Book Review: Those Who Fight Monsters

Those Who Fight Monsters: Tales of Occult Detectives

Edited by Justin Gustainis


An anthology can be a tricky assemblage. A strong theme can result in stories of a similarity that wears on the reader, while a weak theme leaves disconnects from one story to the next, gaps that allow the reader's attention to leave the book entirely. Editor Justin Gustainis found a good balance with 'Those Who Fight Monsters.' All stories have a monster (or more than one) and a detective, yet each stands alone in respect to characters and plot.

The detectives cover the gamut from hard-boiled PI's giving - and getting - low blows on the mean streets to intellectuals expounding on crime in refined quiet rooms. Sleuths include the demon-fighting soccer mom trying to shepherd her daughter safely past demon-snares as well as the normal risks of adolescence, the disgruntled Security sorcerer who battles bureaucracy as well as beasts, and other detectives both amateur and professional.

The paranormal elements are equally varied. In addition to the usual vampires and werewolves, there are demons of compelling variety and more than one style of shape-shifter. Snakes, ugh. Fairy-tale creatures such as gnomes and fairies also appear. The detective isn't necessarily chasing a monster, nor is the monster always the villain. The settings are mostly urban, mostly modern, with an overlay (or underbelly) of fantasy elements.

One reservation about this collection was that some authors presumed a familiarity with their series work and left me faintly lost at first, while others seemed to be trying to fit several novels' worth of back story into the opening paragraphs and slowed the pace accordingly. Apart from that disparity, the collection was a joy to read and introduced me to several paranormal/mystery crossover authors I'd not heard of previously but will certainly follow up now.

All in all, these fourteen stories provide plenty of meat for both the detective-story aficionado and those fascinated by paranormal fiction. And, if you've ever pondered the fictional detective as a reflection of archetypes, Gustainis' introductory essay is a treat.

Jayne Barnard

Those Who Fight Monsters: Tales of Occult Detectives Edited by Justin Gustainis Edge Science Fiction and Fantasy Publishing March 2011 Available in both trade paperback and electronic formats.

Advance Review: The Witch of Babylon

You know you’re in good hands with an author when, half a page into the prologue, you are bewitched to the point you forget what century you’re in. The return to the book’s current reality (2003) half a page later was a brutal but effective wrench; it assured my intense interest throughout the remaining 370 pages.

But enough about the writing.

‘The Witch of Babylon’ is at once a complex art-history mystery centered on biblical scholarship, a breath-stealing thriller set in the early months of the Iraq invasion, and an intellectual exploration of links between Mesopotamian myths and European alchemical processes. Not to mention the archaeological journeys into subterranean realms. Oh, and a personal journey of growth by a spoiled young art broker after the death of the older brother who has always shielded him from consequences.

This is a square-on hard stare at the murky world of antiquities looting and trading. Add a soupcon of travelogue flavour over the streets of New York City and various parts of the Middle East, and there is much to enjoy about this book.

‘The Witch of Babylon’ was short-listed for a Debut Dagger in 2007, and won an Arthur Ellis award for Best Unpublished Crime Novel in 2008. It is being released by Penguin Canada in Spring 2011 and (at last count) has sold rights in 15 languages around the world.

My ARC was sent by the author, D.J. McIintosh, after my bugging her for three years to be allowed to read the full manuscript. When it finally arrived I read the whole book in a sprint, with only meal breaks, and will now read it again more slowly, to savour the unfolding story.

‘Witch’ is the first book of The Babylon Trilogy.

Jayne Barnard

Book Review: The Art of War for Writers by James Scott Bell

The Art of War for Writers by James Scott Bell
$17.99, Writers Digest Books, 2009
--Reviewed by Anne Jayne


About 2400 years ago, Sun Tzu, a Chinesse general, recorded his advice for the battlefield. The Art of War is a field manual covering tactics and strategies for winning battles, and wars.

James Scott Bell is a contemporary novelist, as well as being the author of two books on writing. Inspired by Sun Tzu's work, Bell wrote The Art of War for Writers. It is a compact little book (suitable for carrying in your field jacket pocket) that covers reconnaissance, tactics, and strategy for writers.

He describes his objective for writing this book thus:

"What I want to do with this collection is offer you some helpful observations based on more than twenty years in the fiction writing game. This is not a comprehensive 'how to' on fiction. I've written two other books in that form. rather, I see to fill in some 'cracks' in what is normally taught in writing books and classes."

I think he's achieved his goal. Each of the chapters is short, but punchy. While I was already familiar with some of the advice he offers, I also found great ideas that were new to me. I've implemented some of those great new ideas already.

Bell often illustrates his points with anecdotes. From these I learned, among other things, that a writer should not try to pitch his or her book to an editor who is giving birth to her daughter. Nor should a writer literally get down on her knees to beg an agent to accept her as a client. Desperation does not win the hearts and minds of editors or writers.

The book has three parts: reconnaissance, tactics, and strategy.

Reconnaissance: Bell talks about the fundamental principles of establishing a successful writing life.

Tactics: By this stage, you're in the midst of writing your novel, or perhaps you've finished the first draft. Here, Bell offers pithy words of advice on how to make your novel better. Characters. Plot. Comedy. Pacing. Suspense. (And more.)

Strategy: With your novel finished, and polished up, it is time to attend to the business of writing. Bell offers advice on agents, editors, and publishers; on writers' conferences and elevators; on cover letters and synopses; and on criticism.

As already noted, this is a compact book: three parts, seventy-seven chapters, 259 pages.

This isn't the book that will teach an aspiring writer everything he or she wants to know about the craft of writing, or the business of writing. However, I bet that most writers, aspiring or experienced, will discover some new ideas, some inspiring (or funny) anecdotes, and some great quotations on the writing life within the pages of the book.