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Cover of The good, the bad, and the uncanny

The good, the bad, and the uncanny

275 pages

A gritty, supernatural noir where a cynical detective is thrust into a deadly power vacuum in a shadowy, magical London.

What it feels like

This gritty urban fantasy plunges readers into a shadowy, treacherous version of London where danger lurks around every corner. The narrative moves at a propulsive clip, driven by the classic noir trope of a cynical private investigator whose brief moment of peace is shattered by an unwanted, high-stakes job offer. The atmosphere is thick with tension and ominous dread, perfectly capturing the feeling of navigating a hidden magical underworld filled with shifting loyalties and deadly enemies. The prose is punchy and hardboiled, grounding the fantastical elements in a gritty, street-level reality. It is a perfect read for fans of supernatural noir who delight in reluctant heroes, dark cityscapes, and the chaotic fallout of a massive power vacuum.

Mood
  • shadowy
  • tense
  • ominous
  • urban-gothic
Tone
  • cynical
  • wry
  • hardboiled
  • gritty
Pace
propulsive
Themes
reluctant leadership · dangerous inheritances · hidden urban worlds · shifting loyalties
The writing
Punchy and hardboiled, blending classic detective noir sensibilities with dark, fantastical world-building.
The arc
Moves from a brief illusion of stability into a chaotic, high-stakes struggle against overwhelming odds and unwanted responsibilities.
Who it's for
Readers who love gritty urban fantasy and supernatural noir featuring cynical investigators navigating treacherous magical underworlds.
Content notes
  • death and dying
  • violence
  • peril

About the book

Things were going so well for P.I. John Taylor, that it was only a matter of time before everything hit the fan. Walker, the powerful, ever-present, never­to-be-trusted agent who runs the Nightside on behalf of The Authorities, is dying. And he wants John to be his successor-a job that comes with more baggage, and more enemies, than anyone can possibly imagine.

Description from Open Library.

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