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Tales of Weird Florida #1
Dead Set
Magick demands sacrifice, and as Gene Law is about to find out, so does family.
For Eugene Law, one of West Florida's few active Magicians, the Sunshine State is a great place to raise a family. It’s got pleasant winters and plenty of opportunity—that is until an army of the damned rise up to ruin his little slice of heaven.
It isn’t long before Gene finds himself neck deep in the Restless Dead, Hell Fleas, Minor Demons, and a daughter that’s a magnet for the dearly departed. Along with a less-than-helpful apprentice, our Magician will discover it’s going to take every ounce of Magick he’s got, and more than a little he doesn’t, for him to survive this one intact.
When the darkness falls, will Gene find a way to save the ones he loves, or end up just another member the Dead Set?
For Eugene Law, one of West Florida's few active Magicians, the Sunshine State is a great place to raise a family. It’s got pleasant winters and plenty of opportunity—that is until an army of the damned rise up to ruin his little slice of heaven.
It isn’t long before Gene finds himself neck deep in the Restless Dead, Hell Fleas, Minor Demons, and a daughter that’s a magnet for the dearly departed. Along with a less-than-helpful apprentice, our Magician will discover it’s going to take every ounce of Magick he’s got, and more than a little he doesn’t, for him to survive this one intact.
When the darkness falls, will Gene find a way to save the ones he loves, or end up just another member the Dead Set?
330 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 31, 2019
59 people are currently reading
111 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews
December 8, 2021
"There was even a whole Twitter account dedicated to the antics of ‘Florida Man,’ an amalgamation of all the terrible and inane crimes perpetrated by individuals in the Sunshine State. I just happened to know more than half of them were the work of New Dead….our tourism board worked so well even the damned like to visit."
And just like that, I was hooked.
Before the "Eugene Law Cycle" even gets going - and I've committed to the 5-book Omnibus if you're keeping track - there's a couple of great plugs provided (and a less great one where I've gone ahead and deleted my lengthy rant about what a schmuck Dean Koontz is) that I really think encapsulate Martin Shannon's obvious talents and his hard-working dedication to his craft (this being obvious due to his any hour/any day updates on Twitter). To whittle: "(these books are) a breath of fresh air in the urban fantasy genre" and "Martin hits the weirdness that is Florida right on the nose. The magick is clever (and) the laughs are big..."
Both of those compliments are then legitimate "yeppers, I agree right there for sure and what not's" from me, with the fancy Deep South colloquialism being absolutely free of charge (that means no money or tradin' road-kill is needed y'all)! I can definitely then add that this first book was intense, wonderfully complex - which is how I likes my fantasy - and in absolute satisfaction to my own personal quirks, edited to perfection! Mixing in such a yummy array of weirdness along with the whole "being a suburban dad" thing worked out just great! And oh how that ending hit all the feels (no spoilers kids, sorry)!
Bottom-line is that this is a fully satisfying, fun and funny read. Shannon's style is very smooth and the story zooms along at a very good pace. His style is convincingly expressive and there was more than one scene where I caught myself thinking "this would make an awesome NETFLIX (or other major cable provider with tons of cash) series!" But definitely like so many of the GOOD urban fantasy stories out there, this book forgoes the overtly fancy schmancy hokus pokus or unacceptable special effects and instead focuses on the rich array of fully formed and sympathetic players - both human and not (or perhaps better said, no longer so) - that we meet along the way. By the end of "Dead Set", we already know a lot of the cast and crew that ranges from age 5 to "beyond" quite well and honestly, you can't help but care about them! Or despise them, your call. And heck, if you're like me and have to re-read a few bits just to catch some of the more subtle hints about what's happening or no doubt coming up soon, well that just makes it all the better! It all leads to one conclusion, which is that this is going to be a wild ride for sure!
If I did have to compare our weird Florida shenanigans to anyone's work I'd read before - not necessarily just about Florida even though it does appear strangely enough quite a lot in stories like this - I'd throw out such names as Russ Linton (another indie contributor I quite enjoy and have assisted with beta checks in the past) whose last on-going urban fantasy story-line got waylaid by the pandemic (bad time to write an "Big Pharma is really just run by Hellspawn" urban fantasy story what with a plague going on). But he had a similar flair that Shannon shows, namely, being able to mix in a lot of different aspects of the Magickal world without missing a beat (oh and having his MC taking quite a beating along the way despite his best intentions). In addition, I'd probably give a nod towards Chris Tullbane's "John Smith" books, insisting that none of you should let the rather plain name of the main dude fool you (these stories are great). Heck, I'd even add some flavoring of Douglas Lumsden's delicious blend of P.I. noir and UF, which is just splendiferous to say the least! Makes it sound like fancy food that, huh? Indubitably… which yes, along with several other words in this paragraph, I also had to look up how to spell.
Look, take my advice: you need to give Martin Shannon and especially this series a shot! I'm glad I did and can't wait to continue on with the rest of the box set or even his pending launch of a special web-page for unique stories. That's a tip folks, write it down!
And just like that, I was hooked.
Before the "Eugene Law Cycle" even gets going - and I've committed to the 5-book Omnibus if you're keeping track - there's a couple of great plugs provided (and a less great one where I've gone ahead and deleted my lengthy rant about what a schmuck Dean Koontz is) that I really think encapsulate Martin Shannon's obvious talents and his hard-working dedication to his craft (this being obvious due to his any hour/any day updates on Twitter). To whittle: "(these books are) a breath of fresh air in the urban fantasy genre" and "Martin hits the weirdness that is Florida right on the nose. The magick is clever (and) the laughs are big..."
Both of those compliments are then legitimate "yeppers, I agree right there for sure and what not's" from me, with the fancy Deep South colloquialism being absolutely free of charge (that means no money or tradin' road-kill is needed y'all)! I can definitely then add that this first book was intense, wonderfully complex - which is how I likes my fantasy - and in absolute satisfaction to my own personal quirks, edited to perfection! Mixing in such a yummy array of weirdness along with the whole "being a suburban dad" thing worked out just great! And oh how that ending hit all the feels (no spoilers kids, sorry)!
Bottom-line is that this is a fully satisfying, fun and funny read. Shannon's style is very smooth and the story zooms along at a very good pace. His style is convincingly expressive and there was more than one scene where I caught myself thinking "this would make an awesome NETFLIX (or other major cable provider with tons of cash) series!" But definitely like so many of the GOOD urban fantasy stories out there, this book forgoes the overtly fancy schmancy hokus pokus or unacceptable special effects and instead focuses on the rich array of fully formed and sympathetic players - both human and not (or perhaps better said, no longer so) - that we meet along the way. By the end of "Dead Set", we already know a lot of the cast and crew that ranges from age 5 to "beyond" quite well and honestly, you can't help but care about them! Or despise them, your call. And heck, if you're like me and have to re-read a few bits just to catch some of the more subtle hints about what's happening or no doubt coming up soon, well that just makes it all the better! It all leads to one conclusion, which is that this is going to be a wild ride for sure!
If I did have to compare our weird Florida shenanigans to anyone's work I'd read before - not necessarily just about Florida even though it does appear strangely enough quite a lot in stories like this - I'd throw out such names as Russ Linton (another indie contributor I quite enjoy and have assisted with beta checks in the past) whose last on-going urban fantasy story-line got waylaid by the pandemic (bad time to write an "Big Pharma is really just run by Hellspawn" urban fantasy story what with a plague going on). But he had a similar flair that Shannon shows, namely, being able to mix in a lot of different aspects of the Magickal world without missing a beat (oh and having his MC taking quite a beating along the way despite his best intentions). In addition, I'd probably give a nod towards Chris Tullbane's "John Smith" books, insisting that none of you should let the rather plain name of the main dude fool you (these stories are great). Heck, I'd even add some flavoring of Douglas Lumsden's delicious blend of P.I. noir and UF, which is just splendiferous to say the least! Makes it sound like fancy food that, huh? Indubitably… which yes, along with several other words in this paragraph, I also had to look up how to spell.
Look, take my advice: you need to give Martin Shannon and especially this series a shot! I'm glad I did and can't wait to continue on with the rest of the box set or even his pending launch of a special web-page for unique stories. That's a tip folks, write it down!
September 16, 2021
Hands Up! I've got a sigil!
It is always fun to read about magic, especially if you are an occultist yourself. Martin Shannon's novel is a fantasy novel that takes some of the classic themes of magic, such as demons, spells and sigils, and takes them into a ride with one of the funniest characters I have found lately, Gene Law.
Gene is a middle-aged man, happily married and with two kids. The guy who should be already established in life. He has only a problem; he is a magician, and the New Dead are coming after his family. Even worse, his teenager daughter, who cannot keep any magic protection on, comes into her own powers and tries all the high magic she can find.
Gene has to deal with all these threats, including Hell Fleas and other creatures from Hell, all while he tries to keep a respectable behaviour. Of course, he fails. Respectability and Magick, in Shannon's world, are incompatible.
This is a fast-paced novel, where one disaster piles up over the next one, riding the story to a satisfactory ending that opens up to the next novels in the series.
What I love about this novel is that it is like no other I've found before. It has the flavor of detective stories mixed up with paranormal experiences and a pinch of the Hitchhiker's Galaxy humour.
A very refreshing reading for a day in which you want to take a laugh at magic.
The best part, the world building is outstanding and there are many more novels to resolve the mysteries that were hinted in this first one. If you try it, you´ll get caught. No way out.
It is always fun to read about magic, especially if you are an occultist yourself. Martin Shannon's novel is a fantasy novel that takes some of the classic themes of magic, such as demons, spells and sigils, and takes them into a ride with one of the funniest characters I have found lately, Gene Law.
Gene is a middle-aged man, happily married and with two kids. The guy who should be already established in life. He has only a problem; he is a magician, and the New Dead are coming after his family. Even worse, his teenager daughter, who cannot keep any magic protection on, comes into her own powers and tries all the high magic she can find.
Gene has to deal with all these threats, including Hell Fleas and other creatures from Hell, all while he tries to keep a respectable behaviour. Of course, he fails. Respectability and Magick, in Shannon's world, are incompatible.
This is a fast-paced novel, where one disaster piles up over the next one, riding the story to a satisfactory ending that opens up to the next novels in the series.
What I love about this novel is that it is like no other I've found before. It has the flavor of detective stories mixed up with paranormal experiences and a pinch of the Hitchhiker's Galaxy humour.
A very refreshing reading for a day in which you want to take a laugh at magic.
The best part, the world building is outstanding and there are many more novels to resolve the mysteries that were hinted in this first one. If you try it, you´ll get caught. No way out.
April 25, 2023
Nope, not my cuppa tea. Middle aged mage dad, 2.4 kids, beautiful wife with no magical abilities knows it all and thinks she gets equal say in all decisions. Just nope
August 18, 2021
I’m hooked on a new series
I met the author at a comic convention in Tampa. Very cool guy, so I took a chance on the book.
Loved it. Can’t wait to read more in the series.
The writing is crisp and fast-paced, the humor cracked me up all the way through, Gene Law is a great protagonist (husband, dad, and demon-battling magician), the world is rich and expansive (and likely to grow even more throughout the series).
All in all, this book was FUN. Right up my alley. Recommend for fans of fast-paced urban fantasy, lovable anti-heroes, and dad jokes.
I met the author at a comic convention in Tampa. Very cool guy, so I took a chance on the book.
Loved it. Can’t wait to read more in the series.
The writing is crisp and fast-paced, the humor cracked me up all the way through, Gene Law is a great protagonist (husband, dad, and demon-battling magician), the world is rich and expansive (and likely to grow even more throughout the series).
All in all, this book was FUN. Right up my alley. Recommend for fans of fast-paced urban fantasy, lovable anti-heroes, and dad jokes.
February 14, 2022
NOTE: This is a review for the complete 5-book series.
Wow. I read these books back-to-back X5, and it was an epic ride. Because that’s what this series is: an epic. What appears at first to be an amusing “my father, the magician” romp grows into a deeply fulfilling and soul-shattering experience for the reader (and for a few of the characters in this series, too).
The themes in this book are deep: sacrifice, responsibility, forgiveness, redemption, hope against overwhelming odds, and living with the consequences of your well-meaning actions. At an important level, it’s about the pain of a parent losing a child as she comes of age and struggles to find her own identity. The process is messy. Don’t expect a rosy resolution. Parents always lose something precious when a child grows up.
The protagonist, Eugene Law, possesses powerful magick, but he is rarely in control of it. Magick doesn’t make him a superhero. It makes him a target and a victim. He gets used and exploited—a lot! He spends most of all five books in deadly peril. The forces that threaten him are so relentless you wonder how he can bear it. Turns out he’s pretty motivated. No spoilers here except to say that he must battle the forces of Hell for the soul of someone he loves, because that soul was imperilled by his own decision.
These books are non-stop action, and amazingly creative. They are steeped in the culture of Florida: urban, suburbs, backwoods, and swamps. Fantasy creatures include alligator men, demonic mosquito people, and a flock of pink flamingo lawn ornaments, not to mention items one might find gathering dust in your grandfather’s attic. One of the most powerful of Gene’s adversaries is a Florida suburban house. There’s also his fiendish University of Florida ex-girlfriend. And most of the final book takes place in Hell.
Far too few people have read this series. These books are action-packed and filled with heart and humor. They contain a rich darkness that reminds me a bit of Ray Bradbury. If that’s your jam (and why wouldn’t it be) then get started on these Tales of Weird Florida today!
Wow. I read these books back-to-back X5, and it was an epic ride. Because that’s what this series is: an epic. What appears at first to be an amusing “my father, the magician” romp grows into a deeply fulfilling and soul-shattering experience for the reader (and for a few of the characters in this series, too).
The themes in this book are deep: sacrifice, responsibility, forgiveness, redemption, hope against overwhelming odds, and living with the consequences of your well-meaning actions. At an important level, it’s about the pain of a parent losing a child as she comes of age and struggles to find her own identity. The process is messy. Don’t expect a rosy resolution. Parents always lose something precious when a child grows up.
The protagonist, Eugene Law, possesses powerful magick, but he is rarely in control of it. Magick doesn’t make him a superhero. It makes him a target and a victim. He gets used and exploited—a lot! He spends most of all five books in deadly peril. The forces that threaten him are so relentless you wonder how he can bear it. Turns out he’s pretty motivated. No spoilers here except to say that he must battle the forces of Hell for the soul of someone he loves, because that soul was imperilled by his own decision.
These books are non-stop action, and amazingly creative. They are steeped in the culture of Florida: urban, suburbs, backwoods, and swamps. Fantasy creatures include alligator men, demonic mosquito people, and a flock of pink flamingo lawn ornaments, not to mention items one might find gathering dust in your grandfather’s attic. One of the most powerful of Gene’s adversaries is a Florida suburban house. There’s also his fiendish University of Florida ex-girlfriend. And most of the final book takes place in Hell.
Far too few people have read this series. These books are action-packed and filled with heart and humor. They contain a rich darkness that reminds me a bit of Ray Bradbury. If that’s your jam (and why wouldn’t it be) then get started on these Tales of Weird Florida today!
September 17, 2021
I tagged along in Eugene Law’s world as a loving father and husband who also happens to be a magician. Rooting for him as he put his body on the line to be a supportive father taking Jujitsu with his teenage daughter as he tried to casually battle the undead without breaking a sweat and not letting on what was happening as he got his behind almost handed to him by some New Dead.
You ran the gauntlet from gross undead to other scary bumps in the night, it was at times snort laugh funny, couple it with loads of misadventures with the thought that what else can go wrong? And it does.
The story is told from Eugene/Gene’s perspective and we get to meet his family with his non-magical wife, his newly minted Wild Magick daughter and his young son who is an unknown and you are off to the races.
The author does a great job of drawing you into his world with Old Dead, New Dead and other assorted demons. So while I did enjoy Gene’s insight I would have loved to have heard more from his wife and his daughter. I think a different perspective would have helped fill in some of the gaps I felt.
There are some parts of the story that were a bit melodramatic for me, these were plot devices that came across a bit heavy handed at times. The action wasn’t allowed to happen organically and as such it came across as a bit immature and at times not fitting with the danger that the family was experiencing, (meaning a few TSTL moments).
There are a few parts that I would have liked a bit more info on. It does end on sort of a cliff hanger. The story for the most part has been resolved in book one, there was something that happened that naturally leads you into the next book.
So for me it straddled the 3.5 star mark. I did make allowances for some of the actions as it was more to keep the story going than what would have made actual sense. I think it was the humor and of course the pink imp that pushed me into making this a 4 star review.
I received an ARC and I am leaving a voluntary review.
You ran the gauntlet from gross undead to other scary bumps in the night, it was at times snort laugh funny, couple it with loads of misadventures with the thought that what else can go wrong? And it does.
The story is told from Eugene/Gene’s perspective and we get to meet his family with his non-magical wife, his newly minted Wild Magick daughter and his young son who is an unknown and you are off to the races.
The author does a great job of drawing you into his world with Old Dead, New Dead and other assorted demons. So while I did enjoy Gene’s insight I would have loved to have heard more from his wife and his daughter. I think a different perspective would have helped fill in some of the gaps I felt.
There are some parts of the story that were a bit melodramatic for me, these were plot devices that came across a bit heavy handed at times. The action wasn’t allowed to happen organically and as such it came across as a bit immature and at times not fitting with the danger that the family was experiencing, (meaning a few TSTL moments).
There are a few parts that I would have liked a bit more info on. It does end on sort of a cliff hanger. The story for the most part has been resolved in book one, there was something that happened that naturally leads you into the next book.
So for me it straddled the 3.5 star mark. I did make allowances for some of the actions as it was more to keep the story going than what would have made actual sense. I think it was the humor and of course the pink imp that pushed me into making this a 4 star review.
I received an ARC and I am leaving a voluntary review.
October 31, 2019
Dead Set by Martin Shannon is a fun fast-paced read while still managing to leave the reader deep in thought wiping a few tears from their eyes. When I was first introduced to the main character, Eugene Law (or Gene for short), I was expecting the overdone male character often found in fantasy stories: the surly, sulking male who carries his trauma at the forefront of his personality. Gene is a male character that is not defined by his past traumas nor toxic masculinity but still has to face both none-the-less. Instead, Gene is a family man with healthy relationships that are tested and strained throughout the novel.
Despite the main character being a father, the storyline more readily follows the fantasy trope of a teenage girl coming into her powers. When Gene’s daughter, Cathy, discovers the magical world and Gene dumps her off at school promising answers later, I found myself expecting Gene to die or disappear because the fantasy genre is flooded with orphaned heroes left with more questions than answers. However, this is not the case because this is Gene’s story, the story of a father reconciling his secret world of magick with the family he protected from it. It is a story that offers a perspective that the fantasy genre has been lacking until now.
I would recommend this book to adult urban fantasy fans who are tired of reading about teenagers in love triangles and especially those readers who have their own feisty stubborn teenagers. I also would like to invite those seeking a father character who is not defined by toxic masculinity and who is not intimidated by the strong women in his life. Eugene Law is a character that will bind your attention in a spell and portal you with him into his next book!
Despite the main character being a father, the storyline more readily follows the fantasy trope of a teenage girl coming into her powers. When Gene’s daughter, Cathy, discovers the magical world and Gene dumps her off at school promising answers later, I found myself expecting Gene to die or disappear because the fantasy genre is flooded with orphaned heroes left with more questions than answers. However, this is not the case because this is Gene’s story, the story of a father reconciling his secret world of magick with the family he protected from it. It is a story that offers a perspective that the fantasy genre has been lacking until now.
I would recommend this book to adult urban fantasy fans who are tired of reading about teenagers in love triangles and especially those readers who have their own feisty stubborn teenagers. I also would like to invite those seeking a father character who is not defined by toxic masculinity and who is not intimidated by the strong women in his life. Eugene Law is a character that will bind your attention in a spell and portal you with him into his next book!
May 9, 2020
First of all, it could use another proofread. Quite a number of little words missing such as "a" or "the" or repetitions of words and phrases. I'm picky and I still easily read though this.
Second, if you can't tolerate stories with lots of references to unexplained previous situations, this is not for you. As someone who devoured the Dragonlance saga, all it took was a reminder to myself that these stories will probably be told in the future or in Mr Shannon's short stories, which I look forward to very much.
I actually started out with the short story "Danderous Delivery". 4 stars for that one. I'm not into family stories (and I didn't really like Porter), but this made me interested in continuing. Besides, she had a pretty good excuse for being short-tempered.
I had a little trouble getting into "Dead Set" because of that family thing. Then the action picked up and I started hurrying through chores and staying up late. Y'all know how that is.
There's enough humor to keep me amused and I love the Magickal items!
The characters are pretty interesting. Oddly, Gene seems to be the only one whose appearance is not described at all. Since the story is told from his point of view, perhaps it's an(other) indication of his selflessness. And, 'strewth, is he a Hero. OMG...
I immediately continued with stories 1.50 (Black Valentine) and 1.75 (Ignorance and Undead) and am now on a third, read-as-you-will story (Hook, Line, and Slinker) with plans to continue nightly until my eyes no longer focus.
PS - Mr Shannon, I hereby request an Adam-and-the-Imp story in future. They're adorable.
PPS - I saw that nod to Jim Butcher. ;)
Second, if you can't tolerate stories with lots of references to unexplained previous situations, this is not for you. As someone who devoured the Dragonlance saga, all it took was a reminder to myself that these stories will probably be told in the future or in Mr Shannon's short stories, which I look forward to very much.
I actually started out with the short story "Danderous Delivery". 4 stars for that one. I'm not into family stories (and I didn't really like Porter), but this made me interested in continuing. Besides, she had a pretty good excuse for being short-tempered.
I had a little trouble getting into "Dead Set" because of that family thing. Then the action picked up and I started hurrying through chores and staying up late. Y'all know how that is.
There's enough humor to keep me amused and I love the Magickal items!
The characters are pretty interesting. Oddly, Gene seems to be the only one whose appearance is not described at all. Since the story is told from his point of view, perhaps it's an(other) indication of his selflessness. And, 'strewth, is he a Hero. OMG...
I immediately continued with stories 1.50 (Black Valentine) and 1.75 (Ignorance and Undead) and am now on a third, read-as-you-will story (Hook, Line, and Slinker) with plans to continue nightly until my eyes no longer focus.
PS - Mr Shannon, I hereby request an Adam-and-the-Imp story in future. They're adorable.
PPS - I saw that nod to Jim Butcher. ;)
February 12, 2021
Read this book!
If you're on the fence about it, read this book. It is not one you'll regret purchasing.
In short, this novel is a page-turning, character-centered story with the perfect balance of mystery, suspense, and humor. I will be reading the rest of the Weird Florida series.
I've read several of Martin Shannon's short stories and they always made me laugh, so reading this novel was a no-brainer. If you've liked his shorts, imagine them expanded with a compelling back story and several characters to fall in love with or come to hate. Dead Set has some great laughs along with an intriguing story--honestly how I suspect a real magician turned dad would react to the world. It is impressive that the humor does not cheapen the story one bit, something I've never come across in an author before.
As soon as you think you know what's going on a new twist is thrown in. Dead Set has the rare perfect balance of mystery, suspense, magic (without being Harry Potteresque), and humor.
Eugene Law is so relatable, everyone knows a guy like Gene, and you like him. I felt devastated by the end of the story and can't wait to read the next installment to see where his story goes.
Don't let the idea of humor ruin your perception of this as a serious book. The relationships between father and daughter, husband and wife, and even ex-lover (from literal Hell) are all so authentic. I can't wait to see where this magical family ends up.
If you're on the fence about it, read this book. It is not one you'll regret purchasing.
In short, this novel is a page-turning, character-centered story with the perfect balance of mystery, suspense, and humor. I will be reading the rest of the Weird Florida series.
I've read several of Martin Shannon's short stories and they always made me laugh, so reading this novel was a no-brainer. If you've liked his shorts, imagine them expanded with a compelling back story and several characters to fall in love with or come to hate. Dead Set has some great laughs along with an intriguing story--honestly how I suspect a real magician turned dad would react to the world. It is impressive that the humor does not cheapen the story one bit, something I've never come across in an author before.
As soon as you think you know what's going on a new twist is thrown in. Dead Set has the rare perfect balance of mystery, suspense, magic (without being Harry Potteresque), and humor.
Eugene Law is so relatable, everyone knows a guy like Gene, and you like him. I felt devastated by the end of the story and can't wait to read the next installment to see where his story goes.
Don't let the idea of humor ruin your perception of this as a serious book. The relationships between father and daughter, husband and wife, and even ex-lover (from literal Hell) are all so authentic. I can't wait to see where this magical family ends up.
April 1, 2020
We are in the middle of a pandemic. No, really, the coronavirus is rampant, people are socially distancing and self-isolating. What to do… What to do… My solution is read a book that takes you away from the madness by providing a totally different kind of madness.
I've read the eight short stories in the Tales of Weird Florida Short Story series, and I loved them all. I was transplanted to Florida ten years ago, and I know firsthand that Florida is different. It took Martin Shannon and Gene Law to tell me just how different.
DEAD SET is a novel about Eugene Law, Magician and family man. He has a wife (Porter), a teenaged daughter (Cathy), and a son in kindergarten (Kris). Like all good family men, he drives a Dad Wagon in constant need of repair. Sounds domestically average, right? Wrong! Gene is constantly finding himself and his loved ones under attack by supernatural forces that require his magickal intervention.
DEAD SET is scary and funny and surprisingly realistic (if you discount the demons and other baddies). The writing is modern, complete with asides that will make you do a double take. I find myself drawn to these books and stories because they provide a heart-pounding scare that is uniquely domestic.
I've read the eight short stories in the Tales of Weird Florida Short Story series, and I loved them all. I was transplanted to Florida ten years ago, and I know firsthand that Florida is different. It took Martin Shannon and Gene Law to tell me just how different.
DEAD SET is a novel about Eugene Law, Magician and family man. He has a wife (Porter), a teenaged daughter (Cathy), and a son in kindergarten (Kris). Like all good family men, he drives a Dad Wagon in constant need of repair. Sounds domestically average, right? Wrong! Gene is constantly finding himself and his loved ones under attack by supernatural forces that require his magickal intervention.
DEAD SET is scary and funny and surprisingly realistic (if you discount the demons and other baddies). The writing is modern, complete with asides that will make you do a double take. I find myself drawn to these books and stories because they provide a heart-pounding scare that is uniquely domestic.
March 7, 2022
The beginning of the book was a bit of a turn off because it felt like one of those books that is trying a little too hard to be funny and didn't quite get the punchline right, but I kept going and you know what? It actually turned out to be a wickedly funny book and quite a bit more serious than I was expecting. This is a dark, macabre urban fantasy with some seriously heavy repercussions that somehow manages to never take itself too seriously and despite the bad dad jokes (or ok, maybe because of them at some points) and to actually be really humorous.
This is the first book in the Tales of Weird Florida series but throws you right into the middle of the story and I had to check to make sure I didn't accidentally start in the middle of the series. The story telling style does work well for this narrative and helps build a rich complex world very quickly that is constantly throwing the reader for a loop as yet more information, that would have been nice to know, gets casually thrown out there. Great cast of characters too who play on the stereotypes, but become so much more very quickly. Overall, much better book than I was expecting from the first few pages. I look forward to reading more in the series.
This is the first book in the Tales of Weird Florida series but throws you right into the middle of the story and I had to check to make sure I didn't accidentally start in the middle of the series. The story telling style does work well for this narrative and helps build a rich complex world very quickly that is constantly throwing the reader for a loop as yet more information, that would have been nice to know, gets casually thrown out there. Great cast of characters too who play on the stereotypes, but become so much more very quickly. Overall, much better book than I was expecting from the first few pages. I look forward to reading more in the series.
August 21, 2020
Dead Set is about a magician, that for the most part, spends his days eradicating the dead/demons from Florida.
The novel is written from the first person perspective and feels very much like an action packed detective novel, other than the fact that it’s filled with demons, magical artifacts, and the dead. And it all comes together in a fantastically entertaining novel.
For me, the two things I enjoyed most were the humor and the creative way the world is built up. Yes, it’s set in Florida, but there’s a very odd underworld of leprechauns, imps and magic that is introduced without a lot of lengthy description, which I found quite refreshing. Eugene Law often makes funny observations and I just love when ‘The Imp’ makes an appearance.
Over-all this novel is just flat out fun, and I’m pretty sure that’s what the author was going for. An easy five stars.
The novel is written from the first person perspective and feels very much like an action packed detective novel, other than the fact that it’s filled with demons, magical artifacts, and the dead. And it all comes together in a fantastically entertaining novel.
For me, the two things I enjoyed most were the humor and the creative way the world is built up. Yes, it’s set in Florida, but there’s a very odd underworld of leprechauns, imps and magic that is introduced without a lot of lengthy description, which I found quite refreshing. Eugene Law often makes funny observations and I just love when ‘The Imp’ makes an appearance.
Over-all this novel is just flat out fun, and I’m pretty sure that’s what the author was going for. An easy five stars.
May 24, 2020
This ‘Tales of Weird Florida’ novel tells the story of Eugene Law (We call him Gene).
He’s a Magician, and magick proves to be not only dangerous, but also rather disastrous for his social life.
Martin Shannon is a brilliant author.
‘Dead set’ is filled with action and danger, but the book is also brimming with humor. I was laughing out loud basically every other page. I had lots of explaining to do to a five-year-old Dutch girl :)
Truly, I loved, loved, LOVED this book and I’m very happy there’s more Weird Florida to explore.
I’ve been to Florida, but really, I never knew it was this weird.
Most awesome.
He’s a Magician, and magick proves to be not only dangerous, but also rather disastrous for his social life.
Martin Shannon is a brilliant author.
‘Dead set’ is filled with action and danger, but the book is also brimming with humor. I was laughing out loud basically every other page. I had lots of explaining to do to a five-year-old Dutch girl :)
Truly, I loved, loved, LOVED this book and I’m very happy there’s more Weird Florida to explore.
I’ve been to Florida, but really, I never knew it was this weird.
Most awesome.
May 13, 2020
This story has something for everyone. Action, magick, monsters, likable characters - and more. This story follows Gene as he struggles to balance his family life with his magical one. All the characters are fun, realistic, and filled with personality, and they will be relatable for readers of all ages. The story is fast but fleshed out. Easy to follow but not without depth. Recommend this book to anyone who enjoys well-balanced tales. Eagerly awaiting the next installment.
January 3, 2020
This book was fantastic! It's action packed, takes you on a wild ride filled with mystical creatures and family dynamics. You'll stay on the edge of your seat and the ending will make you scramble to grab the next book in the series! Luckily, Martin Shannon has put out several shorts that you can read to tide you over a few weeks until the second book comes out :)
September 23, 2020
A great read
I found another favorite author, although, I hate books that don't end, that is the reason for the 4 star rating.
This has everything you want in a book, intrigue, love, magic and heart pounding episodes, BUT it left me with a giant need to say the scratch the rest of my day and start the next book.
I have to find out what is going on in the Law family
I found another favorite author, although, I hate books that don't end, that is the reason for the 4 star rating.
This has everything you want in a book, intrigue, love, magic and heart pounding episodes, BUT it left me with a giant need to say the scratch the rest of my day and start the next book.
I have to find out what is going on in the Law family
November 14, 2019
This book is fast paced and keeps you in an emotional rollercoaster. Just when you fear all is lost there is hope for a better future for Gene. I am ready for the next book, thank you Martin Shannon.
July 3, 2022
Great fun
Imps, demons, freaky magic. This book is filled with magic of a different kind, and keeping people safe isn't easy.
This is a fun, fast read with a surprise ending. Good series beginning.
Imps, demons, freaky magic. This book is filled with magic of a different kind, and keeping people safe isn't easy.
This is a fun, fast read with a surprise ending. Good series beginning.
September 12, 2022
Shannon is an evil, evil man for ending this book in such a magnificent way! This book is a page turner in the extreme, filled with all manner of Florida flavored action set pieces. I can't wait to read the rest of this series!
October 5, 2025
Dead Set was a fun fantastical read. It had me frustrated in that Eugene wouldnt teach his daughter but a good book evokes emotion from you. I liked the different types of magic, The imp deserves its own spin off. Overall a great read from this new to me author
May 15, 2023
Fast-paced, interesting premise, good characters, and loads of action. There were a few pet peeves that made this less than a five star review for me, but your mileage may vary.
May 19, 2023
Such a fun read! Great characters, a thrilling story, and so many laughs. The side characters steal the show--I can't wait to see more of them!
July 21, 2022
This ‘Tales of Weird Florida’ novel tells the story of Eugene Law (We call him Gene).
He’s a Magician, and magick proves to be not only dangerous, but also rather disastrous for his social life.
Martin Shannon is a brilliant author.
‘Dead set’ is filled with action and danger, but the book is also brimming with humor. I was laughing out loud basically every other page. I had lots of explaining to do to a five-year-old Dutch girl :)
Truly, I loved, loved, LOVED this book and I’m very happy there’s more Weird Florida to explore.
I’ve been to Florida, but really, I never knew it was this weird.
Most awesome.
He’s a Magician, and magick proves to be not only dangerous, but also rather disastrous for his social life.
Martin Shannon is a brilliant author.
‘Dead set’ is filled with action and danger, but the book is also brimming with humor. I was laughing out loud basically every other page. I had lots of explaining to do to a five-year-old Dutch girl :)
Truly, I loved, loved, LOVED this book and I’m very happy there’s more Weird Florida to explore.
I’ve been to Florida, but really, I never knew it was this weird.
Most awesome.
September 1, 2021
According to his Twitter, Martin Shannon has written over a million words over the course of the pandemic. His staunch approach to writing may sound like work, but Dead Set gives the impression that he is having the time of his life writing these stories!
This book is so much fun. The various ordeals Eugene Law finds himself in—from juggling family drama to containing imps from Hell—are so intriguing that you can't help turn the page. Chaos follows Gene, and Marty does a fantastic job conveying the sheer amount of head spinning the magician's life entails.
There are so many characters to fall in love with, from Gene's precocious teenage daughter, to his nerdy apprentice, to his headstrong wife, to a surprise character that I hope returns in subsequent novels.
Any fan of The Dresden Files will find this entry to Marty's Tales of Weird Florida series familiar—but fresh as newly mowed grass—ground. Make sure your salt shaker is near at hand; you never know what demons you'll have to banish during Jiu Jitsu class!
This book is so much fun. The various ordeals Eugene Law finds himself in—from juggling family drama to containing imps from Hell—are so intriguing that you can't help turn the page. Chaos follows Gene, and Marty does a fantastic job conveying the sheer amount of head spinning the magician's life entails.
There are so many characters to fall in love with, from Gene's precocious teenage daughter, to his nerdy apprentice, to his headstrong wife, to a surprise character that I hope returns in subsequent novels.
Any fan of The Dresden Files will find this entry to Marty's Tales of Weird Florida series familiar—but fresh as newly mowed grass—ground. Make sure your salt shaker is near at hand; you never know what demons you'll have to banish during Jiu Jitsu class!
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