Dead Things

Dead Things follows Eric Carter, a necromancer who returns to Los Angeles after fifteen years away. His homecoming is prompted by his sister's murder, leading him to use both his supernatural abilities and street smarts to investigate the crime. The urban fantasy noir follows Carter through a Los Angeles filled with ghosts, demons, and dark magic as he pursues answers. His necromantic powers allow him to communicate with the dead and manipulate death magic, but these abilities come with steep costs. The story combines elements of hardboiled detective fiction with supernatural horror, building momentum through violent confrontations and occult revelations. Carter must navigate both the physical and spiritual planes while confronting figures from his past. The narrative explores themes of consequence and corruption, examining how power—both mundane and magical—shapes those who wield it. Through its noir lens, the novel considers the weight of family ties and the price of vengeance.

Readers describe Dead Things as a fast-paced urban fantasy with dark themes and graphic violence. The book maintains a 4.05/5 rating on Goodreads (2,800+ ratings) and 4.4/5 on Amazon (230+ ratings). Readers highlighted: - Sharp, witty dialogue - Noir atmosphere - Quick pacing with no slow sections - Complex magic system - Morally ambiguous protagonist - Los Angeles setting details Common criticisms: - Too much violence/gore for some readers - Limited character development beyond the protagonist - Plot can feel rushed in places "The violence hits like a hammer but the emotional moments land even harder," noted one Amazon reviewer. Multiple Goodreads reviews compared the tone to Dresden Files "but darker and more brutal." Some readers found the protagonist Eric Carter "compelling but difficult to root for" due to his actions. Reddit's r/Fantasy forum frequently recommends it for fans of gritty urban fantasy, though several users caution about the graphic content.

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🔮 Author Stephen Blackmoore wrote Dead Things while working as a computer technician, often drafting scenes between service calls. ⚡ The book's magic system draws heavily from actual Los Angeles folk magic traditions and local urban legends. 💀 The main character's ability to speak with the dead was inspired by ancient Greek necromancers and their rituals of communicating with spirits. 🌟 Dead Things launched a successful urban fantasy series, with subsequent books Path of the Dead and Broken Souls. 🏙️ The novel's Los Angeles setting features real locations carefully chosen to highlight both the glamorous and gritty sides of the city, including several historic buildings with actual paranormal legends.