Dead man in a ditch : Fetch Phillips #2 / Luke Arnold.

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Title:

Dead man in a ditch : Fetch Phillips #2 / Luke Arnold.

Author:

Arnold, Luke

ISBN:

9780316455862

Edition:

First edition

Publication Information:

New York : Orbit, 2020.

Physical Description:

452 p.

Series:

Fetch Phillips #2

Abstract:

A former soldier turned PI solves crime in a world that's lost its magic in this brilliant sequel to actor Luke Arnold's debut. The Last Smile in Sunder City. The name's Fetch Phillips--what do you need' Cover a Gnome with a crossbow while he does a dodgy deal' Sure. Find out who killed Lance Niles, the big-shot businessman who just arrived in town. I'll give it shot. Help an old-lady. Elf track down her husband's murderer. That's right up my alley. What I don't do, because it's impossible, is search for a way to bring the goddamn magic back. Rumors got out about what happened with the Professor, so now people keep asking me to fix the world. But there's no magic in this story. Just dead friends, twisted miracles, and a secret machine made to deliver a single shot of murder. Welcome back to the streets of Sunder City, a darkly imagined world perfect for readers of Ben Aaronovitch and Jim Butcher.

Subject Term:

Phillips, Fetch (Fictitious character) -- Fiction.

Magic -- Fiction.

Private investigators -- Fiction.

Murder -- Investigation -- Fiction.

Genre:

Fantasy -- Fiction.

Available:*

Library	Material Type	Item Barcode	Shelf Number	Status
Searching... Avon-Washington Township Public Library	Adult Science Fiction/Fantasy Fiction Book Paperback	120791002829987	F ARN	Searching... Unknown

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Summary

In this brilliant sequel to actor Luke Arnold's debut The Last Smile in Sunder City, a former soldier turned PI solves crime in a world that's lost its magic. The name's Fetch Phillips -- what do you need? Cover a Gnome with a crossbow while he does a dodgy deal? Sure. Find out who killed Lance Niles, the big-shot businessman who just arrived in town? I'll give it shot. Help an old-lady Elf track down her husband's murderer? That's right up my alley. What I don't do, because it's impossible, is search for a way to bring the goddamn magic back. Rumors got out about what happened with the Professor, so now people keep asking me to fix the world. But there's no magic in this story. Just dead friends, twisted miracles, and a secret machine made to deliver a single shot of murder. Welcome back to the streets of Sunder City, a darkly imagined world perfect for readers of Ben Aaronovitch and Jim Butcher.

Praise for Dead Man in a Ditch :

"Superb... With a lead who would be at home in the pages of a Raymond Chandler or James Ellory novel and a nicely twisty plot, this installment makes a strong case for Arnold's series to enjoy a long run." ― Publishers Weekly

"Arnold's universe has everything, including the angst of being human. The perfect story for adult fantasy fans--a tough PI and a murder mystery wrapped around the mysticism of Hogwarts, sprinkled with faerie dust." ― Library Journal (starred review)

Fetch Phillips Novels
The Last Smile in Sunder City
Dead Man in a Ditch
One Foot in the Fade

Reviews (2)

Booklist Review

In Arnold's follow up to The Last Smile in Sunder City (2020), Fetch Phillips returns as a Man for Hire, desperately searching for any remnant of magic in the world. Magic existed until the Coda destroyed it and wreaked havoc on every magical creature that survived, pitting them against humanity. Six years later, Sunder City is recovering, with the Niles Corporation creating new jobs and giving many hope. But when the corporation's owner is brutally murdered, the police summon Fetch to determine if magic was involved in the man's grisly death. The resulting investigation takes many turns through the world outside of the city, forcing Fetch to reconcile his past with old friends and reluctantly acquire new ones. Fetch grows tremendously as a character; events don't allow him to wallow in self pity for long. As in the book's predecessor, the supporting cast provides much entertainment, and often their stories are as compelling as the main plot. Fans of Arnold's first novel will want to pick this up to continue the story of Fetch--and of Sunder City as well.

Library Journal Review

Humans killed the magic of Sunder City six years ago, and the fire and warmth along with it. Far-from-perfect-human Fetch Phillips is a private investigator who only works for nonhumans since they're the ones who really need him. Fetch led the human army to the Opus where they destroyed the magic. Elves lost their youth, warlocks no longer cast spells, and faeries dried up into statues. Through his detective work, he now tries to atone for his role in their loss. When an unusual death occurs, the police enlist Fetch's help to find the murderer. And not just any killer--one who used a magical fireball as a murder weapon. Does that mean there's still magic left in the world? He doesn't know, but he'll risk his life to find out. Fetch follows clues through the world of wizards, ogres, faeries, dwarves, vampires, and werecats, always hoping to find the mystical spark that will return enchantment to a dark and dingy world. VERDICT Arnold's (The Last Smile in Sunder City) universe has everything, including the angst of being human. The perfect story for adult fantasy fans--a tough PI and a murder mystery wrapped around the mysticism of Hogwarts, sprinkled with faerie dust.--K.L. Romo, Duncanville, TX