Slimy Underbelly
Kevin J. Anderson
Kensington, Aug 26 2014, $15.00
ISBN: 9781617731143
In the Unnatural Quarter the weather wizards (Alastair Cumulus III
and Thunder Dick) compete for the bragging rights of top weathermancer; which leads
to chaotic conditions from blistering heat to a whiteout blizzard in an
hour. Private investigator Dan Shamble
of Chambeaux and Deyer gets to the office where his girlfriend (and office
assistant) Sheyenne the ghost lectures him for being out in a snowstorm. Shamble’s partner Robin Deyer the human lawyer
completes the Recompose Spa case for Mr. Lurmm the frog demon.
Supervillain in training and junior mad scientist, twelve year old
Jody Caligari, Jr. needs their help but says his payment will make them feel
good for doing it pro bono. The lad
explains his slumlord evicted him from his sewage lab and kept his experiments
based on his being a child. Irked Robin says that is age discrimination and
accepts the case over Shamble’s objection; he has doubts about a client who only
reads graphic novels. Meanwhile
something underground has caused deaths, bad plumbing and horrific smells above
ground. With his neighborhood turning
into a cesspool, Dan’s inquiry leads to Ah'Chulhu.
The latest Dan Shamble, Zombie P.I. paranormal investigation (see Hair
Raising, Unnatural Acts and Death Warmed Over) is as always a terrific timely satirical
thriller as Kevin J. Anderson amusingly lampoons values in which feuds are the weird
norm. Whereas Jody is a great client, the
usual suspects help the hero work the inquiries. Included is a short story (previously
published as an e-book) in which the sleuth conducts a Stakeout at the Vampire Circus where performers do their
final act.
Harriet Klausner
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