When a longtime friend asks Garret to act as a bodyguard for a bright but eccentrically unpleasant child named Kip Prose, the hard-boiled private investigator reluctantly agrees, not suspecting that doing so will lead to the kidnapping of his charge. The arrival of a number of mysterious individuals possessed of disc-shaped flying crafts and alien sorceries only adds to the complications of the case, bringing out the best and the worst in the city of Tun-Faire's most cynical and successful detective. The tenth installment of the "Files of Garrett, P. I." fantasy-detective series by the author of the Black Company novels continues Cook's homage to John D. MacDonald, Raymond Chandler, and the other creators of likable, laconic men of good will and better reflexes. Fantasy noir at its best, this novel belongs in most libraries, particularly those where Cook has a following. Copyright 2002 Cahners Business Information, Inc.
Description:
From Library Journal
When a longtime friend asks Garret to act as a bodyguard for a bright but eccentrically unpleasant child named Kip Prose, the hard-boiled private investigator reluctantly agrees, not suspecting that doing so will lead to the kidnapping of his charge. The arrival of a number of mysterious individuals possessed of disc-shaped flying crafts and alien sorceries only adds to the complications of the case, bringing out the best and the worst in the city of Tun-Faire's most cynical and successful detective. The tenth installment of the "Files of Garrett, P. I." fantasy-detective series by the author of the Black Company novels continues Cook's homage to John D. MacDonald, Raymond Chandler, and the other creators of likable, laconic men of good will and better reflexes. Fantasy noir at its best, this novel belongs in most libraries, particularly those where Cook has a following.
Copyright 2002 Cahners Business Information, Inc.
From Booklist
Garrett is a PI who should know better than to open his door when trouble comes knocking, but everyone makes mistakes. Trouble arrives in the form of his friend Playmate and Kip Prose, a kid being hunted by indescribable creatures he calls elves. Kip insists the elves are actually after his friends Lastyr and Noodiss, who, incidentally, have provided him with a wealth of industrial-strength inspiration as part of their plan to get back home. Before Garrett can back out gracefully and nurse his hangover, Kip is abducted by another set of indescribable creatures. In a chaotic but satisfying (Garrett might occasionally argue how satisfying) hunt, Garrett experiences all the things he loves about his job--ambushes and chases, having to get up before noon--and thinks that it might be time to get out of the business. This caper has everything--beautiful women, beer, villains of all sizes, lotsa laughs--and its mad pace and twisted deduction are both eminently satisfying. Regina Schroeder
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