GUNS DRUGS & MONSTERS:CAL MCDO (Cal Mcdonald Mysteries) [Paperback]

Steve Niles (Author)

Book Description

Series: Cal Mcdonald Mysteries | Publication Date: September 30, 2001

When the living, decapitated head of Cal McDonald's old buddy shows up on his doorstep, it launches the monster hunting private eye out of his familiar surroundings and into the nightmarish underworld of Los Angeles. There, Cal must face a savage pair of bestial killers and a bloodthirsty vampire as he strives to help his unfortunate friend. Little does he know that he's stepping into the grips of a demonic deal. Hard-boiled detective tales in the tradition of Chandler and Hammett take a wicked spin in the hands of Steve Niles who in Guns, Drugs, and Monsters adds ghosts, ghouls, and a nasty hangover to the classic genre.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Steve Niles is the current writer of the monthly comic book HELLSPAWN and Image Comics series FUSED! He has also contributed to several issues of SPAWN, SAM & TWITCH, and is co-writer with Todd McFarlane on the upcoming SPAWN 2 movie. His first comic for IDW Publishing, 30 DAYS OF NIGHT, has become one of the hottest titles in recent memory, and will be made into a major motion picture with a screenplay by Steve himself. Steve began his career by foundling his own publishing company, Arcane Comix, where he published, edited and adapted comics and anthologies for Eclipse Comics. His adaptations include works by Clive Barker, Richard Matheson and Harlan Ellison. He has also written for Dark Horse Comics, contributing to titles such as DARK HORSE PRESENTS and 9-11: ARTISTS RESPOND.

Originally from Washington DC, Steve now resides in Los Angeles with his wife Nikki and their two black cats.

Artist Ashley Wood was born in Australia in 1971. An award-winning artist and commercial illustrator, his art is published worldwide on a monthly basis and he has participated in both joing and solo fine art exhibitions.

A Spectrum Award winner, he has also worked on numerous television and movie projects.

His work can be seen quarterly in the pages of IDW Publishing's POPBOT, as well as in the upcoming C.S.I. Comic. IDW is also the publisher of Wood's art books UNO FANTA: THE ART OF ASHLEY WOOD and DOS FANTA: MORE ART OF ASHLEY WOOD. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Product Details

• Paperback: 224 pages
• Publisher: IBOOKS, INC. (September 30, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1596871342
• ISBN-13: 978-1596871342
• Product Dimensions: 6.6 x 4.1 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,569,145 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Steve Niles (born June 21, 1965) is an American comic book author and novelist, known for works such as 30 Days of Night, Criminal Macabre, Simon Dark, Mystery Society and Batman: Gotham County Line.

He is credited among other contemporary writers as bringing horror comics back to prominence, authoring such works as 30 Days of Night, its sequel, Dark Days (IDW Publishing), and Criminal Macabre (Dark Horse Comics) with frequent artist collaborator Ben Templesmith.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Guns, Drugs & Monsters is a Winner, January 4, 2003

By 

Craig Zablo - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Guns, Drugs, and Monsters: A Cal McDonald Mystery (Paperback)

STEVE NILES writes a mean hard-boiled novel. He also writes a wicked horror novel. What makes NILES unique is that he does this in the same book! Guns, Drugs and Monsters is actually the second in a [hopefully long-running] series featuring Cal MacDonald. Cal is a human with the gift / curse that he knows that monsters walk among us. He knows this because he hunts them. Well, a guy has to make a living somehow, doesn't he?

NILES skillfully combines the best elements of CHANDLER and HAMMETT along with a dose of KING, plus a good bit of humor as well. I read through Guns, Drugs and Monsters in nearly one sitting [it's that much fun]. It also features spot illustrations by ASHLEY WOOD that are the icing on the cake. I've already ordered Savage Membrane [the book that started the series]. If it's just half as good as Guns then I'll still have a winner.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The day of the monsters is at hand. << Stephanie G, November 8, 2004

A Kid's Review

This review is from: Guns, Drugs, and Monsters: A Cal McDonald Mystery (Paperback)

Steve Niles wrote a hard core novel that I just couldn't put down for anything. Guns, Drugs and Monsters is full of creativity, energy, wit and charm in every chapter. I found myself savoring every page of this book, often turning away to laugh and collect myself after being stunned by the incredible energy of the prose. This book was filled with nothing but "hardcore super stuff."

Not once I could of put the book down, it got my attention and held it in. (Guns, Drugs and monsters, A Cal McDonald mystery.) Cal McDonald has made a career helping and hunting the dark creatures that haunt the world and has made as many friends as he has enemies. to some he is friend and protector. but to most- those who prey on innocent humans lives- Cal is a sworn enemy.

I recommend you read this book because once you have a taste of Steve Niles style, you never want to get it out of your system.

5.0 out of 5 stars guns, drugs and monsters, January 11, 2009

By 

A. M. Mancuso - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: GUNS DRUGS & MONSTERS:CAL MCDO (Cal Mcdonald Mysteries) (Paperback)

Any fan of the Cal McDonald series will enjoy this book. Steve Niles tells a great story that not only fans of the series will enjoy but fans of the horror genre as well. The mesh of grusome brutality and dark humor make for an entertaining read.