Faded Steel Heat (Garrett Files, Bk. 9)

This is the 9th in Cook's Garrett series ("Sweet Silver Blues," "Bitter Gold Hearts," "Cold Copper Tears," "Old Tin Sorrows," "Dread Brass Shadows," "Red Iron Nights," "Deadly Quicksilver Lies," "Petty Pewter Gods," "Faded Steel Heat," "Angry Lead Skies," and "Whispering Nickel Idols"). As are all Glen Cook's books with the title format of [adjective][metal type][noun], this is an interesting, fun, action-packed read. It's definitely a page-turner. Unfortunately, the minor inconsistencies I noticed in the previous book seem to be propogating in this one. Some of these errors are merely editing or lack of note-checking. For instance, near the beginning of this book, Garrett's talking to CAPTAIN Block. But, from two books back, we know that Block was promoted to COLONEL. A hundred pages on, though, Cook's got Block back as a COLONEL. In another case, Garrett's looking at a captured wagon. He specifically notes ONE prisoner. A couple pages later there are TWO prisoners. One page later, THREE. More seriously, there are behavioral problems. For instance, Garrett and his harem can't keep their minds on their business. In earlier books, Garrett's womanizing didn't really interfere in his business. In this book, both he and the women just stop working on important things (like infiltrations, kidnappings and murder) for a little bit of groping. And I mean they stop right in the middle of those things: not afterwards. Also, Garrett just misses obvious clues. He narrates to us about them, but nothing apparently clicks in his head. And then there's where he takes Tinnie with him to visit the headquarters of The Call (a militant human rights group). But, as noted in earlier books, Tinnie is part elf. Nobody ever notices. These problems are still minor. This is definitely a book to read (along with all the rest of the series). But, because of these discrepencies, I've lowered my rating for the book to 4 stars out of 5 (unfortunately, I can't edit those stars on this review). BTW: At the time of this review, this book is long out of print. It's tough to find anywhere. As an alternative, look around for the SFBC's "Garrett Investigates." This book is part of that collection.

Lots of old friends appear: Chodo's daughter (and Garrett has been naughty again), Crask & Sadler, Tinnie, and some Cantard reminders. After the disappointing Petty Pewter Gods, it's good to have the real Garret back (although Saucerhead seems somewhat changed from previous books). I was afraid that Mr. Cook was planning on retiring Garrett when I saw the promo for the Garrett files. I'm glad to see that the rumors were premature.

Bigotry and hate reign. Prejudice is rampant. Riots break out at the slightest provocation. So what's new? For Garrett, it is his world. Garrett is human, but he's living among a lot of beings who aren't. And being a human in a place like TunFaire means to watch one's back at every turn. And Garrett has more than one reason to watch his back. He's a private detective, whose cases seem to always be strange. Very strange. Now there are factions of humans and non-humans vying for position in the streets of TunFaire, and Garrett gets involved when one of the factions starts strongarming his employer. And when Garrett gets involved, things begin to get very involved. With his strange cadre of allies and helpers, Garrett plunges right into the middle of the chaos, trusting himself, the Dead Man, and Morley Dotes, but few others. Glen Cook has made a name for himself in the subgenre of SF/F called steampunk. Faded Steel Heat is the latest in his metallic-titled books about the incredibly lucky and amazingly smart-mouthed detective, Garrett, and his unlikely circle of friends. The prose is straightforward and full of grit, and the characters are captivating. There's nothing lyrical about Cook or Garrett, but anyone who enjoys a smart-mouthed, hard-boiled detective will have a great time. For those who can't get enough, there's plenty of backlist to catch up on. Rickey R. Mallory

Well, previous reviewer, when you are reviewing a not-yet-available book you can only extrapolate from past performance. I too found Petty Pewter Gods not quite up-to-standard. That means it was only exceptionally funny and witty. I live in hope that the next one will be right back above and beyond. Like all the really good storytellers, Glen Cook only steals from the best. The Archie Goodwin/Nero Wolfe reflections are a real treat to an old Rex Stout fan. I would personnaly like to see more of the Dead Man, but I recognize the plot difficulties created by such a powerful character. It is tough for Cook to keep the tension going without the Dead Man's powers giving an easy resolution. The Dead Man's orneriness and increasing dormancy are a partial answer, but it means one of my favorite characters is under used. The worst (and best) things about the Garrett PI world are all those characters and plots whose stories have not yet been told. GET TO WORK GLEN! While the Black Company stories are fine, any time not used to tell tales of TunFaire is time ill spent. My fantasy is to host a night(a week?) in a pub with Cook, Terry Pratchett, Larry Niven, Jerry Pournelle, Sharyn McCrumb, Elizabeth Peters/Barbara Michaels, Fred Saberhagen, Dave Duncan, David Drake, Tom Holt, Poul Anderson, Lindsey Davis, Tom Sharpe and George MacDonald Fraser. Joining us via the ouija board would be Rudyard Kipling, Mary Stewart, Victor Mollo, Mark Twain, H. Beam Piper, J. R. R. Tolkien, C. S. Forester and Robert A. Heinlein. What links this eclectic group other than my taste? Fine writing and a different (sometimes twisted) way of looking at the world. I will gladly stand their drinks, but if anyone else wants in, they have to stand MINE! The preceding offer is real, by the way, to all those on the list, be they quick or dead. Drinks only to the quick.

When my mother first handed me The Garrett Files hardcover compilation of Sweet Silver Blues, Bitter Gold Hearts, and Cold Copper Tears, I thought to myself, what the heck is this? Not only was I thoroughly glad I read it, this series has become my favorite of all time. No chac=racters, no setting, no style has been able to surpass it in my mind. The only other works that come close are Roger Zelazny's Chronicles of Amber, and Cook's own Black Company. I have been awaiting a new book in this series for the last two years, ever since I bought my copy of Petty Pewter Gods. I heartily recommend this series to anyone with a sense of humor, and a love of fantasy and would give every book in it (except for Dread Brass Shadows) six stars, if it were possible. Pick one up and see if you can put it down. And while you're at it check out The Black Company. What are you waiting for?