Authors - The Irresponsible Reader

(updated and revised this 5/25/26)

I’ve been trying for a few years now to come up with a tribute to Adams. This isn’t quite what I had in mind, but it’s a start. In my mind, this is a work in progress (a multiple-year project), but I’m posting it anyway. Next year’s version will be better—or at least more complete.

Some time in 7th or 8th grade (I believe), I was at a friend’s house, and his brother let us try his copy of the text-based Hitchhiker’s Guide game, and we were no good at it at all. Really, it was embarrassing. However, his brother had a copy of the first novel, and we all figured that the novel held the keys we needed for success with the game (alas, it did not help us one whit). My friends all decided that I’d be the one to read the book and come back in a few days as an expert.

I fell in love with the book almost instantly, and I quickly forgot about the game. Adams’ irreverent style rocked my world—could people actually get away with saying some of these things? His skewed take on the world, his style, his humor…and a depressed robot, too! It was truly love at first read. As I recall, I started re-reading it as soon as I finished it—the only time in my life I’ve done that sort of thing.

Also, I finally understood that song, “Marvin, I Love You,” that I kept hearing on Dr. Demento.

It was one of those experiences that, looking back, I can say shaped my reading and thinking for the rest of my life (make of that what you will). Were my life the subject of a Doctor Who or Legends of Tomorrow episode, it’d be one of those immutable fixed points. I got my hands on the next three books as quickly as I could (the idea of a four-volume trilogy was one of the funniest ideas I’d encountered up to that point in my life), and devoured them. I do know that I didn’t understand all of the humor, several of the references shot past me at the speed of light, and I couldn’t appreciate everything that was being satirized. But what I did understand, I thought was brilliant. Not only did I find it funny, the series taught me about comedy—how to construct a joke, how to twist it in ways a reader wouldn’t always expect, and when not to twist but to go for the obviously funny idea. The trilogy also helped me to learn to see the absurdity in life.

One of the big lessons that HHGTTG taught me was something I didn’t realize for quite some time- I noticed and talked about it, but I didn’t really realize what was going on. Whether in the game, the novel, the TV show, or the radio show (my local library getting those tapes was a revelation)–Adams took several key scenes and put them in different order, almost completely intact (although with some different jokes sometimes). Each time he did that, it was to play to the strength of the various media. I learned later that he did this for a couple of other versions, and then the movie. When it comes to story–you can keep the big items and play with them to get them to serve your aim, without doing any real damage to the core of your story/point. Like I said, it took a while for me to get the vocabulary to describe that–or to spend any time thinking about it beyond, “hey, that’s cool how he did that.” It’s just one of those things that stuck deep in my mind.

Outside of one family member–HHGTTG was my first exposure to an atheist. I mean, I knew they existed–the way I knew Australia existed. I’d read about it in books, maybe seen it on a TV show or something (hey, I was a kid from a small town in Southern Idaho in the 80s). But here was a guy wearing that on his sleeve–but he made a joke about it. Well, he made a few jokes–several by the end of the trilogy (including at least one that undercut them all). I didn’t threaten my young faith or rattle me, it was more of a “huh, so that’s what they’re like.” Nothing scary, just silly. I also have to say–again, sheltered kid from Idaho pre-Internet–that one of those jokes involved someone getting killed at a zebra crossing. It wasn’t until a few reads in that I started to wonder if that was actually a thing, and not another of his Adams’ jokes about a special road crossing for those particular animals. It was a learning experience for me in many ways.

Years later, when the final volume (by Adams) was released, I’d already cemented what I thought about the books from these frequent re-reads. I’m not sure that Mostly Harmless changed things much (except for making me think for the first time that maybe I didn’t want him to write more in this series). His non-Hitchhiker’s work illustrated that he was capable of making you see things in a new light–either with a smile or a sense of regret—even when he wasn’t writing the trilogy, even when he was writing non-fiction. It was never the setting or the genre—it was Adams.

But here on Towel Day—as with most of the time I talk about Adams (but I need to change that), it comes down to where I started—the Trilogy. I read the books (particularly the first) so many times that I can quote significant portions of them, and frequently do so without noticing that I’m doing that. I have (at this time) two literary-inspired tattoos, one of which is the planet logo* featured on the original US covers. In essence, I’m saying that Adams and the series that made him famous have had an outsized influence on my life and are probably my biggest enduring fandom. If carrying around a (massively useful) piece of cloth for a day in some small way honors his memory? Sure, I’m in.

So, Happy Towel Day, You Hoopy Froods.

* I didn’t know it at the time, but Adams didn’t like that guy. Whoops.

Towel Day ’26: Do You Know Where Your Towel Is?

By HCNewton

On May 25, 2026

In A-B, Authors, Calendar Items, Douglas Adams, Fiction, News/Misc., Science Fiction, The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy

(updated and revised this 5/25/26)

The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy has a few things to say on the subject of towels.

A towel, it says, is about the most massively useful thing an interstellar hitchhiker can have. Partly it has great practical value. You can wrap it around you for warmth as you bound across the cold moons of Jaglan Beta; you can lie on it on the brilliant marble-sanded beaches of Santraginus V, inhaling the heady sea vapors; you can sleep under it beneath the stars which shine so redly on the desert world of Kakrafoon; use it to sail a miniraft down the slow heavy River Moth; wet it for use in hand-to-hand-combat; wrap it round your head to ward off noxious fumes or avoid the gaze of the Ravenous Bugblatter Beast of Traal (such a mind-bogglingly stupid animal, it assumes that if you can’t see it, it can’t see you); you can wave your towel in emergencies as a distress signal, and of course dry yourself off with it if it still seems to be clean enough.

More importantly, a towel has immense psychological value. For some reason, if a strag (strag: non-hitch hiker) discovers that a hitch hiker has his towel with him, he will automatically assume that he is also in possession of a toothbrush, face flannel, soap, tin of biscuits, flask, compass, map, ball of string, gnat spray, wet weather gear, space suit etc., etc. Furthermore, the strag will then happily lend the hitch hiker any of these or a dozen other items that the hitch hiker might accidentally have “lost”. What the strag will think is that any man who can hitch the length and breadth of the galaxy, rough it, slum it, struggle against terrible odds, win through, and still knows where his towel is is clearly a man to be reckoned with.

Hence a phrase that has passed into hitchhiking slang, as in “Hey, you sass that hoopy Ford Prefect? There’s a frood who really knows where his towel is.” (Sass: know, be aware of, meet, have sex with; hoopy: really together guy; frood: really amazingly together guy.)

Towel Day, for the few who don’t know, is the annual celebration of Douglas Adams’ life and work. It was first held two weeks after his death, fans were to carry a towel with them for the day to use as a talking point to encourage those who have never read HHGTTG to do so, or to just converse with someone about Adams. Adams is one of that handful of authors that I can’t imagine I’d be the same without having encountered/read/re-read/re-re-re-re-read, and so I do my best to pay a little tribute to him each year, even if it’s just carrying around a towel. TowelDay.org is the best collection of resources on the day.

In commemoration of this date, here’s most of what I’ve written about Adams. I’ve struggled to come up with new material to share for Towel Day over the years, mostly sticking with updating and revising existing posts. And, this year is no exception. A few years back, I did a re-read of all of Adams’ (completed) fiction. For reasons beyond my ken (or recollection), I didn’t get around to blogging about the Dirk Gently books, but I did do the Hitchhiker’s Trilogy:
The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy
The Restaurant at the End of the Universe
Life, The Universe and Everything
So Long, and Thanks For All The Fish
Mostly Harmless
I had a thing or two to say about the 40th Anniversary of The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy
I took a look at the 42nd Anniversary Illustrated Edition of The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy

I should also point to a posts I wrote about Douglas Adams’ London by Yvette Keller and 42: The Wildly Improbable Ideas of Douglas Adams edited by Kevin Jon Davies—both are great ways of filling out one’s understanding of Adams and his work. I have to mention the one book that Adams/Hitchhiker’s aficionado needs to read is Don’t Panic by Neil Gaiman, David K. Dickson and MJ Simpson.

If you’re more in the mood for a podcast, I’d suggest The Waterstones Podcast How We Made: The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy—I’ve listened to several podcast episodes about this book, and generally roll my eyes at them. But this is just fantastic. Were it available, I’d listen to a Peter Jackson-length version of the episode.

I’ve only been able to get one of my sons into Adams, he’s the taller, thinner one in the picture from a few several years ago.

I’m trying to pass this on to the next generation as well. Here’s his son, the Grand-critter, from 2 years ago:

You really need to check out this comic from Sheldon Comics—part of the Anatomy of Authors series: The Anatomy of Douglas Adams.

Lit in a Nutshell gives this quick explanation of The Hitchiiker’s Guide:

One of my favorite posts there is this pretty cool video, shot on the ISS by astronaut Samantha Cristoforetti.

Even better—here’s an appearance by Douglas Adams himself from the old Letterman show—I’m so glad someone preserved this:

Love the anecdote (Also, I want this tie.)

Cherry Baby by Rainbow Rowell: Her Course of Love Sure Didn’t Run Smoothly

By HCNewton

On May 20, 2026

In Fiction, General Fiction/Literature, Rainbow Rowel

Cherry Baby

by Rainbow Rowell

DETAILS:
Publisher: William Morrow
Publication Date: April 14, 2026
Format: Hardcover
Length: 406 pg.
Read Date: April 30-May 1, 2026

The tears on Cherry’s cheeks were fat.

In the months after Tom left—and the months after it became clear that he wasn’t coming home—Cherry’s tears had changed.

There were days when her eyes felt so full, the tears ran in rivulets. She’d swear that crying had never felt that way before—that before, she’d cried drops, and now, she cried streams. There must be some science to it, one sort of crying for transient pains and another sort for crippling grief.

What’s Cherry Baby About?

Cherry is a pretty successful marketer in Omaha; her husband was in advertising and did a little webcomic in his spare time. It was semi-autobiographical and had almost no followers. At some point, around the time that they started to see each other, a new character, “Baby” enters the cast (unbeknownst to her). Sometime after that, Tom’s comic caught fire. It was published in book form—and optioned as a film.

Now Tom is in L.A. working on the movie, and Cherry—along with his dog—are still in Omaha. Cherry and Tom are getting a divorce. And Cherry isn’t taking it well.

She’s in full-grieving mode. A few months in, she treats herself. Tom hated concerts, she’s always loved them, and one of her all-time favorite bands will be doing a show in town. So she goes, anticipating a pick-me-up. While there, Cherry runs into Russ—a friend from college. Russ isn’t “the one who got away.” But he is the big “what if” question in her life.

Apparently, the feeling was mutual. Even better, Russ hasn’t read Tom’s comic and knows nothing about it. He’s probably the only person in Omaha who doesn’t connect Cherry and Baby (even her family equates them, which Cherry hates). What could be better?

A solid meet-again-cute. A woman in need of a fresh start. A guy who is almost perfect. What could be better?

Fat Girl Life

A fat girl can’t wait for boys to pluck her like a flower or find her on the beach like a seashell.

Cherry had never been Cinderella. She’d always been the prince chasing down what she wanted. (She’d been a witch, enchanting apples.) She’d had to reach for things. For love. For attention.

Cherry has had nothing but Fat Girl Summers her whole life. And the other three seasons, too. She’s fat—she tells us this from the outset. Her mother and her sisters are, too. It’s not due to laziness, overeating (not that any of them are shy about eating, however), lack of exercise, sedentary lifestyles, or whatever. It’s a genetic thing; their family is just fat. And they’re all okay with it.

Well, they’re more than okay with it. Not quite proud of it, but unashamed is the better word.

And the fastest way to get on Cherry’s bad side is to imply there’s something wrong with it. She’s pretty (possibly more than pretty, it’s hard to judge from the way it’s presented), charming, fun, caring, and fat. In her eyes, she’s the whole package.

And it’s really hard to argue with her (if you wanted to).

This, obviously, has shaped her life—it’s not easy for Fat Girls/Women/Boys/Men in the U.S. She accepts it, realizes how it molded her personality and expectations—but thanks to her mothers and sisters, she’s been able to gain the level of confidence that she can get through it. Not unscathed, but whole.

The Proverbial Door is Ajar

Granted, it’s been a while since I read Rowell—but this is a bit, ahem, spicier than I appreciate. Definitely more than I’m used to with her. The door does close—eventually—on the sex scenes, but it stays open a lot longer than I think it needed to (or opens earlier than it needs to).

But that’s a matter of taste, I realize. And I’m not trying to put down Rowell here, I think I get why she made the decisions she did in this regard. But I’m not suggesting this book to my mother, sister, or daughter (but I wouldn’t discourage their reading it, either).

Why did I pick this up? Why did I keep reading?

I picked this up because I really enjoy Rowell’s writing (well, I couldn’t make myself pay attention to the fan fiction bits of Fangirl, so I didn’t read the spin-offs, but otherwise…), and I was glad to get a chance to read her again.

I stuck with it because I really liked Cherry and got invested in her life. Also, Rowell’s voice and tone is just so comfortable, there’s no reason to think about stopping.

I’m sure there’s a better way to put it—but comfortable is better than cozy, which I keep using. There’s a warmth, a humanity, and a little bit of humor—and so much heart. You just want to keep reading, no matter what’s happening (or isn’t happening.)

What does this book tell us about humanity?

I think this book has a lot to say about the need to love and the need to be loved—as you are and as the object of your love is. Not as you want them to be, not as they were, but as they are (although as they were does play a role)—and the same for you. Loved as you are, for who you are.

Not just romantic love, either. There’s friend love and family love, too. The book focuses on romantic love, but family love comes in second.

The depictions aren’t always pretty—in fact, in this book, many of them are messy and nasty, with a great sense of “it shouldn’t be like that.”

So, what did I think about Cherry Baby?

Cherry had trusted Tom. She’d taken him for granted—she’d thought that she was supposed to. She’d believed they were a settled question.

Cherry’s family is a nice, vaguely Lutheran, group who want four things for Cherry: 1. to be happy; 2. to get back together with Tom; 3. failing that, to start dating this nice man from their church; and 4. to come back to church (there’s a not-at-all-subtle link between 3 and 4). They’re a loving, close family, but really don’t get what makes Cherry tick. Still, their interactions—in person or in group chats is one of the many, many highlights of the book.

Stevie, Tom’s dog, is another one. She’s a Newfoundland-Great Pyrenees mix, and the cause of a huge increase in lint/hair rollers in Cherry’s budget. She was more dog than Cherry was ready for when Tom got her. And then when he left, the two only had each other. And a great bond was made. Stevie’s chaotic energy is wonderful. And one scene (spoiler: the dog lives) with the two of them toward the end of the book, just about broke me.

The rest of the book is just great. Once we meet Tom (in the book’s present), you understand why Cherry loves him—and why it’s so hard for her to be going through this period. When we see him at the beginning of their relationship, you have a hard time believing they’d go wrong. The romance with Russ could be just the thing to keep her afloat in this dark period in her life—and you can see it working.

But like that one guy said, the course of love never did run smooth. And some roads are bumpier than others. With sharp drop-offs to either side. And maybe some snow.

Still, Cherry’s the kind of person you want to watch navigate that course—so you can root for her, cheer for her, and maybe weep with her.

This post contains an affiliate link. If you purchase from it, I will get a small commission at no additional cost to you. As always, the opinions expressed are my own.
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Out Law by Jim Butcher: A Brief Case Sheds New Light on Harry’s Past

By HCNewton

On May 12, 2026

In A-B, Fiction, Harry Dresden, Jim Butcher, Urban Fantasy

Out Law

by Jim Butcher

DETAILS:
Series: The Dresden Files, #18.75
Publisher: Podium Publishing
Publication Date: May 05, 2026
Format: Paperback
Length: 194 pg.
Read Date: May 5, 2026

Marcone is an asshole.

And I was furious.

But some part of me realized that I would not have been so angry if he didn’t have a point in there somewhere. And I was past the point in my life where I would let my anger direct my reactions.

You know. Mostly.

What’s Out Law About?

Shortly after Twelve Months (or parallel to the last chapter or so), Johnny Marcone shows up at Dresden’s castle to call in a favor. He wants Dresden to help one of his “employees” to go straight.

Dresden knows it can’t be that easy—Marcone isn’t going to square their debts for honorable reasons (he wouldn’t believe that before the revelation in Battle Ground, and there’s no way he will believe that now). But it seems that this man is sincere in his desire to live a “straight” life, and Harry’s not going to walk away from someone trying to turn over a new leaf.

So…Harry’s in, and finds ways to help extricate this man on legal, criminal, and magical fronts. While keeping an eye open for clue’s into Marcone’s real motivation.

So, what did I think about Out Law?

“Kid, there’s plenty of evil out there. No-kidding, black-hat, malicious-as-Maleficent evil. You don’t run into it every day. Most people can’t get there. Most people don’t run into it in a lifetime. But it’s real, and there’s no mistaking it when you find it. Whatever this Creature was, it was the genuine article. I mean, it hit a dog and everything.”

At this point, it’d take a real dud for me to complain about a Butcher novella—I think that’s clear. But I’m not seeing a lot to quibble with here regardless.

This is a direct sequel to The Law, featuring many characters from it. It also feeds into the overall arc of the series—particularly to Changes. For that alone, it’s worth the read. Seeing Felix and Bear in action again helps solidify them in the series post-Twelve Months (we even get a glimpse of the Spice Goyles).

It was satisfying—some good lines, some great actions, and a solid conclusion. Not much more to ask for from a novella. Fans will not want to pass this up.

This post contains an affiliate link. If you purchase from it, I will get a small commission at no additional cost to you. As always, the opinions expressed are my own.
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PUB DAY REPOST: Cat on a Hot Tin Woof by Spencer Quinn: Chet Searches for an Influencer Cat

By HCNewton

On April 14, 2026

In Chet and Bernie, Dogs, Fiction, Mystery/Detective Fiction/Crime Fiction/Thriller, Spencer Quinn

This was supposed to go up yesterday…but apparently, the key is to press the “Schedule” button. Just a friendly tip from you to me.

Cat on a Hot Tin Woof

by Spencer Quinn

DETAILS:
Series: Chet and Bernie, #16
Publisher: Minotaur Books
Publication Date: April 14, 2026
Format: eARC
Length: 320 pg.
Read Date: April 1-6, 2026

Before I get into things…that title is great (not that Quinn’s a stranger to good titles). I want to believe he wrote that title down some time ago and spent a couple of years thinking of a story to go with it.

What’s Cat on a Hot Tin Woof About?

One of the best things about the Chet and Bernie books is the wide diversity in cases they investigate—sure, the Little Detective Agency specializes in missing persons cases—but they do it all. Well, almost all. The clients they have this time are something that Bernie isn’t really ready for—and Chet would’ve been happier if they’d never run into them.

It’s a mother-daughter pair—the daughter had accidentally launched herself (well, her cat) to Internet fame and a very respectable income for a high schooler (well, more than respectable). Her mother is her business manager. Their problem? Miss Kitty is missing. Their sponsors are coming in soon to sign a new deal, and her audience is clamoring for fresh content. So the clock is ticking.

Bernie understands very little of this, but signs on—and quickly learns that despite what his clients believed—the cat didn’t slip out of the house somehow. She’s been stolen.

Naturally, it doesn’t stop with a stolen cat—more crimes turn up, as does an element of danger.

Bernie’s ex-wife, Leda, has some drama of her own, for him to deal with, too. But Bernie’s focus is on the case (although he takes time out for a fun scene to help Leda)

Why did I pick this up? Why did I keep reading?

That’s simple—while Quinn isn’t a stranger to less-impressive books, he’s incapable of writing an un-entertaining one—particularly with this series. And it’s been a while since he stumbled anyway.

Why did I keep at it? There is simply something infectious about Chet’s voice—as much as you want to figure out what happened—who kidnapped the cat and why, will they figure out the other mysteries along the way, will Bernie lose a lot of money doing something foolish, etc.—you want to stay in Chet’s head for longer than it’ll take to finish the book. This book is a textbook example of that.

What does this book tell us about humanity?

There’s a good deal here about the human propensity for making mistakes you’d regret later—if not sooner.

There’s a lot about good parenting and inadequate parenting/parents. There are a couple of good parents in this book (one came so late in the book, you’d almost despair of seeing another one ever again), and several inadequate ones. Most of those didn’t realize they were—but boy howdy, they should’ve.

What this book tells us most about humanity—and this is largely true for every Chet and Bernie book is the importance of a connection between a human and an animal. Even if it’s just a connection for a short-time. We’ve got cats, a pig, and a couple of dogs. The cats enrich (literally, in at least one case) the lives of those they stay with. Chet gets to comfort people going through rough times and gets to support Bernie. The pig? Well, it’s there. The cats and the dogs are just wonderful and will make you want your own (assuming you don’t already).

So, what did I think about Cat on a Hot Tin Woof?

It’s a Chet and Bernie book—of course, I had a good time.

I’d have liked a little more clarity on a point or two about the conclusion. But when your narrator is delightfully unreliable, that’s hard. I think about these cases in a way Chet wouldn’t bother with, so unless Bernie muses about some of the action, there’s just no way that we get the answers I want.

But you have to expect that going in, so it really doesn’t matter.

It’s been a minute since “old man Heydrich” was brought up (and I’m more than okay with that), and I think his replacement could be fun. We get some good Charlie and Leda stuff. Weatherly could’ve been in it more (but was used well). The client herself is the kind that you hope Quinn finds a way to bring back (as he does with another client here), and…well, it’s all just good.

It’s a fun mystery that will keep you smiling throughout—even when Chet solves the mystery (and doesn’t realize it)—maybe it’d be better to say that the reader solves it through Chet’s eyes—and you’re just sitting there waiting for Bernie to catch up. That’s frequently a frustrating experience when I’m that far ahead of the protagonist in a book—but here, it’s just fun.

If you’ve never met our intrepid pair of P.I.s, this would be a perfect book to jump into the series with—honestly, any of them would work, but you might as well start with this one. If you’ve been around the duo before, this is as good as you remember. Either way—check out Cat on a Hot Tin Woof.

Disclaimer: I received this eARC from St. Martin’s Press via NetGalley in exchange for this post, which contains my honest opinion—thanks to both for this.

This post contains an affiliate link. If you purchase from it, I will get a small commission at no additional cost to you. As always, the opinions expressed are my own.
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PUB DAY REPOST: Paranormal Payback edited by Jim Butcher and Kerrie L. Hughes: Revenge and Magic

By HCNewton

On April 14, 2026

In Harry Dresden, Jane Yellowrock/Soulwood, Jim Butcher, The Hollows (Rachel Morgan), Urban Fantasy

Paranormal Payback

by Jim Butcher and Kerrie L. Hughes

DETAILS:
Publisher: Ace
Publication Date: April 14, 2026
Format: eARC
Length: 352 pg.
Read Date: April 1-8, 2026

What’s Paranormal Payback?

This is a collection of twelve Urban Fantasy short stories revolving around the idea of revenge.

I’m not sure what else to say, honestly—after a pair of great introductions by the editors (I mean, really—can we get a collection of essays from Butcher?), we dive in with a Goodman Gray story by Jim Butcher. And boy—did I have fun with that. I don’t want to distract Butcher from The Cinder Spires or The Dresden Files, but man, I’d love a handful of novels featuring this character.

From there, we get stories of witches (of several varieties), ghosts, vampires, ghosts and witches, talking donkeys, and more.

So, what did I think about Paranormal Payback?

Without going into each story—which I briefly considered—it’s hard to really talk about this book in any sort of depth.

This is the second collection from these editors that featured a story from R.R. Virdi’s The Grave Report series—and now I know that I need to read more. I’m curious enough to track down Isla Jewell’s romcom series. Tanya Huff, Faith Hunter, Jennifer Blackstream, and Kevin Hearne all brought their A-game.

The only story that didn’t work for me was from Kim Harrison. But that’s just me—most readers will be fine with it. It’s a prologue to a story arc from her Hollows series that I utterly didn’t care of (and frankly was annoyed by more than I was left ambivalent), so it was almost impossible for her to entertain me with. I did understand that motive for the revenge story here—and found it amusing—but that was it.

But Maurice Broaddus’ “Black Bond” was the star of this batch. You’ve got a tale of friendship, social commentary (sadly needed), and ghosts. There’s some fun to it—and plenty that’s not fun. I want to keep talking about it, but I don’t want to ruin it for you.

Not a disappointment in the bunch (unless you go in with a prejudice like I did). Urban Fantasy readers are sure to have a good time—especially if you’re a fan of the authors/series involved. If not? You may find a new author or series or three to follow.

Disclaimer: I received this eARC from Berkley Publishing Group via NetGalley in exchange for this post, which contains my honest opinion—thanks to both for this.

This post contains an affiliate link. If you purchase from it, I will get a small commission at no additional cost to you. As always, the opinions expressed are my own.
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Paranormal Payback edited by Jim Butcher and Kerrie L. Hughes: Revenge and Magic

By HCNewton

On April 13, 2026

In Harry Dresden, Jane Yellowrock/Soulwood, Jim Butcher, The Hollows (Rachel Morgan), Urban Fantasy

Paranormal Payback

by Jim Butcher and Kerrie L. Hughes

DETAILS:
Publisher: Ace
Publication Date: April 14, 2026
Format: eARC
Length: 352 pg.
Read Date: April 1-8, 2026

What’s Paranormal Payback?

This is a collection of twelve Urban Fantasy short stories revolving around the idea of revenge.

I’m not sure what else to say, honestly—after a pair of great introductions by the editors (I mean, really—can we get a collection of essays from Butcher?), we dive in with a Goodman Gray story by Jim Butcher. And boy—did I have fun with that. I don’t want to distract Butcher from The Cinder Spires or The Dresden Files, but man, I’d love a handful of novels featuring this character.

From there, we get stories of witches (of several varieties), ghosts, vampires, ghosts and witches, talking donkeys, and more.

So, what did I think about Paranormal Payback?

Without going into each story—which I briefly considered—it’s hard to really talk about this book in any sort of depth.

This is the second collection from these editors that featured a story from R.R. Virdi’s The Grave Report series—and now I know that I need to read more. I’m curious enough to track down Isla Jewell’s romcom series. Tanya Huff, Faith Hunter, Jennifer Blackstream, and Kevin Hearne all brought their A-game.

The only story that didn’t work for me was from Kim Harrison. But that’s just me—most readers will be fine with it. It’s a prologue to a story arc from her Hollows series that I utterly didn’t care of (and frankly was annoyed by more than I was left ambivalent), so it was almost impossible for her to entertain me with. I did understand that motive for the revenge story here—and found it amusing—but that was it.

But Maurice Broaddus’ “Black Bond” was the star of this batch. You’ve got a tale of friendship, social commentary (sadly needed), and ghosts. There’s some fun to it—and plenty that’s not fun. I want to keep talking about it, but I don’t want to ruin it for you.

Not a disappointment in the bunch (unless you go in with a prejudice like I did). Urban Fantasy readers are sure to have a good time—especially if you’re a fan of the authors/series involved. If not? You may find a new author or series or three to follow.

Disclaimer: I received this eARC from Berkley Publishing Group via NetGalley in exchange for this post, which contains my honest opinion—thanks to both for this.

This post contains an affiliate link. If you purchase from it, I will get a small commission at no additional cost to you. As always, the opinions expressed are my own.
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REPOSTING JUST CUZ: Heroic Hearts ed. by Jim Butcher and Kerrie L. Hughes: Street-wise Herculeses to fight the rising odds

By HCNewton

On April 10, 2026

In Alpha & Omega, Fiction, Harry Dresden, Iron Druid Chronicles, Jim Butcher, Kevin Hearne, Patricia Briggs, Urban Fantasy

Heroic Hearts

edited by Jim Butcher and Kerrie Huges

DETAILS:
Publisher: Ace
Publication Date: May 3, 2022
Format: Paperback
Length: 345 pg.
Read Date: May 18-19, 2022

Heroes have fascinated humanity since we started telling stories. They became even more fascinating when we started writing the stories down—and achieved the status previously reserved for pantheons of deities when we started putting them on the big screen. Heroes have become big business.

But heroes, real heroes, aren’t titans or icons.

Real heroes are standing behind cash registers, starting cold trucks, getting kids out of bed. They’re the everyday humans who happen to be standing there when something bad happens, and when there is a sudden need for skill, courage, or intelligence. They’re the regular people in irregular circumstances who find themselves considering others first and standing up to do whatever needs to be done.

What’s Heroic Hearts About?

In her Foreword, Kellie Hughes describes this as

a collection of hopeful stories about courage, bravery, codes to live by, and people you can trust.

Who doesn’t love a hero story? Here we have twelve stories from a dozen UF authors all approaching this idea in their own distinctive ways. Some are stand-alones, some are parts of a series.

Authors I’m Not That Familiar With (if at all)

It’s the rare anthology that will be full of only authors you know well—half the point of one of these is to be exposed to someone new so you can decide if you want to read more by them.

Charlaine Harris wrote the only story I didn’t appreciate in this collection, I just couldn’t get into it. That’s likely something to do with my mood/what I ate today/something else. Most days, I simply wouldn’t have cared—I don’t think it’s in me to really like this one.

I thought the rest of the stories were entertaining and well-executed, but a few are going to get me to keep an eye out for authors/series. Chloe Neill’s “Silverspell” tempted me to check out the rest of that series, these are characters and a world I could spend more time with. Jennifer Brozek’s “The Necessity of Pragmatic Magic” was great—ditto for “Grave Gambles” by R.R. Virdi.

“Troll Life” by Hughes was just wonderful. It’s everything you want in a short story—we’re given a well-developed world, a handful of strong and interesting characters, a good plot, and it just made me smile throughout.

Authors I’m Very Familiar With

Kevin Hearne, Patricia Briggs, and Jim Butcher are what brought me to this collection. I’ve read everything I can by them, so that’s not surprising, right?

We meet up with Atticus, Starbuck, and Oberon in Australia, looking into the cause of a massive forest fire, in “Fire Hazard.” It’s told from Oberon’s point of view, which makes it a sure-fire win. I’ll read just about anything in Oberon’s voice—and this story demonstrates why. It’s funny and action-packed. Some of the best lines in the book are in this story, too.

I wasn’t that interested in “Dating Terrors,” by Patricia Briggs based on the idea. “Asil on a blind date” just doesn’t draw me in—sure, I’m curious about Asil’s activities, so I wanted to read it. But the concept didn’t grab me. That lasted only a few pages—now I want to see more about Asil’s date and her friends. Preferably with Asil around, but that’s not necessary. I should’ve known Briggs would hook me by the end, and come into it with better expectations.

This brings us to the story the book opens with (but I saved until the end), Jim Butcher’s “Little Things.” This happens days after Battle Ground, as the city (and its wizard defender) is trying to recover from those events. The “Little Things” this story focused on are Major General Toot-Toot Minimus, his forces, Lacuna, and Mister. When a threat to the castle slips by the guards and other defenses, these heroes have to rise to the challenge. It’s deceptively fun, light, and breezy. But it’s Butcher, you know he won’t let you off that easy. Dresden in the shadow of Battle Ground? The emotional core of this story isn’t small. The story made my day…I’ve got nothing negative to say about it.

So, what did I think about Heroic Hearts?

This is a strong collection of Urban Fantasy stories, with a little something for everyone. Anything I didn’t mention above was fine—they’re all written well, but some characters/stories aren’t for everyone, and that would describe the few I didn’t talk about. Every story was worth the time (except for that thing by Harris, I just didn’t see why that was written—and I wouldn’t be shocked to hear that most readers of the book will think I’m nuts for that).

This probably would’ve gotten a warm 3 Stars from me, if not for the Briggs and Butcher stories. I enjoyed almost all of these stories, and really only disliked one. But wow, those two were just outstanding. Nothing that made me as happy as those two did is going to get less than 4.

Even if you’re new to the genre or are only a fan of one or two of the authors, I expect you’ll find yourself enjoying most, if not all, of the book. Pick it up.

4 Stars

This post contains an affiliate link. If you purchase from it, I will get a small commission at no additional cost to you. As always, opinions expressed are my own.

REPOSTING JUST CUZ: Shadowed Souls edited by Jim Butcher, Kerrie L. Hughes

By HCNewton

On April 10, 2026

In Harry Dresden, Jim Butcher

Shadowed Souls

edited by Jim Butcher, Kerrie L. Hughes
Series: The Dresden Files, #14.5; InCryptid, #531; Simon Canderous, #0.5 (I’m guessing) ; and some others that I don’t have a tag for right now
Paperback, 330 pg.
Roc, 2016
Read: January 10, 2017

This is a collection of stories

based on the idea that good and evil are just two aspects of a complicated and very human story . . . [with plots that] play with the concept and invite the reader to explore the edges of their own darkness.

Eleven of the best Urban Fantasy authors working today contributed to this book, each bringing their worlds to life from that basis.

I’m not going to talk about each story, just about those from authors I talk a lot about here — I don’t have the time and energy to talk about Kevin J. Anderson, Kat Richardson, Tanya Huff or the others. If for no other reason, I feel like I should read more of these series/characters/authors before talking about them — many of whom are on my “Try Out Sometime” list.

We, like the book, have to start with “Cold Case” by Jim Butcher. Harry’s former apprentice, Molly, gets to shine in this story. This is one of her first tasks in her new role as Winter Lady — in Alaska, fittingly enough. There’s a large amount of on-the-job training going on for her — more than she bargains for, really. We also get to spend some time with Warden Carlos Martinez — been too long since we saw him. Perfect mix of action, humor and atmosphere — we also get a good idea what’s in store for poor ol’ Molly.

We got to meet another member of the Price family in Seanan McGuire’s “Sleepover”. Elsie Harrington is a half-succubus cousin to Verity, Alex and Antimony. Their presence is felt in the story, but other than a couple of name-drops, they don’t factor into things, it’s just in that series’ universe. Elsie’s watching Antimony in a roller derby match and finds herself kidnapped. Not for any nefarious reasons — just because some people needed her help and are bad at asking for favors. Elsie has a very Price-like voice and outlook on life, but she’s got her own way of doing things. I really enjoyed this — even if the ending felt abrupt.

Anton Strout got to revisit the series that gave him his start in “Solus,” which featured Simon Canderous as a rookie DEA Agent dealing with a haunted house. His partner/mentor, Connor Christos, has almost no use for him at this point and seems to have no interest at all in working with him/training him. Maybe I’m not remembering the character as clearly as I thought, but I thought I liked him as a person more. Still, this was early enough in the relationship that it was probably the right way to deal with it. Other than happening before I was ready for it, I really enjoyed the conclusion of this story. In short, “Solus” was good, it reminded me why I liked the series and why I miss it.

My one complaint about all these stories (save for “Cold Case”), was that they were too short. It’s not just Strout and McGuire. In all the stories, just as things started to get going, they resolved. I’m not saying I wanted a collection of novellas, but another 5-10 pages each, maybe?

Yeah, like all collections, you’re going to get some that just don’t work for a particular reader, and others that are going to get a reader pumped – and maybe one that’ll make you wonder why you bothered. Your lists of each will be different from mine — but there’ll be more than enough of the good ones to make it worth your while. You may even find a new series/author to check out.

—–

3 Stars

2017 Library Love Challenge

Cat on a Hot Tin Woof by Spencer Quinn: Chet Searches for an Influencer Cat

By HCNewton

On April 8, 2026

In Chet and Bernie, Dogs, Fiction, Mystery/Detective Fiction/Crime Fiction/Thriller, Spencer Quinn

This was supposed to go up yesterday…but apparently, the key is to press the “Schedule” button. Just a friendly tip from you to me.

Cat on a Hot Tin Woof

by Spencer Quinn

DETAILS:
Series: Chet and Bernie, #16
Publisher: Minotaur Books
Publication Date: April 14, 2026
Format: eARC
Length: 320 pg.
Read Date: April 1-6, 2026

Before I get into things…that title is great (not that Quinn’s a stranger to good titles). I want to believe he wrote that title down some time ago and spent a couple of years thinking of a story to go with it.

What’s Cat on a Hot Tin Woof About?

One of the best things about the Chet and Bernie books is the wide diversity in cases they investigate—sure, the Little Detective Agency specializes in missing persons cases—but they do it all. Well, almost all. The clients they have this time are something that Bernie isn’t really ready for—and Chet would’ve been happier if they’d never run into them.

It’s a mother-daughter pair—the daughter had accidentally launched herself (well, her cat) to Internet fame and a very respectable income for a high schooler (well, more than respectable). Her mother is her business manager. Their problem? Miss Kitty is missing. Their sponsors are coming in soon to sign a new deal, and her audience is clamoring for fresh content. So the clock is ticking.

Bernie understands very little of this, but signs on—and quickly learns that despite what his clients believed—the cat didn’t slip out of the house somehow. She’s been stolen.

Naturally, it doesn’t stop with a stolen cat—more crimes turn up, as does an element of danger.

Bernie’s ex-wife, Leda, has some drama of her own, for him to deal with, too. But Bernie’s focus is on the case (although he takes time out for a fun scene to help Leda)

Why did I pick this up? Why did I keep reading?

That’s simple—while Quinn isn’t a stranger to less-impressive books, he’s incapable of writing an un-entertaining one—particularly with this series. And it’s been a while since he stumbled anyway.

Why did I keep at it? There is simply something infectious about Chet’s voice—as much as you want to figure out what happened—who kidnapped the cat and why, will they figure out the other mysteries along the way, will Bernie lose a lot of money doing something foolish, etc.—you want to stay in Chet’s head for longer than it’ll take to finish the book. This book is a textbook example of that.

What does this book tell us about humanity?

There’s a good deal here about the human propensity for making mistakes you’d regret later—if not sooner.

There’s a lot about good parenting and inadequate parenting/parents. There are a couple of good parents in this book (one came so late in the book, you’d almost despair of seeing another one ever again), and several inadequate ones. Most of those didn’t realize they were—but boy howdy, they should’ve.

What this book tells us most about humanity—and this is largely true for every Chet and Bernie book is the importance of a connection between a human and an animal. Even if it’s just a connection for a short-time. We’ve got cats, a pig, and a couple of dogs. The cats enrich (literally, in at least one case) the lives of those they stay with. Chet gets to comfort people going through rough times and gets to support Bernie. The pig? Well, it’s there. The cats and the dogs are just wonderful and will make you want your own (assuming you don’t already).

So, what did I think about Cat on a Hot Tin Woof?

It’s a Chet and Bernie book—of course, I had a good time.

I’d have liked a little more clarity on a point or two about the conclusion. But when your narrator is delightfully unreliable, that’s hard. I think about these cases in a way Chet wouldn’t bother with, so unless Bernie muses about some of the action, there’s just no way that we get the answers I want.

But you have to expect that going in, so it really doesn’t matter.

It’s been a minute since “old man Heydrich” was brought up (and I’m more than okay with that), and I think his replacement could be fun. We get some good Charlie and Leda stuff. Weatherly could’ve been in it more (but was used well). The client herself is the kind that you hope Quinn finds a way to bring back (as he does with another client here), and…well, it’s all just good.

It’s a fun mystery that will keep you smiling throughout—even when Chet solves the mystery (and doesn’t realize it)—maybe it’d be better to say that the reader solves it through Chet’s eyes—and you’re just sitting there waiting for Bernie to catch up. That’s frequently a frustrating experience when I’m that far ahead of the protagonist in a book—but here, it’s just fun.

If you’ve never met our intrepid pair of P.I.s, this would be a perfect book to jump into the series with—honestly, any of them would work, but you might as well start with this one. If you’ve been around the duo before, this is as good as you remember. Either way—check out Cat on a Hot Tin Woof.

Disclaimer: I received this eARC from St. Martin’s Press via NetGalley in exchange for this post, which contains my honest opinion—thanks to both for this.

This post contains an affiliate link. If you purchase from it, I will get a small commission at no additional cost to you. As always, the opinions expressed are my own.
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Category: Authors Page 1 of 124

What’s Cherry Baby About?

Fat Girl Life

The Proverbial Door is Ajar

Why did I pick this up? Why did I keep reading?

What does this book tell us about humanity?

So, what did I think about Cherry Baby?

What’s Out Law About?

So, what did I think about Out Law?

What’s Cat on a Hot Tin Woof About?

Why did I pick this up? Why did I keep reading?

What does this book tell us about humanity?

So, what did I think about Cat on a Hot Tin Woof?

What’s Paranormal Payback?

So, what did I think about Paranormal Payback?

What’s Paranormal Payback?

So, what did I think about Paranormal Payback?

What’s Heroic Hearts About?

Authors I’m Not That Familiar With (if at all)

Authors I’m Very Familiar With

So, what did I think about Heroic Hearts?

What’s Cat on a Hot Tin Woof About?

Why did I pick this up? Why did I keep reading?

What does this book tell us about humanity?

So, what did I think about Cat on a Hot Tin Woof?