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Donald Lumsden’s Alex Southerland books are among my favorite fantasy noir titles. I try to read them as soon as they are available, and I’ve d them all. This world, and the main character, are a joy to read about, as are the many side characters.

The hard boiled P.I. Southerland is a veteran who barely scrapes by and always seems to make powerful enemies. Yet, Alex is more than he seems, and has more than a few tricks up his sleeve.

I love how the overall plot has been slowly building since the first book, and each case Alex takes draws him, and us, towards an inevitable world shaking showdown.
These are well written books and have been available on Kindle Unlimited. I can’t wait for the next one3 s2 comments Downey Ward2

Never disappoints

Gritty and engaging; another poignant addition to the series. Excellent character development both believable and consistent throughout all the books.1 Linda225 13

Damn I love these stories. Great character and world building, twists and turns, dames, jakes, and trolls all make for a great read.2024 alternate detective ...more1 Alexandria212

last in the series!

I have enjoyed this series of Alexander Southerland PI, and hope that the author continues to write great stories. I am sad, however to see the series end, because I had gotten so wrapped up in all the books. Great stories that anyone can enjoy!1 Nigel Mphisa34

Never disappoints read on sitght love how this unique world and story is evolving!1 Ziggy Nixon853 24

This case was personal, and it became more personal every time someone told me to back off.

I was all prepared to write a perfectly maudlin elegy about the fact that Douglas Lumsden was bringing his Alexander Southerland series to a close with the 7th book, namely, "A Specter Raps on My Windowpane." However, now that I've completed yet another masterful chapter in this amazing collection of noir-ish urban fantasy stories, I have to reluctantly agree with the author that it's time to move on to something that - if not new - takes a different look at this incredible world. It is, as they say, jake with me.

The reality is that sometimes justice must be delayed, or forgotten, in order to serve the greater good.

Now before someone stands up and sticks a stubby finger in my face and screams, "Alkwat’s flaming pecker! Th’fuck you trying to pull, Nixon?", please don't misunderstand or misjudge me (I have people in my life for that, thanks anyway). My comments above have nothing to do with any perceived or actual disappointment in this story, none whatsoever. In fact, my reaction is based on just the opposite impression. As usual - and by my count that includes not only the full-sized septet of tomes but also the extremely clever novella "The Demon's Dagger" Lumsden snuck into his portfolio (gosh, I really miss Crawford) - this book was just a fantastic journey that I gobbled up Chivo - sorry, Lord Cadmael - tucking into a sweaty bowl of yonak. It was all extremely well-written, undeniably tense, and bursting with scenes of action that left me chewing my fingernails (urgh, disgusting habit, I'm glad I'm only using it metaphorically) down to the quick.

It wasn’t so much a plan as an induced clusterfuck.

And - as per usual - I couldn't have guessed the outcome of this book any more INcorrectly if I tried. No, my skills at the whole private gumshoe thing (um, what?) are just not up to snuff. That's always been a part of my enjoyment of Lumsden's tales, that is, attempting to outwit the author himself to the point where I could triumphantly declare at the end "Aha! I knew it! It was the half-manticore butler!" But no, I am running on a streak that sports analysts everywhere call an "Oh-fer", as my weak attempts to guess what was happening weren't even close. Again. Still, with pyrotechnics playing such a big part in this one, you can't blame me for deciding some hours ago that the Dragon himself (herself?) had done it! No? No.

The answers offered by death are no more meaningful than the answers provided by life.

Whereas I'd love to tell new readers out there that you can just jump right in with this book and follow along without interuption, well, again I would have to respond in the negative. Through these 7.5 wildly complex and mysteriously interwoven tales, Lumsden has brought in so many players that appear if not directly then by association with a previous story as to make it nigh impossible to take this journey without having started at step 1! And damn if he didn't just add to the entire mythos that is the kingdoms of the Dragon Lords with all the bits that entails! Which also then means we're following along with were-creatures, elementalists, witches of all ilk, the mafia, dwarves, trolls, gnomes, the andaro and, yes, even those we once called gods: the elves! I'm sure I've missed half a dozen different societies and their representatives in there, but dagnabbit, it sure makes for great reading!

Persistence takes you farther down life’s highway than intelligence.

So is there anything I should critique before I sign out here? Hm, let me think. You know, I still kind of wish we'd have a little more "direct" interaction with the Dragon Lord(s). Sure, that is a recipe for disaster no matter how you slice it (or burn it or tear it to shreds with claws the size of busses or chew to death with giant teeth, etc.) but though they are a force - or maybe THE force - of this world withOUT being seen every moment of every day, it still fascinates me. I'd love to see Lumsden's take on a kind of Smaug-esque face-off with our own favorite non-Hobbit (though his feet may still be that swollen). And yeah, what with all the different players that came and went, I still have a few open questions (ok, what was the deal with the magic troll kid a few books back? And what's he up to now?). But there is just so much, well, deliciousness to sample from in these stories! And I, for one, am glad I've taken the first leg of this journey with everyone and can't wait for the next! See you soon true believers!4-or-more-stars action-adventure fantasy ...more4 s2 comments Assaph MehrAuthor 6 books385

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