Monday and the Murdered Man deftly melds urban fantasy with detective noir in this entertaining self published novel by Andrew Kirschbaum. Zach Monday is a private investigator whose latest client is a revenant, a man raised from the dead bent on avenging his own murder. Unusually the revenant can’t remember who he is, nor the circumstances leading to his death and wants Monday to find out. Despite his distaste for his clients rotting flesh, Zach agrees to take the case only to find himself in the midst of conspiracy, corruption, a mob war and a battle between heaven and hell. But Zachariah Monday never backs off until he has the truth, results guaranteed.

The world in which Monday lives is populated by a mix of humans, goblins, faeries and a raft of other mythical creatures. It is an alternative Earth, also known as the Fifth world, where magic is as commonly used as technology. The author has created a alternative world that is inventive and interesting and he builds it naturally throughout the narrative. Germane to this novel is the war between the Goblins and Faeries that has been transformed into ‘The Game’ a televised event of individual fights between the two races. The death of ‘Freakshow’, one of ‘The Game’s’ most popular Goblin fighters, at the hands of the Prince of Faery becomes relevant to Monday’s investigation when he stumbles across a new street drug known as Passion. The plot is actually quite complex, as Monday pieces together the clues to identify his client and his murderer he is drawn into an illegal drug manufacturing ring, a mob turf war, sport fixing and the evil plans of the Duke of Sorrows. Throw in time travel, magical disguises,a touch of romance and plenty of action, and Monday and the Murdered Man is a terrific read.

Monday has the air of a cynical, tough guy ‘gumshoe’, and his personality merges surprisingly well such a fantastical environment. Quick witted, handy with his fists and willing to take risks he doesn’t back down, even against overwhelming odds. As a human surrounded by magical creatures, Monday has to be clever and resourceful, though being human doesn’t exclude him from the use of magic in the form or runes, charms and packaged spells. For back up he relies on his half goblin business partner, Baxter, and an eccentric warlock, Tim.

Imaginative, well written and entertaining, I really enjoyed Monday and The Murdered Man and I hope that Kirschbaum is already working on a second. If the combination of urban fantasy and detective novel appeals to you at all I urge you to take a chance on this novel – its well worth the gamble. ( )