Titanshade by Dan Stout – a Review

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Description:
Carter’s a homicide cop in Titanshade, an oil boomtown where 8-tracks are state of the art, disco rules the radio, and all the best sorcerers wear designer labels. It’s also a metropolis teetering on the edge of disaster. As its oil reserves run dry, the city’s future hangs on a possible investment from the reclusive amphibians known as Squibs.

But now negotiations have been derailed by the horrific murder of a Squib diplomat. The pressure’s never been higher to make a quick arrest, even as Carter’s investigation leads him into conflict with the city’s elite. Undermined by corrupt coworkers and falsified evidence, and with a suspect list that includes power-hungry politicians, oil magnates, and mad scientists, Carter must find the killer before the investigation turns into a witch-hunt and those closest to him pay the ultimate price on the filthy streets of Titanshade.

Review:

Titanshade by Dan Stout is his debut novel, which is a sci-fi/fantasy/noir thriller and the first book in the Carter Archives series.  We meet Carter, our hero, at the start, when he is called to a horrific murder scene; of a Squib diplomat (one of the different species in this sci-fi/fantasy noir). Carter is a veteran detective in Titanshade, as well as one of the best; but his past history forces police management to keep him away from the media. 

Carter, who is human, is forced to partner with Jax, another species, and together they must try to solve a complicated case that changes constantly; especially with corruption within the political side, the squibs, the rich oil magnets, scientists & prostitutes.  There are so many twists & turns that make this is an impossible and difficult case for Carter and Jax. 

This is a very difficult  review to write, as you really need to read this book to fully understand this different and complicated world. Titanshade is a gritty, fast paced, suspenseful, action packed adventure, which has a lot of world-building.  I thought Titanshade was very well written by Dan Stout, especially since it’s his debut novel.  I have to say that fantasy noir is not really my type of read, and it took me awhile to finish this.  However, if you enjoy this noir sci-fi fantasy, then you should read Titanshade

Reviewed by Barb

Copy provided by Publisher