McAnally's (The Community Pub) > Author Craft
Readers--what would you like to see?
Richelle Mead:
Oh hey, meant to ask this since we're talking about alternate genres. Has anyone heard of any books that are mysteries set in a high fantasy world? And I don't mean like about a wily assassin or mercenary. Maybe like someone who freelances like Harry or is part of some law enforcement equivalent (royal guard?) and continually finds themselves unraveling small, intricate things that aren't necessarily about some great evil overlord overtaking the kingdom?
Not sure if I'm explaining this right. It makes sense in my head. :)
becroberts:
--- Quote from: Richelle on October 14, 2006, 07:42:13 AM ---Oh hey, meant to ask this since we're talking about alternate genres. Has anyone heard of any books that are mysteries set in a high fantasy world?
--- End quote ---
I haven't read any, which is why I'm writing some. :D
My main character is a police detective in a fantasy world where forensic mages are sent out to cover crime scenes and a man is just as likely to have died from a gunshot wound as being swiped by a dragon's claws. (Yes, my dragons are actual dragons. No human forms allowed.)
Actually, come to think of it, there's one Mercedes Lackey book that might fit your description. 'Four and Twenty Blackbirds', if I recall correctly. A police constable investigates a series of murders that are being carried out by magic.
Athanasia:
--- Quote from: Richelle on October 14, 2006, 07:42:13 AM ---Oh hey, meant to ask this since we're talking about alternate genres. Has anyone heard of any books that are mysteries set in a high fantasy world? And I don't mean like about a wily assassin or mercenary. Maybe like someone who freelances like Harry or is part of some law enforcement equivalent (royal guard?) and continually finds themselves unraveling small, intricate things that aren't necessarily about some great evil overlord overtaking the kingdom?
Not sure if I'm explaining this right. It makes sense in my head. :)
--- End quote ---
I'm not sure what "high fantasy" is, so maybe my answer won't fit. I recall a series of about 3 books by Randall Garett, dating back to the 70's/80's. It is set on an alternate Earth with a medieval feel, where magic developed instead of science. Lord Darcy investigates on various mysteries and murders.
Imagine an investigation where magic would be used for forensics... :) I keep good memories of these readings.
--Too Many Magicians, Doubleday, New York, 1966.
--Murder and Magic, Ace, New York, 1979.
--Lord Darcy Investigates, Ace, 1981.
--Lord Darcy (3-in-1), Doubleday, Garden City, New York.
I found the above on the net.
Athanasia
Kali:
A fantastic blend of high fantasy, police procedural, and horror ('cause some of her crimes are graphic and all of 'em are brutal) is the trilogy by Tamara Siler Jones. Ghosts in the Snow is the first, Threads of Malice is the second, and Valley of the Soul is the third. Valley is due out at the end of October.
The central conceit is that the main character, Dubric Byerly, has been cursed for misdeeds in his past with the ability to see ghosts. The ghosts of the murdered, to be exact, and they continue to haunt him until he catches their murderer. As head of security at the castle, his domain includes pretty much the entire dukedom and the various books take him all over. You'll get very attached to his assistants (my personal favorite, Dien... rough-and-rowdy, swearing, head-bashing but somehow still a gentle soul and a perfect gentleman). Magic is an accepted part of the world, but subtle. No spell-caster, our hero. He does most of his work through rudimentary forensics with just a dash of magic to give him a nudge from time to time.
My god, this woman can write. Ghosts was addictive in all the best ways. This was a book I taunted myself with. I would only let myself read it at lunch, after class, when I had my drink.
When Threads came out, I couldn't do it. I gulped it down in chunks. This book was more grim than the first, a little darker (believe it or not), a little more on the horror side.
If you can handle horrific scenes that are not gratuitous but rather are treated with a sense of accuracy, that are there to further the plot and not simply to shock, you must must MUST read these books. Awesomeness in print form.
In the interests of full disclosure, I have to admit that after a raving fan-girl letter I sent to Ms. Jones, I did get ARCs of Threads and Valley. Yes, I've read the third book and it's good I tell you, good! No, you can't have it.
becroberts:
--- Quote from: Kali on October 14, 2006, 01:10:00 PM ---A fantastic blend of high fantasy, police procedural, and horror ('cause some of her crimes are graphic and all of 'em are brutal) is the trilogy by Tamara Siler Jones. Ghosts in the Snow is the first, Threads of Malice is the second, and Valley of the Soul is the third. Valley is due out at the end of October.
--- End quote ---
These sound like the sort of books my mother and I would both love! *notes down titles and prepares to go hunting*
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