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Douglas Lumsden
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The Demon's Dagger: A Noir Urban Fantasy Novella (Alexander Southerland, P.I.) Kindle Edition

by Douglas Lumsden (Author) Format: Kindle Edition
4.5 out of 5 stars 278 ratings
Once he checked in, checking out became an obsession!

Crawford the were-rat checks into a shady hotel and promptly stumbles over a dead man. A mysterious troll is obsessed with finding the dagger that killed him—a dagger possessed by a demon! The demon denies that he is a demon and is obsessed with regaining his freedom. Meanwhile, the hotel’s night clerk is obsessed with the hooker on the third floor. Crawford is obsessed with what’s in the hooker’s room: a solid gold statuette of a demon-slaying goddess! Crawford has checked in, but, when obsessions collide, does he have any hope of checking out?

Content Advisory: This book is intended for a mature audience. It contains misogynistic characters, language, and acts. It also contains graphic violence (including violence against women), smoking, drinking, drug use, graphic sexual acts, and crude language and images.
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  1. Print length
    155 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Publication date
    April 8, 2022
  4. Reading age
    16 - 18 years
  5. File size
    719 KB
  6. Page Flip
    Enabled
  7. Word Wise
    Enabled
  8. Enhanced typesetting
    Enabled
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Editorial Reviews

Review

"A highly recommended read!" -- Assaph Mehr, author of the Togas, Daggers, and Magic series

About the Author

My parents raised me right. Any mistakes I made were my own. Hopefully, I learned from them.
I earned a doctorate in medieval European history at the University of California Santa Barbara. Go Gauchos! I taught world history at a couple of colleges before settling into a private college prep high school in Monterey. After I retired, I began to write an urban fantasy series featuring hardboiled private eye Alexander Southerland as he cruises through the mean streets of Yerba City and interacts with trolls, femme fatales, shape-shifters, witches, and corrupt city officials.
I am happily married to my wife, Rita. The two of us can be found most days pounding the pavement in our running shoes. Rita listens to all of my ideas and reads all of my work. Her advice is beyond value. In return, I make her tea. It's a pretty sweet deal. We have two cats named Cinderella and Prince who are happy to stay indoors. They demand that we tell them how pretty they are.

Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B09TWXRG5H
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Douglas W. Lumsden
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ April 8, 2022
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 719 KB
  • Simultaneous device usage ‏ : ‎ Unlimited
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Not Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 155 pages
  • Page Flip ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Reading age ‏ : ‎ 16 - 18 years
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.5 out of 5 stars 278 ratings

About the author

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Douglas Lumsden

Douglas Lumsden

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My parents raised me right. Any mistakes I made were my own. Hopefully, I learned from them.

I earned a doctorate in medieval European history at the University of California Santa Barbara. Go Gauchos! I taught world history at a couple of colleges before settling into a private college prep high school in Monterey. After I retired, I began to write an urban fantasy series featuring hardboiled private eye Alexander Southerland as he cruises through the mean streets of Yerba City and interacts with trolls, femme fatales, shape-shifters, witches, and corrupt city officials.

I am happily married to my wife, Rita. The two of us can be found most days pounding the pavement in our running shoes. Rita listens to all of my ideas and reads all of my work. Her advice is beyond value. In return, I make her tea. It's a pretty sweet deal. We have two cats named Cinderella and Prince who are happy to stay indoors. They demand that we tell them how pretty they are.

Customer reviews

4.5 out of 5 stars
278 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers find the novella fun to read and well-written, with interesting characters and a big adventure plot that can be expanded in future stories. They appreciate the fantasy content, with one review noting its gritty noir setting, and find it humorous. The pacing receives positive feedback, with one customer describing it as "sleazy."

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16 customers mention "Readability"16 positive0 negative

Customers find the book enjoyable and fun to read, with one customer noting it's a quick read.

"You know it's a good read when you find yourself cheering every time one of the bad guys meets their justly deserved end." Read more

"...Great book, great story. Can't wait for the next one." Read more

"Excellent book. I’ve read all his other books and they are great stuff. Really looking forward to next books in this series" Read more

"The Demon’s Dagger was an enjoyable read for me, despite the themes of killer gods, hateful male behavior, & ultimately retribution for depraved..." Read more

15 customers mention "Story quality"15 positive0 negative

Customers enjoy the story of the novella, describing it as a big adventure with many twists, and one customer notes how it sets the stage for future plot developments.

"...I loved the multiple viewpoints and the story and setting - I am definitely looking forward to the next bit in the series...." Read more

"...However, this story is self-contained. The new characters are interesting and the plot can definitely be expanded in future stories." Read more

"...Douglas opened up a quest at the end of the story with definite potential for adventure and new lovable characters...once they find their stride." Read more

"...This novella combines the same dark humor, action, and intrigue...." Read more

6 customers mention "Character development"6 positive0 negative

Customers find the characters in the book interesting.

"...violent and sexually-charged novella and I loved it - the characters were interesting, colorful and regardless of their perspective or good guy/bad..." Read more

"...However, this story is self-contained. The new characters are interesting and the plot can definitely be expanded in future stories." Read more

"...the end of the story with definite potential for adventure and new lovable characters...once they find their stride." Read more

"Likeable anti-hero characters in a gritty noir setting. Makes me hope this is the start of another series by Lumsden, (ya mug)." Read more

4 customers mention "Humor"4 positive0 negative

Customers find the book humorous.

"...This novella combines the same dark humor, action, and intrigue...." Read more

"...Sometimes humorous, and at others dark and viscerally ugly, this latest installment adds even greater depth, nuance and color to Lumsden's growing..." Read more

"Hilarious! Wonderful! I say that, even though every word in the "For adults only" warning is true. Nothing is Crawford's fault...." Read more

"...’s Dagger was a delightfully original novella with plenty of darkness, humor, and flat-out weirdness." Read more

4 customers mention "Writing quality"4 positive0 negative

Customers praise the writing quality of the book, with one noting it can be read as a standalone novella.

"Entertaining story, 3 dimensional characters, racing plot, good editing. I would definitely read the next story if it is written...." Read more

"...read at least the first few Alex Southerland books but this can be read on its own." Read more

"...The period slang may limit it's readership. Better than most per-word writing." Read more

"...I think these are well written and keep me thinking and guessing. I like the fantasy aspect and the trolls and elves and trolls." Read more

3 customers mention "Pacing"3 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the pacing of the book, with one describing it as sleazy.

"...Sometimes humorous, and at others dark and viscerally ugly, this latest installment adds even greater depth, nuance and color to Lumsden's growing..." Read more

"This novella was scary, gross, and fun to read. It was fast paced and kept me riveted to the page right up until the unexpected ending...." Read more

"Gritty, sleazy, real...." Read more

DEMONS DAGGERIFIC FANTASYNOIR TALE
4 out of 5 stars
DEMONS DAGGERIFIC FANTASYNOIR TALE
A DOUBLE-BARRELED SAWED OFF SHOTGUN, a HINDU STATUETTE and a DEMON'S DAGGER Walk into a HOTEL. And then: all hell breaks loose. 2 Thangs reading this book left me with. One, either DOUGLAS LUMSDEN does some of the best cocaine that he writes about in this joint OR his imagination knows no Bounds and is Unfettered like us Regular Folk. Because DEMON'S DAGGER is sum WILD!! Ya got TROLL HITMEN and MOLLS aka PROSTITUTES (dames), PIMPS/PUSHERS and GANGLAND BOSSES. And they are all after the SAME thang: That DEMON'S DAGGER. Turns out they all have to go to sum crazed up JOHN WICK (almost) kinda HOE-TEL where sum MISCHIEF named MYSTERIOUS VERMIN FELLA is RATTED outta his mind about the Dagger. And he is prepared to go to any length to snatch it up--and KEEP IT. This was a kool MASHUP by Brotha Lumsden. U had PROSE for the BROS plus nassy language n slanguage. These are characters who love the GUTTER. Ya got Ya Hopeless INCELS who Want VEEJAY-JAY butt are AFRAID of The VEEJAY-JAY. Whole time this book is a CRIMINAL-Minded WHODUNNIT living in a Fantasy world. Of course, this is the forte of DL...fantasy/world-building Noir (see his other books). Except, this one goes so hard in the DIRT. And the HUMAN element seemed 2 B more Pronounced here. Hell, DL may have even invented a new kinda Genre in this Mix-up. FANTASYSPLOITATION. This was a Stand alone from one of the Characters in the Other books. And it WORKS!! Def wanna see more of this story. Git U sum.
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Top reviews from the United States

  • Patrick O. Chadd, Ed. D
    5.0 out of 5 stars Another Exciting, Fast-Paced Read in the Southerland Series...
    Reviewed in the United States on April 13, 2022
    Verified Purchase
    I am a huge - HUGE - fan of the Alex Southerland series by Douglas Lumsden and this latest chapter/novella in that world is awesome. I loved it and I read it in one sitting, once I got started, I couldn't put it down until the end.

    It is a much darker, more violent and sexually-charged novella and I loved it - the characters were interesting, colorful and regardless of their perspective or good guy/bad guy status; all were interesting and added so much to the novella.

    I loved the multiple viewpoints and the story and setting - I am definitely looking forward to the next bit in the series.

    I love the Alex Southerland series and am anxiously awaiting more but this novella was a great bridge that also leads into interesting territory.

    Now the wait begins LOL
    One person found this helpful
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  • Eddy Fong
    4.0 out of 5 stars Big adventure, small stage
    Reviewed in the United States on March 24, 2024
    Verified Purchase
    You know it's a good read when you find yourself cheering every time one of the bad guys meets their justly deserved end.
    Helpful
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  • Jan Godfrey
    5.0 out of 5 stars A short wonderful dirty novella.
    Reviewed in the United States on October 11, 2024
    Verified Purchase
    Have read the main series of these books and was great fun to catch up with an old acquaintance in this short story which sets up the start of a new series.

    What more could you want? A sleazy hotel, ladies of the night, hoodlums, murder, gods and a demonic dagger that is well endowed.
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  • Kindle Customer
    5.0 out of 5 stars I liked it
    Reviewed in the United States on December 3, 2022
    Verified Purchase
    Entertaining story, 3 dimensional characters, racing plot, good editing. I would definitely read the next story if it is written. Crawford is a character from his Alex Southerland stories, and the world is the same, so it may be more understandable if you read those first. However, this story is self-contained. The new characters are interesting and the plot can definitely be expanded in future stories.
    Helpful
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  • Nepeta337
    3.0 out of 5 stars Decent work but not Sutherland, if that's why you're here.
    Reviewed in the United States on October 11, 2022
    Verified Purchase
    The story features the familiar character of Crawford the were-rat, as well as some louts from the streets of the Sutherland PI world. I listened to the audiobook as a automatic thought because I've enjoyed the Sutherland series, but I don't know that I would have picked up the book on its own without knowing Sutherland first though. Things were a little too violent, like a bloody scene from Milers Sin City, and the narrative missed that comfortable thread of detective work chafing against the world that makes the Sutherland series solid. All that said, I am still interested to see where the story goes from here. Douglas opened up a quest at the end of the story with definite potential for adventure and new lovable characters...once they find their stride.
    Helpful
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  • ANSWER 42
    4.0 out of 5 stars Noir story with trolls, a hooker, and a wererat!
    Reviewed in the United States on July 18, 2022
    Verified Purchase
    I've read the Alexander Sutherland books and thoroughly enjoyed them. This novella combines the same dark humor, action, and intrigue. If you haven't read the previous books this novella doesn't provide much background or world building, but it doesn't interfere with the story at all. In fact it's a great introduction for the other books.
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  • Kindle Customer
    5.0 out of 5 stars Noir at it's best!
    Reviewed in the United States on April 23, 2024
    Verified Purchase
    Likeable anti-hero characters in a gritty noir setting. Makes me hope this is the start of another series by Lumsden, (ya mug).
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  • Cubertnine
    5.0 out of 5 stars Dark and rough
    Reviewed in the United States on April 15, 2022
    Verified Purchase
    Dr. Lumsden gives us another entry into his Alex Southerland universe. This story does a good job of expanding the universe and setting the table for a few plot points we should see in next entries of the series. The book is dark and hard hitting. You can feel the nastiness of the motel where the story takes place and the detestable desk clerk is almost too real. If you've ever got stuck taking the last place available for a night, Doug plays on that experience and you'll find yourself dreading where this story is going.

    Great book, great story. Can't wait for the next one.
    One person found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

  • Stuffshopping
    5.0 out of 5 stars A pleasant extension to a great series
    Reviewed in Germany on April 17, 2022
    Verified Purchase
    I’m normally not a huge fan of novellas as they often tend to have a rushed feeling but this one is a perfect teaser to provide some background on our favorite were-rat and introduce a new, high-potential player. One of the major strengths of the series is the well-crafted characters and this work to perfection here. As always a treat and I’m looking forward to the next.
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  • David Arrowsmith
    5.0 out of 5 stars brutal, fun and inventive
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on April 10, 2023
    Verified Purchase
    This was a fab quick read. Dark and violent but imaginative and filled with fun and humour. If you’re not squeamish then I’d 100% recommend it if you like noir or urban fantasy or both - or just a bold and brutal bit of short fiction.
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  • Emily
    5.0 out of 5 stars brilliant
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on May 11, 2023
    Verified Purchase
    It was great to know what happened to Crawford after the detective series. Can’t wait to find out what happens next
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