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Eddie LaCrosse
The Key to the Coward's Spell
Nursing an injured arm while on the job searching for a missing kid is bad enough for sword jockey Eddie LaCrosse. But when he discovers a smuggling ring rumored to be protected by powerful magic, he seeks out old friends and new to lend a hand. A tale set in Alex Bledsoe's popular medieval noir world.
At the Publisher's request, this title is being sold without Digital Rights Management Software (DRM) applied.
23 pages, Kindle Edition
First published August 31, 2016
About the author
Alex Bledsoe
71 books800 followersI grew up in west Tennessee an hour north of Graceland (home of Elvis) and twenty minutes from Nutbush (home of Tina Turner). I've been a reporter, editor, photographer and door-to-door vacuum cleaner salesman. I now live in a big yellow house in Wisconsin, write before six in the morning and try to teach my two kids to act like they've been to town before.
I write the Tufa novels (The Hum and the Shiver, Wisp of a Thing, Long Black Curl and Chapel of Ease), as well as the Eddie LaCrosse series (The Sword-Edged Blonde, Burn Me Deadly, Dark Jenny, Wake of the Bloody Angel and He Drank, and Saw the Spider). the Firefly Witch ebook chapbooks, and two "vampsloitation" novels set in 1975 Memphis (Blood Groove and The Girls with Games of Blood).
I write the Tufa novels (The Hum and the Shiver, Wisp of a Thing, Long Black Curl and Chapel of Ease), as well as the Eddie LaCrosse series (The Sword-Edged Blonde, Burn Me Deadly, Dark Jenny, Wake of the Bloody Angel and He Drank, and Saw the Spider). the Firefly Witch ebook chapbooks, and two "vampsloitation" novels set in 1975 Memphis (Blood Groove and The Girls with Games of Blood).
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Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews
September 5, 2016
3.5 stars. Final review, first posted on Fantasy Literature:
A man walks into a bar: a dark, dingy tavern where you might regret ordering a meal or a drink. But Eddie’s not there to drink: he’s looking for a man called Moon, who might be able to help Eddie rescue a kidnapped seven-year-old boy, the son of some friends, who’s been kidnapped from his home by a group of criminals running a child sex ring. Eddie’s sword arm has been badly injured in a fight with one of the kidnappers’ guards before our story begins, so he’s going to need help rescuing the boy, from some people who may or may not be trustworthy. He’s hoping that Moon can give him more information about the kidnappers and about a yellow gem that Eddie took from the guard he killed, which may be a key to unlocking the case.
This fantasy/noir mystery is a short story set in Alex Bledsoe’s EDDIE LACROSSE universe, about the adventures of a private investigator and “sword jockey.” I think readers who are already familiar with Eddie, from reading The Sword-Edged Blonde and subsequent novels in this series, are likely to enjoy this story the most, but it works reasonably well as a stand-alone story. The mystery isn’t particularly mysterious, but Bledsoe does a solid job of injecting the noir detective tropes into the swords-and-sorcery fantasy genre. There’s the obligatory twist, as well as a nod or two to diversity, like this one:
While the story deals with a distressing subject, kidnapping children to sell as sex slaves, it’s handled in a manner that’s not unduly explicit, and it’s easy to cheer for Eddie and his helpers here. In any case, I’m interested in reading more about a world where a palm-sized gem is considered a small jewel.
A man walks into a bar: a dark, dingy tavern where you might regret ordering a meal or a drink. But Eddie’s not there to drink: he’s looking for a man called Moon, who might be able to help Eddie rescue a kidnapped seven-year-old boy, the son of some friends, who’s been kidnapped from his home by a group of criminals running a child sex ring. Eddie’s sword arm has been badly injured in a fight with one of the kidnappers’ guards before our story begins, so he’s going to need help rescuing the boy, from some people who may or may not be trustworthy. He’s hoping that Moon can give him more information about the kidnappers and about a yellow gem that Eddie took from the guard he killed, which may be a key to unlocking the case.
This fantasy/noir mystery is a short story set in Alex Bledsoe’s EDDIE LACROSSE universe, about the adventures of a private investigator and “sword jockey.” I think readers who are already familiar with Eddie, from reading The Sword-Edged Blonde and subsequent novels in this series, are likely to enjoy this story the most, but it works reasonably well as a stand-alone story. The mystery isn’t particularly mysterious, but Bledsoe does a solid job of injecting the noir detective tropes into the swords-and-sorcery fantasy genre. There’s the obligatory twist, as well as a nod or two to diversity, like this one:
I looked up at her; it took a moment, but I saw that despite her entirely feminine way of moving, she was, under it all, really a man dressed as a woman. But even as I thought it, I knew that was wrong; in a world where a goddess could hide in plain sight as a mortal queen, who was I to say what was real? She was what she said she was, and so she was a woman, full stop.It’s extraneous to the story, but I understand the sentiment behind its inclusion, and many will applaud it.
While the story deals with a distressing subject, kidnapping children to sell as sex slaves, it’s handled in a manner that’s not unduly explicit, and it’s easy to cheer for Eddie and his helpers here. In any case, I’m interested in reading more about a world where a palm-sized gem is considered a small jewel.
October 13, 2016
Quick little dip into this authors Lacrosse universe. You don’t need to know a thing about it either. Thankfully- because I had never heard of him ‘til now. It did make for a nice introduction to the character and style of the series (I assume).
I’ve always rather enjoyed noir and this was no exception. But (ok, well maybe one exception) I find short stories are sometimes too short for this sort of thing. It may be my dislike of the way a short story has to get all the information to you in the quickest way possible. So even when there is not a lot of scene jumping I am left feeling like I am watching tv while my husband is skipping between stations. I still know what’s going on but I missed out on the heart of the story.
All in all, a good little noir short that perhaps if you were familiar with the ‘verse you’d find had a little more heart.
bingo short
I’ve always rather enjoyed noir and this was no exception. But (ok, well maybe one exception) I find short stories are sometimes too short for this sort of thing. It may be my dislike of the way a short story has to get all the information to you in the quickest way possible. So even when there is not a lot of scene jumping I am left feeling like I am watching tv while my husband is skipping between stations. I still know what’s going on but I missed out on the heart of the story.
All in all, a good little noir short that perhaps if you were familiar with the ‘verse you’d find had a little more heart.
bingo short
October 7, 2016
Ok, 4 stars if this was the first Eddie LaCrosse thing I ever read, but it's not. I not only love the character, but have had a long dry spell since the last novel was released. The story is well plotted, well paced, and stands well alone as a mystery fantasy about characters with ethics. For those of us who come to it with a relationship with the character, it is absolutely supurb
August 30, 2017
Eddie LaCrosse is a private sword jockey from Neceda and he’s looking for a kid.
And he has to ask the worst kind of people, but that’s when he discovers what may be happening to the kids is a whole new kind of bad.
Read it here:
https://www.tor.com/2016/08/31/the-ke...
Please be warned that this story deals with difficult content and themes involving children.
Yeah… I’m with you, Eddie.
And Eddie has a key; a yellow gem that is the safe pass, as in the title. Hold it, and you feel no fear. Although part of me suggests that fear can be a good thing.
Three quarters of the way through and it went south…
2 stars
And he has to ask the worst kind of people, but that’s when he discovers what may be happening to the kids is a whole new kind of bad.
Read it here:
https://www.tor.com/2016/08/31/the-ke...
Please be warned that this story deals with difficult content and themes involving children.
“So, where would Moon tell me to look?”
“What’s more important to you: finding the boy or stopping the trade?”
“I’m working for the boy’s parents, so their priority is mine. But I wouldn’t mind it if there’s a way to do both.”
“You take her down, someone else will come up in her place.”
“Still seems like a worthwhile thing to do.”
Yeah… I’m with you, Eddie.
And Eddie has a key; a yellow gem that is the safe pass, as in the title. Hold it, and you feel no fear. Although part of me suggests that fear can be a good thing.
Three quarters of the way through and it went south…
“Do you know who I am? I pay more for a single gown than you’ll earn in your whole pathetic life.”
2 stars
November 2, 2023
I've been a fan of Alex Bledsoe since reading Wake of the Bloody Angel - Eddie Lacrosse #4, in 2011. Starting in the middle of a series isn't always the best idea, but it didn't matter in that series.
Mr. Bledsoe released a book of short stories that are sort of the beginnings and durings of several of his series and I knew I had to have it, especially since it was on Audible. I'll be doing reviews of each of the short stories as I find them on Goodreads as, apparently, the actual collection, Give Them What They Want, isn't on here as yet.
I was so very happy that the collection began with one of my favorite book boyfriends, Eddie LaCrosse, sword jockey for hire. This particular story is gut-wrenching and I'm glad Eddie took it on to take care of.
I can absolutely recommend this set of short stories, the audiobook Give Them What They Want and Other Stories of Sharp Wit, Cunning Women, and Wild Magic, and absolutely definitely, the author, Alex Bledsoe.
Mr. Bledsoe released a book of short stories that are sort of the beginnings and durings of several of his series and I knew I had to have it, especially since it was on Audible. I'll be doing reviews of each of the short stories as I find them on Goodreads as, apparently, the actual collection, Give Them What They Want, isn't on here as yet.
I was so very happy that the collection began with one of my favorite book boyfriends, Eddie LaCrosse, sword jockey for hire. This particular story is gut-wrenching and I'm glad Eddie took it on to take care of.
I can absolutely recommend this set of short stories, the audiobook Give Them What They Want and Other Stories of Sharp Wit, Cunning Women, and Wild Magic, and absolutely definitely, the author, Alex Bledsoe.
June 21, 2025
“The Key to the Coward's Spell” is a short story in the 'Eddie LaCrosse' series.
Eddie, nursing an injury, has his arm in a sling so when he gets a job to find a neighbour's young son, Auko Kiff, he hires Jane Argo.
She's “a woman and a half, no matter how you sliced her. And if you tried to slice her, you better not miss, because she would most definitely slice you back. Which is exactly why I brought her with me.”
He uncovers a trade in trafficking children for sex, the location of the operation, and even a way to get around its magical protection.
After that it's as close to plain sailing as it ever gets for Eddie (i.e. he nearly dies).
It's a bit of an oddity as several of the books contain subplots and this would have fit in quite nicely in that role.
If you like the series you'll enjoy this.
3 Stars.
Eddie, nursing an injury, has his arm in a sling so when he gets a job to find a neighbour's young son, Auko Kiff, he hires Jane Argo.
She's “a woman and a half, no matter how you sliced her. And if you tried to slice her, you better not miss, because she would most definitely slice you back. Which is exactly why I brought her with me.”
He uncovers a trade in trafficking children for sex, the location of the operation, and even a way to get around its magical protection.
After that it's as close to plain sailing as it ever gets for Eddie (i.e. he nearly dies).
It's a bit of an oddity as several of the books contain subplots and this would have fit in quite nicely in that role.
If you like the series you'll enjoy this.
3 Stars.
November 10, 2019
It was short, but I liked it.
January 18, 2021
This was ok. It felt like a D&D campaign, but also kinda exploitative. I didn't exactly enjoy the lurid details of what was going on, it felt unnecessary.
July 3, 2023
3.5 Stars
September 6, 2016
This originally appeared at The Irresponsible Reader.
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This over-before-you-realize-it short story is a welcome dip of the toe back into the world of Eddie LaCrosse, sword jockey (i.e., medieval private eye). Bledsoe's Tufa series is one of the best things around, but man, I enjoy this series so much.
LaCrosse has been hired by a local blacksmith to find his kidnapped son. LaCrosse is sporting a broken arm, so he's going to need a little more help than normal, Jane Argo, for one -- and some new faces, too. There's really not a lot to say, here -- half of the action takes place before the story starts. LaCrosse gets a little more intel, and then jumps into action.
The action is brief and to the point -- with a nice twist or two along the way. Nothing special, but it's a good couple of sequences. And a brief reminder that no matter what you dress it up in -- modern time/tech/clothing, generic fantasy tropes, SF, whatever -- there are some forms of evil that transcend those details and are just evil that need to be fought in whatever little way we can.
Yeah, it was fun to spend some time in this world and with LaCrosse and everyone. But man, just as you get into it, the story's over. Just not enough to really satisfy, but it was a fun taste. I don't know that this is a good intro to the character (it might be), but it's a good reminder for those who've met him before that they want to read more about him.
---
This over-before-you-realize-it short story is a welcome dip of the toe back into the world of Eddie LaCrosse, sword jockey (i.e., medieval private eye). Bledsoe's Tufa series is one of the best things around, but man, I enjoy this series so much.
LaCrosse has been hired by a local blacksmith to find his kidnapped son. LaCrosse is sporting a broken arm, so he's going to need a little more help than normal, Jane Argo, for one -- and some new faces, too. There's really not a lot to say, here -- half of the action takes place before the story starts. LaCrosse gets a little more intel, and then jumps into action.
The action is brief and to the point -- with a nice twist or two along the way. Nothing special, but it's a good couple of sequences. And a brief reminder that no matter what you dress it up in -- modern time/tech/clothing, generic fantasy tropes, SF, whatever -- there are some forms of evil that transcend those details and are just evil that need to be fought in whatever little way we can.
Yeah, it was fun to spend some time in this world and with LaCrosse and everyone. But man, just as you get into it, the story's over. Just not enough to really satisfy, but it was a fun taste. I don't know that this is a good intro to the character (it might be), but it's a good reminder for those who've met him before that they want to read more about him.
September 12, 2016
I had forgotten how much I enjoyed Eddie LaCrosse, even with less than desirable subject matter. I'm not sure I would have read a story involving the trafficking and whoring of children if it hadn't been Alex Bledsoe writing it.
September 1, 2016
I did not read any of Alex Bledsoe medieval noir stories, but I was able to enjoy this short story as stand-alone without any problem.
Eddie LaCrosse is a sword jockey, that has been implored by some friends to retrieve their missing kid. While nursing an injured arm, he discovers a smuggling ring rumored to be protected by powerful magic...
Trigger warning: sex trade, pedophilia, sex slavery.
Eddie LaCrosse is a sword jockey, that has been implored by some friends to retrieve their missing kid. While nursing an injured arm, he discovers a smuggling ring rumored to be protected by powerful magic...
Trigger warning: sex trade, pedophilia, sex slavery.
September 1, 2016
It was so good to hear from Eddie LaCrosse. I love a story that, within a paragraph or two, brings you right back into that universe as though you'd only wandered away for a minute or two. Even better, although I was reading the words on my phone, I was *hearing* the voice of Stefan Rudnicki, who has narrated all of the audiobooks in the series.
Eddie's world is one of my favorite places to be, and I sure hope there are more books coming!
Eddie's world is one of my favorite places to be, and I sure hope there are more books coming!
September 3, 2016
Giant meh. I am unfamiliar with this universe, so I am missing the background characterisation that might make me care about Eddie. I thought the plotting was lazy, and introducing the story with a description of a burly woman who Eddie had to make sure we understood was still womanly did not make me have high hopes for the rest. And where the hell was the editor on this piece??
November 11, 2016
Was trying to distract myself from the NaNoWriMo stress and this ended up being good research for my story - desperately hoping I don't fail this month :/
Apparently this short story belongs to a series where the MC is a sword jockey (my first time encountering that combination of words). The plot was interesting and action packed. Not sure if I care enough to check out the novels.
Apparently this short story belongs to a series where the MC is a sword jockey (my first time encountering that combination of words). The plot was interesting and action packed. Not sure if I care enough to check out the novels.
December 31, 2018
Good short fantasy story
This is a good short story. I'm unfamiliar with the series, but know it's kind of like a medieval noir series, with a bit of high fantasy thrown in.
This sorry has those elements, but all the references to well known characters were lost on me.
Still a good story and pretty fun and quick moving.
This is a good short story. I'm unfamiliar with the series, but know it's kind of like a medieval noir series, with a bit of high fantasy thrown in.
This sorry has those elements, but all the references to well known characters were lost on me.
Still a good story and pretty fun and quick moving.
July 25, 2017
Short but sweet
A short Eddie LaCrosse short story about rescuing a kidnapped child but very well done for its brevity. Definitely recommended if you're a fan or even as an intro to the Sword Jockey stories.
A short Eddie LaCrosse short story about rescuing a kidnapped child but very well done for its brevity. Definitely recommended if you're a fan or even as an intro to the Sword Jockey stories.
August 31, 2016
Enjoyed the story
December 12, 2016
This is a satisfying Eddie LaCrosse short, taking down some of the worst of humanity. I read it free on Tor.com.
June 10, 2017
Fun, but
The price stings a little. A good, quality story, to be sure, but I would have preferred it as part of a bigger collection. $.99 is cheap, but 27pgs is real short.
The price stings a little. A good, quality story, to be sure, but I would have preferred it as part of a bigger collection. $.99 is cheap, but 27pgs is real short.
April 7, 2017
I've been a fan of the Eddie LaCrosse series from the beginning and still love the world and the stories. This short story is definitely for the existing fan. Not that a new reader wouldn't enjoy the story, but the character is so much more than is exhibited in the tale.
If you haven't, read the first book in the series, "The Sword-Edged Blonde".
If you haven't, read the first book in the series, "The Sword-Edged Blonde".
Read
May 9, 2017Very straightforward fantasy story. Nothing amazing, but quite enjoyable.
Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews