Over on Breaking the Spine, there’s a meme every week where bloggers share the titles they’re looking forward to every week. This week, I am looking forward to: Simon R Green’s Ishmael Jones series, which I know nothing about. YUP. Except it’s Simon R. Green and OMG, I want to give him a second chance after his lacklustre Ghost Finders series because he is funny and I want to be able to laugh at his writing again like I did for his Nightside series. And his Drood series.
Can you tell how much I WANT this series to be good?
But, actually I should say something else, like what this series is about. This WOW is actually for book 2, which is called Dead Man Walking, but I am going to start with book 1, because you know, book 1:
A Country House Murder Mystery with a Supernatural Twist
Ishmael Jones is someone who can’t afford to be noticed, someone who lives under the radar, who drives on the dark side of the road. He’s employed to search out secrets, investigate mysteries and shine a light in dark places. Sometimes he kills people. Invited by his employer, the enigmatic Colonel, to join him and his family for Christmas, Ishmael arrives at the grand but isolated Belcourt Manor in the midst of a blizzard to find that the Colonel has mysteriously disappeared. As he questions his fellow guests, Ishmael concludes that at least one of them not least Ishmael himself – is harbouring a dangerous secret, and that beneath the veneer of festive cheer lurk passion, jealousy, resentment and betrayal. As a storm sets in, sealing off the Manor from the rest of the world, Ishmael must unmask a ruthless murderer they strike again.
Green’s books tend to revolve around secret agents, with a dry, dry wit, as he messes about with all the tropes in urban fantasy. And he’s always funny without making me weary and feeling like he’s trying too hard. He manages to turn things up to 11, but still have some sort of restraint in his characters even as his worlds are exploding or Gods are bringing about the end of said worlds.
Book 1 was out last year. And this is the blurb for book 2:
Call me Ishmael. Ishmael Jones. I am the man in the shadows, that even the shadows are afraid of. The secret agent whose life is the greatest secret of all. And some of the cases I work are trickier than others. ”
A rogue agent has come in from the cold and wants to spill his secrets. The Organisation wants Ishmael to find out if Frank Parker is who he says he is, what he really knows, and why he has emerged from the shadows after all this time.
Ishmael heads to Ringstone Lodge in Yorkshire where Parker is being held to find that an atmosphere of fear and suspicion prevails. As he and his fellow residents are menaced by a series of alarming and inexplicable incidents, Ishmael sets out to prove that it’s human trickery rather than any supernatural being behind the seemingly ghostly goings-on. But matters take an unexpected turn when one of their number is brutally murdered, and once again Ishmael must turn detective in order to entrap a twisted killer before they strike again.
Ahh, I feel giddy! The attraction to his books is his style of writing and wit, and his ability to take the narrative into an entirely unexpected direction. His Ghost Finders series I admit was a miss for me, but I am willing to give these a try.
Which authors have you given second chances to? Have you regretted that second chance or did it work out?
The cover of that first book really caught my attention. It’s not a type of book I’ve ever read before, but it actually does sound kind of interesting since it mentions having a supernatural twist. The whole stuck in a house with a murder mystery during a storm thing could make for a great setting.
If you liked some of his series, I say definitely give him another chance! I loved the first series I read by one author, but then I tried the first book in another series and didn’t like it, but now I’m reading another series of hers and really enjoying it. So I think sometimes certain series just aren’t for us.
Simon R Green is one of those authors I wanted to love forever and through everything, so I was SO crushed when i couldn’t get into Ghost Finders. But you’re right, he’s so worth another go!
I like the sound of this series. Mysterious and Dark. Happy Reading!
IKR? Totally mysterious and Dark lol — I think I have a type 🙂
This is a new-to-me author, so I’ll have to look him up. I hope you love this!
Thank you! Fingers crossed that I do!
This series sounds so mysterious. I have not heard of this author before, so I will definitely have to check him out. The fact that he is humorous has me very intrigued. I hope that you enjoy it! 🙂
Olivia, ahhhh, he is SO SO FUNNY. And it’s a dry English wit funny that usually has be giggling loudly!
I love the sound of this one! Great pick!
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My excitement for this one is just growing, Priyanka! I hope it’s as good as I think it is!
YEP! Sounds right up my alley ♥
Thanks for stopping by my WoW!
*HIGH FIVES*
Heheheheeee….
I like your pick and I hope you’re going to enjoy it when you get the chance!
Also, I do give second chances to authors unless I really couldn’t get into their writing style at all. Of course, it doesn’t mean others shouldn’t try them, we’re all different and what doesn’t work for me can work for many and vice versa 🙂
Thanks for sharing and stopping by my blog earlier!
Good pint Silvia, writing style is a big red flag for me — if I don’t like the style, I know I can’t continue the author. And that was never an issue with me about Simon R Green.
I keep meaning to pick up a book by this author. Since this series is fairly new, maybe I will start here. Thanks for sharing!
I hope you do Barb! I feel in love with his Nightside series first, which is just one of my all-time favourite series. It’s just SO GOOD!!
I’ve always wanted to try a Simon Green book. Hmm, I know that there are authors I’ve given a second chance to. But can’t remember at the moment. If I think of them, I’ll be back to share!
Please do share Lisa, I’d love to hear about them! And I hope you get to try a book of his soon!
Thanks for sharing! I really hope you love this series.
Me too Lauren!
Oh, I hope giving this author a second chance works out for you. Haruki Murakami is an author that I am about to give a second chance. I didn’t really care for his book The Wind Up Bird Chronicle but I still have IQ84 in my TBR pile. Hoping I’ll enjoy that one since I’ve always heard such wonderful things about his writings.
Thank you, Suzanne! I hope Haruki Murakami works out for you too.
Oo sounds like a good series. I love both of the covers. I’ll definitely have to add the first one to my to read list. Excellent pick as always!!
Thank you Erin! I hope he makes you laugh as much as he made me when I first started reading him!
You know, murder mysteries are not usually my cup of tea (unless Sherlock Holmes is involved, of course!), but this series looks VERY appealing indeed! I think that’s because of the interweaving of paranormal elements in the books. Plus, you mentioned that this writer is funny and very witty. Well, that certainly makes me even MORE interested! So I’m heading over to Goodreads to add these to my shelves!!
Thanks for featuring these books! Also, thanks for dropping by and commenting on my own WOW!! 🙂
oooh, I hope you like him Maria! He’s SO GOOD and I hope he’s back to his best with this one!
Dang..these sound so good. I almost one-clicked book one, but 14.99 sticker price was steep. I did mark it on my wishlist. I adore a good murder mystery and love the added paranormal woo-woo
Paranormal woo woo — yeah, I can get behind that!