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Call of Shadows
Full disclosure here: David C. Smith is a close, personal friend of mine. His latest novel, Call of Shadows -- his 20th novel, by the way -- has a personal connection with me that goes beyond our friendship. I read this novel in manuscript form three times and offered my comments and my suggestions. I also believed in this book and encouraged Dave to submit it to Airship 27 Productions. I had a strong hunch, an almost prophetic feeling, that his novel would be just what they were looking for. I'm proud and happy to report that I was correct.
CALL OF SHADOWS is a tough, dark, very film noirish story. The main character is David Ehlert, a world-weary soul who comes to the aid of newly widowed Ava Beaudine, who is caught in a deadly game being played by her late husband's business partner, the slimy Tony Jasco. But what sets this modern-day thriller tale apart from your usual tale of gangsters and murder is that Ehlert is a powerful wizard born in 1886 but who looks to be in his mid-to-late 30s. And so, what you might think is going to be the usual web of intrigue and murderous intent, suddenly turns into an even nastier, sinister plot involving dark sorcery and one sick, twisted magician.
Ehlert is a haunted man, and the story behind the ghost who haunts him is a tale of true, heart-breaking tragedy. I can't talk too much about this novel without spoiling the surprises -- and boy, there are surprises on almost every page. Just when you think you have it all figured out, when you're sure you know where the story is going, Dave Smith makes a sharp turn to the left and takes you on a detour through the shadowy streets of magic, mystery, and mayhem. The wizard Ehlert is the kind of anti-hero we don't see too much of nowadays: elegant, quietly confident, and all-too dangerous. He's not an over-the-top, flamboyant pretty boy tossing off one-liners and worn-out cliches with a smarminess that would make Hollywood proud. Oh, no. His sense of humor is subtle and dry, but this guy is also as dark as he is unassuming. This is urban fantasy for adults. This is what Harry Potter might have grown up to become if he lived in a more realistic world and had tragedy scarred his soul, instead of his forehead. Ehlert stands right up there, shoulder to shoulder, with Philip Marlowe, Sam Spade, and all the great characters right out of Black Mask, Weird Tales, and the Golden Age of Pulp Fiction. Ehlert is a man with a past veiled in shadow, and a future that is just this side of grim: he's a man caught in a present that doesn't quite seem suited to him. And the tragedy of his life, the one thing that keeps him going, that gives his life purpose, is the soul of this novel. But for me, the heart of this novel is the lovely, the endearing and unforgettable Ava Beaudine. Once you meet her, you'll never forget her. She'll steal your heart while Ehlert battles to keep evil forces from stealing her life, as well as her soul.
This is a taut, excellent thriller, with crisp dialogue, solid characterizations, hard-hitting prose, explosive and violent action, and a plot that'll keep you guessing and turning the pages. I'm reading it for the fourth time. Give it a shot -- you may find yourself reading it more than twice!
Available at: www.amazon.com/call-shadows-david-c-s...
and from Indy Planet at: http://www.indyplanet.com/store/produ...
Visit Dave's website at: www.davidcsmith.net
CALL OF SHADOWS is a tough, dark, very film noirish story. The main character is David Ehlert, a world-weary soul who comes to the aid of newly widowed Ava Beaudine, who is caught in a deadly game being played by her late husband's business partner, the slimy Tony Jasco. But what sets this modern-day thriller tale apart from your usual tale of gangsters and murder is that Ehlert is a powerful wizard born in 1886 but who looks to be in his mid-to-late 30s. And so, what you might think is going to be the usual web of intrigue and murderous intent, suddenly turns into an even nastier, sinister plot involving dark sorcery and one sick, twisted magician.
Ehlert is a haunted man, and the story behind the ghost who haunts him is a tale of true, heart-breaking tragedy. I can't talk too much about this novel without spoiling the surprises -- and boy, there are surprises on almost every page. Just when you think you have it all figured out, when you're sure you know where the story is going, Dave Smith makes a sharp turn to the left and takes you on a detour through the shadowy streets of magic, mystery, and mayhem. The wizard Ehlert is the kind of anti-hero we don't see too much of nowadays: elegant, quietly confident, and all-too dangerous. He's not an over-the-top, flamboyant pretty boy tossing off one-liners and worn-out cliches with a smarminess that would make Hollywood proud. Oh, no. His sense of humor is subtle and dry, but this guy is also as dark as he is unassuming. This is urban fantasy for adults. This is what Harry Potter might have grown up to become if he lived in a more realistic world and had tragedy scarred his soul, instead of his forehead. Ehlert stands right up there, shoulder to shoulder, with Philip Marlowe, Sam Spade, and all the great characters right out of Black Mask, Weird Tales, and the Golden Age of Pulp Fiction. Ehlert is a man with a past veiled in shadow, and a future that is just this side of grim: he's a man caught in a present that doesn't quite seem suited to him. And the tragedy of his life, the one thing that keeps him going, that gives his life purpose, is the soul of this novel. But for me, the heart of this novel is the lovely, the endearing and unforgettable Ava Beaudine. Once you meet her, you'll never forget her. She'll steal your heart while Ehlert battles to keep evil forces from stealing her life, as well as her soul.
This is a taut, excellent thriller, with crisp dialogue, solid characterizations, hard-hitting prose, explosive and violent action, and a plot that'll keep you guessing and turning the pages. I'm reading it for the fourth time. Give it a shot -- you may find yourself reading it more than twice!
Available at: www.amazon.com/call-shadows-david-c-s...
and from Indy Planet at: http://www.indyplanet.com/store/produ...
Visit Dave's website at: www.davidcsmith.net
Paperback
First published March 26, 2012
6 people want to read
About the author
David C. Smith
110 books45 followersLibrarian Note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
November 12, 2024
I really enjoyed this book and the world that the author creates with the people who become aware. This is written as to be so possible in our life as it is today. Narrator does a very nice job with the characters and entire storyline.
May 10, 2012
Full disclosure: I know Dave Smith. That said, I told him I'd give an honest review and that is what I plan to do. Anything less doesn't help the potential purchaser and in my opinion, doesn't help the author. Of course, if I didn't like the book, I might have "forgotten" to post this, but fortunately I do and I'm happy to go public with the news.
Full disclosure II: I am a professional writer, so whatever that may imply about my own moral failures, I feel safe in claiming my opinion to be grounded in some level of experience. That doesn't mean the reader of this review and I have the same taste of course, but I know the difference between quality writing and the other kind, and I ask you to trust me when I say this book does not suck.
Reading a novel written by someone you know is a unique experience. In the first chapter or two, I could almost hear Dave's voice whispering in my ear as I read. In the hands of a lesser author, this could have easily become tedious, and it's one reason I have in the past shied away (somewhat) from reading books written by friends. But about 20 pages in, "Dave the guy I know" fell away and there I was: engrossed in the story. The characters, the situation, the imagination, took hold of me, and by god, I found myself looking forward to picking up the book again and again.
Dave has written us a fine yarn. The publisher is advertising this as "modern pulp" and that's not an incorrect assessment, but I urge you the reader not to let that predetermine your expectations. There is a lot of character in these thar hills. There is also fighting and adventure and revenge and intrigue. There is friendship. There is magic. There is horror. There is even philosophy.
Call of Shadows occasionally reminded me of the mystery writing of Ross MacDonald. Dave's images of rundown motels and broken cafes planted in the rocky outskirts of Chicago called to my mind MacDonald's descriptions of backwater California in the 1950s. At other times, the fantasy element took over and Dave's roots as a sword-and-sorcery writer shimmered through. There are no swords in this book, but there are daggers and knives--both physical and verbal. Dave doesn't waste a lot of words here and that's a very good thing. The writing is streamlined and punchy, and his technique of occasionally replaying a snippet of conversation is used to impressive effect. In short, the author makes his point and moves to the next--the hallmark of a writer who knows how to write.
So I can offer an unqualified recommendation in favor of this book, even though it was written by a friend of mine. This pleases me, as I won't be forced to buy him lunch. I'm giving it four stars only because five-star ratings are for Huckleberry Finn, The Grapes of Wrath, and Night, by Elie Wiesel. In 50 years, I may grant Dave another star. Perhaps if he buys ME lunch. Until then, I'll just look forward to reading his next book. And the one after that.
Full disclosure II: I am a professional writer, so whatever that may imply about my own moral failures, I feel safe in claiming my opinion to be grounded in some level of experience. That doesn't mean the reader of this review and I have the same taste of course, but I know the difference between quality writing and the other kind, and I ask you to trust me when I say this book does not suck.
Reading a novel written by someone you know is a unique experience. In the first chapter or two, I could almost hear Dave's voice whispering in my ear as I read. In the hands of a lesser author, this could have easily become tedious, and it's one reason I have in the past shied away (somewhat) from reading books written by friends. But about 20 pages in, "Dave the guy I know" fell away and there I was: engrossed in the story. The characters, the situation, the imagination, took hold of me, and by god, I found myself looking forward to picking up the book again and again.
Dave has written us a fine yarn. The publisher is advertising this as "modern pulp" and that's not an incorrect assessment, but I urge you the reader not to let that predetermine your expectations. There is a lot of character in these thar hills. There is also fighting and adventure and revenge and intrigue. There is friendship. There is magic. There is horror. There is even philosophy.
Call of Shadows occasionally reminded me of the mystery writing of Ross MacDonald. Dave's images of rundown motels and broken cafes planted in the rocky outskirts of Chicago called to my mind MacDonald's descriptions of backwater California in the 1950s. At other times, the fantasy element took over and Dave's roots as a sword-and-sorcery writer shimmered through. There are no swords in this book, but there are daggers and knives--both physical and verbal. Dave doesn't waste a lot of words here and that's a very good thing. The writing is streamlined and punchy, and his technique of occasionally replaying a snippet of conversation is used to impressive effect. In short, the author makes his point and moves to the next--the hallmark of a writer who knows how to write.
So I can offer an unqualified recommendation in favor of this book, even though it was written by a friend of mine. This pleases me, as I won't be forced to buy him lunch. I'm giving it four stars only because five-star ratings are for Huckleberry Finn, The Grapes of Wrath, and Night, by Elie Wiesel. In 50 years, I may grant Dave another star. Perhaps if he buys ME lunch. Until then, I'll just look forward to reading his next book. And the one after that.
June 24, 2021
A fantastic story that emphasizes the value of life! And, as always, Roberto Scarlato does a great job narrating!
May 25, 2012
Excellent Read! Mr. Smith writes a very thought provoking, while entertaining story. His ability to question good and evil, and how it may not be the "black and white" issue we desire truly made me think...Highly Recommend!
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews