Detroit Christmas:

Grimnoir Chronicles #0.5

by Larry Correia

Detroit. One of the greatest cities in the world. The crossroads of industry and commerce. The American Paris, the City of Champions, Blimp-Town, Motor City, call it what you want, it’s one crowded place. Nearly two million people live in Detroit, but as far as Jake Sullivan was aware, only a few of them were trying to kill him at that particular moment in time.

Genres: Fantasy, Urban Fantasy, Audiobook, Christmas, Fiction, Alternate History, Science Fiction

Audible Audio

First published January 1, 2011

About the author

Larry Correia (born 1977) is the New York Times bestselling author of the Monster Hunter International series, the Grimnoir Chronicles, and the thriller Dead Six.

Reviews

[Abbey · Rating 2 out of 5]

This seemed like a good idea, but in reality it isn't. The execution just isn't good.

[Gilbert Stack · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed Correia’s Grimnoir Chronicles quite a bit. It’s the sort of trilogy I plan to reread someday. So it was a pleasant surprise to discover this short story set in the same universe and the fact that it was fully dramatized just added to the treat. Unfortunately, unlike the original trilogy, this short story felt almost like a satire of the noir atmosphere of the first three books. The dialogue was often corny, and there are no real surprises in the tale. If you’ve read a few hardboiled detective novels that you won’t be the slightest bit surprised about who the ultimate villain really is.

The saving grace of the story was the dramatization. I really like it when an audiobook is brought to life more fully than a narrator simply reading the tale. This was good enough that I may listen to it again next Christmas.

If you liked this review, you can find more at www.gilbertstack.com/reviews.

[Seizure Romero · Rating 3 out of 5]

An online pre-Grimnoir story featuring Jake Sullivan. Doesn't really stand alone, as not much is explained about Actives or the world of the Grimnoir Chronicles, but it's a nice teaser to whet the appetite for the the third book in the series. At least read Hard Magic first.

http://www.baen.com/DetroitChristmas.asp

[Keri · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked this little story enough that I am going to move Hard Magic up on my TBR mountain. This world seems pretty interesting, if not a little strange.

[Karen · Rating 4 out of 5]

I find that if I see a Larry Correia story on audible I will not pass it up. Just so happens that I found this Christmas story sitting there waiting for me and the season. I always enjoy the characters because they simply jump out at you fully formed and ready to entertain. I like the setting because noir is a genre that I have loved since I was a kid and then to combine it with science fiction and the paranormal pushes all the right buttons for me. I have always loved a good private detective story and this one just gives me more elements to enjoy.

Detroit is one of the greatest cities in the world. Nearly two million people live in Detroit, but as far as Jake Sullivan was aware, only a few of them were trying to kill him at that particular moment in time. Jake is hired by the wife of a healer who has disappeared, a beautiful woman who is much younger than her husband. Things are nothing like what he expected.

[Angie · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read this short piece to get a sense of whether or not I might want to read this series. Well, I'm interested. Correia has created an engaging world set in an alternate Depression-era America. I'll be intrigued to see how the world develops in the broader canvas a full-length novel provides.

[Jesa Burgoyne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wheel Picks for December 2020
Read a Christmas book

[Mike · Rating 5 out of 5]

A short story in the Grimnoir Universe that brings the black and white noir films to mind. The audible version is excellent. Also this is a nice Christmas tale.

[✨Susan✨ · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love this series. Best to start with book 1

[Dawn · Rating 2 out of 5]

The audiobook production was interesting with all the sound effects and a full cast. However, the plot was too disjointed and confusing. You weren't quite sure what was going on and what you were hearing. It was just missing something. I love all the Grimnoir Chronicles and was so excited to see there would be something new I could listen to. I'm still hoping the author would choose to write more books in this series. Real books. Not little novellas.

[Karen Fan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Saw this as an Audible Original and thought I’d give it try; seemed ok, but without reading any of the previous anything, it just didn’t make much sense.

[Dave Matney · Rating 2 out of 5]

I listened to this as an audiodrama, and I think that was a mistake. I've really enjoyed the rest of the Grimnoir series, but this was just... lacking. If this was my first foray into the series, I don't think I'd be returning (luckily, it was my most recent, after everything else that's been written). There's no real character growth, or even revelations -- it's just a story about Jake being Jake, but in the least interesting way possible.

If you started with this and are not impressed, I urge you to look past it and move on to Hard Magic. If you've already read everything else, this barely scratches the itch you'll likely have for more.

[Dave Hay · Rating 3 out of 5]

A short story, introducing "Heavy" Jake Sullivan. Ok, its short and therefore can not live up to the real novels from this series. I also listened to this book, and it was a full cast dramatization. Way too much noise, not for me. If I listen to a book, I want it to be like a book, not a movie, radio production. Hence the 3 stars. If you have just read, listened to this and not sure if you would like to try the series, do, its far better than this offering.

[DJ · Rating 2 out of 5]

5 out of 10 stars

I loved book one Hard Magic and was excited to find an audio version of this prequel novella. Fully cast audiobooks aren't my thing though. It reminded me of Prairie Home Companion, which I despise. Still, the story was interesting despite being predictable.

Looking forward to the next books in the series.

[Alex Shrugged · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a somewhat violent, Christmas story about gang members fighting it out with magical powers... and a detective story... and a murder mystery... all in one short story. I found it funny and clever. Others might not. It is a matter of taste, I think.

I might might read/listen to this audiobook again.

[Gregg · Rating 3 out of 5]

A short story, set in the time of Al Capone - but in an alternate Earth where a fraction of a percent of people are born with special capabilities. Somewhat similar to a mashup of X-Men and prohibition America. The main character is a gumshoe detective with the power to manipulate gravity.

[Tyler Nichols · Rating 3 out of 5]

I listened to the Audible version, which is done as a radio play. I really did not like the presentation. The story was fun, but the arrangement was not. I much prefer the Audible narration of the other books in the series voiced by Bronson Pinchot.

[JazzRizz · Rating 3 out of 5]

While I enjoyed the story quite a bit, the audible production ... not so much. There's music and sound effects, making it more like the radio serials that played on the radio. I missed the normal narrator for the series also. This reader just didn't vibe with the Jake Sullivan I'm used to.

[Chris Esposo · Rating 3 out of 5]

A decent short side story prequel to the Grimnoir Chronicles. The voice acting from the cast feels very 1940s radio, which is appropriate for a film noir pastiche. I actually prefer this cast to the original voice actor from the main books.

[Denise · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fairly entertaining short prequel featuring Jake Sullivan trying to track down a missing Healer and running up against a criminal gang in the process. Not bad, but it just didn't live up to the awesomeness of the novels.

[Jared]

I listened to the Audible dramatization of this book, and it was unfortunately not great. It had been so mangled in the adaptation that it didn't even sound like Larry's writing any more. If you're going to read this one, read Larry's words, and avoid the Audible version.

[Vaclav Kocian · Rating 4 out of 5]

[audiokniha]
Příjemná krátká povídka z detektivního života Jake Sullivana, hlavního hrdiny následné série Grimmnoirské kroniky. Nejlepší na knize je její zpracování ve formě úžasné rozhlasové dramatizace včetně spousty zvukových efektů a samostatných hlasů pro každou postavu.

[Art · Rating 4 out of 5]

A prequel to the Grimnoir Chronicles. I could not get used to the voice for Jake Sullivan. I am too used to Bronson Pichot's reading from the series. Still a tight story and a lot of fun/action. Good, quick listen.

[Ruby Ridge · Rating 5 out of 5]

Larry Correia shows again why he is a contender for the crown of "king of the superhero noir subgenre".
A well developed main character, classic storyline and no wasted words (bloating)
Not normally a fan of novelettes/novellas but highly recommend this one and all the Grimnoir Chronicles.

[Donna · Rating 1 out of 5]

I enjoy full-cast productions and old time radio shows but this was…not good. As so many others have mentioned, Bronson Pinchot is a tough act to follow and this was horribly cheesy without being fun.

[Priscilla · Rating 4 out of 5]

This reminded me of the old time radio dramas and I loved every second of it. Sadly there are no more Grimoir related materials for me to go through, so this one I'll say was one of the best. Audiobook multi-cast reading. Funny and quick on the times type of characters. Great short novella.

[Richard · Rating 3 out of 5]

I wanted to sample Correia's style and plotting before I started his series. This gave me an excellent idea of what to expect. It was light supernatural noir and no effort to read. Enjoyable.

[MikeG · Rating 5 out of 5]

Smart hard-boiled detective meets alternate timeline with magic.

[Philippe Martinez · Rating 5 out of 5]

A full cast and foley sounds to bring this great story to life! The voice change for the hero is a very weird at first, but I got used to it.

[Steven · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good story. I totally wish Larry would write more in this world.