Bitter Gold Hearts (Garrett Files) [Paperback]

Glen Cook (Author)

Book Description

Series: Garrett Files | Publication Date: June 7, 1988

The Stormwarden's children have been kidnapped and Garrett, P.I. is on the case. But caught between the bewitching beauty of a half-elf and the fearsome power of a horde of ogres, Garrett has to think twice before sacrificing all for a fortune in gold-after all, even in this enchanted land, he's only human.

--This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.

Product Details

• Paperback: 1 pages
• Publisher: Roc (June 7, 1988)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0451153715
• ISBN-13: 978-0451153715
• Product Dimensions: 6.9 x 4.1 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,681,451 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

21 of 21 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars OGRES AND ELVES AND STORMWARDENS, OH MY, October 20, 2007

By 

Gunner (Smyrna, Georgia) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Bitter Gold Hearts (Garrett, P.I., Bk. 2) (Paperback)

Bitter Gold Hearts


Bitter Gold Hearts is the second book in the Garrett Files collection. Garrett is a tough ex-marine, private investigator in the mold of Mickey Spillane's Mike Hammer. The series is set in a fantasy world that is quite amusing. His advisor is "the Dead Man" who is really not a man at al and isn't dead exactly, but, oh never mind, buy this book; you'll want to read it several times. In this book Garrett foils a diabolical plot to kidnap the Storm Warden's son for a fortune in ransom, falls for a beautiful Elf, fights some Ogres, and much, much more. Oh just read the book. You'll enjoy it.

Highly recommended for fans of Cook and high adventure.

Gunner Octobert, 2007


1. Sweet Silver Blues (1987)
2. Bitter Gold Hearts (1988)
3. Cold Copper Tears (1988)
4. Old Tin Sorrows (1989)
5. Dread Brass Shadows (1990)
6. Red Iron Nights (1991)
7. Deadly Quicksilver Lies (1994)
8. Petty Pewter Gods (1995)
9. Faded Steel Heat (1999)
10. Angry Lead Skies (2002)
11. Whispering Nickel Idols (2005)
Science Fiction Book Club omnibus editions:
1. The Garrett Files (collects Sweet Silver Blues, Bitter Gold Hearts, and Cold Copper Tears; 2003)
2. Garrett, P.I. (collects Old Tin Sorrows, Dread Brass Shadows, and Red Iron Nights; 2003)
3. Garrett Investigates (collects Deadly Quicksilver Lies, Petty Pewter Gods, and Faded Steel Heat; 2004)

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great Book, Great Series!!, January 22, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: Bitter Gold Hearts (Paperback)

Second, as I recall, in the "Garrett" series of cross-genre mystery/fantasy novels "Bitter Gold Hearts" gives us a hard-bitten, independent, and highly ethical private eye in the mold of Philip Marlowe...in a world of Wizards, Giants, Trolls, Grolls (A breed between Trolls, Giants, and the Thing That Dares Not Speak), and other traditional fantasy staples thrown together in the medieval equivalent of '40's Los Angeles.

Far from the clash you would expect, in Cook's capable hands over a series of six novels and counting, the Sword'n'Sorcery and "Hard-bitten Detective" complement and renew each other, making "everything old, new again". Highly reccomended.

9 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Domestic Disturbances, September 6, 2007

By 

Arthur W. Jordin (Smyrna, GA USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Bitter Gold Hearts (Garrett, P.I., Bk. 2) (Paperback)

Bitter Gold Hearts (1988) is the second fantasy novel in the Garrett Files series, following Sweet Silver Blues. In the previous volume, Garrett freed Kayean Kronk from the vampire nest. Afterward, he helped deliver a shapeshifting spy to the authorities. Then he filed his report and escorted Kayean to the Tate compound, where she became an honored guest.

After the probate paid his fee, Garrett bought the Dead Man's house and refurbished it as his home and office. He left the Dead Man in the newly refurnished parlor. When the Loghyr woke up, the news that Garrett was his new landlord left him speechless.

In this novel, the Dead Man is working on the tactics of Glory Mooncalled in the Cantard. He has bugs moving around on the wall map in the pattern of past campaigns. The grumblings and mutterings are trying Garrett's patience.

Garrett had been drinking heavily the night before, so the pounding on the door aggravates his hangover. Some lackeys in the colors of Stormwarden Raver Styx are hanging around outside guarding a half-fairy named Amirantha Crest. She has come down from the Hill to offer him one hundred gold marks to accompany her to the Stormwarden's residence.

After some typical verbiage to establish his importance, Garrett collects the money and then goes back with her to the household. The Stormwarden's secretary -- Domina Willa Dount -- wants Garrett's advice on the kidnapping of the Stormwarden's son. The Stormwarden is in the Cantard and her secretary would prefer that her son is released before she returns. Willa Dount describes the circumstances and shows him the ransom note. He provides her some useful tips and concurs in her thinking on the matter.

The Stormwarden's consort interrupts their discussion and Willa Dount handily brings him to heel. Then she dismisses Garrett, explaining that his very presence would be enough to warn the kidnappers to stick to the rules. As he leaves, Amirantha intercepts him in the hallway and asks about the interview, then she makes a date to meet him at the Iron Liar. Garrett notices a black-haired looker in the hallway -- she also notices him -- and learns that she is the Stormwarden's daughter Amber.

In this story, Garrett reports the meeting to the Dead Man, then he leaves for his date with Amirantha. Five ogres try to beat him on the street outside his door, but Garrett manages to get in the first and last licks. He learns more about Amirantha and the household during dinner. Afterward, Garrett takes her to Morley's place and they discuss the abduction. On the way out, Saucerhead Tharpe invites them sit down and have a beer; although Garrett declines, he tells Amirantha that she should hire Saucerhead if she needs any protection.

The Stormwarden's son returns home unharmed, but Amirantha disappears. Later, Saucerhead Tharpe staggers into TunFaire and admits himself to Bledsoe Hospital. He has been severely wounded. Garrett and Morley bribe the doctors to treat his wounds. When he regains consciousness, they listen to his story.

Ogres had attacked Amirantha at her rendezvous at a rural crossroads. Saucerhead is a big surprise for them, but they take him down anyway from sheer numbers. Yet Saucerhead manages to pick up Amirantha and stagger off to the home of a witch friend. Then he comes back to Bledsoe; he had been born there and figured that he might as well die there.

This story gets rather complicated. Garrett checks out the scene of the ambush and finds Saucerhead's friendly witch. Unhappily, Amirantha is dead, but well preserved. Garrett starts to do some investigating on his own. Other things are happening in addition to the kidnapping and murder.

Morley does Garrett a few favors and then hires out some of his thugs to help the investigation. Morley hates to appear soft, but Saucerhead is a friend, so what is a half-darkelf to do. Then Saucerhead recovers enough to join in the case and the Stormwarden returns to TunFaire.

Highly recommended for Cook fans and for anyone else who enjoys tales of political intrigue, magical powers and family affairs.

-Arthur W. Jordin