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The Redemption of Howard Marsh #3
Feet in the Fire: The Jubal County Saga
Howard Marsh is back for yet more small town occult strangeness! Contained within are a pair of tales about everyone's favorite redneck wizard, featuring his usual brand of dysfunctional magic. He is once again strong-armed into cases he wants nothing to do with, and as always he's quick to let everyone know just how little he wants to be there. But a bevy of oddities are on deck, and Marsh is the only batter around.
In ‘Dusty Roads’ that weird purple car is back, only this time Marsh remembers it. Why does everyone who sees this car forget it? What do those weird sigils mean? Just what is Preach doing in his butcher shed out back?
In ‘The Briar Witch’ a stranger to Jubal County goes missing just as a mysterious figure from Marsh's past returns. Is there a connection? What is a Briar Witch? Is there something evil lurking in the swamps?
Marsh isn't ready or willing, but he's the best Jubal County has to offer!
(Warning: This book contains much cursing and foul language, as befits a tale told by a drug addled white trash wizard.)
“Jim Butcher meets Bill Faulkner” – Amazon Reviewer
In ‘Dusty Roads’ that weird purple car is back, only this time Marsh remembers it. Why does everyone who sees this car forget it? What do those weird sigils mean? Just what is Preach doing in his butcher shed out back?
In ‘The Briar Witch’ a stranger to Jubal County goes missing just as a mysterious figure from Marsh's past returns. Is there a connection? What is a Briar Witch? Is there something evil lurking in the swamps?
Marsh isn't ready or willing, but he's the best Jubal County has to offer!
(Warning: This book contains much cursing and foul language, as befits a tale told by a drug addled white trash wizard.)
“Jim Butcher meets Bill Faulkner” – Amazon Reviewer
- GenresFantasyUrban Fantasy
196 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 26, 2022
18 people are currently reading
53 people want to read
About the author
Bob McGough
12 books55 followersBorn and raised in South Alabama, Bob is an author, podcaster, tabletop game designer, and all around hot mess. His cause of death will most likely result from one of the hitchhikers with he picks up reckless abandon. A study in contrasts, he once skinny-dipped at a wedding and is also an Eagle Scout. He has two useless college degrees, has roadied for bands, and broke his wrist in a wall of death at a Divine Heresy show. He’s written for video games, designed board games, and owns a disturbing number of roleplaying games. When he was eight he give a camel a coke in Israel and got flashed in Paris. When he grew up he watched a monkey steal a man’s wallet in Costa Rica. He’s made passible podcasts, filmed terrible short horror movies, and been the producer on a trio of albums you've never heard of. Thriving on the groans of those he has punned around he spends far too much time nervously laughing. He once dug up a dead cow in a creek thinking it was a human cadaver and had a cousin that’s a water witch. In college he gave haunted ghost tours (even though he’s pretty sure ghosts aren’t real). He’s been stalked, gave a Prophet a lift, and been stagger drunk in more states than he would care to admit.
More relevant he wrote these books, some other books, and has been published by a number of other folks with questionable judgement. The fictional things he writes sometimes come weirdly true.
He lives in the middle of Alabama with his amazing LadyWife, the Kiddo, and a number of portly cats.
More relevant he wrote these books, some other books, and has been published by a number of other folks with questionable judgement. The fictional things he writes sometimes come weirdly true.
He lives in the middle of Alabama with his amazing LadyWife, the Kiddo, and a number of portly cats.
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
April 2, 2023
Third book in a row in this self published series and still enjoying it. The usual format of 2 novellas back to back in a single book.
Howard Marsh, a drug ridden bum in rural Alabama, with a few magical skills hidden away, once again caught up in the grey area where some unwanted magical difficulties leak over into the real world. Sometimes the knowing local police push him unwillingly into resolving difficulties; sometimes he just gets pulled into it thanks to family connections.
As before, very readable, well written, with the well described backdrop of poor rural Alabama. Each story is far away from the earth shattering, cast of thousands, scenarios of grand fantasy. The future of humanity is not at risk - just a few individuals in Howard’s local area who stumble on the hidden mysteries.
The books need to be read in the sequence indicated by their numbering. Howard’s life, his relations with friends and family, is evolving. I’m guessing we may be seeing Howard’s path away from his desperate lifestyle, but the signs of that are limited. It’s taking a while if that is happening!
There’s the interesting contrast in these stories which are absorbing, fun, light hearted in places, easy to read, but about a sad, drug dependant, thieving lowlife who is aware of his situation but unwilling to change. And with some family and acquaintances to match. Though that might just be my weird taste in fantasy?!
Normally in a published series I enjoy I might intersperse the books with other authors to stop myself becoming stale with the authors style. However, here I strongly desire to continue with this enjoyable series straightaway.
Howard Marsh, a drug ridden bum in rural Alabama, with a few magical skills hidden away, once again caught up in the grey area where some unwanted magical difficulties leak over into the real world. Sometimes the knowing local police push him unwillingly into resolving difficulties; sometimes he just gets pulled into it thanks to family connections.
As before, very readable, well written, with the well described backdrop of poor rural Alabama. Each story is far away from the earth shattering, cast of thousands, scenarios of grand fantasy. The future of humanity is not at risk - just a few individuals in Howard’s local area who stumble on the hidden mysteries.
The books need to be read in the sequence indicated by their numbering. Howard’s life, his relations with friends and family, is evolving. I’m guessing we may be seeing Howard’s path away from his desperate lifestyle, but the signs of that are limited. It’s taking a while if that is happening!
There’s the interesting contrast in these stories which are absorbing, fun, light hearted in places, easy to read, but about a sad, drug dependant, thieving lowlife who is aware of his situation but unwilling to change. And with some family and acquaintances to match. Though that might just be my weird taste in fantasy?!
Normally in a published series I enjoy I might intersperse the books with other authors to stop myself becoming stale with the authors style. However, here I strongly desire to continue with this enjoyable series straightaway.
September 30, 2025
Still a fun, light read, with 2 stories in one book. Plot lines felt slightly less targeted/meaningful, but love the ongoing character development.
March 27, 2023
Once more, this is an excellent offering by McGough. For all that Marsh considers himself a loser and a redneck, the man is more enlightened than almost any other resident of his little town. Marsh has more insight than you'd imagine for a guy who freely admits to being a petty criminal, liar, and loser. He also has a vocabulary that lets you know he's a lot smarter than he lets on.
There are two tales in this book, as is the case in both prior books, so it's a set format. There are two assignments Marsh gets pulled into, even though they're the last thing he wants to get involved in. As is the always the case, he gets in over his head and only faith that the author isn't going to kill off his anti-hero protagonist gets the reader though some scenes.
By book 3, I'm solidly in Marsh's camp. He's smart and if he hadn't got bogged down in a small southern town with no options, he could have ended up a huge success elsewhere. He demeans himself, but Marsh has a strength most of us will never know. McGough shows us the humanity in Marsh while telling an excellent tale.
I keep wanting Marsh to be able to kick his demons to the side of the road. But how could he work his magic without the drugs? I'd like to kick his grandmother to the side of the road and put a boulder on top of her.
There are two tales in this book, as is the case in both prior books, so it's a set format. There are two assignments Marsh gets pulled into, even though they're the last thing he wants to get involved in. As is the always the case, he gets in over his head and only faith that the author isn't going to kill off his anti-hero protagonist gets the reader though some scenes.
By book 3, I'm solidly in Marsh's camp. He's smart and if he hadn't got bogged down in a small southern town with no options, he could have ended up a huge success elsewhere. He demeans himself, but Marsh has a strength most of us will never know. McGough shows us the humanity in Marsh while telling an excellent tale.
I keep wanting Marsh to be able to kick his demons to the side of the road. But how could he work his magic without the drugs? I'd like to kick his grandmother to the side of the road and put a boulder on top of her.
August 6, 2023
I know this seems like an odd urban/rural fantasy because it follows a meth addict that uses drugs and his high to get more zip from his magic. When I first heard the idea, I was like, nope not for me! I was seriously wrong. They are too good. They are definitely for me. I'm a huge Howard Marsh fan!
Not only are these written beautifully, Howard Marsh, the only methmagician out there, is not what you expect. Yes, he is a thief, a drug addict, and he lives in a storage unit with his possum familiar, but he's kindhearted, courageous, and does have a code of honor (It's a little slippery, but there).
This is backwoods redneck stuff all the way, that's what makes it so brilliant. Howard Marsh is a perfect product of his environment and his family who are the strongest folk magic users in the county.
Howard uses his skills to fund his very low profile life by water witching, finding lost things and people, and a variety of other things that people need magic for. He might supplement that with some petty theft, copper stripping, and odd jobs.
Anyway, these books are brilliant, entertaining as all get out, a little window into how some of the backwoods people live, and all around fabulous UF. If you haven't tried one, do it. You'll thank me!
Not only are these written beautifully, Howard Marsh, the only methmagician out there, is not what you expect. Yes, he is a thief, a drug addict, and he lives in a storage unit with his possum familiar, but he's kindhearted, courageous, and does have a code of honor (It's a little slippery, but there).
This is backwoods redneck stuff all the way, that's what makes it so brilliant. Howard Marsh is a perfect product of his environment and his family who are the strongest folk magic users in the county.
Howard uses his skills to fund his very low profile life by water witching, finding lost things and people, and a variety of other things that people need magic for. He might supplement that with some petty theft, copper stripping, and odd jobs.
Anyway, these books are brilliant, entertaining as all get out, a little window into how some of the backwoods people live, and all around fabulous UF. If you haven't tried one, do it. You'll thank me!
August 29, 2024
Not really gothic, so how about Southern pragmatic? Anyhow, yes, I enjoyed this one, too.
Since it seems the highlights are somewhat hidden away, here's one I think is too good to miss:
67% in
"But someone had left a pulled pork sandwich on my stoop last week, which was bizarrely ominous. Only in the county would threats come via pork products. I was still trying to decipher just what it meant that it’d had no sauce on it. Did that make it more threatening? Less? I was on the fence. The sandwich had been good, though, if a bit dry."
Since it seems the highlights are somewhat hidden away, here's one I think is too good to miss:
67% in
"But someone had left a pulled pork sandwich on my stoop last week, which was bizarrely ominous. Only in the county would threats come via pork products. I was still trying to decipher just what it meant that it’d had no sauce on it. Did that make it more threatening? Less? I was on the fence. The sandwich had been good, though, if a bit dry."
October 22, 2023
If you've got this far into the series then you have developed a tolerance, if not an affection, for Howard Marsh's lifestyle choices and will enjoy this book. Similar to the previous volumes, this is actually two linked tales. Howard is still a screw-up, but there are signs of improvement; he is learning new stuff and there is greater involvement of the extended Marsh family - all good.
January 11, 2023
Another great part of the saga
Book 3 is just as entertaining and fun as book one. The author has created this world that you can really get into. I really enjoyed reading this book. On to the next!
Book 3 is just as entertaining and fun as book one. The author has created this world that you can really get into. I really enjoyed reading this book. On to the next!
February 3, 2022
Really fun and it left me wanting more!
May 22, 2024
Another great tale
I don't want to spoil but I loved the puns, the characters and Horace. What Blizzard is Marsh's favorite? I need to know!
I don't want to spoil but I loved the puns, the characters and Horace. What Blizzard is Marsh's favorite? I need to know!
August 29, 2025
It just keeps getting better!
November 4, 2022
Always a pleasure to read about my favorite methmagician! Highly suggest the series to anyone who likes complicated characters and supporting self published authors!
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews