Hard Spell by Justin Gustainis

Jul 02, 2011 carol. rated it liked it · review of another edition

Recommends it for: fans of A.Martinez

Shelves: urban-fantasy, supernatural-mystery, my-library, fast-and-fun

So I'm perusing the shelves of the half-price bookstore and happen to find Hard Spell, which I was pretty sure was on my TBR list under a special category for some reason. Unfortunately, I couldn't remember why. Was it because the author was a troll? Because a librarian said it kicked butt? Because it was the next best thing since sliced Harry Potter? I took the risk, bought it and as soon as I was home, checked my GR TBR list.

Well.

The answers were no, no, and most certainly no.

But it was fun, ...more

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Feb 07, 2013 Jeffrey Keeten rated it liked it

This is the city--Scranton, Pennsylvania.
It’s a good place to live and raise a family--apart from vampires, werewolves, ghouls, wizards, and the occasional demon.
Scranton’s got a “live and let unlive” relationship with the supernatural, just like everyplace else. But when a vamp puts the bit on an unwilling victim, or some witch casts the wrong kind of spell, that’s when they call me.
My name’s Markowski. I carry a badge.
Also a crucifix, some wooden stakes, a big vial of holy water, and a 9mm ...more

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Jul 03, 2011 Maja (The Nocturnal Library) rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: urban-fantasy, netgalley, reviewed-in-2011, all-the-right-choices, male-pov, murder-mystery, never-saw-it-coming, dark-urban-fantasy

The city of Scranton, Pennsylvania abounds with supernatural beings of all sorts – vampires, werewolves, ghouls, wizards and the occasional demon. Of course, with all this magic out in the open, the ‘live and let unlive’ policy the city is so proud of doesn’t always work out very well. There are witches who use black magic, a vampire is likely to bite an unwilling victim (especially if he thinks he can get away with it) and goblins have developed a liking for bank robberies and meth. The Occult The city of Scranton, Pennsylvania abounds with supernatural beings of all sorts – vampires, werewolves, ghouls, wizards and the occasional demon. Of course, with all this magic out in the open, the ‘live and let unlive’ policy the city is so proud of doesn’t always work out very well. There are witches who use black magic, a vampire is likely to bite an unwilling victim (especially if he thinks he can get away with it) and goblins have developed a liking for bank robberies and meth. The Occult Crime Unit, where only the best and the craziest detectives can find their place, was formed to deal with such cases.

My name is Markowski. I carry a badge.

When a wizard turned vampire gets killed in the most gruesome way, detective Stanley Markowski and his new partner are called to investigate. Normally Stan wouldn’t lose much sleep over a dead vampire or ten, but this case feels like the beginning of something much larger and far more dangerous. As it turns out, the vampire was the keeper of an incredibly dangerous book called Opus Mago. Here’s how the leader of the supernatural community explains it: Making use of the spells contained in the Opus Mago would be similar to what a friend of mine once said about studying the work of the philosopher Hegel: one must be highly intelligent in order to do such, and profoundly stupid to wish to. It would seem that one such person has arrived in Stranton and it’s now up to Stan and his partner Karl to stop him or her while there’s still time.

Whenever I discover an exciting new urban fantasy series, I feel like a child on Christmas morning. Thanks to Justin Gustainis, I’ve opened my presents early this year! I have to be honest here: I was a little skeptical when I requested Hard Spell. I thought it might be ok at best, but I never even considered the possibility that it would be this good. A male author and a male protagonist are very uncommon in urban fantasy – that’s why the quality of this book makes me even happier. Gustainis did everything right: his world is just dark enough to make you worry about the characters, there are enough funny moments to break the tension, and the plot doesn’t drag for a second!

I’ll probably reread this book some day.
...more

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Mar 04, 2015 ᴥ Irena ᴥ rated it it was ok · review of another edition

Shelves: demons, mystery, werewolves, urban-fantasy, vampires, witches, wizards-mages-or-sorcerers, magic, paranormal

Imagine a supernatural stereotype. You can probably find it here. I thought I'd like this more than I did.

I have to try very hard to think of characters from other books that talk more than these do. A reader needs an explanation? Two people start talking about a thing even though they both know about it. World information? There is a small flood of info-dumping in the beginning, but it is later spread equally throughout the book (conversations, Markowski's inner thoughts and so on). They are in ...more

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Apr 09, 2011 Jennifer Estep rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: mystery, urban-fantasy

Hard Spell by Justin Gustainis is the first book in his Occult Crimes Unit Investigation urban fantasy series.

Stan Markowski is a detective in Scranton, Pennsylvania, who's responsible for policing all the things that go bump in the night, like vampires, werewolves, goblins, wizards, and other supernatural creatures, aka supes. In fact, Stan is on what's known as the Supe Squad (the Occult and Supernatural Crimes Investigation Unit). Stan has his hands full with his job, and he has some other ...more

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Aug 20, 2013 Nikki rated it it was ok

Shelves: fantasy, mystery

Hard Spell isn't the best thing I've ever read, but it was fun -- fairly typical in some ways, for urban fantasy, but still, compelling enough that I finished it and have grabbed the second book from my TBR pile. There's a lot of male gaze-y stuff going on, with a couple of blatant male fantasy characters, but there are some surprises too -- the main character starts with some prejudices pretty well fixed, but he's able to change with the circumstances, which makes for a pretty satisfying end.

...more

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Mar 14, 2014 Mike (the Paladin) rated it liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: urban-fantasy

I was a little stressed....ambivalent about the rating here. had we half stars I'd have gone 2.5. On the other hand I didn't want to go a simple 2 as that means (for me) that it's verging between almost dislike and dislike. The book itself is pretty good but there are things about it that truly bug me.

First just so you know some of what I don't care for comes from my own pet peeve list. I'm reading the book(s) (at least the first couple) but I really don't care for "sympathetic" vampires. I I was a little stressed....ambivalent about the rating here. had we half stars I'd have gone 2.5. On the other hand I didn't want to go a simple 2 as that means (for me) that it's verging between almost dislike and dislike. The book itself is pretty good but there are things about it that truly bug me.

First just so you know some of what I don't care for comes from my own pet peeve list. I'm reading the book(s) (at least the first couple) but I really don't care for "sympathetic" vampires. I subscribe to the Dracula/Nosferatu (even Buffy the Vampire Slayer) school of vampires. In short that vampires are not the people they look like but "other creatures" residing in the dead body of the person the turned. NOW NOTE: THAT IS NOT THE TEMPLATE OF THIS BOOK. HERE VAMPS ARE APPARENTLY PEOPLE WHO HAVE BEEN KILLED AND THEN SOMEHOW BECOME UNDEAD AND NOW CONSUME BLOOD. THEY CAN BE BAD OR GOOD.

So, know that going in. There are a lot of books out there with good, friendly, romantic even...sparkly vampires. This series will join that group.

So what have we got? Our hero is a cop who works the "Supe Squad" (Supernatural Squad). He and his partner investigate crimes against "supes" and by "supes". Here they catch a series of murders of vampires. The thing is they don't seem to be you simple run of the mill vampire murders (that is if there are simple run of the mill vampire murders). They aren't even victims of a "simple run of the mill serial killer of vampires (see above note). No, these may..."may" be part of something, more.

This is a "pretty good" book. It's got some flaws in the writing, though not many. I have the audio book from Audible and the reader is again "okay" not great. There are some odd "voice" choices.

I'm a Christian and we get a couple of stereotypical religious fanatics. Our reader chooses to give them a "hick southern accent" even though they are from New England. That did bug me a little.

Still all in all not a bad book. I bought the first 2 so I'll move on to the next. If it runs about equal to this one I doubt I'll spend more (or use another credit) on them, so the verdict is still out on the series for me.

I'd say give it a chance and see for yourself. Some of you will like these much better than I do I'm sure. ...more

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Jun 17, 2011 Blodeuedd Finland rated it liked it

Shelves: urban-fantasy, mystery

Original review posted over at Book Lovers Inc

I always say that you should try all kinds of genres and books that are out there, but do I follow it? Not really and that is why I wanted to try this book. It is urban fantasy but not the kind I am used to. No kick-ass woman in leather and sexual tension between her and whoever alpha hottie that is around. Instead we have an older guy, a detective in this more old school detective novel with supernatural elements. I am thinking of that more Original review posted over at Book Lovers Inc

I always say that you should try all kinds of genres and books that are out there, but do I follow it? Not really and that is why I wanted to try this book. It is urban fantasy but not the kind I am used to. No kick-ass woman in leather and sexual tension between her and whoever alpha hottie that is around. Instead we have an older guy, a detective in this more old school detective novel with supernatural elements. I am thinking of that more hardboiled fiction (well ok not that violent) but you get the general idea. It’s just the general tone of the book, and I could so well see this in black and white on the screen. With that in mind I started reading.

Hard Spell is about Stan, a detective who works investigating crimes done by and to supernaturals. Together with his partner he gets a hard and messy crime to figure out. Someone is killing supernaturals and if they can’t stop that person, all hell will break loose. He is struggling with a new partner, his own past and his dislike for vampires. It’s not a good day in Scranton.

Yes Stan is certainly not like the main characters I am used to. His is a lot older and he has seen a lot. He is quite serious too at times and just hard on the edges. But I like him because he took his job seriously and he is good at it. His partner Karl is more a newbie on the force and they work together well. New and old, a good team. Karl also brings in a bit of humor, even if we get it through Stan’s sarcastic eyes. But it is all fun.

It’s a bloody and dark world; they are cops so they see the worst things the city has to offer. If you like cop shows then you will like this book and if you like your UF with a more detective theme and without any romantic entanglements then this is the story for you. Though I as the eternal romantic do have a woman in mind for Stan, because he is not blind and he has checked someone out. So who knows if he will find a good woman at the end.

I did like the book because it was fast paced, I wondered if they would catch the bad guy and if Stan would soften up a bit (you will just have to read and find out). But is it my kind of genre? Perhaps not, I do need tiny flicker of romance to root for and I will just stick to my normal UF. But that does not mean that I cannot enjoy a book like this. Because in the end it is a good book. ...more

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Jun 24, 2011 Mrs. Badass rated it really liked it

Shelves: arc-s, vampires, urban-fantasy, netgalley, werewolves, witches, horror

This was a fast paced, interesting novel. It reminded me a lot of Harry Dresden by Jim Butcher, which was a good thing as I love Harry. It's not that Stan reminded me of Harry per say, just the way the novel was written. Justin has a very loose style of writing. It flows naturally out of the MC. There are not a lot of Male protagonists--written by a man-- which was I requested to read this novel from Angry Robot via Netgalley. I'm glad I did!

Stanley is a Sergeant with the Scranton, PA Supe ...more

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Jun 24, 2011 Cathy rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: urban, fantasy, paranormal, magic-users, vampire, read-in-2011

Social networking in action! This one has had quite a buzz on Twitter and I was eager to try it. It lived up to the rep, I enjoyed it very much. It has a neat style, coming across primarily as a sort of cool police procedural, with lots of rough language, dry with, very old cop show style. Plus vampire and witches and goblins and many more supernatural things. And taking place in Scranton, PA, a departure in and of itself. It started off a bit, well, not slow by any means, it was interesting ...more

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Jun 28, 2014 Ken B rated it really liked it · review of another edition

"Hard Spell" was a great introduction to "new to me" author, Justin Gustainis.

Gustainis' detective, Stan Markowski, operates in a world where vampires, ghouls, trolls and werewolves are common place. Markowski's job on the Scranton Police Department's Supernatural Crimes Investigation Unit has him investigating crimes that cross into the supernatural (supe) community or often where the supe community and the human world collide. He walks a philosophical tightrope, balancing the intricacies of ...more

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Aug 09, 2014 Angela Verdenius rated it it was amazing

Absolutely enjoyed this story! It's got it all - magic, supernaturals, cops & crime. The main character doesn't have any magic at all, which is a big change as most UF heroes have magic of some form. I'm off to check out the rest of the books in the series - highly recommend this read if you're looking for something different in the crime/UF genre.

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Jul 14, 2012 Ben Babcock rated it liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: vampires, fantasy, alternate-history, mystery, urban-fantasy, ebook, 2012-read

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here. I imagine being a detective is difficult enough without specializing in the supernatural. It probably helps that in Justin Gustainis’ alternative world, the existence of supernatural beings from vampires to ghouls to witches has been public knowledge since after World War II. So at least you don’t run into the common problem of everyone thinking you’re crazy. Still, solving mysteries is difficult enough when you don’t have to worry about failure meaning the end of the world as we know it.

Hard ...more

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Jan 29, 2014 Dean rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Recommended to Dean by: Justin Gustainis

"Ladies and gentlemen, the story you are about to see is true. The names have been changed to protect the innocent."

OK, I know, that's from "Dragnet."

That was my first take when I started reading this book.
I was hearing Joe Friday in my head.
"This is the city - Scranton, Pennsylvania." - Stan Markowski-Police Officer-Occult Crimes Unit
Get it?
I think Gustainis did.

First disclosure: I received a copy of this book/series from the author requesting an "honest review."
Mr. Gustainis hit me up in the ...more

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Mar 27, 2012 Trekscribbler rated it really liked it

HARD SPELL Ain't No 'Hard Sell'

“My name is Markowski. I carry a badge.” And so it begins, the continuing saga of Scranton PD’s Occult Crimes Unit lead detective, Stan Markowski, as detailed by author Justin Gustainis in the Angry Robot imprint, HARD SPELL.

To be fair, this is the second book I’ve read off the Angry Robot imprint. The first one? Well, let’s just leave it at it was written by another author, and I found it so confusing that I didn’t even write a review. HARD SPELL, on the other HARD SPELL Ain't No 'Hard Sell'

“My name is Markowski. I carry a badge.” And so it begins, the continuing saga of Scranton PD’s Occult Crimes Unit lead detective, Stan Markowski, as detailed by author Justin Gustainis in the Angry Robot imprint, HARD SPELL.

To be fair, this is the second book I’ve read off the Angry Robot imprint. The first one? Well, let’s just leave it at it was written by another author, and I found it so confusing that I didn’t even write a review. HARD SPELL, on the other hand, has its own charm … enough charm, in fact, that I’ve no doubt that it can fuel a series of novels featuring the lead detective, his partner, and his department.

The story? I’m glad you asked.

Flash forward to a time wherein vampires, witches, and warlocks on not so much things of myth, but they’re real, so real that they’re required to be ‘licensed’ or, at least, ‘aware’ of by the local police department. Into this world comes a hybrid – a possible vampire/sorcerer – and you’ve got something that spells trouble with a capital T. It’s a good thing that Stan’s on the case because – before this is all over – it may well spell the doom for all of mankind … or, minimally, Scranton, Pennsylvania. To say more? Why, that’d spoil the surprise. Let’s just say it all goes to heck in a handbasket – with Markowski even holding a high personal stake in the whole bloody affair. Anything else would contain spoilers, and that’s a no-no.

In all seriousness, Gustainis does a terrific job keeping the pace here. He gives his ‘occult procedural’ its own science in its own reality, and, for the most part, all of it works to great effect. The only overwhelming impression I can share that won’t spoil the fun is that ‘the fun’ as it is – Gustainis’s heavily established ‘sense of fun’ in narrating this contemporary spin in a hard-boiled world – is that ‘the fun’ kinda/sorta comes and goes pretty quickly from section-to-section of the book. Clearly, this is told from Markowski’s point-of-view; in the early pages, it’s all done very tongue-in-cheek, but that disappears a few sections in (the book contains no traditional chapter breaks). After that, that same tone re-emerges sporadically throughout the tale, giving the book an oddly uneven feel at times. Am I supposed to find this funny? Clearly, not all of it, because there’s some obvious violence – with blood, guts, and splatter involved – and he presents that with the requisite grimness. Am I supposed to take all of this seriously? Clearly, that’s not the case, either, as lead Markowski has some fun with the particulars at his own expense. It’s finding that balance – knowing when to pull the tongue out of the cheek – that could use some polish in the novels ahead for writer Gustainis. I’ve no doubt that, once he does that, he’ll have a winning formula to fuel his success … and excess! I enjoyed the book more when it dabbled in that sense of fun than I did some of the more serious moments, but it’s still a world I’d be happy to revisit in future adventures.

HIGHLY RECOMMENDED. Fans of noir might find some prose to get jazzed about here as the author explores some of his dark world’s seedier elements. Fans of the more hard-boiled detective genre will get an occasional kick of out Markowski, a tough guy with a soft spot he’ll always keep away from vampires and their ilk. I’m not sure that ‘urban fantasy’ purists will be excited about it, mostly that’s because I’ve read very little ‘urban fantasy’ to date, but it mostly fits with what I’ve seen elsewhere. Casual readers should find it just good, gory fun.

Justin Gustainis should be commended for launching his own tent-pole book – a franchise he can build upon in the years ahead.
...more

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Aug 15, 2011 Mike rated it really liked it

The first thing that drew me to Justin Gustainis’ Hard Spell is the cover. The layout, title and art style are all explicitly designed to mimic that of Hard Case Crime, itself a recent imprint (founded in 2004) whose covers are known to mimic pulp covers of the 40s and 50s. Always on the lookout for clever use of the fantastic combined with pulpish fun Hard Spell quickly jumped to the top of my read list. While Gustainis has written several other novels in the Urban Fantasy vein this is my first The first thing that drew me to Justin Gustainis’ Hard Spell is the cover. The layout, title and art style are all explicitly designed to mimic that of Hard Case Crime, itself a recent imprint (founded in 2004) whose covers are known to mimic pulp covers of the 40s and 50s. Always on the lookout for clever use of the fantastic combined with pulpish fun Hard Spell quickly jumped to the top of my read list. While Gustainis has written several other novels in the Urban Fantasy vein this is my first foray with his work.

Hard Spell takes place in the supernatural mecca of Scranton, PA (apparently a major nexus of ley lines) and features Detective Stan Markowksi of the Scranton PD’s Supernatural Crimes department. It’s Markowksi’s job to investigate crimes by and against the “supe” community; it’s not a job he always likes but come hell or high water he will get the job done. The novel is narrated in his delightfully dour voice that expertly mimics the tone of a noirish voice over. There is a sort genuine delight in reading Markowski’s wry, sardonic narration that manages to stave off any difficulties with the exposition heavy introduction. There is a certain humor to Markowski’s run down of US history in the supernatural infused world of Hard Spell. I was particularly taken with the brief section oregarding Dr. Martin Luther King:

There was a rumor going around that J. Edgar Hoover had a tape of King “entertaining” a vampire, but I don’t believe that. No human as good as Dr. King would mess around with a vamps. Probably. But nobody’s ever explained why the bullet that killed him was made of solid silver.

There is (to my sense anyway) something of a wry smile and a wink in that delivery. Or later when Markowski states that he and his partner were looking into “fairy-bashing” there is something of a wink in that sort-of play on words. It isn’t the most elegant of introductions but Markowski’s voice makes it work. (Note: Because I need to mention it, I love that SWAT stands for Sacred Weapons and Tactics, and has volunteer trained clergyman on it.)

The opening, eventually involving Goblin meth heads holding up a liquor store, also does a great job at laying out one important fact: while the perpetrators or victims might be supernatural in origin the crimes are the same.

Markowski is often played as the typical tough guy with a voice and dialogue straight out of a cop drama. However, over the course of the novel Gustainis carefully doles bits of information about him that help round him out some. Despite he seems an individual defined be his job, the reason for which is revealed in the novel, and there is some hope at the novel’s end that we might see Marksowksi evolve into a more dynamic character as the series progresses. However, Hard Spell is very much a procedural; a format not known for rapidly evolving character beyond their start mode.

Hard Spell is an exciting entry into the urban fantasy genre and is one of the first in a long time to really embrace the noir and crime fiction parallel in a meaningful way. Gustainis has developed a fascinating world that closely resembles our own but is just different enough to prove exciting. His clever insertion of supernatural aspects into the everyday lives of humanity is welcome change from the all-too-frequent shadowy underworld aspect. I look forward to seeing more of Markowski and crew in future cases of Occult Crimes Unit Investigation. ...more

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Jul 20, 2011 Jen rated it really liked it

Shelves: x-read-in-2011

Its a real honest to goodness Detective story! When I first got this book in the mail, one look at the cover and the voice of Dan Aykroyd from Dragnet (1987) popped in my head - and THAT is the voice of Stan :)

This book is awesome! It starts off explaining the way the Supernatural’s (Supes) came to be known to the world (when Vamps and Were's came home from WW II ) and now living in an everyday life with the rest of us plain old humans .

Stan Markowski is a human - and he's a Decective - but he ...more

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Jul 25, 2011 jD rated it it was amazing

Shelves: 2_kindle_own, fantasy_urban, 2011-read, fantasy_detective

Hard Spell was so much more than what I expected. I have not read any other work by Justin Gustainis but I can tell by this offering that he is a talented writer.

The hero and main character is Officer Stan Markowski. He is a Detective Sergeant on the Scranton PD's Supernatural Crimes Investigation Unit. In Markowski's world supernatural beings such as weres, vamps, gobblins, witches, and nightmare creatures are real and have civil rights. I purchased this book earlier in the summer shortly after Hard Spell was so much more than what I expected. I have not read any other work by Justin Gustainis but I can tell by this offering that he is a talented writer.

The hero and main character is Officer Stan Markowski. He is a Detective Sergeant on the Scranton PD's Supernatural Crimes Investigation Unit. In Markowski's world supernatural beings such as weres, vamps, gobblins, witches, and nightmare creatures are real and have civil rights. I purchased this book earlier in the summer shortly after it's release but did not get into it because Markowski was just an ordinary human. It did not take me long to overcome this and every hesitation and preconceived notion I subscribed to.

Stan tells the story so we only have his perspective and what a hoot that perspective can be at times.

Stan's typical narration:
A hundred feet or so ahead, a black cat was just starting to lead three of her kittens across the wide street. I'm fond of animals, so I figured I'd better speed up a little - that way, I'd be past them and be gone before they reached my side of the road. I could've just slowed down and let them go first, but that would mean a black cat - hell, four of them - would be crossing my path. I'm not superstitious or anything, but I still thought that was a bad idea.

Another example of Stan's mind:
"Well, I'm grateful to you both," Prescott said. "Thank you for saving me. Thank you very, very much."
Strokes sometimes change people's personalities. If that's what happened here. I figured I was going to like Prescott 2.0 better than the original version.

Stan narrating another scene:
I slowly pushed my sport coat back and reached for the Beretta on my right hip. A second later, I heard the soft click as Karl thumbed back the hammer on the Glock he carried.
"What're you packing?" I asked softly.
"Silver, cold iron, and garlic-tipped lead, alternating," he said, "You?"
"Straight silver," I told him, "but it's been blessed by the Bishop."

I could go on and on. There was never a boring moment in Stan's delivery of the events surrounding the supernatural case involving demons, vampires, wizards, witches, and wiz/vamp hybrids. There are plenty of other undead and unnatural beings, too many to list here. The editing was on point. The story is full length with no cliffhanger. There were a few things that irked me, after all nothing is perfect. I didn't like that I could not grasp Stan's age or that of his daughter. He was north of 30 maybe even past 40. I did not have any idea what he looked like so I didn't know if he was a muffin shaped cop or built like a Greek God. That matters to me. I am very visual and need to see in my mind's eye what a character looks like. The cover doesn't provide any help.

I highly recommend this to readers of Dresden Files and Nightside. You will be surprised by what a mere human can do to survive a jungle full of supernatural predators. I believe it would be fine for YA UF fans as there is no sex or foul language, just violence. Overall, I Loved It!
...more

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Jul 28, 2011 Stephanie rated it it was amazing

Sadly, I am about to "date myself"by referencing a TV show actually older I am! Stan Markowski, the Detective Sergeant who wrote the How to Recognize a Vampire Guest Post yesterday is a lot of Dragnet's Joe Friday and a lot of CSI or another modern police procedural drama. Now, Dragnet's Joe Friday, played by the shows creator and producer, Jack Webb, would start each episode off by describing a person and a crime then he would say, My name is Friday. I carry a badge

This is a good example of Sadly, I am about to "date myself"by referencing a TV show actually older I am! Stan Markowski, the Detective Sergeant who wrote the How to Recognize a Vampire Guest Post yesterday is a lot of Dragnet's Joe Friday and a lot of CSI or another modern police procedural drama. Now, Dragnet's Joe Friday, played by the shows creator and producer, Jack Webb, would start each episode off by describing a person and a crime then he would say, My name is Friday. I carry a badge

This is a good example of Urban Fantasy mixed with Police Procedural. There is no sex, although body parts are referenced, but there is violence. It is on a level with the Anita Blake series.

I enjoyed the story. It is well written and there were a few times I had to look a word up in a dictionary. One regionalism is used that I found in the Urban Dictionary: Haina is a word common in the Wyoming Valley where Scranton (the books locale) is located. It derives from, and means, Ain't It. At first I thought it was Hawaiian.

The characters are well-defined. Some are straight-forward and some we don't know much about except salient facts. Stan is a Joe Friday character—a cop's cop. He has a hard side but knows when something has to be let go. Recovering from the loss of a partner, he is a little wary. His new partner Karl Renfer is also partner is young, interested in the job, and he and Marklowski suit each other well as they share an an equally dry sense of humor. He usually knows what to say to turn Markowski's head around. Karl, I believe, is a sensitive, I mean in the psychic sense. That sense makes him perceptive and allows him to haul Markowski's fat out of the fire a couple of times. Interesting but not overpowering details are given for several incidental characters. Such detail helps place Stan in a community; and I really felt he was part of this Alternate-Scranton. This adds to the "realness" of this Urban Fantasy. That seems to be a gift the author brings to the story.

The story is interesting, and very creative. The prose is well written and droll, which especially suits the cops. The interactions between the cops is realistic banter at times and serious at others. Gustainis makes the impossible believable partly through that important comic acting skill, not acting as if you are acting funny. In this case it would be don't act like you know how much disbelief is being suspended, and on the other hand there is a definite time before which the regular humans didn't know these things that go bump in the night are really here and are very bumpy. Sometimes the language is crude, especially in reference to women by male officers and by one female officer to, as far as I could tell, everyone.

The books pace was good. The story had enough twists to make it unpredictable. It was fun and nostalgic, a bit edgy but not enough that I wasn't able to put it down. I recommend the book and think it may be a book men enjoy as well as women. ...more

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Mar 01, 2014 So, I Read This Book Today rated it liked it

Recommends it for: Urban Fantasy

Recommended to So, I Read This Book Today by: Publisher

Shelves: july-book-challenge

"My name’s Markowski, a Detective Sergeant on the Scranton PD’s Supernatural Crimes Investigation Unit. I carry a badge. Also, a crucifix, some wooden stakes, a big vial of holy water, and a 9mm Beretta loaded with silver bullets." - Markowski, Hard Spell

Death is when the monsters get you. - Stephen King

Scranton, Pennsylvania fifty years after WWII is a different place than one might expect. When millions of Americans poured into Europe to fight in the war, they picked up a little something "My name’s Markowski, a Detective Sergeant on the Scranton PD’s Supernatural Crimes Investigation Unit. I carry a badge. Also, a crucifix, some wooden stakes, a big vial of holy water, and a 9mm Beretta loaded with silver bullets." - Markowski, Hard Spell

Death is when the monsters get you. - Stephen King

Scranton, Pennsylvania fifty years after WWII is a different place than one might expect. When millions of Americans poured into Europe to fight in the war, they picked up a little something extra to bring back home besides war wives and interesting STD's. Quaint little things like cases of werewolves and vampires and zombies (oh, my!) Needless to say, it changed the way life is lived in the good ol' US of A. Instead of McCarthy going after 'Commies' he gets to do real, honest-to-goodness witch hunts - for real witches. . .

There is a lot to like about Hard Spell. There is humor and a great deal of creativity that I got a kick out of. Gustainis writes an engaging tale with a strong noir flavour which reminds me quite a bit of the feeling I get from the Nightside stories by Simon R. Green - one of my favorite series of all time. There is a feeling of reality in the very unreal situations of the book, which was pleasing. However, the role of women characters in the book was, well, I hesitate to say "demeaning" but it comes very close to the razor edge of treating women as lesser beings - something that I found less than enjoyable. Even the female SWAT team member was portrayed in a less than admirable manner - something that irritated me to no end. I wanted to shake the author and remind him that "noir" doesn't equate with "testosterone poisoning."

I listened to the book - the Audible edition. As much as I enjoyed Gustainis' work, I cannot say the same for the narrator. He was, in a word, completely irritating. What narrator worth his salt cannot be bothered to check pronunciations?!?! The guy STINKS at pronunciation! Come on - you don't know how to pronounce "were" as in "werewolf??" Weer (like a Bostonian we're) is not even close to correct, Peter. It is rather insulting to the author that you can't be bothered to take a moment to learn pronunciations. Especially for such common terms.

Overall, I knocked a full star off for poor narration. Another half star for some problems with trite characterizations (especially the handling of Markowski's first partner) and with his tendency to treat his characters with something less than respect. Overall, however, this was a completely bad introduction to the series. I hope to find a more well rounded volume with the next in the series, Evil Dark: Occult Crimes Unit Investigations, Book 2 - though I won't be buying the Audible edition. Five more minutes of Peter Brooke and I may have been forced to throw my reader across the room. . .

3.5 stars ...more

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Mar 14, 2014 Mike (the Paladin) rated it liked it

Shelves: urban-fantasy

I was a little stressed....ambivalent about the rating here. had we half stars I'd have gone 2.5. On the other hand I didn't want to go a simple 2 as that means (for me) that it's verging between almost dislike and dislike. The book itself is pretty good but there are things about it that truly bug me.

First just so you know some of what I don't care for comes from my own pet peeve list. I'm reading the book(s) (at least the first couple) but I really don't care for "sympathetic" vampires. I I was a little stressed....ambivalent about the rating here. had we half stars I'd have gone 2.5. On the other hand I didn't want to go a simple 2 as that means (for me) that it's verging between almost dislike and dislike. The book itself is pretty good but there are things about it that truly bug me.

First just so you know some of what I don't care for comes from my own pet peeve list. I'm reading the book(s) (at least the first couple) but I really don't care for "sympathetic" vampires. I subscribe to the Dracula/Nosferatu (even Buffy the Vampire Slayer) school of vampires. In short that vampires are not the people they look like but "other creatures" residing in the dead body of the person the turned. NOW NOTE: THAT IS NOT THE TEMPLATE OF THIS BOOK. HERE VAMPS ARE APPARENTLY PEOPLE WHO HAVE BEEN KILLED AND THEN SOMEHOW BECOME UNDEAD AND NOW CONSUME BLOOD. THEY CAN BE BAD OR GOOD.

So, know that going in. There are a lot of books out there with good, friendly, romantic even...sparkly vampires. This series will join that group.

So what have we got? Our hero is a cop who works the "Supe Squad" (Supernatural Squad). He and his partner investigate crimes against "supes" and by "supes". Here they catch a series of murders of vampires. The thing is they don't seem to be you simple run of the mill vampire murders (that is if there are simple run of the mill vampire murders). They aren't even victims of a "simple run of the mill serial killer of vampires (see above note). No, these may..."may" be part of something, more.

This is a "pretty good" book. It's got some flaws in the writing, though not many. I have the audio book from Audible and the reader is again "okay" not great. There are some odd "voice" choices.

I'm a Christian and we get a couple of stereotypical religious fanatics. Our reader chooses to give them a "hick southern accent" even though they are from New England. That did bug me a little.

Still all in all not a bad book. I bought the first 2 so I'll move on to the next. If it runs about equal to this one I doubt I'll spend more (or use another credit) on them, so the verdict is still out on the series for me.

I'd say give it a chance and see for yourself. Some of you will like these much better than I do I'm sure. ...more

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Feb 25, 2013 Beth Cato rated it really liked it

Shelves: 2013, fantasy, urban

I used to be a Law & Order junkie. I watched every incarnation of the show. As soon as I started reading this book, I had to laugh, as it immediately struck me as Law & Order detectives investigate the paranormal. The voice is thick and heavy, abounding with profanity and dry wit, with a gravelly noire feel. Sure, it's a cliche, but one that has some truth to it from what I've seen. Plus, why mess with a good formula? You have a cop who recently lost his partner. You have the new ...more

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Jun 23, 2011 Laurie rated it really liked it

Shelves: contemporary, paranormal, action, vampires, adventure, suspense, kindle, fiction, thriller, urban-fantasy

I loved this book! Set in Scanton, Pennsylvania, a veritable hotbed of paranormal activity, Stan Markowski and his new partner, Karl Renfer, race the clock trying to find out who ritualistically killed a powerful vampire magician. When a spell goes seriously awry, Stan is unwittingly responsible for putting another close friend and colleague in terrible danger.

The uneasy, untested relationship between Stan and Karl was realistic and believable. As their partnership gained cohesion there ...more

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May 27, 2014 Sheila rated it it was amazing

Shelves: paranormal, horror, scifi-fantasy, relationships, suspense, mystery, spiritual

In a world where the paranormal is just another dark part of normal, cops will surely need a specialized crime squad to deal with magic and myth. Author Justin Gustainis provides just the team, with Detective Stan Markowski , who carries badge and crucifix, wooden stakes and more. SWAT team takes on a whole new meaning (Sacred Weapons and Tactics) but works the same way, and violence and politics continue their underhand agreements, just as in the real world. Just read the Scranton Times-Tribune ...more

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Mar 12, 2015 Ladiibbug rated it it was amazing

#1 Occult Crimes Unit Investigation - Urban Fantasy

Strong 5 stars! Superb hard boiled UF, exceptionally well written, outstanding complex plot, fast moving, characters sharply described -- BRAVO!

Highly Recommend to UF fans.

Kicking myself for having this on the shelf for so long.

Stan Markowski and Karl Renfer are with Scranton, PA's Occult Crime Unit. "America has an uneasy 'live and let unlive' relationship with the supernaturals. The OCU steps in when the a witch casts a forbidden spell, or a ...more

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Feb 21, 2016 Nancy D Miz-Firefly aka Sparky rated it it was amazing

I'm loving this new trend - The Para Police Procedural. Think Dragnet with Vampires and Werewolfs and you won't be far off. Hard Spell is a whole lotta fun

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Jun 20, 2012 Dark Faerie Tales rated it really liked it

Shelves: reviewed-by-sheila

Review Courtesy of Dark Faerie Tales

Quick & Dirty: A suspense filled supernatural detective story, with a little day-to-day realism thrown in for good measure.

Opening Sentence: This is the city – Scranton, Pennsylvania.

The Review:

Here is what I like about Hard Spell; the detectives come across like their real counterparts. Real police officers have to put themselves into real danger, and are forced to make split second decisions with lasting consequences. Given their inherently important ...more

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Jun 01, 2011 Paul rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Meet Stan Markowski of the Scranton PD’s Occult Crimes Unit

“Like the rest of America, Scranton’s got an uneasy ‘live and let unlive’ relationship with the supernatural. But when a vamp puts the bite on an unwilling victim, or some witch casts the wrong kind of spell, that’s when they call me.

My name’s Markowski. I carry a badge.

Also, a crucifix, some wooden stakes, a big vial of holy water, and a 9mm Beretta loaded with silver bullets…

When I read an author’s work for the first time I tend to go Meet Stan Markowski of the Scranton PD’s Occult Crimes Unit

“Like the rest of America, Scranton’s got an uneasy ‘live and let unlive’ relationship with the supernatural. But when a vamp puts the bite on an unwilling victim, or some witch casts the wrong kind of spell, that’s when they call me.

My name’s Markowski. I carry a badge.

Also, a crucifix, some wooden stakes, a big vial of holy water, and a 9mm Beretta loaded with silver bullets…

When I read an author’s work for the first time I tend to go with my gut instincts. If I’ve not started to enjoy a novel after the first couple of chapters then there is a reasonably good chance that the book in question isn’t going to win me over. I’m pleased to say, that I was completely sold on the premise of Hard Spell within nine pages. As soon as I read the paragraph describing goblins high on crystal meth I knew this novel had captured and, more importantly, was going to retain my interest.

In an alternate United States where supernatural beings are the norm, the reader is introduced to Stan Markowski, and the other men and women of the Occult Crimes Unit. Like other cities, Scranton has its fair share of the usual problems. On top of that however, by a fluke of geography Scranton happens to have been built on the spot where a number of ley lines intersect creating a major hub for the supernatural. Just about every type of supernatural being you can think of appears in Hard Spell in one form or another. Everything from demons, vampires, werewolves, witches, wizards, zombies, cultists, ogres, trolls and the aforementioned meth-goblins get a look in.

The novel is told directly from Markowski’s perspective and the writing is such that it is easy to get an overall picture of him. Slightly down at heel since a family tragedy, spending all of his time on the job, Markowski is an old school cop. He is by the book and doesn’t suffer fools gladly. I found it impossible not to be won over by his gruff but honourable demeanour. Stan is the kind of cop that just won’t quit till the job gets done.

Hard Spell contains a lot for any reader to enjoy. The combination of police procedural drama mixed with fantasy and horror elements seems like a natural fit, and blends well together. Anyone who loves TV shows like Hill Street Blues or Homicide: Life on the Streets but always felt they were somewhat lacking in the black magic department, will be in hog heaven. The plot involves a renegade magic user attempting to complete a dangerous ritual that, if completed, will have disastrous consequences. It is up to Stan and his partner, Karl, to track him down. The action continues to pick up momentum as the book rushes toward a climactic end.

In addition to this there is some great banter between Stan and Karl that adds some nice, darkly comic moments. Karl has a James Bond obsession and this is brought up a number of times. There is also a nice touch mentioning a television show about a well to-do southern vampire named Bill that is a documentary rather than a drama in Stan’s universe.

Hard Spell has a similar premise to a few other novels that I have read before. (Nekropolis by Tim Waggoner and the Nightside novels by Simon R Green spring to mind). I am sure that if you have read either you will love the Occult Crimes Unit. Hard Spell contains a quality of writing and attention to detail that makes the world of Stan Markowski come to life in vivid detail. It has a fantastically pulply quality and hard-boiled style all of its own.

Those cheeky blighters from Angry Robot have only gone and included a nice little extra at the end of Hard Spell as well. There is a sample chapter of the next Occult Crimes Unit novel, Evil Dark, just big enough to whet this reviewer’s appetite. Good to know that Markowski and his cohorts will return again at some point in the future. ...more

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Jul 19, 2011 Shera (Book Whispers) rated it really liked it

Shelves: urban-fantasy, arc-review-requests

Genre: Urban Fantasy

The first 20 to 30 pages of this book were an utter fail for me. The potential was there, but the book kept jumping around all willy-nilly. To me a good book doesn’t need to throw things out randomly at the beginning to build the story and the world, the author reveals it bit by bit through the eyes of the character. Despite this terrible start, Hard Spell pulls out beautifully and delivers a fantastic investigative story that gives readers a gritty insight to being a Genre: Urban Fantasy

The first 20 to 30 pages of this book were an utter fail for me. The potential was there, but the book kept jumping around all willy-nilly. To me a good book doesn’t need to throw things out randomly at the beginning to build the story and the world, the author reveals it bit by bit through the eyes of the character. Despite this terrible start, Hard Spell pulls out beautifully and delivers a fantastic investigative story that gives readers a gritty insight to being a Detective. Not just any detective but a Detective Sergeant on the Scranton PD's Supernatural Crimes Investigation Unit.

Stan Markowski is said detective. He’s seen everything from Goblins hyped up on meth holding a liquor store up, to grizzly scenes that give senior officer nightmares. He’s not the standard lead for an urban fantasy read (unbearably hot and dominating, with all the ladies falling all over the place). Stan is middle aged and waving good bye to his prime. Stan’s sly wit on a case and flashy comebacks balance out the darker side of him. He’s suffered and it’s not of that dramatic stuff that ladies woo over. It’s hard core real world loss that makes you get a little teary eyed.

Justin Gustainis has created an authentic world where monsters and mankind coexist. Being human doesn’t always equal being good, and the true monsters aren’t always the things with fangs. The paranormal have always existed alongside humans. When World War II occurred troops returning home came back “changed” and with the advancement of technology the paranormal creatures could finally immigrate to the USA. From there Gustainis has merged his history and world together well, the religions and how it’s affected the people. (Not to say there aren’t a few gaping questions.)

We can’t forget the crime fighting forces! It’s so fun finding out what an author has chosen to name their versions of the FBI, CIA, and so on. My favorite for Hard Spell was the SWAT (or Sacred Weapons and Tactics unit). Let’s just say even if this book was a fail, I’d still push onward just for more information on the SWAT team.

After the terrible beginnings there is a rainbow! In Hard Spells case there’s an amazing mystery, heart pounding action, and enough twist and turns to make a reader feel like they’re the ones getting beaten to death instead of the characters. Stan Markowski is a refreshing male lead in a genre where male leads are sparse and poorly written. The cast of characters are ones a reader can care about and look forward to meeting up with in the next book. In all honesty, there's no excuse to not get this one!

Sexual content: Some sexual humor and such. There is some gritty talk about “working” women on the streets. On the whole pretty clean.

Rating: 4/5- Great! Really enjoyed it.

Originally posted at Book Whispers. ...more

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Jul 26, 2011 Qwill / The Qwillery rated it really liked it

Hard Spell is the first book in the Occult Crimes Unit Investigations series by Justin Gustainis. I've read a lot of books recently that include some sort of supernatural crime investigation unit - either with humans policing supernaturals, with supernaturals as police/law enforcement or both. I have not read anything quite like this.

While I am not an expert on noir, Hard Spell is definitely noirish. Stan Markowski, the main character, is fairly hard-boiled, he's got an air of desperation about Hard Spell is the first book in the Occult Crimes Unit Investigations series by Justin Gustainis. I've read a lot of books recently that include some sort of supernatural crime investigation unit - either with humans policing supernaturals, with supernaturals as police/law enforcement or both. I have not read anything quite like this.

While I am not an expert on noir, Hard Spell is definitely noirish. Stan Markowski, the main character, is fairly hard-boiled, he's got an air of desperation about him for a variety of reasons which become clear in the novel. The novel also pays homage in its way to Dragnet (a police procedural radio then TV show starring Jack Webb). I loved this element in the book. Essentially, however, this is an Urban Fantasy police procedural with noir elements. And it's a very good Urban Fantasy.

Hard Spell is set in an alternate Scranton, Pennsylvania, which I believe is a first. I learned some things from the book: Scranton is in an area of Pennsylvania called the Wyoming Valley. I also learned some slang indigenous to that area. Learning new things is always a plus for me in a book.

I like the main character Stan Markowski a lot. The story is told from his point of view. He's not a typical hero by any means. He's is a good cop though he stretches the rules here and there. His partner, Karl Renfer, makes a perfect foil for Stan. Stan and Karl work for the Occult and Supernatural Crimes Investigation Unit, which is nicknamed the "SupeSquad." The police procedural elements are well done. You can tall that Mr. Gustainis did his homework, but he does not bog down the book with too many procedural details.

I really like some of the secondary characters in the book, even some of the creepy and scary ones. The SWAT team is really great. Read the book to find out what SWAT means in this instance.

This is a fast moving book with terrific pacing. Stan and Karl deal with several crimes while also trying to figure out the big mystery surrounding some interrelated crimes. The book moves towards the ultimate showdown while skillfully weaving together several intersecting plot lines. The ending surprised me a bit, but in a good way.

The language can be a bit coarse at times, but it suits the tone of the book. There are some moments that made me laugh and/or smile. For example, you reach the SupeSquad by dialing "666." That actually makes a lot of sense.

This is a very good start to a new series, and I'm looking forward to the next book.

I give Hard Spell 4 Qwills.

(orginally posted at The Qwillery) ...more

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