The Last Smile in Sunder City

The Last Smile in Sunder City follows Fetch Phillips, a private investigator in a world where magic has vanished. Once a vibrant realm of fantastical creatures and supernatural powers, Sunder City now houses the diminished remnants of magical beings trying to survive without their essence. Fetch takes on cases in the decaying metropolis as a "Man for Hire," while carrying the burden of his role in magic's disappearance. His latest investigation involves a missing vampire teacher from a local school, leading him through the city's transformed districts and communities. In this noir-influenced fantasy, Fetch navigates a setting where elves have lost their immortality, vampires can no longer heal, and dragons are grounded forever. The story tracks both his current case and his past choices through alternating timelines. The novel examines themes of redemption, consequences, and adaptation in the face of irreversible change. Through its post-magical landscape, it offers commentary on loss, guilt, and the challenge of moving forward when the world fundamentally changes.

Readers note this noir fantasy feels slow-paced, focusing more on world-building and character development than action. Many compare the tone to Dresden Files but with a more depressed protagonist. Readers liked: - Unique take on a post-magic world - Noir detective atmosphere - Complex main character development - Dark humor scattered throughout - Rich world-building details Readers disliked: - Slow plot progression - Too much backstory/exposition - Depressing tone throughout - Limited action sequences - Main character's self-loathing Ratings: Goodreads: 3.7/5 (4,800+ ratings) Amazon: 4.1/5 (1,100+ ratings) StoryGraph: 3.75/5 Common reader comments: "Great world-building but needs more plot momentum" - Goodreads reviewer "Like Raymond Chandler meets urban fantasy" - Amazon review "Too much wallowing in guilt and regret" - StoryGraph user "Fascinating premise but pacing issues" - LibraryThing review

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🔮 Author Luke Arnold is also a successful actor, known for playing Long John Silver in "Black Sails" and Michael Hutchence in "INXS: Never Tear Us Apart" 📚 The book combines elements of noir detective fiction with urban fantasy, creating a unique world where magic has suddenly disappeared, leaving magical creatures struggling to survive 🌟 The main character, Fetch Phillips, was partly inspired by classic noir detectives like Philip Marlowe, but with a guilty conscience that drives his actions 🏙️ Sunder City's post-magical apocalypse setting draws parallels to industrial revolution-era cities, exploring themes of environmental damage and societal upheaval 🎭 The author wrote much of the novel while working as an actor, often writing between takes on various film and television sets