I loved the different facets of their biology. There weren’t too many cultural differences, but that would have added a whole other layer onto this that would have made it a bit too bloated and probably confusing.
The characters themselves are great. We have our main character, Carter, who carries a sort of noir cop air, in that he’s rough around the edges, traumatized, a bit of a drunk, and has no sense of self-preservation. But he doesn’t go too far with it. He’s likable at the same time, but he has some serious flaws. You want to be like, "no, dude, don’t," but at the same time, you get why he does it. Ajax, of course, is a new book crush of mine (though I guess I’m too old for him). He’s a young, out-of-city cop on his first assignment, but he’s the smart one of the two. Where Carter is brash and flies by the seat of his pants, Ajax is cautious and well-researched but also not afraid to act. They worked really well as partners, and I enjoyed their dynamic.
We have a slew of other characters who both fit typical detective tropes and subverted them. The hard-ass police chief, who in this case is a woman; the femme fatale, who isn’t hypersexualized but still fits the bill; the specialist agent (a divination expert); the evil German-coded doctor (being German myself I’m always bemused by this); the arrogant hot shot copl the young woman in over her head who the detective wants to save (who, in this case, isn’t actually that trope at all); and sex workers (but the way sex work was handled was respectful and not vilified or used as easy plot points). I loved how all the women characters were fully fleshed out and not just victims of the crime (which is often the case in police stories. How often are young women the victims? 90% of the time?).
The action scenes are a lot of fun, with some hand-to-hand combat, chases, shootouts, and magical stuff—a great balance. I honestly could not put this book down. The mystery aspect wasn’t the most compelling in the world, but everything else around it was so much fun.
If I had any critique, it would be that the first third takes a little while to really get up to speed. I wasn’t sure how the three facets of the mystery were related, and not in an “ooh, how are these going to mesh?” kind of way, but in a “wait, why is this part of the case?” way. And there was a red herring near teh middle I wasn’t sure was needed either, but it’s not like it was terrible, just I was like, oh, okay then.
Overall, if you love detective stories and want something in a new setting with intersting characters and fun action, totally check this out. There are more in the series and I definitely plan on reading them all!
May 30, 2023
3.5 stars
I don't know if it is the reading slump affecting me, or if it was that I was expecting something more from this book, but I didn't love it as much as I was hoping. Something was lacking that I can't exactly pinpoint, but it was a constant "almost there, almost right, almost enough but never enough" type of thing.
That said, I enjoyed the book. Sure, I didn't love it as much as I was hoping but... I had a good time with it, and I think that the best part of it was the world-building. It is an interesting world, the part about the Titan is interesting and original, full marks for this part, and this World is inhabited by so many different species. And they are different! I love that we have Mollenkampi (I hope I wrote that one right) and Squibd (again, I hope I wrote it right!) and I wanted to know more about them all. It was fascinating, and so well-developed!
And then we have the plot, which is intriguing, for sure, following the cases were fascinating and I was thrilled to follow the clues and the leads and be there for it all.
And I enjoyed the characters, Carter and Ajax are a good team, and even as individuals are good, but... I think that this was my problem: I enjoyed them, but I wasn't 100% invested in them, I was interested, sure, and I liked them, sure again, but... there was no spark.
I don't know if it is the reading slump affecting me, or if it was that I was expecting something more from this book, but I didn't love it as much as I was hoping. Something was lacking that I can't exactly pinpoint, but it was a constant "almost there, almost right, almost enough but never enough" type of thing.
That said, I enjoyed the book. Sure, I didn't love it as much as I was hoping but... I had a good time with it, and I think that the best part of it was the world-building. It is an interesting world, the part about the Titan is interesting and original, full marks for this part, and this World is inhabited by so many different species. And they are different! I love that we have Mollenkampi (I hope I wrote that one right) and Squibd (again, I hope I wrote it right!) and I wanted to know more about them all. It was fascinating, and so well-developed!
And then we have the plot, which is intriguing, for sure, following the cases were fascinating and I was thrilled to follow the clues and the leads and be there for it all.
And I enjoyed the characters, Carter and Ajax are a good team, and even as individuals are good, but... I think that this was my problem: I enjoyed them, but I wasn't 100% invested in them, I was interested, sure, and I liked them, sure again, but... there was no spark.
October 13, 2022
DNFed at 10%.
I probably shouldn't.
But, here goes my unpopular review.
The story starts with an uninteresting murder of some squashy person, which was blown all over the place. Very mundane, by the way.
Why is it of interest, I don't know. Or maybe I did not reach that point in the story, to learn its significance.
With an uninspiring and uninterested detective, main character, that only came to the crime scene because he was happen to run into his boss on the way. *thumbs up*. Well done.
All this, following a History channel explanations about who is who, and what is what.
And details about the world and stuff.
The detective plays it "mister knows it all, don't question me" vibe with a rookie as a partner which actually knows his shit.
We've been there already. Aren't we?
Murder - > checked
Change of scene. Make it an alien instead of human - > checked
Detective with drinking /partner issues - > checked.
Nothing new under the sun.
Some one spoil me the ending
I probably shouldn't.
But, here goes my unpopular review.
The story starts with an uninteresting murder of some squashy person, which was blown all over the place. Very mundane, by the way.
Why is it of interest, I don't know. Or maybe I did not reach that point in the story, to learn its significance.
With an uninspiring and uninterested detective, main character, that only came to the crime scene because he was happen to run into his boss on the way. *thumbs up*. Well done.
All this, following a History channel explanations about who is who, and what is what.
And details about the world and stuff.
The detective plays it "mister knows it all, don't question me" vibe with a rookie as a partner which actually knows his shit.
We've been there already. Aren't we?
Murder - > checked
Change of scene. Make it an alien instead of human - > checked
Detective with drinking /partner issues - > checked.
Nothing new under the sun.
Some one spoil me the ending
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 25, 2022
8 / 10 ✪
https://arefugefromlife.wordpress.com...
Welcome to Titanshade, an oil boomtown grown up, struggling to find its identity in a new era, lest it collapse in on itself, just another footnote on the path of history. Cater is Titanshade’s native son, a local become homicide cop, one who knows his way around the sleazy, corrupt underside of the city that makes up his beat. But the city is so much more than that, as he is soon to learn.
Looming over the sleazy, corrupt underside exist the sleazy, corrupt businessmen and politicians that run it all. Men, women, creatures Carter has known of his whole life, but were always far too high profile for him to concern himself with.
Enter the Squib—a squat, amphibian being—a political delegate involved in funding a project aimed to save the city from itself, providing alternative energy to the dwindling oil business. While such a high-profile case would normally have been above Carter’s station, it’s all-hands on deck, as the more than just the city turns its gaze to the murder. Because in addition to being a high-profile political target, the fact that the delegate was a Squib could have dire consequences to inter-species relations. See, when a Squib bleeds, it releases a highly odorous pheromone along with its cinnamon-scented blood—the combination more than enough to drive many a human mad with lust. Many such Squibs have been killed before, but none in so gruesome a fashion or so bright a spotlight.
To make matters worse, the police already have a suspect: Carter’s adopted daughter Talena, who was in the wrong place at the very wrong time. And with such a high-profile murder already filling the news, tensions between the races of Titanshade at their highest point—the pressure is on to tie everything up as quickly as possible.
And so Carter has only a short amount of time to prove Talena’s innocence, find the true killer, and do it all before the city tears itself apart. Throw in a rookie Mollenkampi (named Ajax) assigned to keep an eye on the wildcard Carter; a second Mollenkampi, Angus, who’s essentially Carter’s nemesis while still managing to be a good cop in his own right; gritty commissioner Bryyh, Carter’s boss; and the feeling even before the mystery starts, that he’s already missing something vital.
Even if he manages to pull everything together in the nick of time, Carter may still alienate everyone and everything important to him, and end up eating his gun in the process. It’s just that kind of day in Titanshade.
—
I’d heard good things, yet Titanshade still managed to exceed my expectations. Instead of the underwhelming mashup between a high urban fantasy and a detective/mystery, I got a thought out mystery/detective urban fantasy not unlike the Dresden Files, but one set in its own fantasy world—one with its own rules and fantastical beings and creatures and magicks. Now, this is quite an Earth-like world, but still there are key and unique differences. The different races of beings are one; Mollenkampi alongside Squibs (which are called something different that I can’t remember right now) alongside Humans alongside still others, all packed together into the same society.
Honestly, I expected this to go together a bit like the SyFy show Defiance: a unique and interesting idea, but one where all the classes of humanoids basically blend into one when you get right down to it. Instead, the author has them written and designed his creations well—with their own diets and characteristics and languages and ideals. So much so that I’ll say it again: I’m surprised that this went together so well.
The story itself is a gritty detective one, full of morally ambiguous characters and two-faced diplomats, politicians, cops, witnesses, and more. And Carter is just the gritty, hard-nosed detective to handle it. For a guy that most people seem to hate (and everyone seems to be annoyed by), Carter makes a pretty good lead. I was pretty much in his corner from the outset—though if I’d hated him too (being the sole POV), I’d’ve probably quit reading. Twists and turns affect everyone in the plot differently and this is where Carter’s interactions with his new partner, Ajax, take center stage. Carter is a hard-nose detective who’s set in his ways and doesn’t play by the rules. Ajax is a bit fresh faced, but not enough to put up with his partner’s bullshit. He bends at times, stands firm at others, but never really breaks one way or the other. This pairing actually works quite well—and makes the story.
I’d like to see where the story goes next (and if the 2nd installment is just as solid), and will hopefully get to it later in the year. While I listened to Titanshade as an audiobook—and while Books #2 & 3 are out in print—it is thus far the only book in the series that’s been professionally narrated. Not that that’s an issue. I just decided to take a wee break before switching from audio to print. I’d definitely recommend this in either format, really, but I really enjoyed the audiobook. Mikael Naramore does an excellent job bringing both Carter and the world around him to life—complete with its gritty feel and moral ambiguity. If you were after more of him, you’re in luck! I hear Book #2, Titan’s Day, is due to be recorded and/or released sometime soon; just COVID went and delayed its production. Whether or not you enjoy this via audio, print, or digitally, I’d certainly recommend its reading. Especially if you’re a fan of urban fantasy or mystery, or even gritty cop dramas.
https://arefugefromlife.wordpress.com...
Welcome to Titanshade, an oil boomtown grown up, struggling to find its identity in a new era, lest it collapse in on itself, just another footnote on the path of history. Cater is Titanshade’s native son, a local become homicide cop, one who knows his way around the sleazy, corrupt underside of the city that makes up his beat. But the city is so much more than that, as he is soon to learn.
Looming over the sleazy, corrupt underside exist the sleazy, corrupt businessmen and politicians that run it all. Men, women, creatures Carter has known of his whole life, but were always far too high profile for him to concern himself with.
Enter the Squib—a squat, amphibian being—a political delegate involved in funding a project aimed to save the city from itself, providing alternative energy to the dwindling oil business. While such a high-profile case would normally have been above Carter’s station, it’s all-hands on deck, as the more than just the city turns its gaze to the murder. Because in addition to being a high-profile political target, the fact that the delegate was a Squib could have dire consequences to inter-species relations. See, when a Squib bleeds, it releases a highly odorous pheromone along with its cinnamon-scented blood—the combination more than enough to drive many a human mad with lust. Many such Squibs have been killed before, but none in so gruesome a fashion or so bright a spotlight.
To make matters worse, the police already have a suspect: Carter’s adopted daughter Talena, who was in the wrong place at the very wrong time. And with such a high-profile murder already filling the news, tensions between the races of Titanshade at their highest point—the pressure is on to tie everything up as quickly as possible.
And so Carter has only a short amount of time to prove Talena’s innocence, find the true killer, and do it all before the city tears itself apart. Throw in a rookie Mollenkampi (named Ajax) assigned to keep an eye on the wildcard Carter; a second Mollenkampi, Angus, who’s essentially Carter’s nemesis while still managing to be a good cop in his own right; gritty commissioner Bryyh, Carter’s boss; and the feeling even before the mystery starts, that he’s already missing something vital.
Even if he manages to pull everything together in the nick of time, Carter may still alienate everyone and everything important to him, and end up eating his gun in the process. It’s just that kind of day in Titanshade.
—
I’d heard good things, yet Titanshade still managed to exceed my expectations. Instead of the underwhelming mashup between a high urban fantasy and a detective/mystery, I got a thought out mystery/detective urban fantasy not unlike the Dresden Files, but one set in its own fantasy world—one with its own rules and fantastical beings and creatures and magicks. Now, this is quite an Earth-like world, but still there are key and unique differences. The different races of beings are one; Mollenkampi alongside Squibs (which are called something different that I can’t remember right now) alongside Humans alongside still others, all packed together into the same society.
Honestly, I expected this to go together a bit like the SyFy show Defiance: a unique and interesting idea, but one where all the classes of humanoids basically blend into one when you get right down to it. Instead, the author has them written and designed his creations well—with their own diets and characteristics and languages and ideals. So much so that I’ll say it again: I’m surprised that this went together so well.
The story itself is a gritty detective one, full of morally ambiguous characters and two-faced diplomats, politicians, cops, witnesses, and more. And Carter is just the gritty, hard-nosed detective to handle it. For a guy that most people seem to hate (and everyone seems to be annoyed by), Carter makes a pretty good lead. I was pretty much in his corner from the outset—though if I’d hated him too (being the sole POV), I’d’ve probably quit reading. Twists and turns affect everyone in the plot differently and this is where Carter’s interactions with his new partner, Ajax, take center stage. Carter is a hard-nose detective who’s set in his ways and doesn’t play by the rules. Ajax is a bit fresh faced, but not enough to put up with his partner’s bullshit. He bends at times, stands firm at others, but never really breaks one way or the other. This pairing actually works quite well—and makes the story.
I’d like to see where the story goes next (and if the 2nd installment is just as solid), and will hopefully get to it later in the year. While I listened to Titanshade as an audiobook—and while Books #2 & 3 are out in print—it is thus far the only book in the series that’s been professionally narrated. Not that that’s an issue. I just decided to take a wee break before switching from audio to print. I’d definitely recommend this in either format, really, but I really enjoyed the audiobook. Mikael Naramore does an excellent job bringing both Carter and the world around him to life—complete with its gritty feel and moral ambiguity. If you were after more of him, you’re in luck! I hear Book #2, Titan’s Day, is due to be recorded and/or released sometime soon; just COVID went and delayed its production. Whether or not you enjoy this via audio, print, or digitally, I’d certainly recommend its reading. Especially if you’re a fan of urban fantasy or mystery, or even gritty cop dramas.
December 12, 2021
Absolutely gripping! I couldn't put it down. A "MIB-Bright"mash of a book. Loved the mystery and action so much I'm immediately moving on to book 2
Highly recommend this series!!!
Highly recommend this series!!!
June 16, 2020
Actual rating: 3.8/5
For a book that is part who-done-it Mystery/Thriller and part Urban Fantasy; this was really well done.
Usually, I find that books like this tend to commit more to one element at the expense of the other but that wasn't the case here.
Solid character development and a really interesting ending. I can't wait to dive into Book 2.
For a book that is part who-done-it Mystery/Thriller and part Urban Fantasy; this was really well done.
Usually, I find that books like this tend to commit more to one element at the expense of the other but that wasn't the case here.
Solid character development and a really interesting ending. I can't wait to dive into Book 2.
June 1, 2020
3.5 stars
I am NOT a visual kind of reader. Authors can describe a person's look, from his black hair, blue eyes, strong jaw, et cetera, and I still cannot imagine it in my head. So I admit, that this MARVELOUS cover by the amazing Chris McGrath is what drew me in to the book. It also helps to get the feel of the creatures living at Titanshade (oh the blurb also helps me).
This is a nice urban fantasy cop book.It navigates between murder investigation, political play, a bit history about Titanshade as a town, and Carter's own personal story (like why he avoids and banned from spotlight). I liked that Carter wasn't a complete loner; he accepted the younger partner (who first signed to pretty much baby-sit him so Carter wouldn't go off rail too far), Jax, as well as help from a couple of other detectives.
I'm interested enough to read the next book
I am NOT a visual kind of reader. Authors can describe a person's look, from his black hair, blue eyes, strong jaw, et cetera, and I still cannot imagine it in my head. So I admit, that this MARVELOUS cover by the amazing Chris McGrath is what drew me in to the book. It also helps to get the feel of the creatures living at Titanshade (oh the blurb also helps me).
This is a nice urban fantasy cop book.It navigates between murder investigation, political play, a bit history about Titanshade as a town, and Carter's own personal story (like why he avoids and banned from spotlight). I liked that Carter wasn't a complete loner; he accepted the younger partner (who first signed to pretty much baby-sit him so Carter wouldn't go off rail too far), Jax, as well as help from a couple of other detectives.
I'm interested enough to read the next book
Displaying 1 - 30 of 163 reviews