James Mullaney steps out from his time as one of the writers from THE DESTROYER series to play in his own world in DEVIL MAY CARE. It looks to be a straight-up P.I. novel, but readers will find out rather quickly that this series takes place in an alternate version of the world we live in, especially when fairy godmothers, demons from hell, and living stone gargoyles all appear. Yes, in this alternate version of Earth, all those monsters and fables are real, and a trip to Hell is as easy as seeing BATMAN & ROBIN at the local dollar theater.
This is actually the second book in Mullaney’s Crag Banyon series, but fear not, as it seems nothing is spoiled from the first one, ONE HORSE OPEN SLAY, which has a Christmas motif. Banyon is one of those down-on-his-luck type of detectives who has, as he states, more empty bottles around his place than a urologist’s Dumpster.
Banyon is called upon by a demon named Molokai to find a missing person — actually, a missing soul who has not aged since his death. It seems the soul has escaped Hell, and Molokai needs all the help he can get. Since the police can’t be bothered with a man who has been dead for years, Banyon is his only choice.
Of course, the case is just not that simple and leads into a much larger mystery. Mullaney has fun taking a few potshots at a few pop-culture figures — all deserving, mind you, especially a certain author who wrote one of the worst books ever, in my opinion.
But I digress. DEVIL MAY CARE is a breezy enough read. As it’s geared toward the e-book set, it’s not too overlong to dare lose a reader. The story moves quickly enough with plenty of humor and a nice little mystery. Mullaney has created a world with no boundaries, making it easy for him to populate. I mean, there is even a zombie Johnnie Cochran!
For those looking for a different take on the private eye, Crag Banyon is one character to check out. —Bruce Grossman
{ 3 comments… read them below or add one }
Thanks for the kind words, Bruce. Playing around in the Banyon universe has been a joy so far. More to come soon.
This looks like an interesting book and I might have to pick it up! I’m finishing up a pretty great book now called “Three Fugitives” by Nat Howler, it’s part of the Six Stones Trilogy. You can check out him and the book on the website http://nathowler.com/. Thanks for the review and suggestion!
If you love funny mysteries with fantasy elements, this is a terrific new series. The next one is called Royal Flush and the back cover blurb is up on Jim’s forum:
RATCHET DOWN THAT CROWN, YOUR MAJESTY
When Banyon takes a simple job bodyguarding the visiting Queen of Albion, he figures he’s got it made. A little easy cash for a little easy work. What can go wrong? When you’re Crag Banyon, don’t ask.
No sooner does he take the gig than someone tries to kill Her Royal Handbag. No sooner does he save her than someone tries to kill him. No sooner does he say to hell with it and escapes to his favorite bar than the local temperance league shuts it down. Banyon’s having the worst day of his life, and that’s before a rival P.I. commits a very public suicide that somehow links back to Banyon Investigations, Inc.
Banyon would rather be warming his favorite barstool than figuring out what it all has to do with an ancient wizard, a nasty curse, a sleazy pawn shop, and a very large tree, but if he doesn’t show up for work this time, he’ll be visiting his legs in a different zip code!
CRAG BANYON’S ON THE CASE!