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Keith Curry's Case Files #1
Cherries Worth Getting
NATO’s Irregulars Affairs Division is a secret organization operating in thousands of cities around the globe. Its agents police relations between the earthly realm and those beyond this world, protecting us from terrible dangers as well as enthralling temptations. Agent Keith Curry is a former carnivore chef turned vegetarian. Keith must navigate Portland, Oregon's culinary underworld to catch a killer bent on harvesting human flesh. But things get complicated when he hooks up with an old flame who he's never been able to refuse.
74 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 20, 2015
2 people are currently reading
68 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
August 16, 2019
The combination of Portland's art, music, and food scenes made it the perfect place to hide a blood orgy. Even when civilians happened upon the carnage, they often simply believed it to be some kind of performance.
I really liked this first installment of this paranormal shared-world crime series. It reminded me a little of Men in Black, with supernatural creatures rather than aliens, but with some of the same considerations relating to government oversight, agents needing to know lots of specialized cultural and biological information, varying degrees of sympathy vs xenophobia, etc. The characters in this particular story seem above average in terms of having respect for other cultures, although they could be better informed. I especially liked that the MC had some bigotry towards goblins due to a horrible personal experience, but was making a conscious effort to let it go.
What about Half-dead Harry the Undead Bum, though?! I need the full story.
I really liked this first installment of this paranormal shared-world crime series. It reminded me a little of Men in Black, with supernatural creatures rather than aliens, but with some of the same considerations relating to government oversight, agents needing to know lots of specialized cultural and biological information, varying degrees of sympathy vs xenophobia, etc. The characters in this particular story seem above average in terms of having respect for other cultures, although they could be better informed. I especially liked that the MC had some bigotry towards goblins due to a horrible personal experience, but was making a conscious effort to let it go.
What about Half-dead Harry the Undead Bum, though?! I need the full story.
August 21, 2019
This was a nice surprise! After reading Miriam's review I was intrigued - and as this is only $3, I decided to indulge my curiosity. Maybe I should do that more often, because this is a hidden gem.
Set in a world where supernaturals exist but most people aren't aware of that, our protagonist is an ex-chef turned supernatural oversight agent for NATO. He's in Portland investigating some potential breaches of the law- and Portland makes for a fantastic backdrop. Vampiric artisanal goat farmers? You betcha. Punk-metal goblin performance art by bands? Absolutely there is!
Despite this being a novella it never feels rushed, the romance is surprisingly sweet, and the world building is solid. I finished this and immediately bought the next two - I'd absolutely recommend it for any urban fantasy enthusiasts.
Set in a world where supernaturals exist but most people aren't aware of that, our protagonist is an ex-chef turned supernatural oversight agent for NATO. He's in Portland investigating some potential breaches of the law- and Portland makes for a fantastic backdrop. Vampiric artisanal goat farmers? You betcha. Punk-metal goblin performance art by bands? Absolutely there is!
Despite this being a novella it never feels rushed, the romance is surprisingly sweet, and the world building is solid. I finished this and immediately bought the next two - I'd absolutely recommend it for any urban fantasy enthusiasts.
June 27, 2021
This is an excellent example of how you can tell a story without pages and pages of infodumping and explanations of how the world is working but instead lets the reader understand and experience it through the, well, story itself.
October 14, 2015
I've read a couple of short stories with Ms. Kimberling's NIAD characters, Keith and Gunther, and I wish there was a full length novel or three. I really like these two characters, and the kinds of cases they get involved in. I also like the writing style - it's not fussy, it's interesting and it's quirky at times. Please write more about Keith and Gunther!
May 2, 2023
I think this might be the first book with goblins in and I really enjoyed.
Agents Keith Curry is a food investigator and this leads him to a human flesh case. He is teamed with an ex sexual partner, a goblin by the name of Gunther. Loved how instead of smoking his cigarettes, he eats them.
A short story involving Vampires, what's not to love?
Agents Keith Curry is a food investigator and this leads him to a human flesh case. He is teamed with an ex sexual partner, a goblin by the name of Gunther. Loved how instead of smoking his cigarettes, he eats them.
A short story involving Vampires, what's not to love?
September 26, 2015
An interesting world with two solid leads and a well thought out investigation. Would have loved a longer investigation to stretch out the romance.
Read in Irregulars anthology.
Read in Irregulars anthology.
February 25, 2023
Dark, thoughtful, and complex. amazing
Rating: 4.5🌈
Nicole Kimberling is such an amazing author. I adored her Bellingham Mysteries and then lost track of her writings. But happily I’ve found her again through her series about a other-realm investigator who used to be a chef. That’s Keith Curry’s Case Files.
I believe the series started in a collection called Irregulars, 4 short stories by 4 authors about NIAD. That’s NATO Irregular Affairs Division. They police other-realm traffic, beings, and artifacts that come through portals to this world. The division’s are made up of many species including Faerie lawyers, rumpled magicians, business witches and weary specialists human agents.
That’s where Keith Curry comes in.
We get Keith’s dramatic and sickening introduction to the agency and how he came to be recruited here. To be honest, parts of the book aren’t for those who have a weak stomach or are highly sensitive. We are talking about cannibalism here as part of the mystery and narrative. Just a Fyi.
There’s several elements that are raised throughout the narrative that challenge Keith’s vision of himself as a neutral investigator. Species bigotry is brought up and examined through the viewpoint of different characters, very effectively. Whether it’s goblins or vampire, it forces Keith to look at his own judgments and review them for reactions he’s thought he’d worked through.
There’s reasons for his reasons. It’s in his past. And understandable by any standards.
It’s his new teammate and former hookup , Gunther, who has been assigned to help Keith figure out where the human dead (and butchered) bodies are coming from. A fellow agent who will make Keith aware of his suppressed feelings towards other species.
Kimberling sets her story in and around Portland, Oregon and her familiarity with the city and deep roots with the place shows. From the markets to the food trucks, it’s realistic, even when run by goblins. I found the idea of a goblin race that transformed to conform in utero a thought provoking idea. I’m certain this is just the beginning of this thread.
The author crafted so many interesting elements to fold into the story and world building of the series. We got just hints here and there about a topic, enough to pique our interest and imagination, but not enough to satisfy. Hopefully we’ll get more in the coming stories.
The mystery and investigation was crisp and complicated. I loved following the clues along with Keith and Gunther, his fellow investigator and perhaps future boyfriend.
Especially as the relationship that’s just starting here between Gunther and Keith continues.
Now I really need to locate that original collection as well. I’m sure that’s Keith’s origin story. Yikes.
And I’m onto the next in his series. But do be aware, unlike the Bellingham Mysteries, Keith Curry seems to see the absolute worst and often stomach churning cases . Be forewarned.
If you’re ok with that, I’m highly recommending this!
Keith Curry’s Case Files:
- [x] Cherries Worth Getting #1
- [ ] Magically Delicious #2
- [ ] Grilled Cheese and Goblins:
Adventures of a Food Inspector
- [ ] Irregulars -a 4 story collection
Rating: 4.5🌈
Nicole Kimberling is such an amazing author. I adored her Bellingham Mysteries and then lost track of her writings. But happily I’ve found her again through her series about a other-realm investigator who used to be a chef. That’s Keith Curry’s Case Files.
I believe the series started in a collection called Irregulars, 4 short stories by 4 authors about NIAD. That’s NATO Irregular Affairs Division. They police other-realm traffic, beings, and artifacts that come through portals to this world. The division’s are made up of many species including Faerie lawyers, rumpled magicians, business witches and weary specialists human agents.
That’s where Keith Curry comes in.
We get Keith’s dramatic and sickening introduction to the agency and how he came to be recruited here. To be honest, parts of the book aren’t for those who have a weak stomach or are highly sensitive. We are talking about cannibalism here as part of the mystery and narrative. Just a Fyi.
There’s several elements that are raised throughout the narrative that challenge Keith’s vision of himself as a neutral investigator. Species bigotry is brought up and examined through the viewpoint of different characters, very effectively. Whether it’s goblins or vampire, it forces Keith to look at his own judgments and review them for reactions he’s thought he’d worked through.
There’s reasons for his reasons. It’s in his past. And understandable by any standards.
It’s his new teammate and former hookup , Gunther, who has been assigned to help Keith figure out where the human dead (and butchered) bodies are coming from. A fellow agent who will make Keith aware of his suppressed feelings towards other species.
Kimberling sets her story in and around Portland, Oregon and her familiarity with the city and deep roots with the place shows. From the markets to the food trucks, it’s realistic, even when run by goblins. I found the idea of a goblin race that transformed to conform in utero a thought provoking idea. I’m certain this is just the beginning of this thread.
The author crafted so many interesting elements to fold into the story and world building of the series. We got just hints here and there about a topic, enough to pique our interest and imagination, but not enough to satisfy. Hopefully we’ll get more in the coming stories.
The mystery and investigation was crisp and complicated. I loved following the clues along with Keith and Gunther, his fellow investigator and perhaps future boyfriend.
Especially as the relationship that’s just starting here between Gunther and Keith continues.
Now I really need to locate that original collection as well. I’m sure that’s Keith’s origin story. Yikes.
And I’m onto the next in his series. But do be aware, unlike the Bellingham Mysteries, Keith Curry seems to see the absolute worst and often stomach churning cases . Be forewarned.
If you’re ok with that, I’m highly recommending this!
Keith Curry’s Case Files:
- [x] Cherries Worth Getting #1
- [ ] Magically Delicious #2
- [ ] Grilled Cheese and Goblins:
Adventures of a Food Inspector
- [ ] Irregulars -a 4 story collection
January 7, 2019
Read as part of the Irregulars Anthology
Excellent writing and a very interesting and compelling plot. But, to be honest, the whole cannibalism plot put me off a bit. Super clever, but I felt vaguely nauseated the entire time I was reading, which is not what I go for. Add to that the fact that I didn't really feel much of a spark or connection between the main characters, and I wasn't in love with this one. My least favorite of the stories in the Anthology.
Excellent writing and a very interesting and compelling plot. But, to be honest, the whole cannibalism plot put me off a bit. Super clever, but I felt vaguely nauseated the entire time I was reading, which is not what I go for. Add to that the fact that I didn't really feel much of a spark or connection between the main characters, and I wasn't in love with this one. My least favorite of the stories in the Anthology.
August 2, 2020
I vaguely remembered this from the Irregulars anthology. All I knew was that I really enjoyed it and wanted more.
It was nice to reread and I really enjoyed the world building on this one. I'm so excited to see that's there's a second book. I can't wait to read more of Keith and Gunther!
It was nice to reread and I really enjoyed the world building on this one. I'm so excited to see that's there's a second book. I can't wait to read more of Keith and Gunther!
November 20, 2018
I loved this wacky, magical, noir, queer mystery! 84 pages
April 10, 2019
Cannibalism...kind of revulsive for me.
And there is just no chemistry between MCs.
And there is just no chemistry between MCs.
March 5, 2020
Confusing and odd. But still liked it. All from Keith’s POV.
February 26, 2023
4.25 stars
Good and disturbing and interesting and creepy and I'm gonna have some of these images stuck in my brain for a loooooong time.
Good and disturbing and interesting and creepy and I'm gonna have some of these images stuck in my brain for a loooooong time.
May 8, 2025
Urban fantasy at it's best, I loved the main characters and the world and hope to see a sequel. Lovely gay romance, some dark food based themes but not a dark book. Great story and unique world.
April 9, 2025
Read this first book of Keith Curry's Case Files for Reddit Fantasy's 2024 Bingo Square Orcs, Trolls, and Goblins - Oh My! This qualifies for hard mode as Agent Gunther Heartman is a transmorgified goblin with goblin traits but the looks of a male super model. What better book to read for the Gourmet Foodie Themed Bingo card than one featuring a supernatural food inspector Keith Curry and his on and off again goblin love interest/partner?
In a world unaware of the existence of Supernatural Fae and Vampires, NATO's NIAD function like Men in Black, keeping order and protecting humans. Food Inspector Keith has a tough job navigating Portland, Oregon's culinary underworld to catch a killer bent on harvesting human flesh. Problem #1: Portlanders who see the carnage, they often simply believed it to be some kind of performance art.
The second problem - since Goblins (who eat humans on special occasions, per the treaty) are suspected, the agency assigns Agent Gunther, a goblin to assist Keith. This complicates things for Keith as the duo used to have a relationship so the tension is there.
As someone familiar with Portland I thought the characterization of the crazier parts of the city and it's vibrant gourmet food scene was spot on. The author did an equal opportunity semi satirical roast of all the food snobs, sparing no one! Not the overly judgmental "I'm so cool I'm different and unique" vendors at the Farmer's Market, the "I know better than you" chefs and wait staff, or to the equally snobbish pretentious self righteous Vegan or other foodie consumers!
Having met some of these type of folks at Farmer's Markets or at restaurants, I admit I may have laughed a bit too much reading the subtle skewering they received in this fantasy novel. The gay romance had its share of tensions, which eventually boiled over. But this was also a supernatural investigation and that story was also well told.
Overall this was a great blend of story, characters, food and mystery. The author was no holds barred, there's acerbic wit, there's action and there was a resolution to the story that was food forward and food centric. Despite all the "horrible" stuff, I have to admit after reading this I had cravings for several different types of food, and the author is correct, Cherries are definitely worth getting.
In a world unaware of the existence of Supernatural Fae and Vampires, NATO's NIAD function like Men in Black, keeping order and protecting humans. Food Inspector Keith has a tough job navigating Portland, Oregon's culinary underworld to catch a killer bent on harvesting human flesh. Problem #1: Portlanders who see the carnage, they often simply believed it to be some kind of performance art.
The second problem - since Goblins (who eat humans on special occasions, per the treaty) are suspected, the agency assigns Agent Gunther, a goblin to assist Keith. This complicates things for Keith as the duo used to have a relationship so the tension is there.
As someone familiar with Portland I thought the characterization of the crazier parts of the city and it's vibrant gourmet food scene was spot on. The author did an equal opportunity semi satirical roast of all the food snobs, sparing no one! Not the overly judgmental "I'm so cool I'm different and unique" vendors at the Farmer's Market, the "I know better than you" chefs and wait staff, or to the equally snobbish pretentious self righteous Vegan or other foodie consumers!
Having met some of these type of folks at Farmer's Markets or at restaurants, I admit I may have laughed a bit too much reading the subtle skewering they received in this fantasy novel. The gay romance had its share of tensions, which eventually boiled over. But this was also a supernatural investigation and that story was also well told.
Overall this was a great blend of story, characters, food and mystery. The author was no holds barred, there's acerbic wit, there's action and there was a resolution to the story that was food forward and food centric. Despite all the "horrible" stuff, I have to admit after reading this I had cravings for several different types of food, and the author is correct, Cherries are definitely worth getting.
October 6, 2015
LOVED IT SO MUCH!!!! excellent, great plot, likable characters, and awesome world building!! I want to read more about gunther and keith's relationship!!
August 12, 2016
This was an audio read. Great fantasy/romance/mystery with a gay human & goblin couple. Funky story & funky narrator that was perfect for this! Entertaining, check it out.
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews