Dead Men's Boots [Import] [Paperback]

Mike Carey (Author)

Product Details

• Paperback: 544 pages
• Publisher: Orbit; paperback / softback edition (2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1841494151
• ISBN-13: 978-1841494159
• Product Dimensions: 4.3 x 7 x 1.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 9.9 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (15 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,575,292 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Mike Carey got into writing through comic books, where his horror/fantasy series Lucifer garnered numerous international awards and was nominated for five Eisners. From there he moved into novels and screenplays, while still maintaining a presence in the comics world (he is currently writing two of Marvel's flagship titles, X-Men and Ultimate Fantastic Four). His movie Frost Flowers, an erotic ghost story, is currently in production with Hadaly/Bluestar Pictures. He lives in London, England, about as far as you can get from the centre of the city and still have access to the London Underground train network. His wife, Linda, writes fantasy for young readers under the pseudonym A.J. Lake. They have three children and an implausibly beautiful cat.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

19 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Delightful 3rd installment of Felix Castor, August 28, 2008

By 

Colin P. Lindsey (Manchester, NH) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Dead Men's Boots (Paperback)

I got very lucky a few years ago and stumbled upon "The Devil You Know" while shopping on Amazon. I ordered the book and found it to be a wonderful read exploring the trials and tribulations of Felix "Fix" Castor, a professional exorcist in a world that is a darker shade of our own. Felix practices his profession in a modern day London, but one that contains were-beasts, ghosts, demons, and zombies. Most of London toils on though paying little attention to these revenants, unless, of course, a ghost comes to haunt the place you call home or work. Whereupon Felix or one his competitors may get a call. If you haven't read "The Devil You Know" or the sequel "Vicious Circle" do yourself a favor a get yourself a copy of these books. They are simply delightful. I liked them so much I couldn't wait for Dead Man's Boots to be released here in the States and ordered it as an import.

Carey writes novels that feature complex characters, detailed and exciting plots, and some of the smoothest writing it has ever been my pleasure to read. The only disappointment in reading Carey is that even though the book may run over 500 pages, the next day you'll be blinking at the last page and wondering "how do I get more?"

I'm not generally into fiction that has magic, demons, ghosts, etc. mostly finding the genre formulaic and unimaginative. Carey blew a great big gaping hole into my assumptions and prejudices, happily showing me that this genre can be done superby well. I am a complete convert, in least as regards to his works. His books are atmospheric, even noirish, and he tells fascinating, compelling stories that sweep you breathlessly from plot twist to plot twist, tales that always end on a surprising and satisfying note.

The protagonist, Felix Castor, is an amazingly well-drawn character...likeable, smart, and dogged as he chases after the bad guys, brandishing his tin whistle. Yep, between the forces of darkness and you is a tin whistle. Castor a big guy and very tough, but we learn that because all too often Castor finds himself on the receiving end of a beating. That's what happens when you try to run with demons, loup garous, and cultists. Even though he is an "exorcist", it would be more apt to describe him as an occult private detective. There a strong elements of Marlowe and Spillane peeking through these pages. You'll love Castor because he always gets back up again and struggles on trying to do the right thing, even while saddled with mounting bills, complicated relationships, doubtful friends, and enemies that are generally a step ahead. You'll find yourself cheering him on in an "everyman' way because he isn't batman, and a tinwhistle sure isn't the batmobile.

In Dead Man's Boots, Felix finds himself trying to unravel a dangerous mystery after a friend commits suicide and leaves a few, generally unhelpful, clues laying about as to why he did it. A nebulous, but threatening group, seems to be involved and a classic "locked room" mystery is then thrown in the mix. Felix soon finds himself battling with a monstrous cabal along with some friends. Friends that bring to mind the phrase "with friends like these who needs enemies?". This book is every bit as delightful as the first two, with the same complex plotting and smooth writing that I have come to love. Carey is one of those few writers who make it onto my "A" list, meaning that anything they publish is something I am going to read with no questions asked. Indeed, anything they publish is something I am going to get my hands on as soon as possible, even if I have to order it as an import. Try this series, you will not be disappointed, even if the genre is not your normal cup of tea.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Carey keeps up the great work, May 9, 2009

By 

J. Shurin "carnivore" (London) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Dead Men's Boots (Paperback)

Dead Men's Boots is the third book in the Felix Castor series, written by famed comic book writer Mike Carey. Best known for his work on Lucifer and Hellblazer, Carey's series poaches creative elements from both those titles.

Felix Castor is a London exorcist. For no clearly defined reason, the dead have started to rise again - in a wide variety of terrifying forms (ghosts, zombies, werethings, etc). Worse yet, demons and devils are real - summoned by suicidal warlocks to stalk the streets. Although Carey hints towards a broad, apocalyptic metaplot, the series is skillfully composed of individual mysteries, each featuring the restless dead.

In Dead Men's Boots, Castor is hired by a unhappy wife to get prove her husband's innocence (apparently he beat a rent boy to death with a hammer). Simultaneously, Castor is unhappily bequeathed some esoteric notebooks from a fellow exorcist. The two mysteries swiftly become connected, and Castor begins to unravel a disturbing conspiracy.

Fans of Felix's friends and allies won't be disappointed. The ambitious cop Coldwood, the paranoid zombie Nicky and the alluring-but-scary demon Juliet are all involved - Juliet taking her most significant role so far. Carey also introduces a few new characters, including a horde of undead gangsters and a slightly different demon, the enigmatic Moloch.

Carey does strong work building out Juliet. Introduced as a bit character in the first book, the former succubus now has a life of her own. The author does a good job fleshing her out as an interesting, evolving character. She finds the world totally alien, but is having a good time exploring it - even as human beings (and the relationships between them) continue to mystify her.

Carey's long-time friend Pen, and their unfortunate mate Raf (possessed by the demon Asmodeus), take a step back. Although Castor encounters them both briefly, they're less involved in this particular adventure. After the focus on them both in the previous book, this is a welcome break, and shows that Carey isn't a one-trick pony.

Mike Carey has successfully made the transition from comic books to novels. Deftly balancing character and story-telling, Carey has created a terrific framing device for presenting mysteries, with a cast of fascinating characters to help tell them.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Fantastic Series, January 8, 2011

By 

Monte C. - See all my reviews

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This review is from: Dead Men's Boots (Mass Market Paperback)

Let me start off by saying that I got into this series because I absolutely loved Jim Butcher's the Dresden Files; but I eventually needed a new paranormal/detective series and this is it! I love both, but since it takes about a year to write and publish a book you need multiple series to be interested in. I highly recommend this series, with the first novel being "The Devil You Know" and the Dresden Files which begins with "Storm Front".