Ghost of a Chance

The Many Travails of John Smith #3

by Chris Tullbane

"Broken-Neck spat forth a stream of Spanish which no doubt contained disparaging comments about my intelligence. Or my appearance. Or my fashion sense. The only Spanish words I knew were the expletives my friend Mike had taught me. Even so, I recognized insults when I heard them."

The White Ladies of San Diego are one of the city's supernatural powers, organized and led by Graciela. But now their leader is missing, and the Ladies have hired John Smith, supernatural mediator and sometimes-private-investigator, to find her. Which raises some questions: How do you track down a ghost? What if she doesn't want to be found? And if foul play was involved in her disappearance like the Ladies believe, how exactly? It's not like ghosts can be kidnapped... right?

John doesn't have any answers. As usual. He also doesn't have much time. The White Ladies aren't known for their patience, and if Graciela can't be found soon, he might just find himself permanently retired.

Genres: Urban Fantasy, Fantasy, Humor, Mystery, Ghosts, Audiobook, Paranormal

460 pages, Kindle Edition

First published June 29, 2021

About the author

Chris began as a gleam in someone’s eye, but birth and childhood were quick to follow. He’s been fortunate enough to live in Spain, Germany, and all over the United States of America, and is busy planning a tour of the distilleries of Scotland.

He currently lives in Nevada with his angelic wife and ever-expanding whisky collection and occasionally ventures outside to peer upwards, mutter to himself about ‘day stars’, and then scurry back into the house.

Chris is the author of two series; The Murder of Crows and The Travails of John Smith. He frequently shares new content on his author website at https://christullbane.com.

Reviews

[myreadingescapism · Rating 4 out of 5]

I didn't enjoy this one as much as the others but it was still fun and I'm committed now so I will finish the series, on to book 4!

[☕️Kimberly (Caffeinated Reviewer) · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am having a blast with this series and am excited to see the next audio in the series releasing with Tantor Audio. John is still living in his parents’ basement and finds he has competition in the mediator business. He has a fresh case involving missing ghosts and is ankle deep in trouble with the vampire queen.

Twists, romance, powers and a fantastic mystery kept me listening. We get snark, as this motley crew gathers around John to give aid. John is building ties in the supernatural world, including an unexpected protector.

The world building is stellar, and each audiobook has been more impressive than its predecessor. Fans of urban fantasy, paranormal tales and private investigators will want to grab the series. As with most UF, it is best to listen in order of release.

The tale can get dark and gritty. John is tortured and what happens with the vampire queen is twisted. John hasn’t quite mastered the art of diplomacy, or maybe he likes to call out bullshit. Either way, it gets him in trouble. He did a splendid job with the werewolves, though.

For me, this was the best in the series. The tone is different, darker and suspenseful, while still having wonderful humor, awkward moments and even some swoons. We saw character growth from John and it ended in such a way that I am excited to listen to more.

Joel Richards gives voice to these characters and captures their personalities, as well as the overall tone of the story. The story/series lends itself perfectly to audio. This review was originally posted at Caffeinated Reviewer

[Jonathan Hyde · Rating 3 out of 5]

I've really enjoyed this series and I'm almost done with the third book, only about 10% left. But holy hell the protagonist and main love interest's "will they won't they" bullshit is so incredibly boring. She was decent in the first two books but I'm at the point where I basically just skip most of their dialogue with one another and nothing of value is lost.

Here's the line immediately following where I had to put the book down and write this review, it sums it up rather nicely:

"I sat in the dining room after Anastasia left, trying to figure out what had just happened. In the span of a week, the elegant femmepire had returned from a six-month-long [spoiler] and, in sequential order, shut down any possibility of a romantic relationship between us, [spoiler] , made out with me in one of her bedrooms, reiterated that we would never be a couple, and then, without further prompting, suggested we go out on a date. Confused didn’t even begin to cover it."

She's a centuries old vampire murder machine. She should be capable of making a decision and sticking with it.

[c. woods · Rating 5 out of 5]

Normal Human P.I. finds supernatural sense of humor & gets butt kicked... repeatedly!

I have held off on reviewing this series because it started off so funny, that I really was afraid it would fizzle out & become a waste of time, but here I have just finished the 3rd book in the series & not only has it stayed fresh, but it has kept me laughing the entire time, as well as slowly fleshing out a lot of the characters in a nice, easy pace, so that I don't feel like I am in an origin story.

I can't really go into detail with this review, because honestly, I feel like everything I say will give too much of this great series away. So if you have a sense of humor, if you like a great story & if you have read my other reviews on other book series' & found them to be the ultimate guide to what you should read, then throw your money at the screen & be happy like me!

[Jordan · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you enjoyed the previous 2 volumes your guaranteed to like #3. We get a few surprises, high stakes, lots of jokes and all together the book feels like its taking one big step forward, like John and all the characters are progressing.

[Mary Matroni · Rating 4 out of 5]

Story keeps getting better

For someone who seems to have no talents, is out of shape , broke and constantly getting into trouble, John is actually a real hero. His kindness, compassion, and blindness to danger makes him a for real good guy. Looking forward to what happens next.

[Dc · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love this series! So much fun!

[Penny · Rating 5 out of 5]

I went into this book expecting something and got something completely different. It was so much better than I was expecting, too. This is a fun, light-hearted urban fantasy about an almost inept detective who is human but knows about the supernatural world being kept under wraps from humans. I hadn’t read the books that came before this, but other than brief mentions of things that had happened before, I did not miss anything. In fact, I’d like to go back and read about those mentions. I think John is adorable, and I want to pinch his cheeks. LOL! I loved this well-written book, and I am looking forward to future installments. Highly recommend. I was provided a complimentary copy which I voluntarily reviewed.

[Ziggy Nixon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Easily 5 stars and so much fun! I am totally out of breath now! How delicious is it that a series of books - and yes, friends and foes alike, you should be reading this entire series* from start to on-going bits - with a lead protagonist named John Smith is anything but linear? Oh, I'll tell you: it's scrumptious even though I had to look up how to spell that word! No, we're well into Buckyball designs on these plots and have only just recently met the zombies (I. Like. ZOMBIES!!!).

OK, I guess I'm supposed to do the whole reviewing thing even though there's no cool hat or other swag that goes with the role. But to be clear: what an absolute hoot and just damn fine read this third installment of Chris Tullbane's more reality-based** series wound up being (**whoa Ziggy, really? Hmmm...No that's fair if you've read the "Murder of Crows" books you'll see...)! As is my want (and need and just plain pig-headedness), I settled in prior to the offical launch date of GoaC to re-read Book 2 first - where AGAIN (just like when I did same for when that book came out, namely, re-read its predecessor!) I discovered all kinds of clever bits and bobs that I needed to reposition in my squishy brain bits before moving on to Book 3.

And why not? These decidedly unique urban fantasy books not only come with complex story-lines and deliciously constructed characterizations but also are delivered with a cadence that - again, and again, and again bleeps forth... no wait, sorry, wrong train of thought, derailed a bit there. What I was trying to say is that Tullbane has given us a swirling, spinning and even flip-over, fly through the air and land in your superhero pose pacing that is sure to satisfy fans of all shapes and sizes! And oh man, those bits at the start! And in the middle, whoa! And that ending! KABLOOMEY!

I will say this: to my delight, each book is unique in terms of their underlying (or overhovering, your call) personality! Sure, there are some standard go-to staples in each volume - most of which seem to involve John being beaten up, beaten down or just randomly abused beyond what any leading man should tolerate - but there's also a twist to these books that is fun to spot, point out and generally be squealed about in true fan-boy/-girl fashion! And for Book 3, what really stood out for me is that so many characters we know so well or wanted to know better or - wait, never heard of them before - just wound up fitting in to a new situation, a new challenge oh so well. There was growth, there was suspense, there was high voltage excitement galore! And - wait for it - the editing was a close to perfect as you're gonna find (sighs contentedly and lights his "Anal Retentive Editing Fans" cigar of the month...)! So yeah, sexy, huh?

Kids really, if you like urban fantasy or even if you don't and you just want to read good books, get these, read these and enjoy these! You'll be glad you did....

*WHICH BRINGS ME TO MY FIRST ASTERISK ABOVE: am I really seeing people reviewing this book that have NOT read either Book 1 or 2? People (in the human sense), come on!! How, what, why and any other standard journalistic-slash-B-grade-detectiving questions are you thinking? First, all 3 books RAWK as in give me them heavy devil horns finger sign rawk! Secondly, they are priced more than reasonably, especially if you're a Kindle Unlimited subscriber (case in point: I've already saved more than a years worth vs. the subscription rates on the books I've read prior to July 1st!). And even if you're not, folks this kind of fun for less than a penny a page can not be had in respectable company otherwise!

So I'm left to ask: were you just dropped a lot on your head as a child? Did you try to enter a spell-protected bar without an escort and just crash face-first into the wall instead? Were you dumb enough to leave bodily fluids with essentially complete strangers? Did you dare to steal bacon off a hungry vampire's plate? I've written another dozen of these demi-insults but I'll stop here. I think I've made my point ... (rushes back to try and smack you again but luckily is restrained by... oops, no spoilers)...

[D L · Rating 4 out of 5]

This third book in Chris Tullbane's series takes a bit of a dark turn and feels all the better for it. There is even a running joke amongst the supernatural community about how John Smith manages to get so many people killed.
This time John is asked to investigate the missing leader of the White Ladies, first introduced in the previous book.
I enjoyed this book more than the previous one as there appears to be an increasing element of danger during John Smith's investigation. My only gripe so far with his adventures is the increasing fetishisation of Anastasia. When John and Ana are together, Tullbane provides a running commentary of what she is wearing and John's infatuation with her. Everything single time. Unfortunately, after the third or fourth description of the vampire's fashion choice and John's feelings, I felt it killed the scene and found myself skipping past these parts.
A brilliant follow up and expanse to the world of John Smith.
This book was provided by NetGalley and the publisher for an honest review.

[Jacque · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh boy! It is never a dull moment for John. In this next installment in the series, Ghost of a Chance, John gets hired by the White Ladies of San Diego, to find their missing leader who they suspect has been kidnapped. Okay, no big deal. Just another missing person case, right? Except, the White Ladies are ghosts! Is it even possible to kidnap a ghost? John is about to find out.

This series just gets better and better. This time around John is investigating a missing person…? Is it still a missing person’s case if the person is already dead? He has the help of Juliette, aka the Duchess of Snark, to help him out. Not that he asked her for help but do to her current*Ahem* situation she herself with *cough-cough* a bit of free time (among other things) on her hands. This should be interesting. But wait, there’s more! There’s a new mediator in town and hold on a sec, that’s John’s (Reluctant but paying) job. He’s not about to lose out on that gig although the cards may be stacked against him here. Just when you think you’ve had enough, because there isn’t enough excitement for me to absorb, the whole is there or isn’t there a ‘John and Anastasia’ hook-up has me shaking my Kindle. Don’t think there will be a solution there anytime soon, but I keep hoping.

And let us not forget that screaming humdinger of a cliffhanger. ACK!!!!! O.o

I stumbled across The Many Travails of John Smith series by Chris Tullbane not that long ago, and already it has jumped its way to the top of my ‘must-stalk-the-author-for-the next-release’ pile. From the crazy antic of the extra characters to the WTH is he going to do now situations John finds himself in, this series pushes all my happy buttons. I can’t begin to say enough this is a must-read series. I know I’m going to be devastated when it comes to its end. For now, I get to revel in John’s world and wait very impatiently for the next book.

Stars: 5
I received this book from Netgalley. I was not compensated for the book other than the entertainment it provided. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

[Jaime Munn · Rating 5 out of 5]

These books keep getting better and better. With the third book from Chris Tullbane in his Many Travails of John Smith series, there's a definite sense that his MC is starting to get into his stride. Not that John ever let being out of his depth beat him over the head (well he would, but he'd still get up after blubbing about it...probably). Although the mystery in this one seems to have a big red arrow pointing to the villain—at least it did for me—this doesn't stop you from enjoying the ride, while John plays catch up. There's delightful cameos from characters past (if you loved them in the previous books, you'll love them dropping in) and hints at something overarching pulsing below the surface. More werewolves, more vampires, more demigods, and more ladies in white; what's a not so good mediator to do? While there's a tad more angst and darkness in parts of this read, there's still plenty of humour to keep your funny bone tickled, and urban fantasy action to magically turn the pages.

[Mark Gelinas · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic addition to Mr. Tullbane's John Smith series.

Urban fantasy is not a genre I normally read. However a good friend recommended Chris Tullbane's John Smith series. Ghost of a chance is the third in the series and the story kept pulling me along. My thoughts of "one more chapter" resulted in a couple of late nights as I just kept reading. The suspense of the final battle was taut right up to the end. Complex and funny, the John Smith series is among the best I've read in a while. I look forward to the release of the next story.

[John E · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mediator story?

This newest installment is more of John Smith finally starting to realise he may have to start doing more than just staying alive in this previously unknown (to him) paranormal world. His acquaintances are becoming more friends and partners and he is developing a reputation along the supernatural, not necessarily a good one. Less humor in this private eye adventure and it takes time to develop this storyline but once it gets moving, it really moves. The story will make the most sense if you have read the first 2 novels.

[Susan Underbrink · Rating 4 out of 5]

A big thank you to NetGalley and Ghost Falls Press for the ARC. I am voluntarily reviewing this book. This is the third in a series. It reads pretty well as a stand alone. I mean you know that there were previous books but it is easy to figure out. The cast of characters is super fun. John appears not to be the sharpest guy on the block but things work out. Its a wild ride but I found it fascinating. 4 stars. I think this is not for everyone but I say give it a try.

[Anne · Rating 4 out of 5]

A solid like from me. As the story went on I started going faster and was reluctant to put the reader down at midnight. My one quibble is that the story starts with an investigation that gets side tracked as other things take precedence. There ultimately is resolution to the initial investigation, and as I mentioned, I found the rest of the book enjoyable. I guess I was just looking for a story that was a little more linear.

I also wouldn't call this a comedic urban fantasy. At times it's light, but there's the usual darkness, mayhem and gore.

I received a copy from Netgalley in exchange for my honest review.

[Cubert Nine · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent addition to the John Smith series. The world continues to expand and the characters grow. I appreciate the growing relationships between John and his supporting cast. I've become a huge fan of stories that are easy and approachable. At first, it is easy to consider John a weak person or a slob. He doubts himself and he is his own worst critic. The truth is told by the results he gets and the company he keeps. His friends find value in him. I see that as a great life lesson for people that struggle with their own self worth.

[Josh Bob · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great entry in a fun series!

Put aside everything you think you know about vampires, werewolves, ghosts, witches, and private investigators. Replace it with something even scarier, then add an irreverent human narrator, some crazy drama and killer humor.

Now you have John Smith's world.

Thankfully, the rest of us aren't living in it.

[Shayna · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was definitely the best so far of the series. So many good characters now have a history, the mystery is really intriguing, and this book gets intense but still really funny. I love the evolution of John Smith’s character and his friendships. I knew from the Murder of Crows series that Tullbane was a really good writer, but he keeps surprising me. I can’t wait to read the next book.

[Lordq · Rating 5 out of 5]

Not just comedic anymore

This was a fun read - though the cast was pretty big and got bigger as the story progressed. Excellent action, fun AND comedic one-liners make this a very enjoyable entry in the many travails of John Smith

[John Henry Eden · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderfully enjoyable!

The story is great with twists and turns that are just so satisfying. Here is a main character that is growing as a person and in spite of his lackadaisical worldview is making the choices to grow.

[Mark Milotay · Rating 5 out of 5]

Series is hitting its stride

I knew from the first book that I would like this series. Now with the third book, those glimmers I saw in the first have come together. This is an enjoyable read with a great mix of humour and plot twists.

[Nick Pugh · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent

I read all the of these books. In a row. In 2 days.... they are very entertaining. Love the main character. Love the humor. Love the.... well, Juliette and Bill entertain the hell out of me... lol

[Gretchen · Rating 5 out of 5]

3 out of 3!

The 3rd travail of John Smith, does not disappoint! John is growing and his new found world is full of interesting characters some new, some familiar and all interesting!
I can't wait to see what happens next! Keep them coming Mr. Tullbane!

[Robert L. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very good book

This is a fine light urban fantasy series. It is very different than his Crows series, but still great. I anxiously await the sequel.

[Shay Hayden · Rating 5 out of 5]

Yet another excellent entry!

Love these books! They are the perfect mixture of lighthearted humor and more serious things. Can’t wait to see what happens next!

[Markus Matthews · Rating 5 out of 5]

Best one of the series so far!

John Smith is hired to find a missing ghost. While investigating the case, he finds that there is much more going on in the supernatural community than just a missing ghost.

Ghost of a Chance is much more ambitious than the previous two novels as there are multiple plot lines happening in this novel. The humor from the earlier novels is still there but the action and the tension in this story are taken to another level.

The multiple plot lines are woven together beautifully at the end of the story for a very satisfying conclusion.

Knowing the next book is coming in 2022, gives me another reason to be excited about next year.

[Rod W Winternheimer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Funny and Entertaining

I loved this series! Well written and hilarious. I can't wait for the next book. Bravo! This author is a treasure

[Norman · Rating 5 out of 5]

How far does he have to go to get a date

Our intrepid mediator/ detective finds more trouble with women, ghosts, vampires and a variety of other critters. The saga continues...

[Langston · Rating 4 out of 5]

Quite solid but I want the romance to actually go somewhere and I don't mean with Anastasia