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Keeley & Associates #4
Dick & Demon
Don't ask questions if you don't want the answers. All the answers.
Private detective James Keeley never knew where his magic gun came from. His mentor gave it to him. Something unpredictable happens every time he pulls the trigger. But he's never seen anything similar, until someone attacks him with another weapon just like it.
Now he's on a magic road trip to unravel the gun's origins, a journey into his own past and even stranger places, to solve a mystery that was supposed to be dead and buried a long time ago.
Private detective James Keeley never knew where his magic gun came from. His mentor gave it to him. Something unpredictable happens every time he pulls the trigger. But he's never seen anything similar, until someone attacks him with another weapon just like it.
Now he's on a magic road trip to unravel the gun's origins, a journey into his own past and even stranger places, to solve a mystery that was supposed to be dead and buried a long time ago.
172 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 30, 2021
62 people are currently reading
12 people want to read
About the author
Layla Lawlor
44 books35 followersLayla Lawlor is the author of KISMET (science fiction webcomic) and the forthcoming GATEKEEPER series (urban fantasy), as well as assorted short fiction. She also writes paranormal romance as Lauren Esker, and the BODYGUARD SHIFTERS series as Zoe Chant. She lives in Alaska, on the highway north of Fairbanks.
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Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews
December 24, 2022
Ahoy there me mateys! I binged this series. The four books are pretty short (80 to 172 pages). The main character is detective James Keeley who doesn’t have a lot of money but does have a magical gun.
The previous books led me to wondering how Keeley got his wonderful gun. That is explained in this tale. This was me least favorite of the series. I did like the new character who is the demon of the title. I did like getting an idea of how Keeley grew up and the crazy dude he worked with. I loved how the bad guys from book one were used in this tale. I did not really love the big battle and how anticlimactic the resolution of the problem was.
All things considered, I am glad to have read this series. It was light and fun and just what I needed. And the dragon made it all worth it. I loved him. Arrrr!
PS I did not know there were two more. I will have to look into them.
The previous books led me to wondering how Keeley got his wonderful gun. That is explained in this tale. This was me least favorite of the series. I did like the new character who is the demon of the title. I did like getting an idea of how Keeley grew up and the crazy dude he worked with. I loved how the bad guys from book one were used in this tale. I did not really love the big battle and how anticlimactic the resolution of the problem was.
All things considered, I am glad to have read this series. It was light and fun and just what I needed. And the dragon made it all worth it. I loved him. Arrrr!
PS I did not know there were two more. I will have to look into them.
March 17, 2025
Very good story: less fumbling around, more panic, well-paced and interesting plot, important character stuff. Here is where the author hits her stride and makes the flaws in the earlier books worthwhile; the promise has been granted. :) On to book 5.
July 1, 2021
Another wonderfully inventive urban fantasy featuring a semi-surly older millennial sleuth and his misfit companions - yay for Oz the mild-mannered meddling dragon! This time we delve more into James' past, so while I was at first disappointed it wasn't another supernatural crime case, it turned from mystery into more of a... Myst-ery (and that's the closest to spoilers you'll get from me!) It could have used a little more tension here and there, maybe a bit of character backstory setting too, but overall I really ended up enjoying this bizarre and unpredictable adventure.
We pick up where we left off, James still miffed about the whole jaunt to the fae realm leaving him battered (to go with the kneecapping from the shifter family and the bullet from the eternal mobsters). But he doesn't have time to mope about when someone's trying to kill him and his only defences are his temperamental spellgun and a former auklet-shifter (they can be anything, right?) who knows more than she's willing to let on...
The storyline sounds mad when written out, but geez was it fun to watch unfold. When I say fun, I mean in a weirdly dark way too; it's no light-hearted tale but has some nice nods to what could be read as knowing jokes on the paranormal PI genre. There's none of your OTT snark; James has his own brand of soft sarcasm, resignedness, and a habit of getting to the point which makes him sound realistic in doing so (he's reminding me a little of the TV version of Cormoran Strike).
While I was sad not to have more time with Dolly (she's on office duty this time), we do get plenty of Oz being, well Oz, and a whole load of understanding about how James ended up doing what he does. I loved how the characters developed, especially former shifter/auklet Aliette .
Nitpicks of mine would be that there could have been a tiny bit more about James' relationship with his mentor (I longed for flashbacks or narrated memories - something to show the two interacting) and the climactic bit felt over rather quickly .
Regardless, it was an entertaining adventure. I would thoroughly recommend this series and I look forward to more from James and his Associates in future!
We pick up where we left off, James still miffed about the whole jaunt to the fae realm leaving him battered (to go with the kneecapping from the shifter family and the bullet from the eternal mobsters). But he doesn't have time to mope about when someone's trying to kill him and his only defences are his temperamental spellgun and a former auklet-shifter (they can be anything, right?) who knows more than she's willing to let on...
The storyline sounds mad when written out, but geez was it fun to watch unfold. When I say fun, I mean in a weirdly dark way too; it's no light-hearted tale but has some nice nods to what could be read as knowing jokes on the paranormal PI genre. There's none of your OTT snark; James has his own brand of soft sarcasm, resignedness, and a habit of getting to the point which makes him sound realistic in doing so (he's reminding me a little of the TV version of Cormoran Strike).
While I was sad not to have more time with Dolly (she's on office duty this time), we do get plenty of Oz being, well Oz, and a whole load of understanding about how James ended up doing what he does. I loved how the characters developed, especially former shifter/auklet Aliette .
Nitpicks of mine would be that there could have been a tiny bit more about James' relationship with his mentor (I longed for flashbacks or narrated memories - something to show the two interacting) and the climactic bit felt over rather quickly .
Regardless, it was an entertaining adventure. I would thoroughly recommend this series and I look forward to more from James and his Associates in future!
July 4, 2021
Dick & Demon
This is a really fun series. The main characters are a private detective with a magic gun, a dragon, and a ghost. Minor characters include fae and a trio of auklets. Include a demon in this book. Now stop a chaosian trying to destroy the world. And it all works together. Plenty of action, dimension hopping and suspense. Do yourself a favor and get the entire series. Highly recommended.
This is a really fun series. The main characters are a private detective with a magic gun, a dragon, and a ghost. Minor characters include fae and a trio of auklets. Include a demon in this book. Now stop a chaosian trying to destroy the world. And it all works together. Plenty of action, dimension hopping and suspense. Do yourself a favor and get the entire series. Highly recommended.
November 22, 2022
Entertaining fantasy listening 🎶🔰
Another will written fantasy world 🌎 haunting horror ghost 👻 demon monster adventure thriller novel by Layla Keeley (Keeley & Associates book 4). James Keeley, Oz, and friends are off too Michigan where James grew up ☝ and worked for a PI. He finds all kinds of off stuff and fights for his and friends lives as a demon shows up ☝. James travels to another world 🌎 meeting the lady 🚺 who the PI retired with. He returns to his world 🌎 destroys the demon and returns to his office. I would highly recommend this series and author to 👍 readers of fantasy adventure mystery novels 👍🔰. Enjoy the adventure of reading or listening to all kinds of different types of novels and books 📚. 2022 😄😢🐉
Another will written fantasy world 🌎 haunting horror ghost 👻 demon monster adventure thriller novel by Layla Keeley (Keeley & Associates book 4). James Keeley, Oz, and friends are off too Michigan where James grew up ☝ and worked for a PI. He finds all kinds of off stuff and fights for his and friends lives as a demon shows up ☝. James travels to another world 🌎 meeting the lady 🚺 who the PI retired with. He returns to his world 🌎 destroys the demon and returns to his office. I would highly recommend this series and author to 👍 readers of fantasy adventure mystery novels 👍🔰. Enjoy the adventure of reading or listening to all kinds of different types of novels and books 📚. 2022 😄😢🐉
August 18, 2025
“Dick & Demon”, fourth in the 'Keeley & Associates' series, sees P.I. James trying to find out more about his spellgun after he is attacked by a would-be assassin equipped with something similar.
He travels back to his home-town, Sawketon, and the remains of his mentors' double-wide.
Bixton was a hoarder but nothing James finds seems particularly interesting, at least at first.
When he accidentally figures out the key to an old fob watch it triggers a series of events which threaten the Earth.
James will need all his wits and those of his friends to survive.
And, yes, it is nice “to know that fae suffered from helmet hair.”
Surprising as it may be, given their history, having an auklet on your side can be surprisingly helpful.
3.5 Stars, raised to 4 Stars.
He travels back to his home-town, Sawketon, and the remains of his mentors' double-wide.
Bixton was a hoarder but nothing James finds seems particularly interesting, at least at first.
When he accidentally figures out the key to an old fob watch it triggers a series of events which threaten the Earth.
James will need all his wits and those of his friends to survive.
And, yes, it is nice “to know that fae suffered from helmet hair.”
Surprising as it may be, given their history, having an auklet on your side can be surprisingly helpful.
3.5 Stars, raised to 4 Stars.
July 14, 2022
Even Better than the First 3.
This 4th book in the series was even better than the first three. I really enjoyed the demonic (not demon) character Roos. I hope we see her again in a future book. I have the 5th book I want to get a start on so will just say read the first 3 then this 1. You won’t regret it.
This 4th book in the series was even better than the first three. I really enjoyed the demonic (not demon) character Roos. I hope we see her again in a future book. I have the 5th book I want to get a start on so will just say read the first 3 then this 1. You won’t regret it.
August 21, 2021
Very enjoyable
Read the 4 books in the series, was very surprised and most enjoyable. Highly recommend and hope for more as they are really very good. Thanks for writing such fun book series.
Read the 4 books in the series, was very surprised and most enjoyable. Highly recommend and hope for more as they are really very good. Thanks for writing such fun book series.
January 18, 2022
4.0
I have greatly enjoyed this series. Like this book, they all are fairly quick reads which are nice to turn to if you have finished a heavy or long series, and just want something interesting but complete in a reading.
I have greatly enjoyed this series. Like this book, they all are fairly quick reads which are nice to turn to if you have finished a heavy or long series, and just want something interesting but complete in a reading.
April 4, 2022
Worlds of trouble
A novella and worth the read. A quick story that brings in new characters while not forgetting the old. A very nice combination of magic, mystery and moderate mayhem in the Midwest.
A novella and worth the read. A quick story that brings in new characters while not forgetting the old. A very nice combination of magic, mystery and moderate mayhem in the Midwest.
November 7, 2022
the auklets are back.
Another fun Keeley & associates story. I enjoyed the new characters and finding out about Bendix. Looking forward to seeing what happens with Alliette. I look forward to the next book in the series.
Another fun Keeley & associates story. I enjoyed the new characters and finding out about Bendix. Looking forward to seeing what happens with Alliette. I look forward to the next book in the series.
December 20, 2022
Some resolutions and new beginnings
James learns somethings about his former mentor and discovers a few more questions. Is allies turn up to lend a hand. Answers James finds lead to new mysteries.
James learns somethings about his former mentor and discovers a few more questions. Is allies turn up to lend a hand. Answers James finds lead to new mysteries.
July 6, 2021
too weird even for me. Kept going back but couldn't get through it.
July 7, 2021
Very nice book
I love this series. I usually find fantasy noire boring, but this is done right. I anxiously await the sequel.
I love this series. I usually find fantasy noire boring, but this is done right. I anxiously await the sequel.
September 26, 2021
With friends like these
Keep them close. Just in case. Great tale. Nice adventure, dimension hooping, demons, elves birds and dragons. And a ghost.
Keep them close. Just in case. Great tale. Nice adventure, dimension hooping, demons, elves birds and dragons. And a ghost.
December 15, 2021
Good read
Even out of order a great read. Fun characters. Good over evil. Lots of adventures. What more could you want?
Even out of order a great read. Fun characters. Good over evil. Lots of adventures. What more could you want?
February 10, 2022
fun
Kept my interest-on to the next in the series. Will be looking at her other works. 4 more words required
Kept my interest-on to the next in the series. Will be looking at her other works. 4 more words required
January 21, 2023
Disclaimer: This is not a real review. 😳
So here I am, reading this fun series about a detective who deals with dragons and fae... then BAM! THIS title hits my eyeballs! Hahahaha!
So here I am, reading this fun series about a detective who deals with dragons and fae... then BAM! THIS title hits my eyeballs! Hahahaha!
October 3, 2024
these books are entertaining and enjoyable reads
December 4, 2024
Not just a good detective novel, but one that has a lot of things to make you laugh at inappropriate times.
September 25, 2023
Interesting world hopping
I hope the character Roos returns. She seemed interesting and the idea of world hopping was the best part of the story.
I hope the character Roos returns. She seemed interesting and the idea of world hopping was the best part of the story.
Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews