The Good, the Bad, and the Uncanny

Nightside Series, Book 10

By: Simon R. Green

Narrated by: Dan Calley

In the Nightside—that hidden area in the middle of London where time stands still at three A.M. and the sun won't rise to refute it—nightmares go walking in borrowed flesh, and not everything that looks back at you with human eyes is really human.

I'm John Taylor, a PI with a knack for finding things, helping those the Nightside has chewed up and is about to spit out. All things considered, my life lately had been bright, even in this shadowy place.

So it was only a matter of time before everything hit the fan. Walker-the powerful, ever-present, never-to-be-trusted agent who runs the Nightside on behalf of the authorities-paid me a visit. He told me he is dying and that he, too, has a job for me. An important job.

His.

©2010 Simon R. Green (P)2022 Tantor

Legends die

I really like this one and it delivers several plot points that have been books in the making and sets up the next one

As good as two dimensional characters can be

“The Nightside does so love to break a hero.”
This was one of the better installments, in part because there’s a lot of deep thoughts on what it means to be a good guy and how to fight the good fight.

“Sometimes when you can’t see the patsy in the room, it’s you.”
I also liked the Larry Oblivion POV chapters and the side story involving the three Oblivion brothers.

“You think you’ve heard everything- then the universe rears up and slaps your head.”
And, as much as I love the unique, and fantastical, world of the Nightside, part of me is frustrated that the author keeps regurgitating the same catchphrases, descriptions, and arcs … while at the same time failing to provide details or depth that could add to the series, For instance, we’re ten books in and we’ve heard over and over again about John’s white trenchcoat. But, I couldn’t tell you John’s age (40s, 50s?), whether he has a lithe or stocky build, or any hobby, taste, or quirk about him unless it ties directly to his Gary Stu power. The character descriptions get the short end of the stick in comparison to the Nightside, which in every book has dozens of “it’s ABC … in the Nightside” or “in the Nightside … it’s XYZ.”

“In the Nightside, it always pays to expect the worst … but the old girl can still surprise you.”
Then there are the subplots and characters that pop in and then cut off. Sometimes it’s little things, like why does Cathy just get a mere cameo, when she’s supposedly like a daughter to John and is shacking up with bar owner Alex? Other times it’s the big things, like this story started off with an elven mystery … and then detoured into the search for Tom … and never got back to the elf thing. Or, how come John comes up and hugs Suzie … and she doesn’t flinch? And, is half of Suzie’s face still hamburger?

“No one’s innocent, in the Nightside.”
But what really left me unfulfilled is the perpetual failure to give true depth to the main characters.
Walker could have been so much more interesting if he had a good side, or a human side, or flaws or quirks. Sadly, Walker is consistently mercenary and manipulative. There’s some lip service to Walker having a family outside the Nightside, but such offhand, never explored information wasn’t enough to make me feel for the quasi-parental role that Walker supposedly had with John. And John too is the same old John Taylor, prevailing per usual as he thinks “it was the easiest thing in the world.”

Did Green Forget?

Whoever wrote this book should have read the prior books in the series. Larry O is one of the new authorities, but walker doesn’t know him? Nor does walker remember he told John…. Well spoilers if you didn’t read the last book.

Anyways, this is a series of one McGuffin hunt after another. It reminded me of some railroady D&D modules. Also, the writing isn’t up to Green’s normal level.

Perhaps it’s just me. But for these reasons I’m out.

Missing Simon Vance

The narration was awful. Not his fault he is not Simon Vance. He spoke too fast as if he was rushing to get done. I almost returned the book. But I wanted to know was happened in case I listened to the next book.