Deadfast

Name: Deadfast
Price: 12.68 USD
Availability: InStock
ISBN: 9781494716363

✍️ Mark Robert McCann

Reader Score

4.4

(1 review)

$12.68

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📚 WHAT THE BOOK IS ABOUT

A noir detective battles undead threats in Belfast's supernatural underworld.

Former soldier Terry Fennell works as a private investigator in Belfast after being discharged due to a secret government pact with nocturnal forces. He survives on welfare and alcohol until hired by a grieving mother to find her children, who were abducted by her ex-husband resurrected from the dead. The investigation uncovers a complex web of deceit where violence exposes the truth. Drawing on noir traditions and hard-boiled detective fiction, the story blends supernatural horror with the gritty atmosphere of Ulster. It appeals to fans of urban fantasy and military-themed mysteries but may not suit those seeking traditional gothic horror or lighthearted romance. Gerard Brennan compares the work favorably to a hypothetical Buffy spin-off set in Belfast.

Key Themes

noir detective undead ex-husband government pact

Literary Context

The story is set in Belfast and Ulster, drawing on the city's wee big city atmosphere. It blends supernatural horror with noir traditions, invoking Dashiell Hammett and Bateman. The narrative reflects a specific period where government and nocturnal elements made secret handshakes possible, placing Terry Fennell in a disenfranchised position within this urban landscape.

Difficulty

●● Medium

Recommended For Fans Of

Dashiell Hammett · Joss Whedon's Buffy the Vampire Slayer · Clive Barker

☣️

Apocalyptic

🏛 Createspace Independent Publishing Platform 📅 2013 📖 350 pages 🌐 English 📔 Paperback ISBN: 9781494716363

📝 Description: Deadfast

Mark Robert McCann presents a gritty urban fantasy centered on Terry Fennell, a former soldier for a secret army branch who now operates as an unobliging detector in Belfast. Disenfranchised after a government pact with nocturnal forces ended his career, Terry survives on the dole and alcohol until a distraught mother hires him to locate her children. The victims are taken by her ex-husband, who has returned from the dead. What begins as a pursuit of fast money evolves into a complex web of lies where violence reveals the truth. The narrative draws heavily on noir traditions, invoking the spirit of Dashiell Hammett’s Spade while possessing elements found in Bateman’s Dan Starkey. McCann sets these archetypes loose within the undead underbelly of Ulster, creating a story that blends supernatural horror with hard-boiled detective fiction. The text is organized around Terry’s descent into this chaotic world, where hard drinking acts as a hangover cure and every step brings him closer to death. This book suits readers who enjoy urban fantasy grounded in Belfast’s specific atmosphere and those who appreciate the blend of military background with supernatural investigation. It may not appeal to audiences seeking traditional gothic horror or lighthearted paranormal romance. Gerard Brennan, author of The Point - Wee Rockets - Disorder, notes that if Joss Whedon were to set a Buffy spin-off in Belfast, he would struggle to top this work. McCann’s background as a writer allows him to craft a tale where the protagonist wishes his life belonged to someone else.

💎 Our verdict on Deadfast

“

🩸

Horror Reads editorial team

Horror desk

This title successfully merges hard-boiled detective fiction with supernatural horror, creating a distinct voice within urban fantasy. McCann effectively utilizes the noir tradition, invoking the spirit of Dashiell Hammett while setting these archetypes against Belfast’s undead underbelly. The narrative structure follows Terry Fennell’s descent into chaos, where hard drinking serves as both cure and curse. While it may not suit those seeking traditional gothic horror or lighthearted romance, it offers a robust alternative for fans of military-themed mysteries. Gerard Brennan’s comparison to a hypothetical Buffy spin-off highlights its potential appeal to genre-blending enthusiasts. The work is best appreciated by readers who value atmospheric storytelling and complex character dynamics over simple monster hunting.

✓ EDITOR'S REVIEW

📖 Why choose it

📖

Why this book is worth reading

Readers who enjoy the intersection of military background and supernatural investigation will find this narrative compelling. It appeals to fans of urban fantasy grounded in Belfast’s specific atmosphere, offering a gritty escape into a world where violence reveals truth. Those seeking a departure from traditional gothic horror or lighthearted paranormal romance may appreciate its hard-boiled tone. The book suits those who enjoy noir traditions invoked by Dashiell Hammett, providing a dark, atmospheric experience that blends the spirit of classic detective fiction with undead threats. It is ideal for audiences who prefer complex webs of deceit over straightforward plots, offering a unique perspective on horror through the lens of a disenfranchised investigator navigating a chaotic world.

⭐ Reader reviews

The starting rating comes from the team Horror Reads —

Reader rating

4.4

Based on 1 reviews

Horror Reads editorial team

This title successfully merges hard-boiled detective fiction with supernatural horror, creating a distinct voice within urban fantasy. McCann effectively utilizes the noir tradition, invoking the spirit of Dashiell Hammett while setting these archetypes against Belfast’s undead underbelly. The narrative structure follows Terry Fennell’s descent into chaos, where hard drinking serves as both cure and curse. While it may not suit those seeking traditional gothic horror or lighthearted romance, it offers a robust alternative for fans of military-themed mysteries. Gerard Brennan’s comparison to a hypothetical Buffy spin-off highlights its potential appeal to genre-blending enthusiasts. The work is best appreciated by readers who value atmospheric storytelling and complex character dynamics over simple monster hunting.