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Tales of a Nuisance Man
Never shoot an ogre in the face...
Even with a magic gun.
But that’s exactly what Duke did. Now he’s running for his life and reflecting on just what got him into this mess.
All he’d really like to do is sit in a tavern and have an ale or three. But when you’re a Nuisance Man, and you live in a city with a thousand problems, that’s not always possible.
Then, Duke encounters something new and his whole world is turned upside down. Add in a beautiful necromancer that he can’t keep his eyes off, and nothing is ever going to be the same.
You’ll love these light-hearted, fast-paced tales of fantasy adventure because who doesn’t like a good laugh?
Get it now.
Even with a magic gun.
But that’s exactly what Duke did. Now he’s running for his life and reflecting on just what got him into this mess.
All he’d really like to do is sit in a tavern and have an ale or three. But when you’re a Nuisance Man, and you live in a city with a thousand problems, that’s not always possible.
Then, Duke encounters something new and his whole world is turned upside down. Add in a beautiful necromancer that he can’t keep his eyes off, and nothing is ever going to be the same.
You’ll love these light-hearted, fast-paced tales of fantasy adventure because who doesn’t like a good laugh?
Get it now.
- GenresFantasy
316 pages, Paperback
Published November 14, 2017
36 people are currently reading
38 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews
August 7, 2018
My rating 4.8
The Book Tales of a Nuisance Man by James Maxstadt is a very fun and great fantasy book. The story leads us to Capital City, which has become an open city and freely lives all the races from a fantasy world in which there is a story in the book. But as everywhere there are always residents who are on the other side of the law, therefore the King establishes a group of Nuisance Man to cleanse the city of anyone who is languishing in crime. When he saw a Nuisance Man in action, Duke Grandfather decided to become one of them. But that will not be easy because as a new member no one is looking at it with some respect because most beginners die in the first encounters with dwarves, orcs, goblins, and ogres. The world in which he entered hides many dangers and his life is tantamount to drinking a mug of beer will from that moment to change. But sipping a mug of beer will remain in the first place. The writer introduces us into a colorful fantasy world that is fun, imaginative but also dangerous for every Nuisance Man. I enjoyed reading the book and would recommend it to all fans of fantasy genres.
The Book Tales of a Nuisance Man by James Maxstadt is a very fun and great fantasy book. The story leads us to Capital City, which has become an open city and freely lives all the races from a fantasy world in which there is a story in the book. But as everywhere there are always residents who are on the other side of the law, therefore the King establishes a group of Nuisance Man to cleanse the city of anyone who is languishing in crime. When he saw a Nuisance Man in action, Duke Grandfather decided to become one of them. But that will not be easy because as a new member no one is looking at it with some respect because most beginners die in the first encounters with dwarves, orcs, goblins, and ogres. The world in which he entered hides many dangers and his life is tantamount to drinking a mug of beer will from that moment to change. But sipping a mug of beer will remain in the first place. The writer introduces us into a colorful fantasy world that is fun, imaginative but also dangerous for every Nuisance Man. I enjoyed reading the book and would recommend it to all fans of fantasy genres.
January 3, 2020
Well, I completely loved this book. Duke Grandfather hunts supernaturals who’ve done bad things. Actually, he’s been sent out to hunt all sorts, but after a change of heart, decides he will only hunt down those who are a true threat to society. Because why not let a friendly harmless troll hang out in peace? The world building is exquisite, full of details of drinking mead and magical swords, goblins and golems and orcs, and a grandfather passing down stories of his legacy to his grandson in a series of tales that reminded me wonderfully of fond days spend watching “The Princess Bride.” This fits in perfectly with the Kate Daniels UF series and Mercy Thompson werewolf series with their rich mercenary guild settings, and other fans of those books would surely enjoy Maxstadt’s storytelling. The tale is told both as an ongoing plot and as a series of interconnected short stories. I loved the side characters, particularly Lily, snarky girlfriend and necromancer with awesome powers. The kitchen scene was a personal favorite! Do not sneak up on a necromancer! Can’t wait to read more in this series.
Please excuse typos/name misspellings. Entered on screen reader.
Please excuse typos/name misspellings. Entered on screen reader.
January 19, 2019
#mystrangereading The Nuisance Man by James Maxstadt ⭐️⭐️⭐️ (2.5 stars) I read this book as an ARC through BookSirens, and I really wanted to like it more than I did. Did I think it was a great start for an epic story? Absolutely. I think that Maxstadt has a great narrative voice and this book was full of humor, action and adventure. Yet, as a high school English teacher I can't help but feel like I was reading one of my student's creative writing pieces that still needed a LOT of editing AND revision. The pacing was confusing, the fluidity of the story was lacking and I found the dialogue and sentence structures to mirror that of a very young writer.
I see a lot of potential in this story and this author, but I had some issues with this book.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.Tales of a Nuisance Man
I see a lot of potential in this story and this author, but I had some issues with this book.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.Tales of a Nuisance Man
February 13, 2018
A Fine Fettled Fun Fantasy
'I hate magic. It makes my head hurt.'
Duke Grandfather (yes, that really is his name) saw a Nuisance Man in action as a child and decided that was to be his career. The Nuisance men are a mix between bounty hunters and paid assassins. They remove ‘nuisances’ from the Capital City -non-humans who have done something to upset a human. However, once Duke starts the job he realises there should be more to what he is doing and he becomes an agent of change.
This is a book that is both wonderfully lighthearted and thought-provokingly serious. It tackles tough issues like racism, fanaticism, friendship and love but never loses its charm and humanity. It has action, adventure, magic and mystery - and a dash of romance too.
“Can’t tell you that, Duke. It’s something I’m sworn to secrecy on. No one can know that if you walk into the third holding cell back there, there’s a portal that leads to the all of their places."
I loved Duke’s stories. They are well written with the right mix of humour and pathos and at a pace that keeps the pages turning almost by themselves. The characters are all wonderfully presented, with all the foibles and contradictions real people have. The worldbuilding is done with a light touch, drawing on every reader’s idea of a typical fantasy city and then colouring in the outline with a sure hand in both bright colours and subtle tones.
‘The next day the young man returned, and he and Duke went into the trophy room again.’
There was one near deal breaker for me. The format of a first-person account within a third-person frame, is one I personally find really shatters immersion. Just as I am in deep reader flow with the first person story, the chapter ends and I am dragged out of immersion to the third person frame story. Rinse repeat. In and out. Very frustrating. By removing all the tension from there being any risk to Duke's life in the stories, for me, it spoiled an otherwise utterly wonderful read. The ‘frame story’ was not even really a story at all. It had no real import to it. It could have been completely removed and the book would have been much better in my opinion, without the jarring shift of person from first to third-person and back again. Had I not loved the main story so much I would have deducted a star for this. I just hope that the sequels avoid it and we can just enjoy Duke’s adventures.
That aside, if you love good, well-written fantasy this is a book you should buy right now. This author has real talent and I want to read more about Duke and his doings
'I hate magic. It makes my head hurt.'
Duke Grandfather (yes, that really is his name) saw a Nuisance Man in action as a child and decided that was to be his career. The Nuisance men are a mix between bounty hunters and paid assassins. They remove ‘nuisances’ from the Capital City -non-humans who have done something to upset a human. However, once Duke starts the job he realises there should be more to what he is doing and he becomes an agent of change.
This is a book that is both wonderfully lighthearted and thought-provokingly serious. It tackles tough issues like racism, fanaticism, friendship and love but never loses its charm and humanity. It has action, adventure, magic and mystery - and a dash of romance too.
“Can’t tell you that, Duke. It’s something I’m sworn to secrecy on. No one can know that if you walk into the third holding cell back there, there’s a portal that leads to the all of their places."
I loved Duke’s stories. They are well written with the right mix of humour and pathos and at a pace that keeps the pages turning almost by themselves. The characters are all wonderfully presented, with all the foibles and contradictions real people have. The worldbuilding is done with a light touch, drawing on every reader’s idea of a typical fantasy city and then colouring in the outline with a sure hand in both bright colours and subtle tones.
‘The next day the young man returned, and he and Duke went into the trophy room again.’
There was one near deal breaker for me. The format of a first-person account within a third-person frame, is one I personally find really shatters immersion. Just as I am in deep reader flow with the first person story, the chapter ends and I am dragged out of immersion to the third person frame story. Rinse repeat. In and out. Very frustrating. By removing all the tension from there being any risk to Duke's life in the stories, for me, it spoiled an otherwise utterly wonderful read. The ‘frame story’ was not even really a story at all. It had no real import to it. It could have been completely removed and the book would have been much better in my opinion, without the jarring shift of person from first to third-person and back again. Had I not loved the main story so much I would have deducted a star for this. I just hope that the sequels avoid it and we can just enjoy Duke’s adventures.
That aside, if you love good, well-written fantasy this is a book you should buy right now. This author has real talent and I want to read more about Duke and his doings
January 29, 2018
A Fantasy for All Ages
Tales of a Nuisance Man by James Maxstadt is a true delight. I read each Duke Grandfather told to an aspiring author grandson about his days as a Nuisance Man for the price of a good ale. A Nuisance Man eliminates public nuisances, usually without question. Duke Grandfather was, in his day, one of the best. He carried his adjustable gun that had settings for every kind of fantasy “baddie” you might imagine, whether it was an orc, demon, War Golem, or something else entirely.
Many of the best stories (“Lilly” and “The Witches Broom”) feature Duke Grandfather’s necromancer girlfriend Lilly.
Though some stories were not as strong as others, all were great examples of balanced world and character building so often missed in many fantasy stories. I could see myself hurrying through the streets of Capital City looking for miscreants whose name had appeared on Sarge’s assignment board that day. The stories end, but so many more need to be told, made into graphic novels or even film. I hope there will be more and I heartily recommend it to anyone who loves adventure.
I’ll even read it to my own grandchildren.
Tales of a Nuisance Man by James Maxstadt is a true delight. I read each Duke Grandfather told to an aspiring author grandson about his days as a Nuisance Man for the price of a good ale. A Nuisance Man eliminates public nuisances, usually without question. Duke Grandfather was, in his day, one of the best. He carried his adjustable gun that had settings for every kind of fantasy “baddie” you might imagine, whether it was an orc, demon, War Golem, or something else entirely.
Many of the best stories (“Lilly” and “The Witches Broom”) feature Duke Grandfather’s necromancer girlfriend Lilly.
Though some stories were not as strong as others, all were great examples of balanced world and character building so often missed in many fantasy stories. I could see myself hurrying through the streets of Capital City looking for miscreants whose name had appeared on Sarge’s assignment board that day. The stories end, but so many more need to be told, made into graphic novels or even film. I hope there will be more and I heartily recommend it to anyone who loves adventure.
I’ll even read it to my own grandchildren.
June 4, 2018
Summary:
This is a short story collection with a fantasy twist. The storyteller is the Nuisance man himself, Duke Grandfather, as he regales his grandson with stories of his past.
Read More Book Reviews on my blog It's Good To Read
Main Characters:
Duke Grandfather: The narrator of the tales, he grows from being a greenhorn to the most experienced and famous of the Men, and has use of an Ultimate Weapon.
Lilly: Duke’s wife, we first meet her as a City Watch Necromancer, a witch of immense power and skill, used in the service of the city.
Minor Characters:
Sarge: The duty sergeant in the local City Watch station, gets to know and befriend Duke over the years.
Raven: Emerges as a rival Nuisance man, less ethical than our hero.
The Grandson: His role is the listener, yet the old man has a reason to bring the grandson into his circle, more than just passing on reminiscences.
Plot:
The grandson arrives, to listen to and transcribe some of the stories of his ageing grandfather, Duke Grandfather (that’s his name!). Duke will not talk without getting an ale in first, so once obtained, the two sit down, and the stories flow. The price of every story is at least one ale - not a bad exchange!
The setting is Capital City. The King recently decreed the City to be open to all races and creeds (Humans, Trolls, Orcs, Goblins, you name it, it lives now in Capital City), which has led to some beings [non-humans] becoming “nuisances”. The Watch focus on major crime, so the Nuisance Men take care of the “smaller” fry for a fee. They are a cross between assassins and bounty hunters, but overseen by the City Watch.
How it works: Someone’s being a nuisance to you, you get the complaint written up and posted on the Board at the City watch Station. The Watch are meant to vet the complaint, before it goes on the Board, but in the early days may not have done this with the rigour required. Nuisance Men, licensed by the Watch, read the Board, and take the complaints in return for a fee.
Duke’s stories take us from his early days, then to how he became aware of the Men as a career opportunity. His stories begin light-heartedly enough, and are told with great humour and self-deprecating wit. Initially, he saw the job as a way of supporting his marathon drinking sessions with his friend Jessup (whom we never meet, funnily enough), and he does remind you of a young guy, just left home, now with disposable income, and having a fine old time of it!
As he grows older, he meets and falls for the beautiful necromancer Lilly, and I think all guys can relate to the awkwardness of asking a beautiful girl out on a first date! Very amusing to read. Lilly features throughout the book, and in “The Witches Broom” really begins to develop her character. Duke treats her with the greatest respect, not least because she could rip out his soul and make it dance the Can-Can!.
There is a darker story in there, which Duke only narrates in daylight, but generally they are fairly concise readings, full of interesting characters, magical escape routes, and set in a believable world.
Duke also becomes somewhat of an agent of change in the Nuisance Man world, albeit pointed in that direction by the City Watch equivalent of the non-Human races! He begins to realise that the odds seem stacked against the non-Humans, and things aren’t always what they seem.
What I Liked:
- Duke is one of us. He’s not infallible, knows he punches above his weight in certain departments and has lots to learn in others, but is confident in his abilities, and possesses an innate sense of right and wrong.
- The prose was light and easy to read.
- The world-building was very coherent, and believable. You could see yourself walking the streets, rubbing shoulders with the various races, everyone going about their business.
What I Didn’t Like:
- It felt a little like a computer game, with each story being a levelling-up, as opposed to realistic life progression.
- We never found out where the Ultimate Weapon came from, or what Duke was like as a Nuisance Man before he had it – was this the reason he was so successful? [The UW is a gun that, by a spoken word, would self-calibrate to kill the particular being that is being hunted].
- The fact we know Duke is telling the story, means we know he survived whatever was in the story. Thus, we never have to question the outcome of the story, more just enjoy the ride as it goes. Maybe it would have been better with the narrator being the grandson, having “found” his grandfather’s notes??
Overall:
This would be a great book to read to the kids. The language is perfect, and the tales are just right for a bed-time read. It is a simple premise – young guy with magical weapon willing, ready and able to sort out the various lowlife crimes and criminals, in the process developing a social conscience, forging relations with different races, learning to respect your enemies. Duke never loses his basic humanity, and is capable of compassion and empathy, “in a manly way” of course!
There must definitely be a sequel to come, as Duke has left so many of his stories unsaid. The fantasy world is really relatable, and I can see this being a TV series of sorts.
Acknowledgements:
My thanks to the author who provided me with a free copy of his book, in return for an objective review.
This is a short story collection with a fantasy twist. The storyteller is the Nuisance man himself, Duke Grandfather, as he regales his grandson with stories of his past.
Read More Book Reviews on my blog It's Good To Read
Main Characters:
Duke Grandfather: The narrator of the tales, he grows from being a greenhorn to the most experienced and famous of the Men, and has use of an Ultimate Weapon.
Lilly: Duke’s wife, we first meet her as a City Watch Necromancer, a witch of immense power and skill, used in the service of the city.
Minor Characters:
Sarge: The duty sergeant in the local City Watch station, gets to know and befriend Duke over the years.
Raven: Emerges as a rival Nuisance man, less ethical than our hero.
The Grandson: His role is the listener, yet the old man has a reason to bring the grandson into his circle, more than just passing on reminiscences.
Plot:
The grandson arrives, to listen to and transcribe some of the stories of his ageing grandfather, Duke Grandfather (that’s his name!). Duke will not talk without getting an ale in first, so once obtained, the two sit down, and the stories flow. The price of every story is at least one ale - not a bad exchange!
The setting is Capital City. The King recently decreed the City to be open to all races and creeds (Humans, Trolls, Orcs, Goblins, you name it, it lives now in Capital City), which has led to some beings [non-humans] becoming “nuisances”. The Watch focus on major crime, so the Nuisance Men take care of the “smaller” fry for a fee. They are a cross between assassins and bounty hunters, but overseen by the City Watch.
How it works: Someone’s being a nuisance to you, you get the complaint written up and posted on the Board at the City watch Station. The Watch are meant to vet the complaint, before it goes on the Board, but in the early days may not have done this with the rigour required. Nuisance Men, licensed by the Watch, read the Board, and take the complaints in return for a fee.
Duke’s stories take us from his early days, then to how he became aware of the Men as a career opportunity. His stories begin light-heartedly enough, and are told with great humour and self-deprecating wit. Initially, he saw the job as a way of supporting his marathon drinking sessions with his friend Jessup (whom we never meet, funnily enough), and he does remind you of a young guy, just left home, now with disposable income, and having a fine old time of it!
As he grows older, he meets and falls for the beautiful necromancer Lilly, and I think all guys can relate to the awkwardness of asking a beautiful girl out on a first date! Very amusing to read. Lilly features throughout the book, and in “The Witches Broom” really begins to develop her character. Duke treats her with the greatest respect, not least because she could rip out his soul and make it dance the Can-Can!.
There is a darker story in there, which Duke only narrates in daylight, but generally they are fairly concise readings, full of interesting characters, magical escape routes, and set in a believable world.
Duke also becomes somewhat of an agent of change in the Nuisance Man world, albeit pointed in that direction by the City Watch equivalent of the non-Human races! He begins to realise that the odds seem stacked against the non-Humans, and things aren’t always what they seem.
What I Liked:
- Duke is one of us. He’s not infallible, knows he punches above his weight in certain departments and has lots to learn in others, but is confident in his abilities, and possesses an innate sense of right and wrong.
- The prose was light and easy to read.
- The world-building was very coherent, and believable. You could see yourself walking the streets, rubbing shoulders with the various races, everyone going about their business.
What I Didn’t Like:
- It felt a little like a computer game, with each story being a levelling-up, as opposed to realistic life progression.
- We never found out where the Ultimate Weapon came from, or what Duke was like as a Nuisance Man before he had it – was this the reason he was so successful? [The UW is a gun that, by a spoken word, would self-calibrate to kill the particular being that is being hunted].
- The fact we know Duke is telling the story, means we know he survived whatever was in the story. Thus, we never have to question the outcome of the story, more just enjoy the ride as it goes. Maybe it would have been better with the narrator being the grandson, having “found” his grandfather’s notes??
Overall:
This would be a great book to read to the kids. The language is perfect, and the tales are just right for a bed-time read. It is a simple premise – young guy with magical weapon willing, ready and able to sort out the various lowlife crimes and criminals, in the process developing a social conscience, forging relations with different races, learning to respect your enemies. Duke never loses his basic humanity, and is capable of compassion and empathy, “in a manly way” of course!
There must definitely be a sequel to come, as Duke has left so many of his stories unsaid. The fantasy world is really relatable, and I can see this being a TV series of sorts.
Acknowledgements:
My thanks to the author who provided me with a free copy of his book, in return for an objective review.
December 20, 2017
There are so many wonderful things about this book, I hardly know where to begin.
I generally like fantasy fiction, but can get bogged down in the high, epic portions of the work. There are always a ton of rules, character traits, and attributes that seem to weigh down the story in one way or the other, leaving me somewhere in the middle before I actually start to hit a comfortable pace with the world on paper. That was NOT this book.
Tales of a Nuisance Man, took me on a well developed journey I could not get enough of.
Duke Grandfather is your average guy. He doesn't have dreams of grandeur; he just wants to have enough at the end of the day to drink beer at the local tavern. He finds a job he can perform, and does just that. The fun part is that his job is that of a bounty hunter/executioner of various fantastic creatures that have integrated into human culture, but have become 'a nuisance' to be dealt with.
The stories of his career unfold chapter by chapter as he recites them to his curious grandson. He does so in exchange for ale, which his loving, yet controlling wife, routinely denies him. This is a highly entertaining exchange each and every time it surfaces!
Grandfather's stories inevitably involves an orc, dwarf, necromancer, or the like but in such a common, effortless tone, I actually felt the world Maxstadt created was 'normal'. Perhaps this was because the his descriptions are so well told through the thoughts and memories of an average, sarcastic, and highly entertaining character.
There were a few repetitive descriptions within each story, but it only made me love Duke more. My own grandparents tell me stories with details I've heard a hundred times before, which made duke even more believable for me. One of the things I loved the most was I could read these stories out loud to my husband and children without having to explain all the background detail of who was who. (I usually had to do this after laughing out loud and being asked what was so funny.)
It's not often I recommend a book before I'm finished with it. It's not often I'm sad when a book is finished, either. Thank goodness the author is working on a second collection of Grandfather's stories.
If you're searching for a lighthearted, entertaining, well crafted work, look no further.
I generally like fantasy fiction, but can get bogged down in the high, epic portions of the work. There are always a ton of rules, character traits, and attributes that seem to weigh down the story in one way or the other, leaving me somewhere in the middle before I actually start to hit a comfortable pace with the world on paper. That was NOT this book.
Tales of a Nuisance Man, took me on a well developed journey I could not get enough of.
Duke Grandfather is your average guy. He doesn't have dreams of grandeur; he just wants to have enough at the end of the day to drink beer at the local tavern. He finds a job he can perform, and does just that. The fun part is that his job is that of a bounty hunter/executioner of various fantastic creatures that have integrated into human culture, but have become 'a nuisance' to be dealt with.
The stories of his career unfold chapter by chapter as he recites them to his curious grandson. He does so in exchange for ale, which his loving, yet controlling wife, routinely denies him. This is a highly entertaining exchange each and every time it surfaces!
Grandfather's stories inevitably involves an orc, dwarf, necromancer, or the like but in such a common, effortless tone, I actually felt the world Maxstadt created was 'normal'. Perhaps this was because the his descriptions are so well told through the thoughts and memories of an average, sarcastic, and highly entertaining character.
There were a few repetitive descriptions within each story, but it only made me love Duke more. My own grandparents tell me stories with details I've heard a hundred times before, which made duke even more believable for me. One of the things I loved the most was I could read these stories out loud to my husband and children without having to explain all the background detail of who was who. (I usually had to do this after laughing out loud and being asked what was so funny.)
It's not often I recommend a book before I'm finished with it. It's not often I'm sad when a book is finished, either. Thank goodness the author is working on a second collection of Grandfather's stories.
If you're searching for a lighthearted, entertaining, well crafted work, look no further.
January 9, 2019
I received an advanced review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
This collection of short stories, interspersed with interludes, is good fun. It is well written, and edited/proof read to a pretty good standard. There are still a few mistakes (use instead of us, for example) that pull you out of the story, but it is a very few.
Set in a city populated with orcs, dwarves, humans and so on, it tells the stories of various incidents in the life of Duke Grandfather, a Nuisance Man. These men take on jobs posted on the nuisance board at the local watch house, eliminating non-humans who have become a nuisance. It is set at a time when humans (or at least some of them) are coming to realise that non-humans do good and bad things, just like humans, and consequently only deserve to be eliminated if they have actually committed a serious crime.
Each story is different, some are funny, some are sad. One was a little too dark for my tastes. I enjoyed the overall feel, and the themes of emerging equality, as well as the humour. I would definitely read more from the series.
This collection of short stories, interspersed with interludes, is good fun. It is well written, and edited/proof read to a pretty good standard. There are still a few mistakes (use instead of us, for example) that pull you out of the story, but it is a very few.
Set in a city populated with orcs, dwarves, humans and so on, it tells the stories of various incidents in the life of Duke Grandfather, a Nuisance Man. These men take on jobs posted on the nuisance board at the local watch house, eliminating non-humans who have become a nuisance. It is set at a time when humans (or at least some of them) are coming to realise that non-humans do good and bad things, just like humans, and consequently only deserve to be eliminated if they have actually committed a serious crime.
Each story is different, some are funny, some are sad. One was a little too dark for my tastes. I enjoyed the overall feel, and the themes of emerging equality, as well as the humour. I would definitely read more from the series.
October 14, 2019
James Maxstadt lays out a fun and actiony romp in Tales of a Nuisance Man! Duke Grandfather shares with his grandson some of his crazy adventures from his days as a Nuisance Man, sort of a cross between a bounty hunter and an assassin. I loved Maxstadt’s fantasy world and the humor he built into his stories! Each story was fun and built upon each other. If you’re looking for a fantasy story packed with variety and humor, check this one out!
March 12, 2018
A great collection of short stories, I really enjoyed them. They were thought provoking as well as humorous and the blend of both was enjoyable.
The writing was good and the pace of the stories flowed well. The stories of Duke Grandfather are very creative and I hope there will be more to come in the future.
The writing was good and the pace of the stories flowed well. The stories of Duke Grandfather are very creative and I hope there will be more to come in the future.
October 8, 2020
Extremely entertaining fantasy novel
I enjoyed the authors style and creativity in creating an interesting main character whose stories kept me reading well past my normal bedtime. I encourage you to give this novel a try.
I enjoyed the authors style and creativity in creating an interesting main character whose stories kept me reading well past my normal bedtime. I encourage you to give this novel a try.
January 16, 2018
The Story: "Tales of a Nuisance Man" is told from the perspective of an old bounty hunter type (a "Nuisance Man") to his grandson, who is eagerly writing it all down for posterity. He's a gun wielding, roguish man in his youth - taking down unsavory types and monsters and getting himself the girl in the process!
Overall Impression: The book reminded me a lot of "Wizard's First Rule" by Terry Goodkind, in that it was entertaining, but had some issues here and there that irked me and took me out of the experience.
The Good: The author was great at world building. The environments were detailed and the mood was well established. When there was a scene being described, it was the most engaging part of the story and super immersive. The world is full of character and it's immediately obvious how things work there. How the government works, the class system, and the way the races are viewed are all laid out clearly.
The Bad: Most of the issues were grammatical - like, starting and ending the same sentence with "of course", or a lack of commas in things like, "very very". These are things a lot of people could probably overlook, but I'm a tutor, so things like that stick out like a sore thumb to me. I also wished character conversations were a little more in-depth. They didn't feel quite as rich or realistic as I would've liked. It was almost like most of the conversations were between role players in chat, instead of people really living the experience.
Overall Impression: The book reminded me a lot of "Wizard's First Rule" by Terry Goodkind, in that it was entertaining, but had some issues here and there that irked me and took me out of the experience.
The Good: The author was great at world building. The environments were detailed and the mood was well established. When there was a scene being described, it was the most engaging part of the story and super immersive. The world is full of character and it's immediately obvious how things work there. How the government works, the class system, and the way the races are viewed are all laid out clearly.
The Bad: Most of the issues were grammatical - like, starting and ending the same sentence with "of course", or a lack of commas in things like, "very very". These are things a lot of people could probably overlook, but I'm a tutor, so things like that stick out like a sore thumb to me. I also wished character conversations were a little more in-depth. They didn't feel quite as rich or realistic as I would've liked. It was almost like most of the conversations were between role players in chat, instead of people really living the experience.
December 7, 2017
Thank you for writing such an imaginative, fun book to read. Be warned; this is actually an anthology by one author; a series of short stories that can be read somewhat independently, all involving the same cast of characters in the same world. Hence, if you're in the mood for short stories, this is perfect, if you're the kind that likes to read a book from start to end in one sitting, this can be a little distracting. I would suggest labelling it clearly as a series, and perhaps separate each story very succinctly. The table of contents lists interludes, which confuse me as a format. No need to list those. Each short story can simply begin with the introductory scene, which consists of the narrator's adult son. At first, I wasn't sure if the headings were names of chapters, or names of short stories.
I loved the weapon of choice by Duke Grandfather, an apt name for the main character who, despite his disapproval, is actually a bounty hunter. It's a powerful gun that can adjust its power to whichever species the hunter targets by dialing the controls. It's like a magic gun.
Lilly, his wife, and a person of interest for almost all the chapters as the book consists of his reflections of his past, steals every scene she's in. She's a lot of fun to read.
I would suggest perhaps deleting the chapters "Clan War" and "The Token" since they weren't as good as the other stories. Similarly, the last chapter, "The Wedding" wasn't much of a story, as it ties up the ending, although I would keep it as I enjoyed hearing about Lilly's family. Perhaps it should have stuck to the wedding and not bothered with the monster of the day.
I would have liked to read about how Duke Grandfather retired. Was there an awards ceremony, was he forced into retirement, or was he simply getting too old.
My favourite stories were "Lilly" and "The Witch's Broom". Actually those are two stories that heavily feature Lilly. Probably not a coincidence. "The Witch's Broom" was pretty hilarious.
Due to its pretty simple prose, its very likeable main character with the awesome powers and weapons, and its gloss-over of what could have been gory scenes, this could probably become a children's series. Especially for boys, who would lap this up. Just something to think about.
I loved the weapon of choice by Duke Grandfather, an apt name for the main character who, despite his disapproval, is actually a bounty hunter. It's a powerful gun that can adjust its power to whichever species the hunter targets by dialing the controls. It's like a magic gun.
Lilly, his wife, and a person of interest for almost all the chapters as the book consists of his reflections of his past, steals every scene she's in. She's a lot of fun to read.
I would suggest perhaps deleting the chapters "Clan War" and "The Token" since they weren't as good as the other stories. Similarly, the last chapter, "The Wedding" wasn't much of a story, as it ties up the ending, although I would keep it as I enjoyed hearing about Lilly's family. Perhaps it should have stuck to the wedding and not bothered with the monster of the day.
I would have liked to read about how Duke Grandfather retired. Was there an awards ceremony, was he forced into retirement, or was he simply getting too old.
My favourite stories were "Lilly" and "The Witch's Broom". Actually those are two stories that heavily feature Lilly. Probably not a coincidence. "The Witch's Broom" was pretty hilarious.
Due to its pretty simple prose, its very likeable main character with the awesome powers and weapons, and its gloss-over of what could have been gory scenes, this could probably become a children's series. Especially for boys, who would lap this up. Just something to think about.
April 18, 2020
The Duke Abides
Do you love The Big Lebowski? Do you wish he lived in a fantasy world? Would you love for the Dude to have a magic pistol that could kill anything? Those are silly questions; of course you would! Duke Grandfather is that hero. These stories had an anthology feel but all focused on Duke and his ultimate weapon. I highly endorse the series and look forward to reading his other tales. Especially THAT one. The rest of my review will have spoilers.
The Good.
The bugbear ammo mix up was hilarious.
I thought the unborn ghost was a clever idea for a monster.
The trophy room worked perfectly as a plot device to advance the story.
I enjoyed every character. Usually someone is annoying. Here, they all have their place. Duke and Sarge were the best. I wish Jessup had at least made an appearance.
The stories were brief and entertaining. They easily could have been readout of order.
The Bad.
We are owed the origin story of the pistol. It didn't seem important enough to wait for book two other than as a lure. Duke's excuse was pathetic. Wait for your birthday would have worked better.
We gloss over action often. I like action. Show me the red shirt deaths too.
Time travel was used as an easy fix. I'm not a fan of this trope.
The stories can be repetitive. I almost heard "this one time, at band camp."
The ultimate weapon ammo rules changed. Does it get set for a day or not? Either the bugbear mix up didn't make sense or Duke shouldn't have been able to use normal ammo against Llewgof and the gargoyles only to change to super ammo when they were identified. I felt like I missed a rule of narrative convenience somewhere.
The Technical.
The book is mostly written in first person.
Do you love The Big Lebowski? Do you wish he lived in a fantasy world? Would you love for the Dude to have a magic pistol that could kill anything? Those are silly questions; of course you would! Duke Grandfather is that hero. These stories had an anthology feel but all focused on Duke and his ultimate weapon. I highly endorse the series and look forward to reading his other tales. Especially THAT one. The rest of my review will have spoilers.
The Good.
The bugbear ammo mix up was hilarious.
I thought the unborn ghost was a clever idea for a monster.
The trophy room worked perfectly as a plot device to advance the story.
I enjoyed every character. Usually someone is annoying. Here, they all have their place. Duke and Sarge were the best. I wish Jessup had at least made an appearance.
The stories were brief and entertaining. They easily could have been readout of order.
The Bad.
We are owed the origin story of the pistol. It didn't seem important enough to wait for book two other than as a lure. Duke's excuse was pathetic. Wait for your birthday would have worked better.
We gloss over action often. I like action. Show me the red shirt deaths too.
Time travel was used as an easy fix. I'm not a fan of this trope.
The stories can be repetitive. I almost heard "this one time, at band camp."
The ultimate weapon ammo rules changed. Does it get set for a day or not? Either the bugbear mix up didn't make sense or Duke shouldn't have been able to use normal ammo against Llewgof and the gargoyles only to change to super ammo when they were identified. I felt like I missed a rule of narrative convenience somewhere.
The Technical.
The book is mostly written in first person.
January 22, 2020
Revelation of a fantasy book (Its that good)
Duke Grandfather (That is his actual name) is a Nuisance Man who lives in Capital City which is inhabited by all kinds of dangerous creatures (Goblins, Gnolls, Orcs... you get the picture).
The book is a series of tales as narrated to his grandson over 'Ale' sittings either in his house or in a bar. Each unique tale unravels a layer of Duke's life. I don't want to spoil the surprises by revealing more.
There is violence as it is about eliminating nuisances but it is embedded in candy wrappers. The author's unmistakable, unassuming humour makes you smile even in the most difficult situations.
The protagonist, along with other main characters strive for a more inclusive world with their adventures and pull you along for the joy ride. (Sometimes involving teleportation).
As I finished each chapter, I eagerly awaited the surprises and adventures of the next one until the wonderful end. Keep writing such stories to engage the young and young-at-heart.
Duke Grandfather (That is his actual name) is a Nuisance Man who lives in Capital City which is inhabited by all kinds of dangerous creatures (Goblins, Gnolls, Orcs... you get the picture).
The book is a series of tales as narrated to his grandson over 'Ale' sittings either in his house or in a bar. Each unique tale unravels a layer of Duke's life. I don't want to spoil the surprises by revealing more.
There is violence as it is about eliminating nuisances but it is embedded in candy wrappers. The author's unmistakable, unassuming humour makes you smile even in the most difficult situations.
The protagonist, along with other main characters strive for a more inclusive world with their adventures and pull you along for the joy ride. (Sometimes involving teleportation).
As I finished each chapter, I eagerly awaited the surprises and adventures of the next one until the wonderful end. Keep writing such stories to engage the young and young-at-heart.
December 10, 2017
Tales of a Nuisance Man is a fabulously creative fictional memoir told from Duke Grandfather to his curious grandson. I absolutely love the concept of what a nuisance man did. The humor that was laced throughout all of the tales was refreshing. I found the structure of having it broken into several stories was perfect for slipping in reading throughout the day, which worked well since I really didn’t want to put the book down.
There were so many creative elements such as the weapons and the creatures that added to the fun. The concept of the nuisance board and how it could be, and was abused was very interesting to think about. Of the individual tales I absolutely adored the story of how Duke and Lilly met and the witch’s broom.
I would love to read more stories about Duke and Lilly, and Sarge in this richly imaginative world. I highly recommend this to fans of fantasy who enjoy their stories on the light side.
There were so many creative elements such as the weapons and the creatures that added to the fun. The concept of the nuisance board and how it could be, and was abused was very interesting to think about. Of the individual tales I absolutely adored the story of how Duke and Lilly met and the witch’s broom.
I would love to read more stories about Duke and Lilly, and Sarge in this richly imaginative world. I highly recommend this to fans of fantasy who enjoy their stories on the light side.
February 16, 2018
If you’re a fan of the late great Terry Pratchett, you’re going to love this! The story is told from the point of view of Duke Grandfather, Nuisance Man Extraordinaire. The novel is made up of a series of darkly humorous vignettes that detail the life of a man with a magical gun and a city full of nuisances that range anywhere from belligerent Orcs to bloodthirsty gargoyles to an arrogant god. And, of course, the occasional broomstick—because magic. Each vignette is sandwiched between an interlude: a short scene with Duke and his grandson, which rounds out the main character and gives him added depth.
This novel is well-written, witty, and difficult to put down. The point-of-view character, Duke Grandfather, has a unique voice and a whole lot more stories to tell. I’m looking forward to future installments.
This novel is well-written, witty, and difficult to put down. The point-of-view character, Duke Grandfather, has a unique voice and a whole lot more stories to tell. I’m looking forward to future installments.
September 11, 2018
Duke Grandfather (yes, that's actually his name) is a Nuisance Man--a mercenary targeting non-humans that are dangerous. The problem is that the "nuisances" are supposed to be investigated, but they're not. Grandfather had been having some doubts about the system, so when a group of non-humans suggest a change, he's willing to go along.
The stories are episodes of Grandfather's life, some funny misadventures, others sweet and emotional, and others tragic. A good sample of an eventful life. It's a quick read straight through, but would work read a section over a period of time. A fun fantasy story, with plenty of humor, but still possesses depth.
The stories are episodes of Grandfather's life, some funny misadventures, others sweet and emotional, and others tragic. A good sample of an eventful life. It's a quick read straight through, but would work read a section over a period of time. A fun fantasy story, with plenty of humor, but still possesses depth.
October 8, 2021
Different in a good way!
A grandfather is relating his life stories as a sort of bounty hunter with a conscience, to his grandson. But these all take place in a world of magic! There's one story a day, so this book can be read in segments. Yet there is a storyline progression and good character development...various people end up helping each other and the city is a better place for it. Also no gratuitus sex or gore, even though there is love and death. A good read for anyone!
A grandfather is relating his life stories as a sort of bounty hunter with a conscience, to his grandson. But these all take place in a world of magic! There's one story a day, so this book can be read in segments. Yet there is a storyline progression and good character development...various people end up helping each other and the city is a better place for it. Also no gratuitus sex or gore, even though there is love and death. A good read for anyone!
September 12, 2020
It surprised me
At first I wasn’t sure about this book. This is a collection of short stories featuring Duke Grandfather, a Nuisance Man. After the first story, I was ready to quit but I kept going. And the stories got better. Some of the stories are funny. A couple tug at the heart strings. Overall, you see growth in Duke, especially as he becomes more involved with Lilly. Stick it out and enjoy the stories.
At first I wasn’t sure about this book. This is a collection of short stories featuring Duke Grandfather, a Nuisance Man. After the first story, I was ready to quit but I kept going. And the stories got better. Some of the stories are funny. A couple tug at the heart strings. Overall, you see growth in Duke, especially as he becomes more involved with Lilly. Stick it out and enjoy the stories.
January 30, 2023
This is such a unique read, I loved it!
My dad introduced this author and series to me. The way James flips back and forth between stories from the past to the present, was well done.
It's a breath of fresh air from having to read a book with a set timeline and one thing leading to another. This is just action/mystery mini stories all in one book that kept me intrigued and wanting to hear more stories.
My dad introduced this author and series to me. The way James flips back and forth between stories from the past to the present, was well done.
It's a breath of fresh air from having to read a book with a set timeline and one thing leading to another. This is just action/mystery mini stories all in one book that kept me intrigued and wanting to hear more stories.
September 14, 2020
A really fun read
This was one of those "what the heck maybe it will be interesting" picks. A very pleasant and readable book. Actually a string of short stories. Some funny, some sweet and some sad, about an average guy who acts heroic because sometimes that's what you have to do. Will definitely look for the sequel.
This was one of those "what the heck maybe it will be interesting" picks. A very pleasant and readable book. Actually a string of short stories. Some funny, some sweet and some sad, about an average guy who acts heroic because sometimes that's what you have to do. Will definitely look for the sequel.
August 23, 2018
An outstanding book of stories. I'm really looking forward to the next one. Please, tell me there will be a next one!
December 27, 2020
Stunning read
Take all your fairy tales and give them a twist and a shake. Fantastic read. Great story telling. Not a fairy tale by any means. Read this book.
Take all your fairy tales and give them a twist and a shake. Fantastic read. Great story telling. Not a fairy tale by any means. Read this book.
November 3, 2022
A collection of stories, told by a retired Nuisance Man to his grandson. Entertaining, but a little shallow.
July 20, 2024
I'm no writer and I know nothing about writing a review. I loved it. I could see the world this author created in my mind and I wanted to know more about these imperfect characters. More please.
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