The Swordsman Investigations
In the shadows of New York City, monsters are real—and the only thing standing between them and chaos is a bruised, wisecracking swordsman with a knack for trouble.
John Darkeson is a private eye — and a secret sorcerer known in the shadows as the Swordsman. In Deathless, a string of brutal killings wipes out rival gangs, each scene marked by a cryptic sigil scrawled in blood. His hunt drags him into a lethal tangle of a CEO’s diabolical bargain, a mysterious new drug flooding the streets, a turf war between police factions, and a ghostlike assassin with nothing to lose. As the pieces fall into place, Darkeson uncovers a conspiracy older than mankind — and a monstrous, ancient darkness poised to reclaim the world.
Fans of Jim Butcher’s The Dresden Files, Kevin Hearne’s The Iron Druid Chronicles, and Ben Aaronovitch’s Rivers of London series, as well as those interested in detective stories and magical realism, will love this novel.
Similarities:
Protagonist's Role: Like Harry Dresden, Atticus O'Sullivan, and Peter Grant, my character John Darkeson balances life in an urban setting with his responsibilities as a supernatural investigator, appealing to readers who enjoy seeing magic interwoven with city life.
Narrative Style: The use of first-person perspective creates an intimate connection between the protagonist and readers, drawing inspiration from these titles and allowing for deeper insight into the character's thoughts and motivations.
Differences:
Magical Abilities: John Darkeson's ability to transform physically and wield magical swords provides a distinct twist on the typical magic user, setting my novel apart from the more traditional magical powers seen in Hounded and Rivers of London. Darkeson likes to take care of his problems up close and personally and as a result a lot of his magic is based around hand to hand combat and sword fighting. In a world where most sorcerers use blasts of power or fire spells Darkeson is there punching, slashing and stabbing enemies leading to intense fights not seen elsewhere.