Quote:
Originally Posted by Xenophon
Zelda:
The aforementioned Lord Darcy stories are truly excellent. Randal Garrett accepted a challenge from John W. Campbell editor of Astounding Science Fiction -- then the leading SF magazine in the world -- to write a mystery in a fantasy setting that didn't cheat on the mystery aspect. All necessary information is available to the reader. The laws of magic are explained (enough), and are scrupulously followed. No "Holmesian" "but I knew from examination of the cigar ashes that..." denoument -- when the examination of the cigar ashes and what Holmes knew therefrom was never indicated to the reader. As an editor Campbell strongly believed that technology (whether SF or Magical) and story background had to be consistent; he published quite a lot of Hard SF because of that bias. Randall Garrett not only satisfied Campbell, he (metaphorically) hit the ball completely out of the park! These stories are really good!
Lord Darcy as a character is something of a hybrid of Sherlock Holmes, Lord Peter Whimsey, and James Bond. At various points in the stories you'll recognize homage to many of the great mystery writers and characters who have gone before. Don't miss these books.
Xenophon
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*Lord Darcy stories shooting to the top of my list...*
that sounds excellent, and i did think immediately of Lord Peter Wimsey when i saw the name.
