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Sheriff Ben Logan #1
Old Magic
- GenresUrban Fantasy
Paperback
First published January 4, 2021
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53 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
April 1, 2021
There is magic in the world, there always has been. It has been hidden, ridiculed, turned into something that "goes bump in the night", and ignored but, it exists.
Some of those in the First Nation know this, others don't. Even fewer of the new-comers know, they are the ones who ridicule and ignore it.
Sheriff Ben Logan knows. He is half-magic. His friend Matos knows, he is a shaman. Someone on the Rez knows, they have made two ritual sacrifices and will probably make, at least, one more. Can the killer be stopped before he gets the third? And he be stopped at all?
I found these characters very believable, the scenery wonderous and real. The mystery engaging. A very good read.
Some of those in the First Nation know this, others don't. Even fewer of the new-comers know, they are the ones who ridicule and ignore it.
Sheriff Ben Logan knows. He is half-magic. His friend Matos knows, he is a shaman. Someone on the Rez knows, they have made two ritual sacrifices and will probably make, at least, one more. Can the killer be stopped before he gets the third? And he be stopped at all?
I found these characters very believable, the scenery wonderous and real. The mystery engaging. A very good read.
September 8, 2021
This is a tale set in the current West. Ben Logan is a sherriff of a county surrounding an American Indian reservation made up of several tribes, and a lot of them have magic.
Ben has a minimum amount of his own magic and does what he can with his 2 deputies. This book has him investigating 2 ritual murders that occurred on the rez.
Ben has a minimum amount of his own magic and does what he can with his 2 deputies. This book has him investigating 2 ritual murders that occurred on the rez.
June 4, 2021
Lowry adds a spattering of actual magic to the soft edge of civilisation that is the modern US West, creating an novel that is both police investigation and gritty fantasy.
When US Government sealed the First Nations away on reservations, they sealed magic away with them, so well that most people don’t even realise it ever existed. Ben Logan, the under-resourced sheriff of a vast area abutting one reservation, has just enough magic in his blood to know it’s real; and to know he’s no match for an actual magician. So, when a white man is found brutally killed on the reservation with signs that suggest ritual, he desperately hopes it’s a mundane death rather than the start of a magical spree; and to make matters harder, his jurisdiction stops at the boundary so he can only investigate with the tribes’ cooperation.
Lowry fuses the tropes of urban fantasy with those of crime dramas set in the modern US West. His selection from each and his blending is skilled, producing a story that—while not an exercise in gritty realism—is grounded in realistic characters, hard work, and actual historical injustices rather than flashy powers or strange creatures.
As befits a crime drama, Lowry creates multiple possible reasons why the victim might have been killed—with the added possibility of mystical involvement. This web of underlying dislikes and desires is complex enough that even those readers who, based on this being urban fantasy, choose to only consider magical reasons will not immediately reduce the field to a single perpetrator and method. When uncovered, the truth seems utterly consistent both with the evidence and Lowry’s wider world but is also likely to not be what many readers expected.
In addition to adding complexity to uncovering the truth, magic adds complexity to the political situation: while most people don’t believe in magic, some people—especially within the government—are aware it is real, so the implication that threat of First Nations magic wasn’t ended might be enough to trigger a more permanent response—even if it isn’t true.
With the action being presented via a grizzled sheriff and featuring the less-than-perfect characters one would expect of a crime story, it is hard to tell where the line between character prejudice and authorial opinion falls exactly; however, the spread of positive and negative characters irrespective of race means that Lowry definitely avoids the extremes of “noble savage” and “civilisation vs barbarism”.
Lowry does include brief mentions of official magical policing existing but only as something that looms in the back of Logan’s mind if certain things get out of control. Depending on each reader’s tastes, this might either seem a commendable focus on the protagonist solving matters using grit and gumption or an attempt to brush away the question of why magic is mostly a First Nations’ trait.
Logan is a modern US lawman in the mould of Longmire and the other tired but hard-working sheriffs Lowry credits as his inspirations. However, the specific nuances of his personal relationships combined with the slight brushes of fantasy flavour this, making it the familiarity of a dish one might try in a new restaurant rather than the blandness of and off-brand copy.
The supporting cast as similarly a pleasing balance of what one expects of urban fantasy set on the boundary of a Reservation and the author’s own little touches.
Overall, I enjoyed this novel. I recommend it to readers seeking urban fantasy that is about grit and character.
When US Government sealed the First Nations away on reservations, they sealed magic away with them, so well that most people don’t even realise it ever existed. Ben Logan, the under-resourced sheriff of a vast area abutting one reservation, has just enough magic in his blood to know it’s real; and to know he’s no match for an actual magician. So, when a white man is found brutally killed on the reservation with signs that suggest ritual, he desperately hopes it’s a mundane death rather than the start of a magical spree; and to make matters harder, his jurisdiction stops at the boundary so he can only investigate with the tribes’ cooperation.
Lowry fuses the tropes of urban fantasy with those of crime dramas set in the modern US West. His selection from each and his blending is skilled, producing a story that—while not an exercise in gritty realism—is grounded in realistic characters, hard work, and actual historical injustices rather than flashy powers or strange creatures.
As befits a crime drama, Lowry creates multiple possible reasons why the victim might have been killed—with the added possibility of mystical involvement. This web of underlying dislikes and desires is complex enough that even those readers who, based on this being urban fantasy, choose to only consider magical reasons will not immediately reduce the field to a single perpetrator and method. When uncovered, the truth seems utterly consistent both with the evidence and Lowry’s wider world but is also likely to not be what many readers expected.
In addition to adding complexity to uncovering the truth, magic adds complexity to the political situation: while most people don’t believe in magic, some people—especially within the government—are aware it is real, so the implication that threat of First Nations magic wasn’t ended might be enough to trigger a more permanent response—even if it isn’t true.
With the action being presented via a grizzled sheriff and featuring the less-than-perfect characters one would expect of a crime story, it is hard to tell where the line between character prejudice and authorial opinion falls exactly; however, the spread of positive and negative characters irrespective of race means that Lowry definitely avoids the extremes of “noble savage” and “civilisation vs barbarism”.
Lowry does include brief mentions of official magical policing existing but only as something that looms in the back of Logan’s mind if certain things get out of control. Depending on each reader’s tastes, this might either seem a commendable focus on the protagonist solving matters using grit and gumption or an attempt to brush away the question of why magic is mostly a First Nations’ trait.
Logan is a modern US lawman in the mould of Longmire and the other tired but hard-working sheriffs Lowry credits as his inspirations. However, the specific nuances of his personal relationships combined with the slight brushes of fantasy flavour this, making it the familiarity of a dish one might try in a new restaurant rather than the blandness of and off-brand copy.
The supporting cast as similarly a pleasing balance of what one expects of urban fantasy set on the boundary of a Reservation and the author’s own little touches.
Overall, I enjoyed this novel. I recommend it to readers seeking urban fantasy that is about grit and character.
January 4, 2021
This story is a mixture of magic, mysticism and law enforcement.
This light hearted yet dark story was a great read. It begins with the local sheriff having an accident in his Ford Bronco against a big rig on the highway, and from there on it just got more and more interesting and entertaining.
The relationship banter was fun to read and magic always, always excites me. Although I have to admit that this is the first time I have come across a cowboy who is half magic and works tentatively with the local First People and with their tolerance, on their reservation lands.
There is a fragile peace between the local First People and the local law enforment, which is being tried and tested by murder.
There are lots of threads that make up the tapestry of this story and it got more and more intense as I read it. The question was, which character was gonna blink first.
I definitely think this book is a good read.
It's intense yet light hearted and it's mysterious. Who is doing the killing, and why and is it for a magical reason?
I loved this book and I want more.
This light hearted yet dark story was a great read. It begins with the local sheriff having an accident in his Ford Bronco against a big rig on the highway, and from there on it just got more and more interesting and entertaining.
The relationship banter was fun to read and magic always, always excites me. Although I have to admit that this is the first time I have come across a cowboy who is half magic and works tentatively with the local First People and with their tolerance, on their reservation lands.
There is a fragile peace between the local First People and the local law enforment, which is being tried and tested by murder.
There are lots of threads that make up the tapestry of this story and it got more and more intense as I read it. The question was, which character was gonna blink first.
I definitely think this book is a good read.
It's intense yet light hearted and it's mysterious. Who is doing the killing, and why and is it for a magical reason?
I loved this book and I want more.
October 8, 2021
Please note: I was given a copy of this book and have voluntarily decided to give it this honest review.
Sheriff Ben Logan lives in two worlds. He’s a sheriff that works next to a Native American reservation where the old ways are still followed and shamans still retain their magical powers. Sheriff Logan had one parent that had these same powers, resulting in his ability to understand and work with Najinn Mato, a shaman on the reservation. He is called to investigate the murder of man, who appears to have been killed in a ritualistic manner. Sheriff Logan must find the killer before he kills again as well as determine why this ritual was performed and what ancient evil will be summoned.
I found this book to be a quick and interesting introduction to the world of Sheriff Logan, where magic still survives. The action was quick and it drew you in. I would recommend it.
Sheriff Ben Logan lives in two worlds. He’s a sheriff that works next to a Native American reservation where the old ways are still followed and shamans still retain their magical powers. Sheriff Logan had one parent that had these same powers, resulting in his ability to understand and work with Najinn Mato, a shaman on the reservation. He is called to investigate the murder of man, who appears to have been killed in a ritualistic manner. Sheriff Logan must find the killer before he kills again as well as determine why this ritual was performed and what ancient evil will be summoned.
I found this book to be a quick and interesting introduction to the world of Sheriff Logan, where magic still survives. The action was quick and it drew you in. I would recommend it.
November 28, 2021
I have begun to look forward to reading Chris Lowry’s stories they are all well-crafted and contain interesting characters. In this case the introduction to Ben Logan is excellent. I loved watching Longmire and as I read Old Magic the story felt like Ben Logan and Walt Longmire were kindred spirits. The magic elements to this story set it apart from any related stories. If you enjoy stories that will sweep you away for the period it takes to read them, grab a copy, and enjoy your introduction to Ben Logan ad his crew. I know I’m looking forward to grabbing the next two stores in the series through Kindle Unlimited and letting Chris Lowry take me away from “real life.”
September 13, 2021
Loved the storyline on this one but....
It could do with some editing. And the next book isn't available under kindle because it's under review currently. I do hope they work the issues out.
I enjoy the team up of the Sheriff and the Indian bar owner (think Long!ire with magic thrown in). An unusual mixing of Cowboys and magic.
If the editing issues and the review is worked out, I am willing to go the next round.
It could do with some editing. And the next book isn't available under kindle because it's under review currently. I do hope they work the issues out.
I enjoy the team up of the Sheriff and the Indian bar owner (think Long!ire with magic thrown in). An unusual mixing of Cowboys and magic.
If the editing issues and the review is worked out, I am willing to go the next round.
September 20, 2022
Lots of action
A bit of confusion on my part with this story. I really enjoyed it, but not sure about the !magical references. Was the sheriff part Native American or did he have his own type of magic? Left me wondering! But I did like the story and hope to read more about this group! Goid read!
A bit of confusion on my part with this story. I really enjoyed it, but not sure about the !magical references. Was the sheriff part Native American or did he have his own type of magic? Left me wondering! But I did like the story and hope to read more about this group! Goid read!
June 20, 2023
Word Magic
Words are magic. And the author conjured a world with magical allure and beauty. But also, a dark shadowy threat barely kept at bay. A wonderful place to escape to and imagine. A place that magically keeps the pages turning. And before you know it, it's over, but has so captivated you into wanting more.
I can't wait to read the next book in the series.
Words are magic. And the author conjured a world with magical allure and beauty. But also, a dark shadowy threat barely kept at bay. A wonderful place to escape to and imagine. A place that magically keeps the pages turning. And before you know it, it's over, but has so captivated you into wanting more.
I can't wait to read the next book in the series.
March 25, 2021
A fun read
This is definitely a light read. Short and not quite to the point, it is more lite the first quarter of a really good book. The characters almost get developed and the story gets a good start and then....the end.
This is definitely a light read. Short and not quite to the point, it is more lite the first quarter of a really good book. The characters almost get developed and the story gets a good start and then....the end.
March 31, 2021
An old sheriff with limited magic and had to control a reservation filled with magic with much resentment. Sometimes he has his hands full since he has to cater to both humans as well as the various Indian tribes even though they had their own deputies. Humor and some action but well worth reading.
June 29, 2024
Ben Logan is sheriff of a local town that borders Indian land and houses old magic. When a group of murders seems to have a ritual theme, Ben has to tread carefully to catch the killer but also respect both cultures.
February 1, 2021
Beginning of a new series. Good.
November 10, 2022
old magic, great new story
I love the complex characters in this story. Plus a relevant outlook on indigenous people, money, good and evil and all shades of grey.
Check it out.
I love the complex characters in this story. Plus a relevant outlook on indigenous people, money, good and evil and all shades of grey.
Check it out.
December 25, 2022
A well written story with some really interesting characters but the story was way too far fetched for me. This would be a great read for someone who is really into magic and supernatural.
March 16, 2025
This is a story where present day and tribal magic collide with a big bang! A sherif with a bit of old tribal magic
May 23, 2025
You know, maybe I misjudged Chris. I loathed one of his other books, but this one was well-thought-out and free of clutter. Good characters, too.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 8, 2024
Very good, very creepy.
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews