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Magis #1
Deep Pink
Like all Private Detectives, Seamus Lebanon [Leb] Magis has often been told to go to Hell. He just never thought he’d actually have to go.
But when an old client asks him to investigate why Death Metal bands are dressing in pink – with butterfly mustache clips – and singing about puppies and kittens in a bad imitation of K-pop bands, Leb knows there’s something foul in the realm of music.
When the something grows to include the woman he fell in love with in kindergarten and a missing six-year-old girl, Leb climbs into his battered Suburban and like a knight of old goes forth to do battles with the legions of Hell.
This is when things become insane…. Or perhaps in the interest of truth we should say more insane.
But when an old client asks him to investigate why Death Metal bands are dressing in pink – with butterfly mustache clips – and singing about puppies and kittens in a bad imitation of K-pop bands, Leb knows there’s something foul in the realm of music.
When the something grows to include the woman he fell in love with in kindergarten and a missing six-year-old girl, Leb climbs into his battered Suburban and like a knight of old goes forth to do battles with the legions of Hell.
This is when things become insane…. Or perhaps in the interest of truth we should say more insane.
- GenresFantasy
104 pages, Kindle Edition
First published December 23, 2019
About the author
Sarah A. Hoyt
204 books176 followersSarah A. Hoyt was born (and raised) in Portugal and now lives in Colorado with her husband, two sons, and a variable number of cats, depending on how many show up to beg on the door step.
In between lays the sort of resume that used to be de-rigueur for writers. She has never actually wrestled alligators, but she did at one point very briefly tie bows on bags of potpourri for a living. She has also washed dishes and ironed clothes for a living. Worst of all she was, for a long time, a multilingual scientific translator.
At some point, though, she got tired of making an honest living and started writing. She has over 30 published novels, in science fiction, fantasy, mystery, historical mystery, historical fantasy and historical biography. Her short stories have been published in Analog, Asimov's, Amazing Stories, Weird Tales, and a number of anthologies from DAW and Baen. Her space-opera novel Darkship Thieves was the 2011 Prometheus Award Winner, and the third novel in the series, A Few Good Men, was a finalist for the honor. She also won the Dragon Award for Uncharted (with Kevin J. Anderson.)
a.k.a. Sarah D'Almeida
a.k.a. Elise Hyatt
a.k.a. Sarah Marqués
In between lays the sort of resume that used to be de-rigueur for writers. She has never actually wrestled alligators, but she did at one point very briefly tie bows on bags of potpourri for a living. She has also washed dishes and ironed clothes for a living. Worst of all she was, for a long time, a multilingual scientific translator.
At some point, though, she got tired of making an honest living and started writing. She has over 30 published novels, in science fiction, fantasy, mystery, historical mystery, historical fantasy and historical biography. Her short stories have been published in Analog, Asimov's, Amazing Stories, Weird Tales, and a number of anthologies from DAW and Baen. Her space-opera novel Darkship Thieves was the 2011 Prometheus Award Winner, and the third novel in the series, A Few Good Men, was a finalist for the honor. She also won the Dragon Award for Uncharted (with Kevin J. Anderson.)
a.k.a. Sarah D'Almeida
a.k.a. Elise Hyatt
a.k.a. Sarah Marqués
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Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews
October 22, 2020
A Cleveland PI goes to Hell to rescue a 7-year-old student of his high school sweetheart's.
October 20, 2020
A mildly expanded version of this may be found on my blog Papa Pat Rambles.
Sarah Hoyt has written a delightful book! Whether it will be a book for a tiny little niche of readers, or something with wide appeal, remains to be seen. However, I loved it!
The plot. There is a crisis occurring among the death metal bands in Cleveland Ohio, and that’s a sentence that I never thought I would generate in my lifetime. Bands are changing their names from (these are just examples I fabricated) Filthy Slime Killers to Precious Pink Kitties; the members wearing pink frilly clothes and Hello Kitty head bands, and singing music about bubbles and puppies and kitties in falsetto voices. This does not sit well with their fans.
Attempting to get to the bottom of things, death metal band manager Ron Rando calls private investigator Seamus Lebanon Magis, known as Leb, and asks him to investigate. Magis visits the apartment of one Albert Schneider, a semi-prominent band member, and finds that his residence looks like “multiple Disney princesses have exploded.” All of the décor is pink, glitter and stuffed animals are everywhere, and Schneider Is wearing a pink jumpsuit. However, Schneider says he is still a servant of the Dark, but that he’s under new management. At this point, both Schneider and Leb hear an ethereal voice saying “Tut-tut, don’t talk!” , and Schneider is terrified. Leb starts to ask if he really believes Satan is in control, but Schneider interrupts, says to call the Boss “Peggy”, and refuses to say more. Next morning, Schneider’s body is found, butchered.
Pretty creepy, right? I can’t say that it gets worse, but it does get...more involved.
In short order, we have the reappearance of Emma, Leb’s long lost love, a little girl (Lilly) who has vanished, and a big Chevrolet (The Brown Disgrace) that exists pretty much on its own terms.
Nothing links the bizarre behavior of the band members and Lilly’s disappearance, until Leb follows a lead out to Mary of the Pines Seminary. There he meets a former member of the band Punk Sausage, a seminary student who lost his faith, and experimented with being in a band. However, when bizarre things started to happen, he had the theological training to recognize that this was more than drug-induced mental illness. He briefs Leb on what he thinks is going on. In an amusingly intricate monologue about the distinctions between the natural, preternatural, supernatural, he loses Leb LONG before he runs out of things to say.
In addition to the theological hypothesizing, though, the seminarian DOES provide Leb with evidence that something bizarre IS happening, and warns him to stay away (and small spoiler, provides support later).
It’s rare to find an author who can exposit the supernatural aspects of a commonly-held belief system, without sounding either evangelical or contemptuous. Hoyt is one of the few I’ve seen who can do that, and remain WITHIN the framework of mainstream science fiction and fantasy.
Her portrayal of the Dark One is a FABULOUS bit, with the Father of Lies sporting pigtails with pink ribbons, wearing a pinafore, and attending a tea-party. Evidently, there are SOME rules that must NOT be broken, else consequences, you know?
As always, her plot is consistent, and her characters are recognizable as people you might encounter, or live with, or be.
Some goriness in a morgue; a few non-PG words; nothing else to offend any adults, but if you have a precocious child who reads everything, stand by to explain.
Sarah Hoyt has written a delightful book! Whether it will be a book for a tiny little niche of readers, or something with wide appeal, remains to be seen. However, I loved it!
The plot. There is a crisis occurring among the death metal bands in Cleveland Ohio, and that’s a sentence that I never thought I would generate in my lifetime. Bands are changing their names from (these are just examples I fabricated) Filthy Slime Killers to Precious Pink Kitties; the members wearing pink frilly clothes and Hello Kitty head bands, and singing music about bubbles and puppies and kitties in falsetto voices. This does not sit well with their fans.
Attempting to get to the bottom of things, death metal band manager Ron Rando calls private investigator Seamus Lebanon Magis, known as Leb, and asks him to investigate. Magis visits the apartment of one Albert Schneider, a semi-prominent band member, and finds that his residence looks like “multiple Disney princesses have exploded.” All of the décor is pink, glitter and stuffed animals are everywhere, and Schneider Is wearing a pink jumpsuit. However, Schneider says he is still a servant of the Dark, but that he’s under new management. At this point, both Schneider and Leb hear an ethereal voice saying “Tut-tut, don’t talk!” , and Schneider is terrified. Leb starts to ask if he really believes Satan is in control, but Schneider interrupts, says to call the Boss “Peggy”, and refuses to say more. Next morning, Schneider’s body is found, butchered.
Pretty creepy, right? I can’t say that it gets worse, but it does get...more involved.
In short order, we have the reappearance of Emma, Leb’s long lost love, a little girl (Lilly) who has vanished, and a big Chevrolet (The Brown Disgrace) that exists pretty much on its own terms.
Nothing links the bizarre behavior of the band members and Lilly’s disappearance, until Leb follows a lead out to Mary of the Pines Seminary. There he meets a former member of the band Punk Sausage, a seminary student who lost his faith, and experimented with being in a band. However, when bizarre things started to happen, he had the theological training to recognize that this was more than drug-induced mental illness. He briefs Leb on what he thinks is going on. In an amusingly intricate monologue about the distinctions between the natural, preternatural, supernatural, he loses Leb LONG before he runs out of things to say.
In addition to the theological hypothesizing, though, the seminarian DOES provide Leb with evidence that something bizarre IS happening, and warns him to stay away (and small spoiler, provides support later).
It’s rare to find an author who can exposit the supernatural aspects of a commonly-held belief system, without sounding either evangelical or contemptuous. Hoyt is one of the few I’ve seen who can do that, and remain WITHIN the framework of mainstream science fiction and fantasy.
Her portrayal of the Dark One is a FABULOUS bit, with the Father of Lies sporting pigtails with pink ribbons, wearing a pinafore, and attending a tea-party. Evidently, there are SOME rules that must NOT be broken, else consequences, you know?
As always, her plot is consistent, and her characters are recognizable as people you might encounter, or live with, or be.
Some goriness in a morgue; a few non-PG words; nothing else to offend any adults, but if you have a precocious child who reads everything, stand by to explain.
December 30, 2019
Odd turns
This story does not end where you think it will. A bit pell-mell towards the end, but it’s more like the wave crests and you just have to hang on.
Somewhat dark comedy from a certain view.
One or two typos, but really quite clean.
I guess if I had to point to a bit of dissatisfaction...the MC didn’t really have a lot of agency. He stepped up, but it didn’t feel like he struggled to do it.
I would buy and read a sequel.
This story does not end where you think it will. A bit pell-mell towards the end, but it’s more like the wave crests and you just have to hang on.
Somewhat dark comedy from a certain view.
One or two typos, but really quite clean.
I guess if I had to point to a bit of dissatisfaction...the MC didn’t really have a lot of agency. He stepped up, but it didn’t feel like he struggled to do it.
I would buy and read a sequel.
January 15, 2020
A Private Investigator Goes to Hell
Part Noir, part urban fantasy, part romance, and all delightful. Metal bands have started wearing pink and singing about kittens and puppies. Their agent hires a PI who has no idea that the case will literally take him to Hell and, hopefully, back.
This was a fun read, and it kept me reading well past my bedtime.
Part Noir, part urban fantasy, part romance, and all delightful. Metal bands have started wearing pink and singing about kittens and puppies. Their agent hires a PI who has no idea that the case will literally take him to Hell and, hopefully, back.
This was a fun read, and it kept me reading well past my bedtime.
April 11, 2020
Heartwarming
The world you built seems to have quite the potential for exploration. You could probably have Magis be a much better detective since he has an actually life providing him with confidence. I imagine not marrying Emma left him broken. Detective work in the preternatural realm seems capable of getting pretty interesting.
The world you built seems to have quite the potential for exploration. You could probably have Magis be a much better detective since he has an actually life providing him with confidence. I imagine not marrying Emma left him broken. Detective work in the preternatural realm seems capable of getting pretty interesting.
April 23, 2020
Mostly predictable but fun
I was unsure about this book. The cover and title threw me a bit. But I'd heard good things about the author, plus I like supporting Colorado folk. So I gave it a go.
While not the best detective series since it had fewer twists than I like, it was fun, and ended on a high note.
I was unsure about this book. The cover and title threw me a bit. But I'd heard good things about the author, plus I like supporting Colorado folk. So I gave it a go.
While not the best detective series since it had fewer twists than I like, it was fun, and ended on a high note.
December 30, 2019
Excellent new series
Sarah Hoyt has released an exciting new series. Why would metal bands suddenly change their style? And how far will a PI go to save a young girl? The investigation takes him into hell...
Sarah Hoyt has released an exciting new series. Why would metal bands suddenly change their style? And how far will a PI go to save a young girl? The investigation takes him into hell...
January 2, 2020
Fun, Eclectic Urban Fantasy
What a nice, fun, enjoyable read!
Reminds me a bit of the Paul Anderson book that also had a journey to hell on the time flow, with the addition of lots of humor. An unexpected treasure is a read.
What a nice, fun, enjoyable read!
Reminds me a bit of the Paul Anderson book that also had a journey to hell on the time flow, with the addition of lots of humor. An unexpected treasure is a read.
January 13, 2020
Outstanding
Does it get better than death metal bands suddenly switching to k-pop? And second chances at family being considered punishment by satan? (Maybe he has met my sister in law). Read it you’ll like it
Does it get better than death metal bands suddenly switching to k-pop? And second chances at family being considered punishment by satan? (Maybe he has met my sister in law). Read it you’ll like it
January 31, 2020
Satan has gone all pink and glittery
This book combines the old and traditional with the new and utterly unexpected. Don't start it if you don't have time to read it all in one gulp.
This book combines the old and traditional with the new and utterly unexpected. Don't start it if you don't have time to read it all in one gulp.
February 3, 2020
Fun fast read.
It was a fast, fun read. Enjoyed the SF, Fandom and music references. Reminds me of the tone of the Ringo Monster Hunter International stories. Looking forward to the next one.
It was a fast, fun read. Enjoyed the SF, Fandom and music references. Reminds me of the tone of the Ringo Monster Hunter International stories. Looking forward to the next one.
February 6, 2020
I hope there will be more Magis tales
This was one of those entertaining rescues from Hell I have ever read. This was what I call a feel-good adventure with a message and a cast of real characters. Sarah has really scored with this story.
This was one of those entertaining rescues from Hell I have ever read. This was what I call a feel-good adventure with a message and a cast of real characters. Sarah has really scored with this story.
February 10, 2020
Short, Strange and Good
I'm not sure what to say about this story. I mean, it starts with a private investigator working a case where Satanic metal bands have started singing about kittens and wearing pink.
I liked it. Couldn't stop reading. And it seemed to go very quickly.
I'm not sure what to say about this story. I mean, it starts with a private investigator working a case where Satanic metal bands have started singing about kittens and wearing pink.
I liked it. Couldn't stop reading. And it seemed to go very quickly.
March 10, 2020
Lots of fun
This started out with such a noir feel that I half expected Emma to be a femme fatale. I'm glad that I was as surprised at the ending as I was about how the story got there. Definitely not for everyone, but quirky and bizarre, and thoroughly enjoyable.
This started out with such a noir feel that I half expected Emma to be a femme fatale. I'm glad that I was as surprised at the ending as I was about how the story got there. Definitely not for everyone, but quirky and bizarre, and thoroughly enjoyable.
April 21, 2024
I liked the main character, and found him and his love interest both believable. It was easy to root for both of them. The plot was well-crafted, and the ending enjoyably wholesome. Doesn't hurt that it takes place in my hometown, although I wish I knew why it was chosen.
December 28, 2019
Fun!
What happens when Satanic heavy metal bands start singing of puppies and kittens and the joys of glitter and pinafores?
Read, and you will learn!
What happens when Satanic heavy metal bands start singing of puppies and kittens and the joys of glitter and pinafores?
Read, and you will learn!
December 30, 2019
A fun romp!
Deep Pink is a weird, quirky, geeky, interesting, *fun*, first book in a new PI series.
I am most definitely looking forward to the next one. 😁
Deep Pink is a weird, quirky, geeky, interesting, *fun*, first book in a new PI series.
I am most definitely looking forward to the next one. 😁
January 28, 2020
A fun romp
This novel is a fast, enjoyable read. It's goofy and ridiculous, perfect for the end of a stressful day or week.
This novel is a fast, enjoyable read. It's goofy and ridiculous, perfect for the end of a stressful day or week.
January 30, 2020
Not what I expected
A delightful little romp. Enjoyed it and loved the ending. I can't wait for more adventures of Magis. Beware the pink.
A delightful little romp. Enjoyed it and loved the ending. I can't wait for more adventures of Magis. Beware the pink.
February 6, 2020
Oh great fun!
Puppies, kittens, demons , oh my. What a great story. This will make you smile and hug someone. Plus it’s a well written fantasy story like all of her work! .
Puppies, kittens, demons , oh my. What a great story. This will make you smile and hug someone. Plus it’s a well written fantasy story like all of her work! .
January 5, 2026
unexpected ending
Didn’t know what this story was going to do. Loved it. Sarah delivers and once again. Looking for more in th series
Didn’t know what this story was going to do. Loved it. Sarah delivers and once again. Looking for more in th series
January 24, 2020
Quick and easy urban fantasy read, but great fun. The premise of Hell being taken over by an innocent child is definitely an amusing one.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews