Hell to Pay (Nightside, Book 7) (Mass Market Paperback)

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Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Lady Damnation, Old Father Time, a world weary Count Dracula and the hard-drinking storybook character Bruin Bear are only a few of the beings that Green produces for his seventh novel set in the sinister and psychedelic world of Nightside. None, however, are more powerful than "the Griffin," an immortal who built his empire on the carcasses of foes, who has now summoned paranormal PI John Taylor to find his granddaughter. Taylor specializes in locating lost things; his Sight—which allows him to see into other dimensions—should be ideal for the task. But when an entity in the Griffin's mansion blocks his abilities, Taylor must investigate the old-fashioned way: questioning the Griffin's family members one by one. Taylor's q&a sessions are less than thrilling, and the numerous references to the family's fearsome reputation grow tiresome. Fortunately, Green throws in a number of left-field surprises, spicing things up with an attack of fanatical nuns (called the Salvation Army Sisterhood), a bloodthirsty gangster and a DNA-stealing Charnel Chimera. Indeed, the most entertaining aspect lies not in Taylor's investigation but in anticipating what Green's twisted imagination will conjure next. (Jan.)
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Product Description

In the wake of the war that left the Nightside leaderless, Jeremiah Griffin-one of the last of the immortal human families-plans to fill the power vacuum. But his granddaughter has disappeared, and he wants John Taylor to use his special abilities to find her. Except someone-or something-is blocking Taylor's abilities.

Product Details

• Mass Market Paperback: 272 pages
• Publisher: Ace; Reissue edition (December 26, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0441014607
• ISBN-13: 978-0441014606
• Product Dimensions: 6.7 x 4.1 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (33 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #140,535 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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• This is item 7 in The Nightside Series.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A Return to the Detective Tale, March 10, 2007

By	Joshua Koppel (Chicago, IL United States) - See all my reviews (TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)

I don't know who wrote the blurb on the back of this one but it had little to do with the book itself. In the wake of the Lilith War the Nightside and its inhabitants is in a state of recovery. One of the most powerful remaining is the immortal Griffon. He contacts John to find out who has kidnaped his granddaughter. She was to be the sole inheritor of the Griffon's enormous estate but now she has disappeared. But right at the start of the case John finds out someone, or thing, is shutting down his gift when he tries to find the heiress. He is going to have to solve this case the old fashioned way.

John only has a short period of time to find the missing girl. As a gumshoe he proceeds to interview the entire Griffon clan in hopes of getting a lead. Meanwhile the Griffon is hoping that John's reputation can succeed in forcing the kidnapper's hand. John delves deep into the family history and keeps coming up with absolutely nothing until the pieces finally start to fall into place and make sense.

The back of the book claims this is a book about the power vacuum and how some want Taylor to assume power but it is not. Instead we get a book much closer to the first in the series. We get a good hard-boiled mystery and more insight into the Nightside and its denizens. Most of the usual support cast are not present. Although some are mentioned we never see Susie Shooter or Razor Eddie. This was also a nice return to earlier days as Taylor really has to rely on his own skills to solve the mystery and set things as right as they can be. A very good tale. Check it out.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Welcome back to Nightside, February 7, 2007

By	L. J. Roberts (Oakland, CA) - See all my reviews (TOP 1000 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)

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PI John Taylor has been hired, for ten million pounds, by Jeremiah Griffith to find his missing granddaughter. Griffith is not the most powerful man in Nightside and immortal. He is said to have made a pact with the Devil and as long as his grandchildren don't reach the age of adulthood, he, his wife and children, remain immortal. So why is he now so determined to find his missing granddaughter just days before her 18th birthday. Is he tired of immortality, or does he want to destroy?

I'm very happy to have the Angel Wars over and have John Taylor back investigating with his usual humor, strange "friends," and array of powers. Nightside is a fascinating place to visit, but only from the safety of my sofa. Although this entry could stand on its own, it is a series best read in order. I find these books to be delightful escape, although they are not particularly recommended for the weak of stomach.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars If Phillip Marlowe got jobs like this, he'd become a plumber..., January 30, 2007

By	R. Kyle (USA) - See all my reviews (TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)

Welcome to the Nightside, an alternate London where it's always 3 AM and the living isn't easy. You can get anything you want at Alice's Restaurant--if you're willing to pay the price. Think about that--in the Nightside, ambulances are fueled by pain and suffering and taxis run on virgin's blood.

John Taylor is the premier private eye in the Nightside. Just recently, he saved the place from extinction when his mother, Lilith (yes, that Lilith) tried to take over.

Now, the biggest baddest man in the Nightside has hired John to find his 17 year old grand-daughter, Melissa. Jeremiah Griffin is immortal and nobody really knows what bargain he made for that. One thing everyone knows is you don't cross the Griffin and live. And John's got less than 24 hours to find Melissa.

This seventh book of the "Nightside" stories is one of the best so far. "Hell to Pay" is hard to put down, full of the dark Chandleresque humor that typifies Simon R. Green's work. While I'd recommend anyone start with the beginning of the "Nightside" series, "Hell to Pay" is a good introduction--and trust me, you will want the six books prior to this one.