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Kamus of Kadizhar: The Black Hole of Carcosa

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Ja-Lur, also known as Darkworld, is the only planet in the galaxy where magic works. According to Darkworld's natural laws, only a native Darklander can wield magical powers. Hojas Mor, a visitor to Darkworld, has somehow gained access to these powers. Now he's putting his own bid to take over Darkworld. The "Black Hole of Carcosa" the title refers to is in essence a black hole, which might or might not be the cause of Hojas Mor's sorcerous abilities.

Private eye Kamus is half-Darklander. As such, he has unreliable access to magic, though he prefers to lean on his deductive powers and suspect-shadowing skills. Having returned to Ja-Lur from two years of off-planet gallivanting, Kamus has just leased an office from which to manage his detective agency. Dagmar, assistant to the Overlord, sounds him out about a prospective case. Moments later, a giant's head belonging to the sorcerer Hojas magically manifests and threatens Kamus, warning him away. But, of course, Dagmar's case involves Hojas: specifically, Kamus must unearth Hojas's source of power. Things continue to get muddier and treacherous for the persistent Kamus as he resolutely sleuths on and strives to live up to the shamus credo of his hero, Humphrey Bogart.

Kamus of Kadizhar: the Black hole of Carcosa is the sequel to Michael Reaves's fantasy novel Darkworld Detective and is written in fun, tongue-in-cheek fashion by John Shirley, who currently is better known for his two more gripping novels, Demons and Crawlers. Kamus follows (or emulates) a long tradition of obstinate, wise-cracking, tough as teak private dicks, unwilling to let go of a case. For a native of another planet, Kamus persists in dropping references from Earth's pop culture, much to the puzzlement of his fellow Darkworlders. More whimsical, this novel is somewhat reminiscent of Glen Cook's Garrett series and Jim Butcher's Dresden Files. It's worth a look-see, if only to check out John Shirley in a lighter mood. A three and a half stars effort.