Adult Science Fiction / Fantasy - Don't really remember the whole plot - Drunk Merlin on Skid Row, Fingernail Scrying

[Evan]

I know this is going to be a long shot. There was a book I read sometime in the early '80s. I don't remember the author or the title (or really the plot, but I think it was the basic ancient evil vs. ancient good in present day type of thing). It seems to me it had a rather dark feeling to it.

The only thing specific I can remember is that Merlin woke up as a drunk, in, I think, Los Angeles. I think he may have been taken to jail?
Anyway, he shined his thumbnail on his nose and used it as a kind of scrying mirror.

[Lobstergirl, au gratin]

Evan, please add plot detail to your topic header/title - from what you've already typed. Even though you don't remember much, what you do remember should be in your header. Use the edit link on the desktop version.

[Capn]

Knight Life?
Tomorrow's Magic?

How far off are these guesses?

(Lobstergirl is right - if you can add "Drunk Merlin in Jail, Fingernail Scrying" to your Header, you'll have a much greater chance of success!!!!)

[Ky]

This is kind of a long shot but what about The Wizard of 4th Street? It's been a very long time since I read it but I remember a poorly-behaved Merlin in New York City so perhaps he could have been drunk and in jail. It was published in 1987 though, may be a bit too late for your book.

[Evan]

Thanks. I'll look into that.

[Kris]

Amazon's "Look Inside" preview of The Wizard of 4th Street by Simon Hawke - Ky's suggestion:

https://www.amazon.com/Wizard-4th-Str... There are different cover images.