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Author: Listed Below
Book: Those Who Fight Monsters – Tales of Occult Detectives
Release: March 1, 2011
Series: Anthology
Source: Hades Publications
Purchase: – Book Depository

Got Vampires? Ghosts? Monsters? We Can help!

Those Who Fight Monsters: Tales of Occult Detectives, is your one-stop-shop for Urban Fantasy’s finest anthology of the supernatural. 14 sleuths are gathered together for the first time in all-original tales of unusual cases which require services that go far beyond mere deduction!

Those Who Fight Monsters: Tales of Occult Detectives brings together popular characters from many Urban Fantasy paranormal investigative series, for your enjoyment.

 

Meet the Detectives:

Danny Hendrickson – from Laura Anne Gilman’s Cosa Nostradamus series.
Kate Connor – from Julie Kenner’s Demon Hunting Soccer Mom series.
John Taylor – from Simon R. Green’s Nightside series.
Jill Kismet – from Lilith Saintcrow’s Jill Kismet series.
Jessi Hardin – from Carrie Vaughn’s Kitty Norville series.
Quincey Morris – from Justin Gustainis’ Morris/Chastain Investigations series.
Marla Mason – from T. A. Pratt’s Marla Mason series.
Tony Foster – from Tanya Huff’s Smoke and Shadows series.
Dawn Madison – from Chris Marie Green’s Vampire Babylon series.
Pete Caldecott – from Caitlin Kittredge’s Black London series.
Tony Giodone – from C. T. Adams and Cathy Clamp’s Tales of the Sazi series.
Jezebel – from Jackie Kessler’s Hell on Earth series.
Piers Knight – from C. J. Henderson’s Brooklyn Knight series.
Cassiel – from Rachel Caine’s Outcast Season series.

Demons may lurk, werewolves may prowl, vampires may ride the wind. These are things that go bump in the night, but we are the ones who bump back!

I am becoming a HUGE fan of anthologies…especially in this genre. Every single time I pick one up I end up finding a new Urban Fantasy series to read, and THOSE WHO FIGHT MONSTERS was no exception.

With 14 original stories written by some of the most talented in the genre, there is literally something for every adult UF fan–whether it is a creepy sinister tale or a good old fashioned mystery with a supernatural flare.

One of the standout stories was by Caitlin Kittredge (though in my first edition her name was misspelled-oops). I recently discovered Kittredge’s Black London series and was thrilled to see her short story in the Black London world included. In this particular story the author channels Agatha Christie in the way her protagonist figures out this whodunit. I enjoyed it very much and feel confident that newcomers to the series won’t feel left out of the loop and be able to understand the Kittredge’s world.

On that note, there were a couple stories that I feel like I would have been able to really enjoy if I had already been familiar with the author’s world. Such was the case with Lilith Saintcrow’s Jill Kismet short story and Dawn Madison’s Vampire Babylon short. The writing was good, but there were some details included that people (like me) who aren’t already readers of those series may be left scratching their heads and not fully grasping the stories.

I mentioned earlier that I had discovered a new series/authors to add to my “to be read” list…well, in fact there was more than one!

Laura Anne Gilman’s Cosa Nostradamus series looks very promising. Her writing is very straight forward and full of dry humor that is translated well. I am eager to read more from this author.

Justin Gustainis’ Morris/Chastain Investigations series. Not only is Mr. Gustainis the editor of this anthology but his short story was one of my favorites in this anthology. DEAL BREAKER features occult investigator Quincey Morris. This story really had a noir feeling to it. The story seemed to play in my mind like images from an old black and white noir film. Gustainis’ writing was smooth and smart and left me wanting more.

THOSE WHO FIGHT MONSTERS is a good anthology for the UF/Noir lovers out there. Some stories seemed to outshine others, but overall it is a definite keeper.

Also Reviewed By: From the Shadows – –

Day is a dreamer who has never met a stranger. She is fearless and will talk to anyone and read anything! She taught music and dance and was a singer/actress for years, performing on stages both nationally and overseas. Now married with children, she spends less time singing on stage and more time writing songs at home. But, family life has not completely slowed this chick down. She still loves an adventure and learning new things. She resides in Texas with her family, Great Dane (Sophie), Labradoodles (George & Cosmo) and Chihuahua (Juan Carlos).

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