The Last Smile in Sunder City Audiobook By Luke Arnold cover art

The Last Smile in Sunder City

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In a world that's lost its magic, a former soldier turned PI solves cases for the fantasy creatures whose lives he ruined in an imaginative debut fantasy by Black Sails actor Luke Arnold.

Welcome to Sunder City. The magic is gone but the monsters remain.

I'm Fetch Phillips, just like it says on the window. There are a few things you should know before you hire me:

1. Sobriety costs extra.
2. My services are confidential.
3. I don't work for humans.

It's nothing personal--I'm human myself. But after what happened, to the magic, it's not the humans who need my help.

Walk the streets of Sunder City and meet Fetch, his magical clients, and a darkly imagined world perfect for readers of Ben Aaronovitch and Jim Butcher.

Praise for The Last Smile in Sunder City:

"Arnold's writing and narration combine for a strong addition to the contemporary fantasy genre and kick off a new series with a powerful start. A must-listen, especially for fantasy lovers and Arnold's fans." ―AudioFile

"A richly imagined world...Winningly combining the grit of Chinatown with the quirky charm of Harry Potter, this series opener is sure to have readers coming back for more." ―Publishers Weekly

"A marvelous noir voice; Arnold has captured the spirit of the genre perfectly and wrapped it around a fantasy setting with consummate skill." ―Peter McLean, author of Priest of Bones

Fetch Phillips Novels
The Last Smile in Sunder City
Dead Man in a Ditch Magic Users Private Investigators Vampires Fantasy Mystery Paranormal Detective Magic Paranormal & Urban Fiction Dragons & Mythical Creatures Action & Adventure Urban Epic Mythology Epic Fantasy

Critic reviews

"A marvelous noir voice; Arnold has captured the spirit of the genre perfectly and wrapped it around a fantasy setting with consummate skill."—Peter McLean, author of Priest of Bones
"[T]he focus on meticulous worldbuilding and highly detailed backstory as well as the cast of fully developed and memorable characters are unarguable strengths....The first installment of an effortlessly readable series that could be the illegitimate love child of Terry Pratchett and Dashiell Hammett."—Kirkus
"A richly imagined world...Winningly combining the grit of Chinatown with the quirky charm of Harry Potter, this series opener is sure to have readers coming back for more."—Publishers Weekly (starred review)
"This off-piste detective story set in a magical world, now in meltdown, has verve and charm in abundance and a rough diamond hero with quite a story to tell."—Andrew Caldecott, author of Rotherweird

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I couldn't keep up with past action vs present or even if future actions being described. Story left me confused.
I did enjoy the very descriptive tropes and metaphors to all five of my senses. author is great for those.

confusing timelines

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I love old black and white movies. This reminds me of a 1950 something detective film. The kind where Sam Spade and the gangster maul have a thing for each other but it can never be. This however has the death of magic and the decline of Vampires, lichen and trolls along with goblins and witches. All mixed in with a human race that destroyed the magic in an attempt at gaining power and wealth. Fantasy, fiction, mystery and fun on the darker side of humor.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book.

1950’s Film Noir

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A modern noir-style? Narrated by author? So many ingredients that have disappointed me in the past. I usually think these are underwhelming, unimaginative, or over-done. This is only the good and none of the bad.

Interesting characters and descriptions of the world. Great backstory and history development. Delivers in the moment tension while building larger story arcs. Before I even knew this was a series I was thinking there could be some great follow-up (at the same time worried that the spell could be broken with a next "chapter").

Most important for me was that the author delivers something extra to the story in the narration and isn't just some vehicle for him to cut out a middle-man. He provides feeling and differentiation for each character making a more surround and complete experience. Great work all around.

I was hesitant, but it delivers.

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This was really fun. Luke Arnold really gets into character and makes the story enjoyable.

Really fun listening experience

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I love books that can build a world that you just picture and this world along with a fantastic lead character doesn't disappoint. also the author's talent at narration is one of the best.

World building at it's best

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