Assaph Mehr's Blog, page 9

Hard-boiled detectives: Then and Now (a philosophical review of The Big Sleep, by Raymond Chandler)

It’s been a while since I read the classic hard-boiled detectives, and felt like revisiting the pillars of the genre. The Big Sleep is one of those genre-defining works, but a lot has changed in the 80+ years since its publication. Following is a review of the novel, with a summary that is waxing philosophical about how the same genre shifts across a century.

What to Expect

The first novel of Phillip Marlowe, and Chandler’s first full-length novel (he previously published short stories...

Bad weather archaeology

Miami Herald: Roman ruins reappear from river in drought-stricken Europe almost 2,000 years laterDroughts Exposing Archaeology

Aquis Querquennis is a Roman fort in Galicia, Spain. Constructed circa 69-79 AD, it was occupied by the Legio VII Gemina until that unit was posted to Dacia in 120 AD, when it was abandoned.

It was rediscovered in 1920 and had undergone excavations, but what is interesting is that in 1949 the area was flooded as part of Franco’s reservoir building program.

I...

Review: The Law, by Jim Butcher (plus Little Things: a short story)

At this point I’m pretty much invested in the Dresden Files series, so there’s a lot of momentum in reading new releases. This review covers the recent Novella plus a short story that appeared in another anthology.

What to Expect

The Law: Expect a shorter story, about a quarter of the usual novel length. More importantly, after the over-the-top events of the last two novels, expect a bit of return to basics. Harry is called up to help someone, whose needs seem only marginally related t...

Book Review: Comeuppance Served Cold, by Marion Deeds

Historical-fantasy blends are my favourite genre, and the Roaring 1920’s is one of my fav periods, so of course this drew my attention.

What to Expect

Expect a half-heist half-revenge story, told in a somewhat non-linear way (lots of skipping back and forth). The story mostly follows Dolly White, with occasional other points of view, as she gains employment and trust at the Earnshaw family. In between, we get glimpses of magic integrated into society (with government licenses and publi...

Andy Thomas (of Suffer the Little Children, by Tina Helmuth)

Dear readers, tonight with us is a man accidentally drawn into the dark world of child trafficking and abuse, and facing real and supernatural dangers.

Tell us a little about where you’re from and growing up.

I was born in Grass Valley, California, which is near Sacramento, the city where the seat of government for the state is.  My dad’s career was in the Army, so we moved around a great deal.  We spent time in Japan and Germany and once dad became a General, we mo...

Fantasy Creatures of the Western Hemisphere

https://cryptidz.fandom.com/wiki/Adaro

Readers of this blog know — and share — my fascination with unusual mythological creatures, and embedding them in fantasy books. So it gives me great pleasure to host a post about Mesoamerican critters from one of my favourite writers, Douglas Lumsden. Today celebrates the release of his latest novel, A Night Owl Slips into a Diner , and I hope this post will show you the depth of research into mythology combined with the absolutely unique Urban Fanta...

Barbara Bernsen (of the St. Rage series, by Karen Eisenbrey)

Dear readers, tonight with us is your not-so-typical high-school junior girl. While invisible since third grade, a magic hat recently brought her back to light. She’s here to talk about her priorities: an all-girl garage band, and fighting bullies with miraculous super-powers.

Tell us a little about where you grew up. What was it like there?

I was born and raised in Seattle, WA, which maybe explains all the flannel in my wardrobe. Practical three seasons of the year...

Book Review: The Blacktongue Thief, by Christopher Buehlman

I first noticed this novel when Tor was promoting it, and it looked like something I’d enjoy – I’ve been in a mood for lighter fantasy recently. So, for a change, I read something in the year it was published

What to Expect

It’s not humorous fantasy (like say Myth Adventures), and in fact some scenes are rather dark. However, the overall tone is excellently balanced – not falling into funky tropes of either slapstick or overblown grimdark. The story is told in first person...

JAK037 (of Requiem For A Genocide, by Michael Drakich)

Dear readers, tonight we’re hosting a warbot, the last of his generation still in operation. While he was hoping to spend the last of his days in peace, he now needs to deal with a new menace – human settlers. He is here to tell us how he hopes to end the war and save his people from what he believes is a looming disaster.

Tell us a little about going online. What was it like to become alive?

It starts off crazy. It’s not like a Dalrean child who is raised from birt...

Sam Melvin (of Zombie Detective, by Andy Zach)

Dear readers, tonight we feature an ex-reporter specialising in zombie turkeys. After being fired from the newspaper, he decided to give being a detective a try — but found that people are only interested in hiring him for his experience in dealing with zombie animals

Tell us a little about where you grew up. What was it like there?

This’ll be short, since Midley, Illinois is a very small town (510) and there’s not much to it. I grew up on a farm, but I went to town...