SOLVED. Classic Fantasy Noir Detective hired to find a princess from a neighboring kingdom. [s]

[Peter]

Classic noir detective, late on bills. Has a hole-in-the-wall office on 2nd floor above a tavern/bar. It's coming on the rainy season and the river floods frequently, which is a burden and a blessing to the small town. There is some magic involved, but he's not a mage, just an ex-soldier.

It's light-hearted fantasy, (not urban fantasy) with some humour and isn't Garrett P.I.

[Kris]

The Sword-Edged Blonde by Alex Bledsoe seems to match your description.

Google search - site:www.goodreads.com "mystery" "fantasy" detective find princess ex-soldier

If that's not your book, around what year did you read this book? A range of years is fine.

[Peter]

Wow, you're right. That's the one I was looking for! Thank-you for your search-fu.

[Kris]

Great. Glad you found you book, Peter.